What if movement is your birthright - and you don't need to be flexible, fit, or wear the latest workout gear to start?

In this grounded conversation, host Sarah Gorev reconnects with Anne from Shape It Up Pilates in Rugby - and Anne brings over 30 years of fitness industry experience to share.

What makes this episode special is Anne's straight-talking approach. She runs a business, she's busy, and she'll tell you - she doesn't do an hour of Pilates every day. But she knows exactly what matters: the basics, done consistently, that keep you strong as you age. It's the perfect antidote to perfectionist fitness culture.

You'll discover:

* The surprising origins of Pilates

* Why corrections aren't criticism but gifts

* The intentional movement principle

* How COVID proved online Pilates works perfectly - with camera on and proper guidance

* Why Anne recommends starting on the mat (for years!) before moving to equipment - building that essential body awareness

* The rehabilitation sweet spot where Pilates works beautifully alongside osteopaths and physios

* How stand-up paddleboarding is actually great Pilates exercise - core, balance, breathing, flow, all of it

* The truth about posture: we're NOT designed to stay upright all day, variety matters more than perfection

* Why women especially need to think about strength as oestrogen leaves - but taking the long view

* The accessible reality

This conversation explores the practical (how to actually start, what to expect, mat vs equipment) and the philosophical (why slow intentional movement is powerful, how variety beats perfection, taking the long view) with equal depth and honesty. Anne's willingness to share her own imperfect practice - mobility work in the morning, walking for mental wellness, Focus Therapy for listening to herself - is refreshing and real.

Perfect for: Pilates beginners wondering where to start, people recovering from injury seeking the rehabilitation sweet spot, women over 40 concerned about maintaining strength, busy people needing accessible movement practices, anyone feeling "not good enough" for fitness spaces, long-distance walkers wanting to build foundations, those seeking honest guidance without perfection pressure, or anyone interested in practitioners who've genuinely learned what works over decades.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Shape It Up Pilates: https://shapeituppilates.co.uk/

Episode highlights:

[02:00] From Legs Bums and Tums to Pilates

[03:00] Joseph Pilates and WWI prisoner of war camp origins

[06:00] "If you're thinking about dinner, you're not doing Pilates"

[07:00] Why corrections are gifts, not criticism

[09:00] Can you do Pilates online? COVID changed everything

[12:00] Physical ability - do you need to be fit?

[16:00] The rehabilitation sweet spot

[18:00] Stand-up paddleboarding IS Pilates

[22:00] Anne's honest personal practice

[26:00] The posture misconception

[29:00] Mat first, equipment later - and why

[34:00] Focus Therapy discovery

Thanks for listening.