MIMI GHANDOUR MOVES WITH A GRACE THAT BELIES THE HIGH-STAKES PRESSURE OF AN EXPANDING EMPIRE. WHILE ARCHITECTING HER THIRD SANCTUARY IN AVENTURA AT EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT, THE MIMI YOGA & PILATES FOUNDER IS PROVING THAT THE ULTIMATE “GLOW UP” IS FOUND WHERE MATERNAL RESILIENCE MEETS SHARP ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
BY IZABELA CANNELL
6:00 AM / I have always been an early riser, but now that I’m pregnant, I’m gently woken up by little baby kicks. With gestational diabetes, I immediately check my fasting sugar levels to make sure everything is on track. Then, before the day truly begins, I scroll through my phone and emails.
6:30 AM / I was never much of a breakfast person, but pregnancy has changed that. Now, breakfast is non-negotiable—and honestly, I’ve come to cherish it. I prepare something nourishing, then take a quiet moment to sit and simply be.
8:30 AM / Managing gestational diabetes means checking in with my body every two hours. I check my blood sugar before heading out, making sure I’m good to go before going to Mimi Yoga & Pilates to teach my morning class.
9:00 AM / I always give myself time to arrive early and just be in the studio before class begins. The studios are truly my second home, the energy, the people, the community we’ve built together. I love being with our team and the students who walk through our doors, feeling that sense of connection before we even step onto the mat.
10:00 AM / Even at 8 months pregnant, I am still teaching my classes. While Mimi Yoga & Pilates studios are infrared heated, we leave the heat off for my classes. It still gets warm, and students get sweaty.
11:30 AM / I head back home, test my blood sugar, and have a snack before settling in to prep for my Zoom call. On today’s agenda: our Aventura location—our third studio. Between construction timelines and design decisions, there’s always something exciting to work through.
12:00 PM / Log into Zoom. We cover construction progress, finalize last-minute design elements, and map out our opening event and marketing strategy. With each new location, we get to brainstorm ways to continually enhance the Mimi Yoga & Pilates experience.
12:30 PM / Eat lunch, then, since I’m in nesting mode, I organize the baby’s nursery. We waited to do this, so now that the baby is coming in April, we have a lot to get done!
2:30 PM / Another blood sugar check, then I take a rest before my evening class. Growing a human is real work, and I’ve learned to honor my body’s need for rest.
4:00 PM / I head back to Wynwood to teach the 5 PM class, and while yes, I’m tired from being pregnant, being surrounded by community, watching students show up for themselves gives me energy.
6:15 PM / I return home, shower, eat dinner, spend time with my husband, and check my blood sugar one more time before bed.
8:00 PM / I don’t mess around when it comes to sleep, pregnant or not; sleep has always been a priority for me. By 8 PM, I’m in bed, feeling deeply thankful for each and every day. Growing this little one and building Mimi Yoga and community is a lot, but it’s everything.
