CorePower Yoga's CEO: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal

After experiencing the devastating loss of her spouse and her home within the span of a year, Niki Leondakis embraced the role of CEO at CorePower Yoga. This position, she believed, was more than just a job; it was a higher calling that aligned with her life's path.

The Setbacks Before CorePower

Before steering CorePower Yoga, Leondakis had an extensive career leading three hotel brands and serving as CEO of Equinox. However, barely a year into her leadership at Equinox, she had to resign after her residence was dismantled by a wildfire. Just a year following this, her husband passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack.

Niki told Business Insider about this challenging phase, saying, 'In the span of a year, I found myself missing my husband, my job, and my home.' She felt an immediate connection to the prospect of leading CorePower Yoga even before she had the opportunity.

Yoga: The Pillar of Her Existence

Leading up to this pivotal role, Leondakis maintained a firm commitment to physical fitness, particularly yoga, which had been a significant part of her routine for over 30 years. She initially turned to yoga as an aid to improve her marathon running, but over time, yoga became the central focus of her fitness regime.

Her dedication grew so profound that she pursued a 200-hour yoga certification, not out of a desire to teach, but to delve deeper into its rich philosophy and historical roots.

During her darkest hours after losing her partner and her home, yoga served as a cornerstone for her recovery. The practice helped her appreciate what she retained, instead of lamenting her losses. 'Every day on my yoga mat provided solace, grounding me as I navigated my feelings,' she stated.

Practicing under the guidance of the same yoga mentor for over ten years, and using CorePower Yoga studios in San Francisco, she credited the practice with helping her through these tough periods.

The CEO Opportunity

Even before the vacancy was known, Niki was already interested in leading CorePower Yoga. The loss of her husband prompted her to reassess her life's direction. When asked by her sister which company she would ideally want to lead, she confidently answered, 'CorePower Yoga.'

Her sister's subsequent research on LinkedIn revealed the current CEO’s position. 'He was relatively new, and I respected his past contributions,' Niki recounted, not expecting any immediate job openings.

Yet, two months later, in July 2019, she received an inquiry from a recruitment firm for the CEO role. Nicki saw this as a clear sign, feeling her destiny shifting with this new offer. 'It truly felt like the universe was pressing me forward, sending encouragement during challenging times.'

Niki also noted CorePower Yoga's own past adversity, including the death of its founder Trevor Tice in 2016. Embracing the chance to guide the company into its future, she saw it as a fitting opportunity to contribute her skill set and personal experience.