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

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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.

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.

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

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

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.