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: juan@postpilates.es
• 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.