Beyond the Reformer – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Few people have shaped modern Pilates education like Nichole Zuckerman. As one of Polestar Pilates’ most senior educators, Nichole has dedicated her career to deepening how teachers understand movement, presence, and the human body.

Nic sits down with Nichole to explore the philosophy that has made Polestar Pilates one of the most respected education schools in the world.

Nichole shares her upbringing surrounded by reformers and studio life, what it was like growing up as Brent Anderson’s daughter, and how Polestar has evolved into a global leader in Pilates education.

They talk about teaching with presence, the psychology behind movement, and why developing awareness, empathy, and curiosity are essential for every Pilates teacher.

This is a rich, insightful conversation for anyone who wants to teach with more depth and meaning!

If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow on your podcast app, share it with a fellow teacher, and leave a rating or review. Every share helps this community grow and keeps these conversations reaching more Pilates educators 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 Nichole:

• Polestar Pilates' Website

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.

Behind every powerful Pilates class is a teacher who understands subtlety. In this solo episode, Nic shares how to create classes that help clients find ease, awareness, and lasting change.

After years of teaching and now educating other Pilates instructors, Nic has noticed a recurring question from listeners: what does it mean to teach with subtlety?

In this episode, she breaks down the art and science of structuring a Pilates class that helps clients move with more awareness, ease, and confidence.

Nic explores why starting supine allows students to unwind tension and reset their nervous system, how to layer exercises to set them up for success, and why spine articulation and standing integration are essential for taking Pilates beyond the studio and into everyday life.

She also shares her philosophy on mindful cueing, unlearning old teaching habits, and how to guide clients towards noticing change.

If this episode helped you see your teaching in a new way, share it with another instructor who would love it too.

You can also subscribe, leave a review, or send Nic a message with your biggest takeaway! She loves hearing how these conversations land with you.

Connect with Nic:

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

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

Pilates has the power to transform lives especially when it comes to supporting women with osteoporosis.

In this episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic sits down with Gemma Pearson, founder of Osteoporosis Pilates, to explore how movement can rebuild strength, confidence, and resilience in a population often overlooked by traditional fitness.

Gemma shares her journey from professional dancer to educator and how she discovered her niche in bone health.

They discuss the myths and fear-based messaging around osteoporosis, offering Pilates teachers practical strategies for adapting movement safely and effectively.

Whether you are a Pilates teacher wanting to upskill, a studio owner looking to better serve your clients, or simply curious about how movement impacts bone density and wellbeing, this conversation is packed with insights that you can take away.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Gemma Pearson

02:26 Realising the need for osteoporosis Pilates

04:19 Why teachers are nervous about this population

05:43 Gemma’s journey with Pilates

13:25 Strategies for teaching clients with osteoporosis

17:34 Adapting Pilates for special populations

25:40 Communicating effectively with clients

29:50 Building an online presence with purpose

30:09 The role of evidence-based practice

32:32 Moving from studio to online teaching

33:32 Creating community in the online space

34:59 Keeping clients engaged and empowered

41:30 Marketing strategies and client acquisition

50:31 Collaborations with medical professionals

53:28 Future goals and teacher training plans

56:56 Quick-fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit follow so you never miss a new release and if you are listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, a five-star review would mean the world in helping us reach more Pilates teachers and movement professionals.

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 Gemma:

• Osteoporosis Pilates Website
• Osteoporosis Pilates Instagram

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.

The Pilates industry is evolving faster than ever, but not always in the right direction.

Nic is joined by educator, mentor, and business strategist Jenna Zaffino, who has been shaping conversations in Pilates for over two decades.

Jenna shares her journey from ballet to studio ownership, and how her personal challenges led her to pivot into mentorship and health coaching.

Nic and Jenna discuss the realities of running a Pilates studio today and the future of teacher training.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Jenna Zaffino

02:23 What is broken within the Pilates industry

06:51 Challenges in the Pilates community

08:05 The evolution of Pilates training

12:56 How Jenna discovered Pilates

17:16 Going from studio owner to mentor and coach

21:10 Balancing business with personal life

26:17 Why the traditional studio model is flawed

29:15 Building client relationships and tracking progress

30:29 Profitability of Pilates studios

31:55 Defining and communicating your value proposition

35:31 The power of authenticity and connection

36:07 Common struggles for studio owners

40:40 How Jenna got into business coaching

50:16 Mental health, inclusivity, and the future of Pilates

56:10 Quick fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Beyond the Reformer, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. It really helps us bring more incredible conversations to 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 Jenna

• Jenna Zaffino Website
• Jenna’s Instagram
• Pilates Unfiltered Podcast

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.

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 vital in the Pilates world.

She finishes up talking about marketing strategy, sales recruitment and building the right support structure for sustainable growth.

Timestamps

00:00 Nic’s first solo episode

00:31 Early challenges and lessons from starting a Pilates studio

01:01 How launching the podcast has impacted her

03:27 Balancing studio life with personal time and family

05:34 Making a renewed commitment to her own health and Pilates practice

08:22 Creating a comprehensive teacher training programme

11:12 The importance of ongoing learning and CPD

12:30 The value of mentorship in teaching and studio growth

13:46 Why movement efficiency is central to her teaching philosophy

15:22 Building and structuring the right studio team

17:02 The role of marketing in sustaining and growing a studio

22:42 Rethinking sales recruitment and interview processes

26:12 End of Season 1

A HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported the podcast for Season 1. The response has been incredible and we have big plans for the future of the podcast.

