Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates

Nic Psarros of The Movement Refinery

Nicholas Psarros is the owner of the Movement Refinery. Nic is a creative entrepreneur and connector in the industry here in Australia and someone I very much admire.
He is also the creator of the well known resource: The Pilates Teacher Network and creator of TMR Academy. In this interview, Nic talks honestly and openly about his business journey from his first studio in 2005 to today. We chat in depth about:
How he found Pilates as a young, injured dancer
How Nic feels about the immense teaching talent we have here in Australia (and New Zealand)
How important imagination, self belief and creativity is in the running of his business.
His vision to create ‘The Pilates Teacher Network’ and how it was a source of valuable information through Covid as well as his hopes for the future of TPTN.
How he navigated his business through Covid (when Melbourne was the most locked down city in the world.)
His advice to those new to the industry.
 
Find out more about Nic here:
www.themovementrefinery.com.au
Nicholas@themovementrefinery.com.au
 
And on the socials:
@themovementrefinery
Nic mentioned this resource in the Podcast:
How we built this - Podcast
Thank you Nic!
 

Ben Rashleigh - Aligned for Life and Benjaminrashleigh.com

In this interview, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ben Rashleigh of Aligned for Life Pilates. Ben came to Pilates from a career as a chef with chronic lower back pain. Pilates helped him strengthen his back and his fascination with the method changed his career trajectory from chef to Pilates teacher.
 
In this podcast we talk about:
How Ben approaches his work as a collaborative and educative process with his clients
Why our role as experienced instructors is to mentor the next generation of teachers.
How he marries Pilates with other modalities and influences
His feelings about the current gap in the market with finding experienced instructors as the Pilates teaching profession has boomed.
The importance of getting out from under the ‘tribal’ mentality of the Pilates industry to foster greater community and the sharing of ideas.
Ben mentioned:
Centered - By Madeleine Black
Where to find Ben:
www.alignedforlife.com.au
www.benjaminrashleigh.com
@bjrashleigh_pilates_movement
Thanks Ben!
 

Helen Fletcher - Equipoise Pilates

In this interview I had the pleasure of interviewing Pilates entrepreneur Helen Fletcher.
Helen is the creator of Equipoise Pilates and Movement Education. Since 2012, Helen has created clinics and more recently, online content bringing together Pilates with Equestrian Riding.
 
In this podcast you’ll discover:
How Helen found PIlates in the early 1990’s when it was an ‘underground’ movement modality
How her first Pilates session planted the seed for her future business idea.
Her ‘Deep sense of knowing’ that Pilates would be her future career
How she’s adjusted her business strategy over time to suit her demographic
How she dealt with the push back from the equestrian world when she started marrying riding with Pilates
Her optimism for the industry moving forward with the strong sense of community that’s growing amongst the Australian Pilates community
Her advice on how to ‘quieten the noise’ to develop your instinct as a new instructor.
 
RESOURCES:
 
You can learn more about Helen here: 
https://www.equipoisepilates.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/equipoise_pilates_
 
Helen mentioned the book: Slings Essential:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Slings-Essentials-Resourced-Oriented-Integrative-Learning/dp/B09JDQ18M5
 
Thanks Helen!
 
To stay up to date with the latest podcast drop, go to kimpaxton.com.au to subscribe to my newsletter.
 
And, if you would like to join me in my online mentoring group, starting very soon, be sure to head to kimpaxton.com.au to put your name on the waitlist!

Eve Fairbairn (Ward) - ME Pilates, Melbourne

Welcome to the podcast Eve!
Eve is a well loved and dedicated Pilates teacher that has recently opened her new studio in Melbourne: ME Pilates. In this insightful interview you’ll discover:
 
How Eve approaches her own Pilates practice with a sense of play and curiosity
Her move from Canada to Australia and her early Pilates training
Her challenges teaching Pilates in English, as her 2nd language
Her journey into opening her new studio and how her clients came along for the ride
How working from her garage before opening her studio brought her Pilates community closer
How she nurtures and appreciates her long term relationships with her clients and how she kept them top of mind when fitting out her studio.
Her self doubt around opening her studio and how she juggles family life with studio ownership
How she feels the word ‘Pilates teacher’ is being used too loosely in the current industry.
Eve’s opinion of the current state of the industry and why she feels hopeful.
And so much more!
You can learn more about Eve here:
https://mepilates.com.au/
 
On the socials: 
Instagram: @mepilatesbayside
 
Thanks Eve!
 
To stay up to date with the latest podcast drop, go to kimpaxton.com.au to subscribe to my newsletter.
 
And, if you would like to join me in my online mentoring group, starting very soon, be sure to head to kimpaxton.com.au to put your name on the waitlist!

Renae Blackmore - Renae Blackmore Pilates

Renae Blackmore is a well loved and respected teacher in the Australian Pilates Industry. She is a veteran teacher and has owned her own studio Renae Blackmore Pilates for 17 years. In this interview, you’ll discover:
Her days as a full time dance student and how she found the Pilates method to supplement her dance training
How she has built up her home-based Pilates business through the years and all about her recent studio expansion
How community is important to her as a way to share ideas and grow as a teacher
Her new role as a Pilates teacher trainer
How she has struggled with self doubt and imposter syndrome in her career
Her words of wisdom to new teachers of the method and how she believes comprehensive Pilates training is integral to the future of the industry.
And so much more!

Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates - Trailer

Hi, My name is Kim Paxton.  I’m a passionate Pilates studio owner, PIlates teacher trainer and business coach.
 
In this podcast, me and my special guests are going to be sharing with you the things that have worked in our businesses, the failures and setbacks, the aha moments, and the hard work that goes into following your passion for helping people move and feel better with Pilates.
 
Running a Pilates business  is so much more than following your passion and hoping for the best. It takes hard work, tenacity and a commitment to staying true to your vision.
 
We’ll be diving deep into the barriers that might be holding you back: Self doubt, perfectionism, fear of failure and lack of resources as well as celebrating the amazing self development and personal growth that comes from running your own business.
 
I can’t wait to dive deep with you into the real deal of owning and operating a Pilates business with  my friends and colleagues from around the Pilates world. 
 
And don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast to stay up to date with the latest!