Daily Inspiration: Meet Laura Zavadil

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Zavadil.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Laura Zavadil is the founder and owner of Mega Barre Youngstown, an independently owned boutique fitness studio that has helped shape the fitness landscape of Northeast Ohio for more than a decade. A registered and licensed dietitian, fitness professional, entrepreneur, and former professional dancer, Laura has dedicated her career to helping individuals build healthier, stronger lives through movement, nutrition, and community.

After performing professionally with productions including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Tokyo Disneyland, Laura returned home to the Youngstown area seeking a fitness program that combined the strength, flexibility, and artistry of dance with a sustainable, low-impact approach to exercise. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, she created it herself.

In 2013, Laura introduced barre fitness to the Youngstown area, becoming one of the first to offer the modality locally and laying the foundation for what would become Mega Barre Youngstown. What began as a single barre program has since evolved into Northeast Ohio’s premier multi-modality boutique fitness studio, offering innovative classes including Barre, Lagree Megaformer, Pilates-inspired training, rebounding, strength training, and proprietary fitness formats developed in-house.

Laura’s passion for wellness extends beyond fitness. As a registered dietitian, she has spent years helping clients understand the powerful connection between nutrition, disease prevention, and long-term health. Inspired in part by losing her mother to cancer at a young age, Laura has made it her mission to empower others with practical tools to improve both their physical and mental well-being.

Today, Mega Barre serves thousands of clients throughout the Mahoning Valley and beyond, offering a welcoming environment where people of all fitness levels can challenge themselves, build confidence, and find community. Under Laura’s leadership, the studio has become known not only for its cutting-edge programming but also for its commitment to supporting local nonprofits, small businesses, and community initiatives.

Laura continues to teach, mentor instructors, develop fitness education programs, and lead teacher trainings while balancing life as a wife and mother of three daughters. Her mission remains the same as it was on day one: to help people learn to love movement, embrace wellness, and build a life rooted in strength, longevity, and connection.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A large part of why I built Mega Barre comes from my own personal struggles and life experiences. I lost my mom to cancer as a young adult, and that loss completely changed the way I viewed health, wellness, and the importance of taking care of both our physical and mental well-being. I also struggled for years with body dysmorphia and anxiety, which is why creating a fitness space that feels supportive, empowering, and focused on strength instead of perfection became so important to me.

Operating a small business through and after COVID was another chapter that challenged me deeply. Like many studio owners or business owners, I faced shutdowns, uncertainty, financial stress, and the pressure of trying to keep my staff, clients, and community connected during an incredibly difficult time. There were moments I questioned everything, but those experiences ultimately strengthened my purpose and reminded me why community and human connection matter so much. Those struggles helped shape not only who I am as a business owner, but the culture and heart behind Mega Barre today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I’m probably most known for is creating a community-focused environment where people feel challenged, supported, and genuinely welcomed. I’ve always wanted Mega Barre to feel like a place where clients can escape life for an hour, build confidence, improve their health, and feel connected to something bigger than just exercise. We’re not a corporate fitness brand, and I think people can feel that difference the second they walk through the door.

What I’m most proud of is building something that has truly impacted people’s lives while staying authentic to who I am. We’ve created careers for instructors, helped clients regain confidence and strength, supported local charities and businesses, and built a loyal community that has stood by us through every phase of life, including the challenges of COVID and the years after.

I also think what sets me apart is that I’m constantly evolving, creating and learning. I didn’t just open a studio and repeat the same formula for years. I’ve developed original class concepts, proprietary teacher trainings, and programming that keeps people engaged while still prioritizing safety, education, and longevity. I work with a coach who keeps me accountable to my numbers behind the scenes and I love traveling to take classes and learn from others, get more certifications, and making connections with fitness instructors who inspire me. At the end of the day, I care deeply about helping people feel stronger physically and mentally, and I think that passion is what people connect with most.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, mentorship has looked less like one official mentor and more like learning different things from different people over time. Some people taught me business, some taught me leadership, some taught me confidence, and some honestly taught me what not to do. I think it’s important to stay coachable no matter how experienced you become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://megabarreyoungstown.com
• Instagram: mega.barre
• Facebook: mega.barre