TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Felipe Wance

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From Soccer Fields to Boardrooms

 

Felipe Wance’s story begins on the soccer fields of Brazil, where he played professionally from the time he was eight years old. Discipline, grit, and determination defined his early years. At just 17, he left everything behind when his parents sent him to Washington State as an exchange student. It was the first of many bold leaps that would shape his life. After high school in America, he returned home to pursue a degree in economics and then climbed the ranks of global banking for 15 years, working at powerhouse institutions including BTG Pactual, UBS, and Citibank.

 

Trading Finance for Fitness

 

Although he thrived in banking, Felipe never lost his passion for health and wellness—an interest rooted in a family of doctors and dentists. In 2017, he chose courage over comfort, moving back to the U.S. with his 2 kids and launched his first Club Pilates studio in Fort Lauderdale. What began as a single location quickly grew into a fitness empire. Today, Felipe owns multiple thriving studios across South Florida, with more in development. His success has been recognized repeatedly, as his studios have been voted Best Pilates in Fort Lauderdale five years running.

 

A Hands-On Visionary

 

Unlike many owners, Felipe doesn’t lead from a distance. He’s in the trenches—coaching managers, supporting instructors, fixing equipment, and even taking classes alongside members. By being present, he creates a culture of excellence and connection. His studios aren’t just places to exercise; they are sanctuaries where people rebuild strength, confidence, and community.

 

Beyond Business

 

Felipe has never been content with the ordinary. After selling his first company—a successful travel agency in Brazil—he invested everything into his biggest project yet: bringing Club Pilates to Florida. And he isn’t stopping there. With plans to expand further and launch a disruptive art gallery, he’s on a mission to fuse physical health, mental wellness, and creativity into something larger than business: a movement for better living.

 

Changing Lives, One Story at a Time

 

For Felipe, the greatest reward isn’t revenue—it’s transformation. He recalls a woman who came into one of his studios using a walker, convinced exercise was impossible. With his encouragement, she began Pilates twice a week. Within six months, she no longer needed the walker, removed the grab bars from her home, and went on to complete more than 1,000 classes. Stories like hers fuel Felipe’s drive and affirm his belief that Pilates is not just fitness—it’s life-changing medicine for body and mind.

 

A Legacy of Passion and Purpose

 

For Felipe, Pilates represents the future of fitness. Unlike traditional gyms focused solely on building muscle, Pilates engages the entire body while sharpening the mind. It’s a discipline that helps people age better, feel stronger, and live with greater vitality.

 

 

Felipe Wance
Owner
Club Pilates
Website: www.clubpilates.com/location/southftlauderdale
Instagram: @felipewance