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Laycilates utilizes her comprehensive knowledge of classical Pilates when curating each clients’ private studio session. At its core, the Laycilates method promotes muscular endurance, balance, flexibility & mobility. By incorporating small controlled but impactful movements, her unique modern method is proven to tone, lengthen & strengthen.
LACY LOONEY
Pilates Instructor, private personal trainer, and founder of Laycilates.
WELLNESS EntrepreneurS
LA Women of Wellness offers a vibrant community experience tailored for women in the Los Angeles area seeking meaningful connections with others who share a commitment to well-being.
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Tell me how LA Women of Wellness got started. What was the idea behind it, and how did it all take off?
Jessica: It was actually started as a hiking group and I literally just wanted more friends that were into hiking and being outdoors, so I started a Facebook group and started organizing group hikes. Over time it turned into meetups and brunches. That was back in 2020, and then I met Zoe in this group in 2021. She came to one of our meet-ups and we didn’t know each other at all yet. Shortly after that, she posted in the group asking if anyone wanted to plan a girls’ hiking trip, and we just went for it. We planned a trip for 16 women, and that weekend really showed us how powerful this kind of space could be. It became so clear that there was a real need for a supportive, community-based space for women to connect—not just through wellness, but through shared experiences. That’s when we evolved from LA Hiking Ladies into LA Women of Wellness, and it's been growing ever since.
Zoe:
We do a variety of activities. Our main goal is to promote wellness in a way that feels inclusive and community-focused, so not just through fitness. We do partner with amazing fitness studios around LA, but we also host things like pottery workshops, sound baths, journaling sessions, and sunset walks. We even plan spa days and hormone health workshops. One big thing we’ve realized over time is how much of a gap there is in women’s health education. We’ve had so many women show up with questions about their bodies, hormones, and mental health. We really try to listen to our community and bring in facilitators and speakers based on what they want to learn about, and we always make time for the women to genuinely connect with each other. That’s been one of the most rewarding parts—seeing women come in feeling lonely or isolated, especially those new to LA or going through a major life transition, and then watching them build deep friendships. We love creating a wellness space that’s about more than just yoga or working out, but also about building a community.
What kind of activities does your group focus on during meetups?
Jessica:
I've always been surrounded by incredible, strong women, whether it was family or the girlfriends I’ve had throughout my life. So I know firsthand how powerful it is to have a community of women who uplift and empower you. Creating LA Women of Wellness has been so meaningful in that way. It’s about cultivating a space where women can connect, feel seen, and form genuine, lasting bonds. Wellness and fitness are just the way we connect, but the heart of it is really about bringing women together. Watching those real friendships form, and seeing women show up for each other is what makes it all worth it. I think that's the best part for me.
Zoe:
I come from a little bit of a different perspective. I actually found this community while I was going through a divorce. At the time, I didn’t have many strong or positive female influences in my life, and not a lot of solid friendships with other women. I joined this group because I wanted to change that. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and seek those connections. After that first retreat, Jess and I realized we had a platform to help other women experience that same transformation. It’s honestly changed my life, and now I just want to create that same opportunity for others. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing women go through something similar and come out stronger, more connected, and more confident.
What do you both love most about what you do within this group?
Jessica:
We definitely have some big visions for the future of this group. There’s so much more we want to create, and so many ideas in the works, but everything centers around the same mission: to empower women, create a space where they feel seen and heard, and build opportunities for deeper connections. One thing we’re really excited about is expanding beyond LA. We're currently working on an ambassador program to help bring this kind of community to other cities. Something that’s also really important to us is diversity and inclusion. We prioritize creating a space that’s truly welcoming, and where everyone feels like they belong. That’s the kind of feedback we love hearing from women—that they feel like they’ve found their tribe within our community.
What do you hope to see for the future of LA Women of Wellness?
Tell me about your background and what inspired you to go into this field?