Meet MaryBeth Searls

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaryBeth Searls. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi MaryBeth, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

Taking risks is terrifying. Most of us would rather stay with the devil we know than face the one we don’t. For me, risk looked like leaving behind the career I built over a decade in TV production in Los Angeles and Chicago. It was the world I knew, the job I worked hard to secure, and the identity that looked good on paper.

Then yoga came into my life in 2016 – first as a student, then as a teacher. The more I taught, the more I saw a gap in the studio experience, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I could fill it. Not because I had the business background or experience, but because I knew the students, I understood what they were craving, and I felt I could deliver something different.

At the time, I was a VP running a large team. The safe choice was to stay put. Keep the steady paycheck. Keep the 401k. Keep the role that made sense to everyone else but not to me. But I couldn’t stop thinking about this little idea that lived only in my head. And it grew louder every year.

Eventually, I realized the real risk wasn’t starting my own business – it was never starting at all. The thought of not trying would haunt me more than the possibility of failing. That was the moment risk flipped on its head. The danger wasn’t in leaving. The danger was in staying.

I’ve learned to treat risk the way I treat fear and doubt: as illusions. They only hold as much power as you give them. For every “what if this doesn’t work out,” I counter with, “what if it does?” Risk is everywhere the minute you step outside your door. The key is how you frame it and whether you let it fuel you or freeze you.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

dripyoga opened in 2022 with one clear mission: we set out to do more than create another yoga studio – we wanted to reinvent the experience. From the very beginning, the response was overwhelming. Our studio blends modern beats, candlelight, and state-of-the-art infrared heat into something that feels less like a workout and more like an escape.

I’m MaryBeth Searls, and after teaching yoga for several years, I was searching for a studio that felt intentionally curated and energizing. Much like discovering a favorite cocktail bar or cozy coffee shop, I wanted a space that felt cool and inspiring. When I realized no existing studio checked all the boxes, I decided to create it myself. I drew inspiration from studios in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles to design a space that combines big city energy with a strong sense of community.

I believe in romanticizing our lives – curating the life you love to live from your morning latte, to your clothes, to your home. Your workout should be no exception. Don’t settle for standard gym vibes when you can have a thoughtfully designed experience that feels right for you. That’s why I created dripyoga – a studio I would want to take classes at, where every detail is thought about.

What makes dripyoga special is the combination of heat and beats, movement and music. Every detail matters – from the moody, backlit mirror and darkened room that cuts distractions, to cool scented cloths at the end of class. It’s not just the workout, it’s the vibe, the community, and the transformation that happens when you step into our space.

Our instructors are the heartbeat of the studio. With thousands of teaching hours behind them, they create powerful classes fueled by original playlists that drive breath and movement. It’s this perfect blend of ancient practice and modern energy that keeps people coming back, not only for the physical benefits but for the deeper shift that happens on the mat.

And now, we’re raising the bar with PULSE. This is a one-of-a-kind format designed by dripyoga and found nowhere else. PULSE is high-energy and pilates inspired, created to get you out of your head and into your body. PULSE is about feeling instead of perfecting – syncing the beat of the music with the rhythm of your own pulse. This new format just launched and people are obsessed.

We’re proud to create a space that combines modern beats, transformative heat, a curated atmosphere, and an inclusive community. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned yogi, this is a place to sweat out stress, recharge your energy, and find your people.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Fear: You have to get over it and start today. Fear can hold you back and prevent you from ever beginning. Keep moving forward, even if you have to fake it until you make it. The key is to start and then focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

Recognize imposter syndrome: Everyone is figuring it out as they go. It might seem like others have it all together, but we’re all navigating this life in real time. Your idea is valid, and you belong in the space you’re creating. The world needs more of what you have to offer.

Listen: There are so many people around you with insights, advice, and resources you can tap into. Build relationships, ask for help, and don’t underestimate the support that’s already at your fingertips. Most people want to help, you just have to ask.

Advice for those starting out: Don’t wait until you feel ready – start now. It takes time to grow a business or start a new endeavor, so start now and give yourself the runway you’ll need. Recognize when you’re spinning excuses – that’s fear trying to hold you back. Do the work, make a solid plan, do your research, and then take the leap. The only way forward is forward.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, it’s usually because I’ve been leaning into the things I’m good at and avoiding the things I’m “bad” at. I feel safe there, confident there, productive there. But that can also hide the things that are actually causing stress.

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and review what’s on my plate. I begin identifying what’s causing the stress. Often, it’s because there is a task that feels intimidating – one for which I don’t have a clear path to completion. This could be contract negotiations, making a big organizational change, or tackling something that will grow the business. The tasks that linger on my to-do list start to weigh on me because I’ve been avoiding them. The longer I avoid them, the bigger and scarier they feel.

Once I identify the task, I break it down. I ask questions like: “What’s the very first step to get this done?” and “Who can I talk to or learn from so I’m better prepared to tackle this?” Then I carve out the time to actually do it. Breaking it into steps makes it far less intimidating, and even small progress brings immediate relief.

The key is not letting these tasks build. It’s easy to hide in the safe, comfortable things you’re good at, but the real growth comes from prioritizing what’s adding stress and weight to your life. Once you dive in, you realize most things are never as big or bad as they seem.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dripyogastudio.com
• Instagram: dripyogastudio
• Facebook: dripyogastudio
• Linkedin: dripyogastudio
• Other: TikTok: dripyoga.studio

Image Credits

Elizabeth LoCascio
Stephanie Stephen at Bright Eye Photography
Helen Bosacki