Beyond the Reformer

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 of you who has supported the podcast over the past year. The community that has been built is more than anything Nic could have imagined, and she cannot wait to continue bringing you these conversations.

Timestamps:
00:00 Reflecting on one year of the podcast
07:08 The reality of doing too much
10:13 Bringing a journalism mindset into podcasting
14:31 Putting yourself out there and asking for opportunities
18:30 Understanding classical vs contemporary Pilates
22:39 Why your personality is your superpower
24:16 Finding your reason for teaching Pilates
26:01 How to choose the right teacher training
30:28 What presence really means in teaching
35:35 Humility and the importance of continuous learning
41:01 Rethinking failure and challenge in classes
45:07 What’s next for the podcast and community

Make sure to subscribe to continue hearing these conversations every week, and send Nic a DM on the Beyond the Reformer Instagram page with your thoughts on this week’s 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
Sign up to Our Newsletter
Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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 move better, reduce pain, and build resilience.

The conversation explores how Pilates can act as a foundation for everything else, from running to strength training, and why it should be seen as part of a bigger movement ecosystem rather than a standalone solution.

Juan shares why group classes can be more powerful than privates, how play and task-based learning can transform the way people move, and why teachers need to shift from instructing to creating environments where real learning can happen.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro to Juan
00:37 Why Pilates should be seen as a starting point, not the end goal
04:58 The challenge of getting runners into Pilates
08:16 Using Pilates as effective cross-training
11:30 Juan’s journey into movement and physical therapy
12:27 Moving away from hands-on treatment to building client independence
14:30 The opportunity for Pilates teachers in modern rehab
20:33 Understanding pain, beliefs, and the nervous system
23:01 Assessing movement through tasks and tendencies
25:45 Why group classes can be more powerful than privates
29:03 Building agency and independence in your clients
31:57 Why Pilates teachers need to stop over-cueing
35:03 Using play and games to improve movement and learning
37:44 The Reformer Flow Collective and creative teaching
45:41 Quick-fire questions
49:31 Where to connect with Juan

Thanks so much to Juan for coming on the podcast. Please make sure to subscribe and rate the show 5 stars if you’ve been loving it, it helps the show more than you know.

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Connect with Juan
Juan Nieto Instagram
Email: [email protected]
Reformer Flow Collecti
Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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 industry, including gaps in teacher training, the need for mentorship, and why rushing into teaching too quickly can hold people back long term.

They also go deeper into the business side of Pilates, from pricing and profitability to building a career that actually supports your life.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro to Lesley Logan
01:32 Boundaries, burnout, and learning to say no
09:59 What’s happening in the Pilates industry right now
13:22 Gaps in teacher training and education
15:25 Learning how to truly see bodies as a teacher
18:49 Lesley’s journey into Pilates
26:09 Helping clients build autonomy in their practice
30:52 Owning your unique method and voice
40:26 Pricing for sustainability and growth
45:37 What accessibility really means in Pilates
50:52 Why mentorship keeps great teachers
54:05 Building multiple revenue streams
57:35 Quick-fire questions
59:15 Where to find Lesley

If you’re enjoying the podcast, make sure you’re following along so you don’t miss future episodes. And feel free to share this one with someone you think would take something from it.

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Connect with Lesley:
Lesley Logan Instagram
Profitable Pilates Website
Online Pilates Classes
Lesley Logan Podcast

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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 should be viewing other studios, teachers and trainings as an opportunity to collaborate instead of think of it as competition and and how shifting this mindset can completely change your experience within the Pilates industry.

Timestamps
00:00 Introd to Andre
01:41 Taking on Polestar UK
04:53 Discovering Pilates through her mum’s studio
10:55 The path from studio manager to COO
16:16 What actually makes a great Pilates teacher
20:52 Questions to ask when hiring teachers
26:05 Learning from observing different teaching styles
27:14 Choosing the right Pilates training provider
33:05 The role of continuing education in Pilates
37:34 Why collaboration beats competition
44:02 Differences in the global Pilates industry
50:22 Quick fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss a conversation!

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Connect with Andre:
Andre Santaella Instagram
Polestar Pilates UK Instagram
Polestar Pilates UK Website

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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 conversation also explores what it means to continue learning as a teacher, from Rael’s legacy programme to the importance of staying connected to your own practice.

To finish, they have a powerful discussion around standards in the Pilates industry, the challenges of accreditation, and why crediting others in this work is essential for growth.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome back to Part 2
01:19 Designing equipment with both form and function in mind
05:59 How the Basi equipment first came to life
09:08 The origins of the Basi block system
13:49 Why structure actually fuels creativity in teaching
15:14 The idea behind marathon mat sessions
19:21 The legacy programme
26:08 The difference between advanced work and performance
28:25 Why Pilates needs stronger standards
30:02 Attempts at accreditation in the industry
35:32 The importance of crediting
40:44 Changing your mind and evolving as a teacher
44:49 Favourite exercises and staying connected to the work
47:21 Why teachers often overdo it in their classes
48:54 Habits that support a long career in Pilates
52:34 Community and relationships in Pilates

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a conversation like this.

Share this episode with a fellow teacher or studio owner who would benefit from hearing this, and if you haven’t already, we’d really appreciate you leaving a rating or review. It helps more people discover the show and be part of this community.

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Connect with Rael:
Rael Isacowitz Instagram
Basi Pilates Instagram
Basi Pilates Website

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.