Pilates is EVERYWHERE right now, but not everything being labelled Pilates is safe or rooted in the original method.

Nic sits down with Victoria Batha Cuomo aka the Pilates Snob, for a thought-provoking conversation about the current state of the Pilates industry.

They explore how social media has both helped and harmed Pilates and why misinformation spreads so easily.

Victoria explains why a lack of regulation around education has created major issues for both teachers and clients, and why safety and understanding the system as a whole matters more than trends on Instagram.

They also discuss Victoria’s ‘WTF Wednesday’s’, the Pilates Transparency Project, and the original Pilates lawsuit.

Episode timestamps

00:00 Introducing Victoria aka The Pilates Snob

00:31 How social media is shaping the Pilates industry for better and worse

02:59 Victoria’s first experiences with Pilates and athletic training

05:27 Becoming a Pilates teacher

08:42 The realities and gaps in Pilates teacher training

21:06 WTF Wednesday and calling out unsafe industry trends

25:30 Common misconceptions about Pilates online

29:02 What the Pilates Transparency Project is really about

33:27 Breaking down the original Pilates lawsuit

38:06 Where Pilates education is falling short today

41:58 Pilates Snob University and mentorship for teachers

46:21 Quick fire questions

Thanks for tuning in to this weeks episodes! As always, if you enjoyed it, please share it with your network, rate the show 5 stars and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Victoria:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.pilates.snob/
• Website: https://www.thepilatessnob.com
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pilatessnob

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Pilates is not meant to be rushed, trendy, or reinvented every week, and this conversation explains exactly why.

Nic sits down with Tracey Mallett in her California studio for an honest conversation about movement, teaching, creativity, and what it really takes to build a long and sustainable career in Pilates.

They explore the evolution of Pilates, classical and contemporary work, and the challenges facing new instructors in a trend driven industry.

Tracey speaks openly about confidence and trust in the teaching space, why simplicity often leads to better classes, and how understanding the foundations of the method allows for true creativity.

They also discuss social media presence as a Pilates teacher, suffering from burnout, and the pressure to constantly show up online.

Timestamps

00:00 How Pilates first entered Tracey’s life

08:25 Building a long term career in Pilates

12:40 How the Pilates industry has changed over the years

27:42 Social media, confidence, and personal growth as a teacher

34:05 Advice for anyone wanting to show up online

39:46 Barre, Pilates fusion, and how movement has evolved

49:35 Where Pilates education is heading next

58:31 Finding balance between work, ambition, and personal life

01:00:44 Quick fire questions

If you want to keep hearing from amazing guests like Tracey, please rate the show 5 stars and subscribe!

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Tracey:

• Tracey Mallett Website
• Pilates Next Education
• Bootybarre
• Pilates Barre On Demand App
• Tracey’s Instagram

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

The difference between a good Pilates class and a great one often comes down to how and when you cue.

After receiving such a positive response from our previous episode on class planning, Nic is back for a solo episode that goes deep into the art of cueing.

Cueing completely changes the experience a client can have in a Pilates class, and Nic shares her advice on the different types of cues you can use to deepen their overall experience.

She discusses verbal cues, imagery, tactile feedback, breath and observation.

Nic explores why less can often be more when it comes to cueing, how to avoid overwhelming clients with information, and how thoughtful language can help people feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to their bodies.

Timestamps

00:00 Goals for the new year

03:01 Why cueing deserves deeper attention

03:53 How class structure supports better cueing

04:31 Understanding cueing as an art form

07:58 Using verbal cues clearly and effectively

16:10 Imagery and anatomical cueing explained

22:59 Exploring tactile cueing and appropriate touch

27:07 Teaching through observation and presence

32:55 Shifting from negative to constructive cueing

35:22 The importance of noticing within a class

39:01 Using breath as a flexible cueing tool

If this episode resonated with you, please follow or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Teaching Pilates becomes a whole different experience when clients bring pain, injuries, and complex diagnoses into the room, and this episode shows how to handle those moments with confidence rather than fear.

In this episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic is joined by physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author Samantha Wood for a deep and practical conversation about teaching Pilates in rehabilitation settings.

Together, they explore what it really means to support clients living with pain, injuries, chronic conditions, and complex movement histories, without stepping outside the scope of a Pilates teacher.

Samantha breaks down common misconceptions around rehab-informed teaching, the role of research in Pilates, the growing evidence supporting Pilates within medical and rehabilitation settings, and how teachers can collaborate more effectively with physiotherapists, osteopaths, and doctors.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Samantha Wood

01:41 How Pilates teachers can approach pain and injury with confidence

04:07 Samantha’s journey into physiotherapy and discovering Pilates

06:26 Why Pilates fits so well into rehabilitation work

08:04 Teaching, writing, and expanding education for Pilates professionals

20:12 Why research matters in Pilates and what the evidence shows

25:49 The future of Pilates within medical and healthcare systems

32:31 Practical approaches to client assessment

35:45 Adapting sessions for chronic pain and long-term conditions

38:18 Using Pilates to support autoimmune disorders

39:59 Collaborating effectively with medical professionals

44:03 Why continued education is essential for Pilates teachers

54:50 Understanding pain and how to talk about it with clients

58:16 Connecting with Samantha

If this episode resonated with you, make sure you are subscribed to Beyond the Reformer on your favourite podcast platform.

Share the episode with another Pilates teacher who works with injuries, and leave a rating or review to help these conversations reach more teachers around the world.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Samantha:

• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy Website
• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy Instagram
• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy YouTube

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Building a successful Pilates studio takes far more than great teaching, and this episode breaks down what truly creates long term growth, profitability, and sustainability in the Pilates industry.

