The Breadwinners Podcast
The Breadwinners Podcast
Alexis Contos
EP. 07 | Sarah Levey on Legacy Through Motherhood and Building Without Burnout
1 hour 8 minutes Posted Jan 12, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
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Show notes
It started with a pinched sciatic nerve and a diet of dollar-slice pizza. In 2012, Sarah Levey was working in fashion on a $32,000 salary, desperate for physical recovery but completely alienated by the performative nature of traditional yoga. She didn't just want a workout; she wanted a sanctuary where she didn't have to look like the teacher or the person in the front row. So she built Y7 Studio—a beat-bumping, candlelit rebellion against the mirrors, bright lights, and judgment of the typical studio experience.
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In this candid conversation, Alexis and Sarah go far beyond the business of fitness. Sarah opens up about the darker side of building a cult-favorite brand: the dangerous trap of letting your business become your entire identity. She takes us through her transformative experience with the Hoffman Process, revealing how she learned to "divorce" her soul from her company after years of being the ultimate decision-maker.
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From her early days of "living the dream" on the streets of New York to her evolution as a leader who no longer needs to control every outcome, Sarah shares deep wisdom on emotional accountability. She discusses the parallels between gentle parenting and leadership, and why stepping back to become a "steward of culture" might be the bravest move a founder can make.
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Whether you're a reluctant yogi, a burnt-out founder, or someone trying to stop carrying the emotional weight of everyone around you—this episode is a masterclass in building a business without losing yourself.
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