#44 - Michelle Wahler (Beyond Yoga)

In this episode of The Exit Whisperer, Michelle Wahler shares the incredible 18-year journey of building Beyond Yoga—a body-positive, female-founded activewear brand that made comfort, inclusivity, and authenticity its mission from day one. From hand-illustrated T-shirts to a strategic, self-funded apparel company acquired by Levi Strauss & Co., Michelle unpacks every twist in her story: childhood influences, bootstrapping struggles, wholesale wins, emotional negotiations, and her mindset shift post-exit.

 

Whether you’re scaling your first business or considering your final chapter, this is a masterclass in leading with values and building a brand people love.

 

00:00 - Intro: Who is Michelle Wahler?

01:45 - Losing Her Dad’s Business, Gaining a Mission

05:30 - From Unsweetened T-Shirts to Activewear Vision

08:20 - Meeting Her Co-Founder and Starting Beyond Yoga

13:40 - The Business Was Built for Real Women

17:25 - Why They Never Raised Venture Capital

21:50 - Early Wholesale Wins & Studio-by-Studio Growth

26:00 - Doubling Year After Year (Until the Recession)

30:40 - The Moment They Took Finances In-House

35:00 - Cold LinkedIn Message from Levi’s

39:15 - “Build or Buy?” and the Levi’s Strategy

42:40 - Reflecting on Earlier Offers and Knowing Their Worth

47:00 - Why She Said No to Fast Growth

52:10 - Controlling Distribution and Staying True to the Brand

56:40 - The Integrity Behind Every Decision

01:00:00 - Closing Thoughts on Exit and Identity