Host Steve Turk interviews Milan Mijatovic, founder of SILA Miami. Milan explains SILA as a social wellness club in Upper Buena Vista featuring longevity services (float tank, hyperbaric oxygen, lymphatic suit, red light therapy, bioscan/bodywork), outdoor classes (yoga, Pilates, functional strength, kettlebells), and contrast therapy (cold plunges and a 14-person sauna).
He recounts starting in hospitality as a dishwasher at Atlanta’s Dante’s Down the Hatch, moving to Chicago to become a bartender and competition mixologist, then relocating to Miami where he worked at the Versace Mansion reopening, Regent Cocktail Bar alongside Julio Cabrera, and as a cachaça brand ambassador.
After nightlife management at Rockwell and reflecting on industry excesses, a trucking-business detour, and a renewed focus on recovery and nature, he launched SILA without a formal business plan, emphasizing community support, systems, and a goal of a second location and future beach flagship.
00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:31 Sponsor Lodgify
01:34 Meet Milan
02:48 What Is Sila
04:13 Steve Joins Sila
05:17 First Hospitality Job
09:52 Chicago Hustle
12:13 Cocktail Roots
14:18 Mixology Rise
15:31 Miami Calling
17:31 Cuba Turning Point
20:58 Versace And Regent
22:32 Brand Ambassador Era
23:48 Nightlife Management
26:43 Surviving The Scene
28:59 Wellness Seeds
30:11 COVID Pivot to Trucking
31:34 Owning the Leap
33:17 Back to Nightlife Again
34:31 Wellness Aha Moment
35:35 Cold Plunge Origins
38:11 Third Shot at Business
40:25 CELA Vision and Nature
42:37 Finding the Perfect Space
46:08 Building Sila Community
50:08 Next 12 Months Vision
51:57 Trust the Journey
52:59 Closing and Sponsor
