“Follow your dream, build resilience, and keep doing the small things every day. Don’t be discouraged by others and their doubts. Feed off small and big victories alike.”
In this week’s edition of Founder’s Playbook, we sat down with David Altamura to discuss his entrepreneurial journey.
David Altamura is no stranger to the wellness industry. Over the years, he has introduced several unique concepts, carving out a space that blends movement, recovery, and community.
His journey began with Spirit Health Club, Byron Bay’s first health and wellness centre, which attracted members like Baz Luhrmann, Martin Sacks, Michelle Bridges, and Linda Kozlowski. Now, he’s expanding on that foundation with Wildsoul Wellness, a new Pilates and recovery concept. With the second location opening in April and several more in the pipeline, Wildsoul is on a fast track to success.
The inspiration behind Wildsoul Wellness
“I’ve always been passionate about movement and performance, but my journey into fitness wasn’t a straight path,” David shares. He wasn’t a professional athlete, but he understood firsthand how training could enhance both physical and mental strength. “Ultimately, it came down to clarity—movement and recovery optimized my performance as a leader, partner, father, and friend.”
With Spirit Health Club, David saw an opportunity to create something that truly reflected Byron Bay’s energy. “Byron has a unique energy—it’s a place that naturally encourages balance, well-being, and connection to both nature and self. I wanted to create a space that wasn’t just about training hard, but about training smart.” That meant integrating movement, recovery, and community into one holistic experience.
Wildsoul Wellness builds on this philosophy. “Pilates is massive and continues to grow, and more people are taking an interest in their recovery,” David explains. “I wanted to put both modalities under one roof so members could enjoy the benefits of both under one membership.” He also envisioned Wildsoul as more than just a gym: “I wanted to create a resort-style environment where members can stay a while, connect as a community, and have a comforting space away from home.”
What makes Wildsoul Wellness unique?
“It’s a one-stop shop for people who want to train, recover, and be part of a community—all in a beautiful space.”
“A big part of Wildsoul was seeing the need for recovery to be as much of a priority as training itself,” David says. While athletes have long recognized the importance of recovery, he believes it’s essential for everyone. “We already know it’s a key part of an athlete’s routine, but I think we can agree that parents, healthcare workers, receptionists, and tradies all run this same race. Recovery helps anyone perform at their best—no matter their role.”
By combining recovery with Pilates, naturopathy, and bespoke health powders and teas, Wildsoul creates a premium wellness experience. “It’s a one-stop shop,” David notes, “for people who want to train, recover, and be part of a community—all in a beautiful space.” From a business perspective, this model offers multiple revenue streams and franchise potential.
The numbers behind the concept
While innovation is key, David backs his ideas with solid research. “I always keep an eye on the stats, both nationally and internationally, to make sure my concepts have legs.” The data supports his vision: according to ClassPass, Pilates has been the fastest-growing exercise genre in Australia and New Zealand, with a 250% increase in popularity within 12 months of September 2022. In Australia, Pilates is 2.8 times more popular than yoga.
Meanwhile, the Mindbody report highlights shifting consumer priorities. “Nearly 40% of people say they use physical activity to support their mental well-being,” David says. “Three out of four consumers believe wellness is more important than ever, and nearly 65% prioritize wellness over other leisure expenses.” With the global wellness industry valued at $8.2 trillion and set to grow further, he knew Wildsoul had strong market potential.
Overcoming challenges
Launching a group-focused wellness business in Victoria post-COVID wasn’t easy. “Starting straight out of the COVID era came with a lot of uncertainty—health protocols, financial concerns for consumers, and the fact that recovery as an industry was still relatively new.” Wildsoul began on a shoestring budget and grew through bootstrapping. “It was a daily challenge, but we believed in the vision.”
Fortunately, things have shifted. “People are really embracing getting out and about again,” David observes. “Stats show that while our population’s lifespan is increasing, our healthspan isn’t. Many people are living the last 20-30 years of their lives in poor health. Once this became clear, more people started looking for ways to reduce inflammation, manage cortisol, and take care of their bodies and minds.”
David’s advice is straightforward: “Follow your dream, build resilience, and keep doing the small things every day.” He encourages founders to stay focused. “Don’t be discouraged by others and their doubts. Feed off small and big victories alike.” Most importantly, he believes in the power of purpose. “Find joy in building a business that truly helps others, and become a pillar of positivity in your community.”
His final words? “In short: go for it.”
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Discover how David Altamura transformed wellness with Wildsoul in this week’s Founder Playbook. Founder’s Playbook, founder playbook Dynamic Business