Nic sits down with Pilates business strategist Seran Glanfield to explore what it really takes to build a thriving and sustainable Pilates studio.

They discuss the biggest mistakes studio owners make, why mindset plays such a crucial role in success, and how to shift from thinking like a teacher to stepping fully into the role of business owner.

Seran explains why great teaching alone is not enough, how to stop getting distracted by competitors, and what separates studios that struggle from those that consistently grow.

She shares practical insights into tracking key metrics, building a strong brand message, raising prices with confidence, and using marketing in a way that aligns with your values.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Seran Glanfield

02:20 How Seran found Pilates and transitioned from finance

04:33 Moving from teaching Pilates into business strategy

06:15 How Pilates businesses differ across cultures around the world

07:47 A deeper look at the business side of Pilates studios

08:04 The most common mistakes studio owners make

11:41 Traits shared by the most successful studio owners

12:53 Why leadership and mindset are so important

17:40 The numbers every studio owner should be tracking

28:43 Approaching marketing in a way that feels aligned and intentional

29:33 Why clear brand messaging makes such a big difference

31:14 How to build a sustainable marketing strategy

36:08 Raising prices and overcoming fear around money

40:36 Mindset shifts that support long term success

45:25 Future trends in the Pilates industry

51:59 Quick fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to Beyond the Reformer wherever you listen or watch.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Seran:

• Spring Three Website
• Spring Three Instagram
• Spring Three Facebook
• Spring Three YouTube
• Seran on LinkedIn
• Spring Three Podcast on Spotify

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Happy New Year and welcome to part 2 of the 2025 Beyond the Reformer Recap!

In this episode, Nic reflects on the lessons that emerged over the past year and how they are shaping the year ahead.

Following on from part 1, this episode explores balance, burnout, education, and the realities of building a sustainable life in Pilates alongside family, teaching, and leadership.

Guests such as Audrey O’Connor, Julie Driver, Rachel Hall, Amy Kellow, and Claire Sparrow share insights that go beyond movement and into how we live, teach, and lead.

Timestamps:

00:00 Reflections on the year

04:11 Audrey O’Connor on slowing down

08:56 Julie Driver on challenges in Pilates education

21:20 Rachel Hall on asking for help and building a community

30:31 Amy Kellow on classical versus contemporary Pilates

35:19 Claire Sparrow on balancing business, teaching, and family

41:04 Looking ahead to the new year

Thank you so much to all the guests who came onto the podcast in 2025! If you’d like to be a guest this year, please apply here!

Listen back to episodes mentioned!

Audrey O’Connor

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Julie Driver

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Rachel Hall

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amy Kellow

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Claire Sparrow

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Welcome to part 1 of the 2025 Beyond the Reformer Recap! Nic is reflecting on the conversations that shaped Beyond the Reformer over the past six months.

What began as a 10-episode series so that Nic could tick having a podcast off her goals list, quickly grew into an ongoing show that connected teachers, studio owners, educators, and movement professionals from all corners of the Pilates community. With listeners tuning in from 94 countries, this podcast has grown bigger than Nic could have imagined.

Guests such as Diane Nye, Linda Rhodes and Sarah Liston, Michael King, Jenna Zaffino, Alexander Bohlander, Christi Idavoy, Jeannie Di Bon, and Ava Rodriguez share insights that go far beyond movement alone.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the 2025 recap part 1

05:00 Diane Nye on what makes the most successful teacher

08:14 Linda and Sarah on the realities of running a Pilates studio

11:00 Michael King on the tapestry and method of Pilates

18:39 Jenna Zaffino on what teachers in the industry need to hear right now

28:05 Alexander Bohlander on mindfulness and ease in Pilates

29:11 Insights from the Polestar Pilates community

32:51 Christi Idavoy on Pilates being a calling

36:08 Jeannie Di Bon on understanding hypermobility and EDS

44:29 Ava Rodriguez on nervous system responses and teaching strategies

47:50 Subscribe for part 2

Want to be a guest on Beyond the Reformer in 2026? Apply here!

Listen back to episodes mentioned!

Diane Nye

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Linda Rhodes and Sarah Liston

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Michael King

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Jenna Zaffino

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Alexander Bohlander

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Christi Idavoy

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Jeannie Di Bon

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Ava Rodriguez

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Some Pilates studios grow because of strategy. Others grow because of community. Angela Walker has built her studio through both.

This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to grow a thriving, award winning Pilates studio outside of a big city.

Angela, the owner of Align Pilates near Glasgow, shares the real story behind building a community led, wellness focused space.

Angela opens up about so many important topics such as studio growth, dealing with burnout, setting boundaries with your teachers, teacher training, the pressure of social media and why community matters just as much as good teaching!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro to Angela Walker

02:09 How Angela grew from teaching on one reformer at home to a full community studio

04:02 Building a wellness centred space that clients feel connected to

08:05 The realities of growth and the challenges facing modern Pilates studios

11:45 Creating a supportive, balanced team culture

17:34 Keeping clients engaged with classes

25:01 Why Angela moved into teacher training and how she develops new instructors

27:38 The community spirit behind Align

29:24 Angela’s take on the state of Pilates today

32:54 Social media pressures for studio owners

37:16 Balancing profit and quality while running a boutique studio

41:04 Being named Best Pilates Studio

43:26 The future of Align and the broader Pilates industry

48:04 Quick fire questions

If you loved this conversation, follow or subscribe to Beyond the Reformer so you never miss an episode. It really helps the show reach more teachers, studio owners and Pilates lovers around the world.

We will be back on the 29th of December with a new episode! Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you as always for the support on the podcast.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Angela

• Align Pilates Instagram
• Align Pilates Website

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.