🏳️🌈
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Celebrating the diversity, history, and rights of the LGBTQ+ community
✊🏾
Juneteenth — June 19
U.S. federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans
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Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Honoring the rich culture and contributions of Caribbean Americans
Can you believe we are already halfway through the year? As the weather heats up, it's the perfect time to check in, celebrate our wins, and keep moving forward, so we can finish the year strong.
And there is a lot going on at Empire this month — celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth, hosting the 3rd Annual Coach Showcase Finals, along with regional events and a little bit of ice cream (it's summer, right…).
Check out a few highlights in this newsletter from May!
Empire Portfolio Group Presents
🔥 Coach Showcase 2026 🔥
3rd Annual
Where the best of the best step up, show out, and battle it out for the ultimate prize. One unforgettable experience.
🏆 A Trip to OTF Momentum Convention 2026 · Fort Lauderdale, FL
Started With
61
Coaches Applied
Round 1
53
Advanced to Round 2
61 coaches raised their hand and said: "I'm ready!" From New England, New Jersey, Connecticut, NYC, DCVA, and NCSC, coaches across every region answered the call and brought the heat. In Round 1, each was evaluated in studio on everything that matters: energy, execution, member connection, and true OTF leadership. 53 advanced. The bar was already high. It was about to get higher.
The Top 8 — Round 2 Finalists
1
Connecticut
Natalie Intrieri
4
NJ South
Christopher Vargas
5
New England
Brian Gomez Hidalgo
7
NCSC North
Steven Sherwood
ROUND 3 — May 17–31: This Is Where Legends Are Made.
The Top 8 went head-to-head in the most intense round of the competition yet. The standards were sky-high, the pressure was real, and four coaches rose above them all. After an unbelievable showing from every one of the Top 8, we are proud to introduce your 2026 Coach Showcase Final Four.
🏅 Your 2026 Final Four
NJ South
👑 Christopher Vargas
NCSC South
👑 Giselle Shaw
NCSC North
👑 Steven Sherwood
A massive thank you and recognition to every single one of the 61 coaches who stepped up this year. Whether you made it to Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3, you showed this company what Empire coaches are made of. That courage takes guts, and we see every one of you. 🧡
⚡ The Finals Are Coming ⚡
📍 Millburn, NJ | 📅 June 12, 2026
The Top 4 take the stage for the ultimate showdown, competing head-to-head for the title and the OTF Momentum Convention experience of a lifetime. One coach. One title. Let's get after it.
Coach Milestones
NM
Natasha Murray
Burlington / Williston, VT
🎉 1,000 Classes Coached
1,000 Classes
🎟️
Golden Ticket Winners
Recognizing the Empire team members who embody our values and go above and beyond every single day.
Multi Unit Fitness Manager · Darien, CT
Shaylynn LaRusso
Empire Value: Hungry
Shay is the glue holding the southern Connecticut studios together. Now stepping into her fourth location as Multi Unit Fitness Manager, she has a way of transforming every studio she enters. Communities not only grow under her leadership, they thrive. Members notice the energy, the fun events, and the culture she builds. Coaches recognize the support and unity she fosters.
When Westport faced a major coach shortage, four coaches leaving within weeks and leaving only one on the schedule, Shay stepped up. Our team immediately rallied around her: early morning shifts, long drives, no complaints. Because the coaches who are part of Shay's team are dedicated to this brand and this company. Not because it's convenient. Because it's the right thing to do.
Shay, we love you!!! xoxo 🧡
💡
A Few Fun Facts — Stamford CT Edition
Yes, the same Stamford that Jim left Scranton for in The Office — introducing us to Andy Bernard and Karen Filippelli. Our Stamford crew brings that same energy every single day. Here are some fun facts from the team! 🎬
From Cassie O'Connor
🗺️
Stamford, CT is not the only Stamford in the U.S.! There are also Stamfords in New York, Vermont, Texas, and Nebraska. The Nebraska Stamford was actually named after ours.
From Shaylynn LaRusso
🤹
I can juggle — at a below average level.
From Lauren Cairns
🎤
Coaching fulfills my childhood dream of having a mic where people have to listen to me. I use every class to test jokes on a captive audience — some days I'm serving my best material, other days members avoid eye contact and hit me with a pity chuckle. Pro tip: do NOT attempt a joke during Everest at 15%. Members are… let's just say not interested.
📬
Get Featured Next Month
Want to Be in the Next Issue?
Nominate a teammate for a Golden Ticket, submit a shoutout, or share a fun fact. We read every submission.
