Queensland couple who ran hot yoga studios sued after allegedly failing to pay lawyers
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The glamorous couple who built the hot yoga empire are sued by their own lawyers after they allegedly failed to pay $86,000 in legal fees.
- Michael and Suzanna Calava built a hot yoga empire
- They had 15 franchises around Aus by 2020
- Their lawyer alleges that they did not pay legal fees
- The couple reportedly owes $86,000
A couple who created a hot yoga empire are being sued by their lawyers after they allegedly failed to pay more than $86,000 in legal fees.
Michael, 36, and Suzanna Calava, 35, started Peak Physique Hot Yoga Franchise Group in late 2011.
Their business grew rapidly and by 2020 the couple had established 15 franchises in Australia and the couple signed a legal services agreement with SLF Lawyers in November 2020.
In a claim filed in Brisbane District Court last Thursday, SLF said it sent the yoga company a bill for $89,055 for legal advice, the mail informed.
But the law firm alleges the company breached the agreement after failing to deliver the money in two weeks.
Michael, 36, and Suzanna Calava, 35, started Peak Physique Hot Yoga Franchise Group in late 2011.
The couple say they are passionate about health and wellness.
Instead, Peak Physique allegedly paid $2,675 of the total amount owed between April and December 2021.
The deal also allowed SLF to register warnings on the couple’s properties in Noosa Heads and Brisbane, with the law firm claiming they hold an “equitable share” in the homes as “security” for money owed.
The Calavas started their business in 2011 and had franchises in Queensland and South Australia.
Daily Mail Australia understands that the couple are no longer associated with Peak Physique and have not been since 2021.
The couple allegedly failed to pay their attorneys $86,000 in legal fees.
The couple had signed a legal services contract with SLF Abogados in November 2020, but the law firm has since taken legal action against them.
Instead, they sold the franchised studios and founded a similar company called Peak Group Global in 2020 that offers online yoga classes and training.
On their website, both Mr. and Mrs. Calava detailed their journey into yoga and fitness.
Mr. Calava had previously worked as a dental therapist, but when he began his career he was involved in a motorcycle accident and nearly had to have his foot amputated.
She was in the hospital for four weeks, but began to focus on health, wellness, and yoga as an important part of her recovery.
“In addition to yoga and health, Michael has a true passion for business ventures and his vision of a family-friendly set of services offering fitness, health and wellness for all ages, backgrounds and beliefs has been the foundation of Peak Group Global. says the website. .
For Ms. Calava, her passion for yoga began after she returned from an exchange program in Germany and wanted to lose some weight.
“With hot yoga he was able to accelerate his weight loss and achieve better than expected results,” the website reads.
‘In addition to this, she realized that yoga was not just about improving fitness levels and weight loss results; but also feeling good on the inside, an improved mindset and a focus on personal health.’
His experience with accounting and professional services firms has been credited as the “foundation” of his firm’s success.
No date has yet been set for the lawsuit hearing and no defense has been filed.
Daily Mail Australia has Calavas for comment.
The Calavas started their business in 2011 and had franchises in Queensland and South Australia.