Before we come back with Season 2, if you have enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and rate the show 5 stars as that would be amazing.

See you soon.

Connect with Nic:

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

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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 community, and what Pilates teachers need to do to prevent burnout.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Clara

01:11 Clara’s journey to discovering Pilates

01:27 Living with arthritis and its challenges

03:47 Practising Pilates during university

04:18 Training to become a Pilates instructor

07:09 Balancing a medical career with teaching Pilates

09:34 How Pilates has impacted Clara’s life and career

12:33 Clara’s philosophy on teaching and adapting Pilates

21:19 Insights into holistic health and chronic illness

33:38 Specialising in elderly care

38:00 The importance of injury checks

40:02 Empowering clients and encouraging self-awareness

42:16 Mentoring new teachers and tackling imposter syndrome

52:01 Juggling life as a doctor, mum, and Pilates teacher

53:33 The challenges of growing on social media

56:54 Embracing authenticity as a Pilates instructor

01:03:45 Quick-fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your Pilates friends. It really helps us reach more people with thoughtful conversations like this.

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 Clara:

• Pilates with Clara
• Website
• Mentoring for teachers

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.

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 the most of your practice and observation hours.

If you haven’t listened to the first episode with Diane, you can check it out here

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome back Diane Nye!

00:40 What makes a truly successful teacher

02:12 Bringing personality and confidence into your teaching

04:29 Learning from experience and continuous improvement

05:16 Letting go of perfection and being present

10:40 What sets successful teachers apart

12:21 Advice for your first year of teaching

13:52 Common pitfalls for trainee teachers

19:21 Class planning challenges

22:37 Client expectations and teaching strategies

26:06 Mentoring in studios

29:20 Advice for studio owners

30:40 Putting your all into teaching

33:44 Continuous learning and development

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your Pilates friends. It really helps us reach more people with thoughtful conversations like this.

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 Diane:

• Polestar Pilates Courses

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

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 break down, how Chelsea created a certified 8-week online course to train Pilates technicians worldwide, and how investing in maintenance can actually make you money.

Chelsea also talks about building a standout team, staying passionate about teaching, and why it’s crucial for instructors to be fully certified across all equipment.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Chelsea

01:22 Challenges in equipment maintenance and why most equipment issues are preventable

11:24 Chelsea’s patented ‘Sticky Feet’ reformer solution

13:08 Chelsea's journey with Pilates

14:20 How she built three thriving studios and a great team

17:30 Balancing profitability and passion

18:24 Balancing multiple studio locations

21:45 Chelsea’s approach to teacher training and certification

27:04 Adapting to changing clientele

28:33 Creating online courses and digital platforms

31:14 Challenges and rewards of studio ownership

35:58 Advice, mentors, and what Chelsea would tell her younger self

39:10 How to connect with Chelsea

If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to share it with another studio owner who you think would find this valuable, and make sure to rate the show 5 stars.

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 Chelsea:

• Body Be Well Pilates Website
• Chelsea’s Instagram
• Body Be Well Pilates Instagram
• Email Chelsea: chelsea@bodybewellpilates.com

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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 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 in the movement space, and how Jeannie’s Integral Movement Method helps people regain strength, stability and trust in their bodies.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introduction

00:39 Jeannie’s personal journey with hypermobility

02:25 Discovering Pilates and how it changed her body

04:14 Early challenges training in classical Pilates

10:03 Understanding EDS and how hypermobility shows up

15:03 Teaching hypermobile clients with safety and care

23:05 How movement therapy transformed Jeannie’s life

26:14 The six principles of the Integral Movement Method

34:21 What gentle expansion really means

34:48 Research around fatigue, pain and pacing

36:19 Learning to listen to your body and build trust again

43:31 Why Jeannie created The Zebra Club

48:20 Using tech to make support more accessible

50:34 Her upcoming book and plans for teacher education

56:42 The future of health and fitness for hypermobile people

59:52 Quick-fire questions

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow teacher or someone living with chronic pain.

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 Jeannie:

• Jeannie’s website
• Contact Jeannie
• Join The Zebra Club
• Jeannie’s Instagram

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.

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 and how it helped her back pain

02:13 Teaching her first classes in local leisure centres and village halls

03:19 Training in the full classical system

05:37 What classical Pilates really is and how it’s often misunderstood

10:14 Classical vs contemporary Pilates

14:14 Amy’s first meeting with Jay Grimes and what she learned from him

16:30 Stories from Joseph Pilates

19:24 Developing her own training programme and the role of intuition in teaching

24:05 Changes Amy sees in Pilates clients

29:31 Growing Everybody Pilates to four studios, including one in the Netherlands

31:17 Maintaining quality and ethos across multiple locations

34:29 Leading a team and looking after your teachers

37:42 Future plans for expanding education and opening more studios

39:15 The pressure to modernise with trends

43:33 How Amy balances studio life, teaching, and curriculum development

48:07 The importance of staying inspired, asking questions, and being curious

53:58 Quick fire questions- advice from Jay, biggest influences, and the gift Pilates has given Amy

Thanks for listening to this weeks episode! Make sure to hit subscribe and rate the show 5 stars if you enjoyed.

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 Amy:

• Everybody pilates website
• Everybody pilates Instagram

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

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.

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here.