How Sadie Lincoln Turned Barre3 Into A Fitness Empire

Sadie Lincoln is the cofounder and CEO of Barre3, a fitness brand that has nearly 200 locations nationwide. She was named to the 50 Over 50 list earlier this year, but she traces her professional journey, and this success, to a person who she says has no idea he had such a profound impact on her career. Sadie first ran into Mick Deluca when, as a UCLA undergrad, she found her way to the John Wooden Rec Center on campus. Mick was an administrator there, and he noticed that Sadie loved teaching group exercise classes. At the time, the boutique fitness industry wasn’t the $30 billion market it is today, but no matter: Mick mentioned to Sadie that she might enjoy going to a trade conference on group exercise. This one comment took Sadie on a path that she says she never would have otherwise pursued, and what happens next is proof that sometimes the “in between” moments in a career are the ones that have the biggest impact.