Meet Kendell Gross | Owner & Founder of The KAGE Method

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendell Gross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendell, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business honestly came from something much deeper than wanting to own a studio. Fitness has always been a part of who I am. I grew up as a competitive dancer, and when that chapter of my life ended, I felt a little lost. I poured that same passion, discipline, and emotion into strength training and eventually Pilates, and somewhere along the way, fitness became more than just movement for me, it became healing.

That journey is what led me to get certified and start teaching. While teaching Pilates, I noticed such a disconnect between the Pilates world and strength training. A lot of spaces felt intimidating, exclusive, or like you had to already “fit in” to belong there. I knew there were so many people who wanted to feel strong and challenged but were too scared to walk into certain environments. I wanted to change that.

To be completely honest, there wasn’t some perfectly thought out business plan behind The KAGE Method, but I did always dream of building something of my own one day. I’ve always wanted to create something meaningful that reflected my vision, my experiences, and the kind of environment I wished existed for people. When the opportunity came, I trusted myself enough to take the risk and go for it, even without having every detail figured out.

What mattered most to me was creating a space that felt bigger than just fitness. A space where people could feel seen, safe, challenged, and supported all at the same time.

KAGE was built for people to feel safe. I wanted a space where someone could walk in on their best day or their worst day and still feel accepted. A place where people could show up exactly as they are no pressure, no judgment, no need to pretend to be someone else. I want people to feel like this is their studio too, because it is.

Fitness genuinely saved my life in so many ways. It gave me confidence when I had none, strength when I felt weak, and a sense of purpose when I felt lost. Some of the most important moments of my life happened inside fitness studios, and I knew I wanted to create a space that could do that for other people too.

At the end of the day, The KAGE Method was never just about workouts. It was about creating a community, a home, and a space that reminds people they are stronger than they think… mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets The KAGE Method apart is that we were the first mat Pilates-based studio in Huntington Beach, which is incredibly special to me because this is my hometown. I was born and raised here, so being able to build something for the community that raised me means everything. There’s such a deep connection and sense of loyalty within Huntington Beach, and I think that energy is reflected inside our studio every single day.

One thing that makes KAGE unique is that every instructor teaches in the style that aligns most with them. I never wanted classes to feel robotic or all the same. I wanted our instructors to have creative freedom and be able to bring their own personality, energy, and passion into every class. Because of that, every experience feels different, personal, and authentic, and I think our clients really feel that.

I’m incredibly proud of my instructors. They show up every single day and work so hard for this community, and their effort never goes unnoticed. The studio would not be what it is without them. They care so deeply about the people who walk through our doors, and that kind of passion can’t be taught.

I’m also unbelievably proud of our clients. Watching people stay consistent, show up for themselves, and become stronger mentally and physically has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. We’ve had clients who have been with us for months now, and seeing the progress they make week after week honestly inspires me. The strength and confidence people build inside the studio goes far beyond fitness.

At the same time, opening a business has challenged me in ways I never expected. There have been so many hurdles, stressful moments, and times where I genuinely questioned whether I could do it. Building something from the ground up is emotional, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming. But every time things get hard, we rise again and again, and I think that resilience is a huge part of the story behind KAGE.

More than anything, I want people to know that this brand has always been community first. We care about people as human beings, not as numbers or dollar signs. I wanted to create a space that could be there for someone in every stage of life — on the good days, the hard days, the confident days, and the days they barely made it through the door. If this space changes even one person’s life, helps someone feel less alone, or gives them a sense of belonging, then that means more to me than anything else ever could.

And as for what I’m excited about next… let’s just say we’re only getting started. We have some really exciting things coming soon for the KAGE community, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience what’s next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As someone born and raised in Huntington Beach, there’s honestly nowhere else like it to me. The community, the beach culture, the local businesses, the energy — it all feels so connected, and I think that’s what makes HB so special. If I were showing someone around for the perfect Huntington Beach day, it would definitely be a mix of movement, good food, and local spots that really capture the vibe of the city.

I’d obviously start the morning with a Sculpt class at The KAGE Method. That’s home. After class, I’d walk over to HB Corner Market for a coffee or matcha — it’s the perfect little post-workout walk and one of my favorite local spots.

You can’t come to Huntington Beach without spending time by the water, so after that I’d definitely grab food from either Bear Flag or Board Riders and head down to the beach for the afternoon. That’s the most “HB” experience there is.

After a day in the sun, sunset at Jolie Rooftop is a must. Whether it’s for a drink before dinner or staying for dinner itself, the view and atmosphere are unmatched. If you wanted a different dinner vibe, Black Trumpet is one of my favorite spots and always delivers.

Some other local staples I’d recommend would definitely be getting a workout in at Crave, grabbing lunch at The Huntington Club, drinks on the beach at SeaLegs, and ending the night with pizza from Riip. And if you’re craving sushi, Irassae is always the answer.

What I love most about Huntington Beach is that it still feels like a community. So many of these places are locally owned, filled with familiar faces, and have been part of people’s routines and memories for years. Growing up here and now building my business here makes me appreciate that even more.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This journey would not have been possible without my parents. They believed in me even when my dreams felt bigger than imaginable. No matter how ambitious my ideas were, they never told me I couldn’t do something, they simply asked how they could help.

Their love, support, and belief in me gave me the confidence to take risks, trust myself, and build The KAGE Method from the ground up. Through every high and low, they’ve always been there reminding me to keep going and believe in what I’m capable of.

I also want to thank the incredible community we’ve built at KAGE. The people inside those walls are what truly make the studio what it is. What started as a fitness studio has turned into a family, and that’s something I never take for granted.

Every person who has brought a friend to class, shared their experience, posted about us, supported us online, or simply continued showing up has impacted my life more than they probably realize. Watching people connect, grow stronger together, and feel at home inside the studio has been one of the most meaningful parts of this entire journey.

KAGE exists because of the people in it, and I’m endlessly grateful for every single person who has been part of building this community with me.

Website: https://www.thekagemethod.com

Instagram: thekagemethod / kendellmgross

Yelp: The KAGE Method

Image Credits
Leah Katherine, Senna Leith, Cole Coppolino