Apple Watch Workouts and Spotify

Can someone help me figure out how to keep Spotify open on my watch face during a workout? I know this is possible because it worked when I had an iPhone 12 with a series 6 watch. I now have 14 pro max and series 8 watch and every single time I start a workout, it stays on the watch face. I teach fitness classes and keeping Spotify open on the display is critical for volume adjustments, etc. Basically, I want to run both apps but make Spotify/Music show on the face the whole time.

A few things to note. I have "Always On" enabled. I took Workout out of my dock and it still takes over once I initiate a workout. If I swipe to the "Now Playing" during the workout, it shows greyed out "Music" with the play symbol most of the time. (This isn't unique to Spotify either. Also happens when I'm using Music.) I don't have playlists stored on my watch and would prefer not to. (Didn't have them on my previous watch either.)

I'm probably asking all of this wrong since I can't find a single remedy when I search online. Any help would be wonderfully appreciated!