Beyond the Reformer

For our final episode of S1, Nic sits down for her first ever solo episode.

Nic knows what it’s like to be starting out running your own studio and feeling a little bit lost or alone, so she wanted to chat about everything that has been coming up for her recently about running multiple studios, launching a teacher training programme and trying to balance work and life without burnout.

She also shares the joy and challenges of running a growing team, staying committed to her own Pilates practice and why continuous learning is so vi...

Nic sits down with Clara Farque, a Pilates instructor, medical doctor, and chronic illness advocate, to explore the role Pilates has played in managing rheumatoid arthritis, preventing burnout, and creating a more holistic future for healthcare.

Clara shares how a life-changing diagnosis at 18 led her to Pilates and how she balances her work as a doctor with teaching and mentoring.

This episode takes an honest look at the intersection of chronic illness, movement, and medicine.

They also chat about the realities of showing up authentically on Instagram, how Clara built a loyal online...

Introducing our new Teaching Tips series! We have Diane Nye back on the podcast, chatting about what makes a truly great teacher.

Having mentored hundreds of Pilates instructors over the past 16 years, Diane shares her insights on confidence, presence, and the art of bringing your personality into your teaching.

Together, we explore why knowledge alone doesn’t make a great teacher, how to build authentic connections with clients, and the importance of curiosity and observation in the early years of teaching.

Diane also offers advice for overcoming imposter syndrome, avoiding over-cueing, and making th...

Maintaining your Pilates studio’s equipment is a necessity if you want to ensure you are making a profit.

And no one understands that better than Chelsea Streifeneder, founder of Body Be Well Pilates and an expert in Pilates equipment maintenance and studio sustainability.

In this episode, Chelsea joins Nic to share what she’s learned in 16 years of studio ownership, including how she’s seen other opportunities outside of classes to make a profit in the Pilates world, and how to scale without burnout.

They discuss the recurring issues that cause equipment to bre...

The pain, fatigue and anxiety you’ve been living with isn’t in your head, it’s a sign of something deeper your body has been trying to tell you.

Nic is joined by movement therapist and Pilates educator Jeannie Di Bon to explore the realities of living with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Jeannie was diagnosed later in life after years of unexplained symptoms, and her journey led her to create The Zebra Club, an online platform supporting hypermobile people around the world.

They talk about what hypermobility really means, the misunderstandings that exist even i...

Today, Nic is joined by Amy Kellow, founder of Everybody Pilates, second-generation teacher, and educator with studios across the UK and the Netherlands.

They talk about what classical Pilates really means, how to balance structure with intuition, and why understanding the origins of the work is essential, no matter what style you teach.

Amy explores the challenges of scaling a Pilates business, managing a team across locations, and how to keep evolving as a teacher while staying rooted in the original system.

Timestamps:

00:00 Amy’s first encounter with Pilates an...

The secret to growing a successful Pilates business isn’t about chasing trends on Instagram or TikTok. You need to stay curious and always being open to learning!

In this inspiring episode, Nic sits down with Milena Jaksic, the founder of Platinum Pilates, to look at the story behind one of Ireland’s most respected studios.

They explore how she went from cleaning gym machines to opening six studios, the curiosity that’s kept her evolving over more than two decades, and the challenges of being a leader in an unregulated industry.

Milena also s...

Want to know how to combine Pilates and neuroscience?

In this episode, Nic is joined by Heba Abdel Gawad, who is a two-time Olympic synchronised swimmer turned Pilates educator and founder of the Neuro Pilates method.

They explore Heba’s fascinating transition from elite athlete to pioneering educator, how her sporting background shaped her teaching style, and how neuroscience has deepened her understanding of movement.

You’ll hear about how Heba discovered Pilates and later integrated applied neuroscience into her classes, and why she believes the future of movement education lies in understanding the...

Pilates is a business of energy and this is what Nic and Rachael go deep into in this weeks episode.

Rachael Hall is a former Royal Ballet dancer, Franklin Method educator, Pilates teacher of 24+ years, and founder of the global online platform Aligned.

She shares her incredible story that has led her to running her own grounded, heart-led business.

She opens up about what it takes to truly listen to your body, how to grow a soulful movement platform online, and why embodiment, energetics, and community matter more than ever.

They...

Today we’re talking about the power of equestrian Pilates!

Nic chats with Julie Driver, award-winning Pilates educator, international presenter, and equestrian Pilates specialist.

Julie shares her unique journey from acting and modelling into the world of Pilates, how a skiing accident changed her career path, and the moment Monty Roberts asked her, “Why aren’t you following your dream?”

They discuss what horse whispering really is, the power of understanding your own movement as a rider, and how Pilates can serve both teacher and client through life’s injuries and transitions. 

Julie als...

In this week’s episode, Nic is joined by Dinah Siman, founder of Menopause Pilates, author, educator and a powerful advocate for women’s health.

Dinah opens up about the real experience of perimenopause, the chronic pain that nearly ended her teaching career, and the frustrating lack of education she encountered, even as a movement professional.

They explore why Pilates teachers are uniquely positioned to support women through midlife, how to recognise the overlooked symptoms of menopause in your clients, and what movement and teaching adaptations actually help.

This is a must listen for...

You can build a successful Pilates business without burning out or losing yourself in the process!

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic is joined by Leah Hart, founder of Glow Pilates in Limerick, Ireland, podcast host, and Polestar educator.

Leah shares her journey from dance and academia to studio ownership and becoming a mentor to the next generation of Pilates teachers.

Nic and Leah have an honest and insightful conversation about what it really looks like to run a Pilates business, including learning to lead a team, navigating burnout, mo...

Audrey O’Connor joins Nic for a powerful conversation about healing, burnout, identity, and following your gut into a more aligned life.

Audrey shares her journey from the corporate construction industry to discovering Pilates, then expanding into reiki, sound healing, and wellness education.

She opens up about experiencing burnout not once, but twice, and how she now integrates sound healing and nervous system regulation into her own life and the lives of her clients.

They talk about the realities of working in the wellness industry and what it means to truly listen to yo...

Pilates isn’t just about teaching the movements. It’s about a whole-body, holistic approach to the practice. Nic is joined today by Diane Nye, Polestar Pilates educator, Franklin Method teacher and a deeply respected voice in the Pilates world. Diane reflects on her 30-year journey from high-intensity fitness instructor to movement mentor and shares the lessons that changed the way she teaches and lives. They explore how true transformation in Pilates comes from creating space for clients to feel, notice and unravel. Diane shares insights into nervous system regulation, the myth of “engaging your core,” how the body compensa...

If you’re looking to open your first Pilates studio, this episode is packed with the advice you need to hear!

Nic sits down with Catherine Hebb, founder of Runway Pilates, a three-studio collective based in the UK and business coach to movement professionals worldwide. Catherine’s journey from a high-performing corporate career to grounded, values-led studio owner is filled with lessons for anyone navigating growth in the wellness space.

They talk honestly about what scaling a studio really involves- systems that support your team, boundaries that protect your energy, and the identity shift from teac...

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Reformer! Nic is joined by renowned educator, author, and studio owner Claire Sparrow.

Claire shares her inspiring journey from growing up surrounded by strong, inspiring women, to discovering Pilates during her time as a contemporary dancer, to eventually becoming an internationally recognised teacher and bestselling author of Hope for Your Pelvic Floor.

Nic and Claire have a deep chat about how Pilates transforms people far beyond the physical, why proper education matters in the industry, and how we can reclaim the power to trust our bodies...

Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories.

Make sure to subscribe so you can join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond...