Beyond the Reformer

How to Build a Profitable Pilates Studio Business with Joanne Mathews 29.06.2026 1sa 6dk

"I think we're at that time where we can actually professionalize this industry, and we can have the standards that we want to set, and we can offer people careers." In this episode, we are joined by Joanne Mathews, founder and CEO of Ten Health & Fitness, one of London's longest-running Dynamic Reformer Pilates brands, now growing into franchising with Tenreformer. They explore why London's reformer studios have grown 72% in 18 months against just 50% growth in demand, and what that satu...

How Much Anatomy Do Pilates Teachers Actually Need to Know With Tracy Ward 22.06.2026 53dk

"I really worry that we will lose the essence of what Pilates actually is. How much are we going to dilute it?" In this episode, Nic is joined by Tracy Ward - physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author of The Science of Pilates, published by DK. Tracy sits at the unique intersection of clinical practice and Pilates, bringing over 15 years of experience teaching, treating patients, and training new teachers through APPI. They explore what it really takes to understand anatomy as a Pilates te...

The Wild West of Pilates: Why Teaching Standards Are Letting Everyone Down with Katie Nankivell 15.06.2026 54dk

"There is a lot of money-hungry people chasing trends with a lack of moral compass and ethics behind them." The Pilates industry is growing fast - but not always in the right direction. In this episode, Nic is joined by Katie, founder of Pilates Delivered, an Amsterdam-based at-home and private Pilates service. Katie trained comprehensively with Polestar Pilates and has been teaching for over a decade across private clients, studios, and her own business. They get straight into the hard conve...

From Basement Studio to 9 Locations: How New York Pilates Defined Its Method 08.06.2026 57dk

"Real change in your body happens from grounded, consistent work. Doing the split and a handstand is entertaining, but that's not what Pilates is about." In this episode, Nic is joined by Heather Andersen, founder of New York Pilates - one of the most recognisable reformer studio brands in the world, with nine locations across New York City and counting. Heather built New York Pilates from a basement space in Greenwich Village in 2013, at a time when group reformer classes simply didn't exist...

The Missing Piece in Pilates Teacher Training with Amy Havens 01.06.2026 1sa 8dk

"I think self-acceptance and self-compassion... it's gonna keep changing and if you hear the loud stuff saying, I can't do that anymore - no." - Amy Havens In this episode, Nic is joined by Amy Havens, a veteran Pilates educator, mentor, and movement teacher based in Santa Barbara with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Amy has trained across multiple lineages - including Fletcher, BASI, Kathy Grant, and Madeleine Black - and is widely respected as one of the most thoughtful voices ...

Burnout, Boundaries and Building a Career That Lasts as a Pilates Teacher with Audrey O'Connor 25.05.2026 1sa 8dk

"I cannot be of service to other people if I cannot be of service to myself." You left the corporate world for a reason. But somehow you're exhausted, resentful, and wondering why this passion-driven career feels just as relentless as the one you walked away from. Nic is joined by Audrey O'Connor - former quantity surveyor, Pilates teacher, sound healer, and wellness educator who now works with global brands like Google. Back for her second appearance, Audrey digs into what burnout actually l...

Teaching Pilates to Children: How to Make It Fun, Inclusive & Effective 18.05.2026 52dk

Nic is joined by Clarissa Shepherd, kids Pilates specialist, pre and postnatal educator, Club Pilates master trainer, and author of Sage Does Pilates and Babies & Barre. Clarissa's story is anything but conventional. From working in TV news and witnessing a live on-air shooting, to packing up her car with $600 and driving to Dallas, to funding her Pilates certification while working night shifts - her path to becoming a Pilates teacher is one of grit, resilience and pure determination. Bu...

Beyond Classical: Ron Fletcher's Pilates Legacy With Kyria Sabin 11.05.2026 1sa 6dk

"The body floats on the breath. Without the breath, we don't have a core. We don't have a centre." - Kyria Sabin In this episode, we are joined by Kyria Sabin, director of Fletcher Pilates International and one of the most respected custodians of a first-generation Pilates lineage in the world. Kyria worked directly with Ron Fletcher - a first-generation teacher who studied with Joseph and Clara Pilates and danced with Martha Graham - and has dedicated her career to preserving and evolving hi...

A Year of Pilates Conversations Changed How I Think About Teaching 07.05.2026 50dk

Beyond the Reformer turns 1!! 🥳 In this special solo anniversary episode, Nic marks one full year of Beyond the Reformer by sharing her honest reflections on everything she has learned over the past year. She opens up about nearly quitting the podcast, the challenge of doing too much as a studio owner and educator, and how a year of conversations with some of the most respected Pilates professionals in the world has genuinely changed her perspective. A huge thank you to every single one...

Rethinking Pilates for Runners, Pain, and Performance with Juan Nieto 04.05.2026 54dk

Nic is joined by Juan Nieto, a physical therapist, Polestar educator, founder of the Reformer Flow Collective and co-creator of Runty. Juan brings a completely different perspective to Pilates, movement, and coaching. Rather than focusing on perfect technique or choosing the “right” exercises, he challenges the idea that there even is a single correct way to move. Instead, he shares why expanding movement options, building awareness, and increasing variability is what truly helps people mov...

