Inspiring Conversations with Helen Mechammil and Sabrina Goodrum of LAGREE Mi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Mechammil and Sabrina Goodrum.

Hi Helen and Sabrina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our story really begins long before LAGREE Mi ever had a name. We grew up in a big, vibrant Syrian family where everything revolved around connection — food, movement, resilience, and showing up for one another. Strength wasn’t just physical in our home; it was emotional, cultural, and deeply rooted in community.

Helen has always been immersed in wellness. For her, taking care of the body and mind wasn’t a trend — it was a way of life. Building something in the health space felt less like a business decision and more like a calling. She always knew that if she created something, it would have to feel purposeful.

Sabrina’s path was different, and in many ways, it shaped the heart of what we’ve built. As a breast cancer survivor, her relationship with her body transformed completely. After years of navigating body image struggles and putting others first, she made the decision to prioritize her own healing — physically and emotionally. That shift changed everything.

LAGREE Mi was born at the intersection of those two journeys — discipline and rediscovery, strength and softness, resilience and grace. We didn’t want to create just another fitness studio. We wanted to create a space where progress matters more than perfection, where strength looks different on everyone, and where walking through the door feels like coming home.

Today, what makes us most proud isn’t just the growing studio — it’s the community. When people step into LAGREE Mi, they’re not just members. They’re part of something bigger. And in many ways, that’s a reflection of how we were raised: no one invisible, everyone supported, everyone belonging.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road — but we say that with a lot of gratitude. The support we’ve received from our community has made the journey far smoother than it could have been, and we don’t take that for granted.

That said, stepping into entrepreneurship for the first time comes with a steep learning curve. There are so many moving parts you can’t fully prepare for. We waited months for our machines to arrive, and when they finally did, we realized our layout wouldn’t accommodate all of them the way we had envisioned. It was chaotic, humbling, and required quick decisions — including returning two machines and completely rethinking our floor plan.

Beyond the physical logistics, leadership itself has been an evolution. We care deeply about our team and want everyone to feel valued and supported. Balancing schedules, personalities, and expectations while also protecting the needs of the business hasn’t always been simple. We’ve learned that you can lead with heart and still have to make hard decisions.

But every challenge has strengthened us. It’s forced us to communicate better, trust each other more, and stay solution-focused. If anything, the bumps have confirmed that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.

We’ve chosen to stay grounded in gratitude and positivity — not because it’s easy, but because it’s intentional.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its core, LAGREE Mi is a high-intensity, low-impact fitness studio rooted in the Lagree Method. We offer full-body workouts on the Megaformer — a patented machine designed to create deep muscular endurance, strength, and definition without putting strain on the joints. The movements are slow, controlled, and intentionally challenging, which allows for maximum results in minimal time.

But what truly sets us apart isn’t the machine.

It’s the intention behind the space.

When we were searching for a fitness studio for ourselves, we couldn’t find one that felt genuinely safe for every body — not just physically, but emotionally. Too often, fitness environments are built around comparison, aesthetics, and performance. We wanted something different. We wanted a space where progress mattered more than appearance, where strength was defined individually, and where community mattered more than competition.

So we built it.

LAGREE Mi is designed to be both powerful and personal. Every workout is scalable, whether you’re brand new, rebuilding after an illness, or an experienced athlete looking to be pushed further. Our coaches are certified in the Lagree Method, but more importantly, they’re trained to lead with awareness and empathy. We pay attention — to form, to safety, to energy in the room.

Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the culture. The inclusivity. The way people walk in unsure and walk out empowered. We’ve created a sanctuary of strength and resilience — a place where showing up is celebrated and transformation isn’t just physical, it’s mental and emotional.

We want readers to know that LAGREE Mi isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about building strength in a way that feels sustainable, supportive, and deeply personal.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We don’t think of ourselves as reckless risk-takers — but we do believe in intentional risk.

Opening LAGREE Mi was absolutely a leap of faith. We invested in a space, in equipment, in a vision — all without knowing if members would walk through the door. We had confidence in the Lagree Method and in what it can do for the body, but we were also very aware that there were already established studios nearby with loyal followings. There were no guarantees.

What made it worth the risk was clarity. We weren’t opening “just another” studio. We were building something rooted in culture, inclusivity, and heart. We believed there was room for a space that felt different — more personal, more intentional — and that belief outweighed the fear.

Another meaningful risk was hiring newly certified instructors. From a business standpoint, it can feel safer to only hire those with years of experience. But we saw something in them — hunger, humility, passion. We remembered what it feels like to want someone to take a chance on you. So we did. And that decision has shaped our culture in the most beautiful way.

Our perspective on risk has evolved. It’s not about jumping without thinking — it’s about aligning with your values and moving forward even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Growth requires discomfort. Expansion requires uncertainty. But when your foundation is strong and your intentions are clear, risk becomes less about fear and more about faith.

Pricing:

• 4/month – $100
• 8/month – $169
• 10/month – $199
• 12/month – $219
• 16/month – $249

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lagreemi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagreemi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LAGREE-Mi/61577641713124/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lagree-mi-granada-hills?osq=Pilates&override_cta=Request+information