The Conscious Counsel Podcast

Top 5 Legal Myths Wellness Entrepreneurs Believe These are the myths keeping amazing wellness professionals from legal clarity. Let’s break them down.   What People Say Cory shares the top limiting beliefs he's heard in 8+ years of working with 1,600+ clients: I'm too small I'll do it later I don't need legal until I get sued I can just use ChatGPT Legal costs too much What Actually Works Each myt...

Why I Left Traditional Law (And What Makes Our Firm Different) Cory didn’t plan to be a lawyer. And he definitely didn’t plan to leave Big Law to serve yoga teachers and wellness entrepreneurs. But the system was broken—and so was the experience for clients.   What Traditional Law Gets Wrong Long hours. Poor communication. Lawyers that clients don’t actually want to work with. Cory saw the flaws f...

Can Signing the Wrong Lease Bankrupt You? When COVID hit, many wellness businesses went under. The #1 reason? Lease agreements they didn’t understand. What Goes Wrong From outrageous personal guarantees to vague use clauses, most lease documents are written to protect the landlord—not you. Cory unpacks the most common red flags that get studio owners in trouble. What You Can Do You can negotiate....

Are You Legally Protected from Sexual Harassment Claims?  One yoga studio in Florida faced a nightmare situation: a studio manager accused a co-owner of harassment. No procedures, no policy, no clear legal protection. What Went Wrong  No employee handbook. No staff policies. No owner agreement. No way to enforce removal of the accused owner. Without the right agreements, the entire business and co...

 They built a seven-figure wellness brand—then lost it all in legal mediation. When partnerships work, they’re magic. But when they fall apart without legal guardrails, the fallout is expensive and emotionally draining. In this episode, Cory shares a cautionary tale about two successful wellness entrepreneurs who triggered each other into a costly legal battle—because they never signed a partnersh...

Wondering when to stop being a sole proprietor and start a company? Cory breaks down when it makes sense to incorporate—legally, financially, and practically. In this episode, Cory shares three real-world stories to help wellness entrepreneurs decide when forming a legal entity is the right move. From an Ayurvedic clinic inheritance to a Pilates studio inside a family home, to a heli-skiing advent...

A rash. A yoga mat. A $1 million lawsuit. Here’s why your waiver needs to go beyond the basics—and how to fix yours. In this jaw-dropping episode, Cory shares a real story about a yoga studio that got sued for over $1 million —because of a rash allegedly caused by a shared mat. The lawsuit wasn’t just shocking—it was expensive. And the worst part? The waiver the studio used was a generic template....

What Should I Put in My Contract? How to Build Agreements That Actually Work What goes into a great contract? It depends—but in the best way possible.  In this episode, Cory Sterling shares a real story about a Pilates studio collaborating with a celebrity guest teacher for a retreat, and how they reverse-engineered the agreement based on what actually made the relationship work. You’ll learn: Why...

How to Legally Remove Difficult Clients Without Refund Drama Yes, you can fire clients—but only if your agreements give you the power to do it. In this episode, Cory Sterling shares two real stories: one where a retreat leader had to remove a guest for breaking a no-alcohol rule, and another where a studio owner struggled to kick out a disruptive member because they didn’t have a contract in place...

New FTC laws are changing how you manage subscriptions. Here’s what to update now to stay compliant—and avoid costly refund requests. In Episode 5, Cory Sterling unpacks the 2024 Click-to-Cancel law and how it affects gyms, studios, and online programs that use recurring billing. You’ll hear two real client stories: one where outdated agreements led to a refund and lost revenue, and one where a pr...

Misclassifying your workers can cost you everything. Here’s how to get it right and avoid expensive legal fallout. In this episode, Cory dives into one of the most misunderstood areas of law for wellness businesses: how to classify the people who work for you. Are they independent contractors or employees? The answer impacts your legal risk, your relationships, and your bottom line. Cory shares fo...

When someone gets hurt at your retreat, gym, or studio—your waiver is your first line of defense. Here's how to make sure it's doing its job. In this episode, Cory breaks down what makes a waiver of liability effective—and what happens when it’s not. You’ll hear two real-world stories: one where a vague template led to a six-figure problem, and another where a specific waiver stopped a legal issue...

Protecting your brand isn't optional—it's essential. Learn what to do if someone copies your name, logo, or vibe, and how trademarks can save you time, money, and stress. In this episode of the Conscious Counsel Podcast, Cory Sterling shares two real client stories—one cautionary tale and one legal win—that explain the power of having your intellectual property protected. From cease-and-desist let...

Your legal position determines how costly or stressful a problem becomes—learn how to protect your biz from day one. In this kickoff episode of the Conscious Counsel Podcast, Cory Sterling breaks down the single most important legal concept for heart-led entrepreneurs: your legal position. This foundational idea will shape how your business handles unexpected challenges, from client disputes to re...

Welcome to The Conscious Counsel Podcast , the ultimate resource for heart-leading health and wellness entrepreneurs. Whether you're a yoga teacher, personal trainer, life coach, or holistic health practitioner , this show is designed to help you grow your business, protect your brand, and scale with confidence —without the legal headaches. Hosted by lawyer and entrepreneur Cory Sterling , this po...