Ava Nickman: Wellness Leader and Digital Storyteller
Ava Nickman is a wellness executive and franchise strategist best known for leading operations and expansion at Pause Studio, a modern recovery-focused wellness brand. With a background in psychology and public health from UCLA, she blends evidence-based care with thoughtful leadership to help people heal and grow.
Early Life and Education
Ava graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Public Health, combining her interest in mental well-being and community health. Her time at UCLA was shaped by a deep interest in mental health, community care, and human behavior.
While there, she worked as an Associate Research Fellow, focusing on how communication impacts mental and physical health outcomes. This early experience sharpened her understanding of how people heal—knowledge that would later guide her leadership in wellness settings.
Early Career: Fitness and Hospitality Foundations
Ava’s professional journey began at CycleBar, where she worked as a spin instructor. She built loyal client relationships by offering motivation that felt personal and sustainable. Here, she saw how movement could build community, not just muscle.
She later joined Hillstone Restaurant Group, a respected hospitality brand, where she further developed her leadership, customer service, and team management skills. From high-volume operations to calm, attentive care, Ava learned how to support people—on both sides of the counter.
Joining Pause Studio
In April 2023, Ava began working at Pause Studio in Los Angeles. The studio specializes in recovery-focused wellness services like:
- Float therapy
- Infrared saunas
- Cold plunges
- IV therapy
- LED light beds
Pause Studio isn’t just about aesthetics or spa-like luxury. It’s about creating space for real, restorative healing. Ava quickly rose through the ranks thanks to her blend of compassion, operational excellence, and vision.
General Manager and Studio Expansion
By March 2024, Ava was promoted to General Manager of Pause Studio. She oversaw studio operations, team development, service delivery, and guest experience—leading with a focus on restorative culture and high-impact service.
Under her leadership, Pause expanded into two new locations: Brentwood and Studio City, transforming the brand from a single-center experience into a small-but-scalable wellness network.
Franchise Launch Manager
In March 2025, Ava stepped into the role of Franchise Training and Launch Manager. In her role, she played a central part in helping Pause Studio expand its presence across the country. She now guides:
- The onboarding and training of franchise owners
- Team-building for new locations
- Standardizing systems while preserving authentic care
- Scaling without losing soul
Her new role is a hybrid of strategist, mentor, and operational architect.
Leadership Style and Values
Ava’s leadership philosophy is grounded in intentional growth, clear communication, and emotional presence.
She believes in:
- Empowering her team with clarity and trust
- Listening deeply before leading boldly
- Building systems that serve both efficiency and empathy
- Treating every guest and staff member as a whole person—not just a number
This human-centered approach is reflected in glowing studio reviews, where clients often mention how “seen” and “rebalanced” they feel after a session.
A Science-Backed, Soulful Approach
At her core, Ava is a wellness leader who bridges evidence-based practice with heart-led connection.
She uses:
- Her public health background to evaluate program effectiveness
- Her psychology training to cultivate mental well-being alongside physical recovery
- Her operational training to streamline day-to-day management
She doesn’t just run wellness centers—she creates environments where people feel safe enough to reset.
Digital Storytelling and Private Presence
Though her Instagram (@avanickman) is currently private, Ava is building a quiet but meaningful digital presence.
Unlike many wellness influencers, she doesn’t trade in quick fixes or filters. Her style is understated, reflective, and sincere, focusing on mental health, burnout prevention, and small habits that build real change.
As she continues to grow professionally, her voice is gaining recognition for its depth and relatability.
What Makes Ava Nickman Stand Out?
| Core Strength | Real-World Impact |
|---|---|
| Strategic Leadership | Expanded Pause Studio across multiple locations |
| Human Connection | Leads with empathy and high emotional intelligence |
| Academic Rigor | Integrates psychology and public health in decision-making |
| Scalable Vision | Supports national franchise training with structure and care |
What’s Next for Ava Nickman?
Looking ahead, Ava is set to broaden her impact by:
- National wellness franchise development
- Speaking opportunities on leadership and mindful business
- Developing digital content or apps around everyday well-being
- Publishing reflective writing or wellness frameworks for young professionals
Her trajectory points toward leadership that is sustainable, inclusive, and mindful.
Lessons from Her Journey
- Start where you are — Ava began as a fitness instructor and evolved into a franchise strategist.
- Stay rooted in people — Relationships are the foundation of both healing and business growth.
- Lead with intention — Every system she builds reflects a thoughtful balance of heart and logic.
- Protect your peace — She models rest and care as professional strengths, not liabilities.
Conclusion
Ava Nickman is a leading voice in modern wellness. By combining a UCLA-backed foundation in psychology and public health with hands-on franchise leadership, she’s redefining how wellness centers grow—with empathy, structure, and lasting community impact.
Her work at Pause Studio shows that sustainable healing isn’t built through hype—but through thoughtful systems, honest care, and leaders who listen first.