Stop Copying Other Pilates Teachers and Start Being Yourself with Lesley Logan 27.04.2026 1sa 5dk

In this episode, Nic is joined by Lesley Logan, a classical Pilates teacher, international presenter, fellow podcaster, and founder of Profitable Pilates and Online Pilates Classes. They explore what it really takes to become a great Pilates teacher, from developing the ability to observe bodies and cue effectively, to navigating imposter syndrome and finding your unique voice in the industry. They unpack the importance of having boundaries and also the current state of the Pilates indust...

How to Become a Great Pilates Teacher with Polestar UK Owner Andre Santaella 20.04.2026 55dk

In this episode, Nic sits down with Andre Santaella, COO of Polestar Pilates and now leading Polestar UK, to explore her journey from discovering Pilates through her mum’s studio to stepping into a global leadership role. Nic and Andre discuss what truly makes a great Pilates teacher beyond just their qualifications. They also explore how to choose the right training provider, why mentorship is essential, and the importance of continuous education. To finish off they chat about how we s...

Rael Isacowitz: The Basi Block System, Industry Standards and Crediting in Pilates (PART 2) 16.04.2026 1sa 2dk

Welcome back to Part 2 of this conversation with Rael Isacowitz, founder of Basi Pilates, where Nic and Rael go deeper into the evolution of the method, the role of equipment, and what it really takes to become a great teacher in today’s industry. Rael shares the story behind designing Basi equipment and how it was created to reflect both form and function. He breaks down the Basi block system, explaining how structure can actually unlock creativity in teaching rather than limit it. The c...

Rael Isacowitz: Teaching With Purpose, Precision And Flow At Basi Pilates (PART 1) 13.04.2026 47dk

There are very few people in the Pilates world who have shaped the industry in the way Rael Isacowitz has. In part 1 of this conversation, Nic sits down with the founder of Basi Pilates to explore the real foundations of the method, what it means to teach with purpose, and why the future of Pilates depends on more than just choreography. From building one of the first curriculum-based teacher training programmes in the late 80s to creating a global community of educators, Rael shares the ...

How to Bring More Creativity Into Your Pilates Classes Without Chaos 06.04.2026 30dk

Are you feeling pressure to make your Pilates classes more creative but not sure where to start? We’ve seen how much you’ve been loving the solo episodes, so Nic is back today to discuss how to be more creative in your classes without losing structure or purpose. With so much inspiration coming from social media, it’s easy to feel like you need to constantly reinvent your teaching. But Nic challenges this idea and brings it back to what really matters, which is strong foundations, clear i...

The Business Model Behind Multi Million Dollar Pilates Studios with Lise Kuecker 30.03.2026 47dk

Most Pilates studios are sitting on far more revenue potential than they realise. With the right pricing, membership strategy and business model, a single studio can grow into a multi-million-pound business without needing more space or more classes. In this episode, Nic sits down with Pilates business expert Lise Kuecker, founder of Studio Grow, to discuss what actually drives profitable Pilates studios. Lise works with hundreds of boutique fitness studios around the world and shares t...

How to Choose the Right Pilates Movements for Rehab with SJ Walls 23.03.2026 1sa 1dk

Too often Pilates teachers feel pressure to diagnose, label or overcomplicate movement. In reality, the most powerful thing we can do is help people move with confidence. In this episode, Nic speaks with clinician, Pilates educator and biomechanics specialist Sarah Jane Walls about the role of clinical reasoning in Pilates and why simplicity is often the most effective approach. SJ shares her journey from competitive runner to Pilates teacher and clinic owner, explaining how Pilates qui...

Scaling a Pilates Empire Without Losing Integrity of the Method with Amy Jordan 16.03.2026 1sa 3dk

Nic sits down with Amy Jordan, founder of Pilates Addiction and creator of the WundaFormer, to explore what it really takes to build a Pilates empire without losing your purpose. From leaving a career in entertainment marketing to opening her first studio with every penny she had, Amy shares the courage, creativity and conviction behind her journey. They discuss equipment innovation, studio ownership, scaling through franchising, leadership boundaries, inclusive culture and the mindset re...

Rewriting Desk Posture Through Pilates with Kerrie-Anne Bradley 09.03.2026 50dk

Sitting all day is quietly reshaping our bodies and our confidence, and this episode explains exactly how to change that. In this conversation, Kerrie-Anne Bradley shares the story behind the Move at Your Desk Method and why she believes small, consistent movement breaks can transform not just your posture, but your mindset too. Kerrie-Anne reveals how Pilates principles can be applied in the real world, even while sitting at your desk. She and Nic explore the link between stress and post...

Dr Brent Anderson: The Future of Pilates Education and Industry Standards (PART 2) 05.03.2026 56dk

We’re back with Part 2 of the amazing conversation with Dr Brent Anderson to go deeper into what is really happening behind the scenes in the Pilates world. They’re chatting about education standards and what it actually means to take responsibility as a movement professional. Brent shares why teaching principles matter more than teaching protocols, and how to assess clients based on their real goals rather than assumptions. They explore the growing conversation around Pilates governanc...