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In this episode, Nikki chats with Jessica Valant about what she's learned from running Momentum Fest for the past two years. They discuss: - How Jessica's own experiences and challenges have inspired her current perspective of teaching movement - Jessica's thoughts on creating a business model that makes sense for you and why it's okay to change your mind - What Jessica is excited for at Momentum Fest this year Then Jessica turns the tables and interviews Nikki, where they discuss Nikki's thoughts for taking action even if you suffer from self doubt + her thoughts on how to move past imposter syndrome. About Jessica Valant: Jessica Valant, MSPT, PMA-CPT, is a licensed Physical Therapist, Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, continuing education provider, proud mama and movement lover. She believes when people feel strong and free in their own bodies it can lead to a ripple of more kindness and love in the world. Jessica is recognized as a leader in the Pilates industry due to her extensive experience, continuing education courses, women’s health expertise, successful online Pilates studio and popular Youtube channel. Her work has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, Shape Magazine and Thrillest and she has been named a YouTube Creator on the Rise and Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Competition Finalist. Jessica and her husband, Brian, founded Momentum Fest in 2017 in order to create an inclusive, loving and fun place for all people to celebrate movement together. Jessica can be found at www.jessicavalantpilates.com, on social media @jessicavalantpilates or at home in Denver wrangling two young kids.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Trina Altman about how she finds inspiration looking outside of the yoga and Pilates box. They discuss: - Trina's strategies for avoiding burnout and minimizing travel stress - Why Trina looks outside of the modalities that she is teaching for inspiration and education to be a better teacher - Trina's podcast recommendations About Trina Altman: Trina Altman, BS, PMA-CPT, E-RYT 500. She’s the creator of Yoga Deconstructed® and Pilates Deconstructed®, which take an interdisciplinary approach to foster an embodied understanding of yoga and Pilates and their relationship to modern movement science. Trina created and taught a Pilates Deconstructed® course for physical therapists at UCLA and was part of the faculty for the Brain Longevity® conference at UCLA. Her work has been published in Pilates Style, Yoga Journal and Yoga International. Her book, Yoga Deconstructed®: Transitioning From Rehabilitation Back Into The Yoga Studio is slated to be published by Handspring Publishing in December 2019. For more information on Trina and her live + online classes and courses, visit trinaaltman.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with master Pilates teacher and co-owner of the Pilates Center Boulder Amy Taylor Alpers about where she finds inspiration in her teaching. They discuss: Where Amy finds the why to stay grounded in her teaching Amy's tips for preventing burnout and staying engaged in the work Amy's perspective of movement and how it relates to the origins of what Joe Pilates created About Amy Taylor Alpers Amy Taylor Alpers went to The Juilliard School for dance, danced with the Garden State Ballet, and received her BA and MA in Dance from New York University. She began studying Pilates with Romana Kryzanowska at the original Pilates Studio in New York City and received her Pilates teaching certificate from there in July of 1989. Along with her sister, Rachel Taylor Segel, she established The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO in 1990. One year later they founded The Pilates Center Teacher Training Program. Amy has taught workshops all around the United States, as well as in Canada, Paris, London, and Israel. With her sister, Amy also co-authored The Everything Pilates Book, published in 2002. She was a Board Member of the Pilates Method Alliance from 2001-2004, and served on the committee to develop the PMA National Pilates Certification Exam. To learn more about Amy and her work, visit https://thepilatescenter.com/.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher Grace Hurry about her experience with Instagram and transitioning from being a professional ballet dancer to a Pilates teacher and studio owner. They also cover Grace's tips for keeping a realistic and positive perspective when navigating social media and why she thinks it's important to take time to unplug from the online space.  About Grace Hurry Grace is from the UK and first fell in love with movement when she started ballet at the age of 2.  At age 11 she was accepted to full time ballet school where she was lucky enough to be introduced to Pilates, which became an integral part of Grace’s dance training and career. In 2010 Grace transitioned from professional dancer to ballet and Pilates teacher, and became certified through the Royal Academy of Dance, the Pilates Method Alliance, and Body Arts and Science International (BASI) Pilates in the UK. She later competed the Mentor and Master programs with Rael Isacowtiz in California. After 3 years of teaching in the Cayman Islands, Grace now lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands and co-owns a Pilates studio there. She also guest teaches and hosts Pilates retreats internationally and is a member of the BASI Pilates faculty. She is so excited to be returning to Momentum Fest for a second year!

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates educator Chantill Lopez about her strategies for embodied teaching and creating a safe and warm environment for students. They also discuss the role of the vagus nerve in managing stress and its effects on how we experience movement.  About Chantill Lopez Chantill is a movement explorer, educator, and mentor and has made a 20-year career teaching Pilates; it still makes her smile. Her work focuses on teaching from the whole-person and whole-body perspective, drawing from brain-based learning frameworks, motivation and communication science, somatic and humanistic psychology, and other emerging models such as the polyvagal theory. Chantill is the founder of the education company, Skillful Teaching, the creator of the Thinking Pilates Podcast and author of the book “Moving Beyond Technique”. She is also the creator of one of Pilates Metrics’ original movement libraries and a featured presenter for Fusion Pilates EDU. Chantill lives and teaches in Sacramento, CA.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates educator Delia Buckmaster about her experience going through three different Pilates teacher trainings at the insight it gave her on how to know what training is right for you. They also discuss her strategies for getting clients results and keeping sessions interesting while staying true to the Pilates principles. About Delia Buckmaster Delia is founder of Delia Pilates® and in the industry for almost 20 years. She’s an International Fitness Educator, PMA®CPT, BootyBarre® Master Trainer, and Balanced Body® Master Instructor. Delia earned her Full Certification through STOTT®Pilates and completed the BASI Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program. Delia has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, a PMA panelist and published fitness and wellness writer for a regional magazine . She was voted best fitness instructor in Whitefish 2014, 2015 , 2016 & 2018 and was a finalist for the Pilates Anytime 2016 & 2017 Next Instructor Competition.

In this episode, Nikki chat's with yoga and Pilates educator Trina Altman about how to integrate corrective exercises into your classes. They discuss what corrective exercises are, how they can be used to reduce the risk of injury and prepare your body for yoga and Pilates exercises, and some strategies for integrating them into your classes. About Trina Altman Trina Altman, BS, PMA-CPT, E-RYT 500. She’s the creator of Yoga Deconstructed® and Pilates Deconstructed®, which take an interdisciplinary approach to foster an embodied understanding of yoga and Pilates and their relationship to modern movement science. Trina created and taught a Pilates Deconstructed® course for physical therapists at UCLA and was part of the faculty for the Brain Longevity® conference at UCLA. Her work has been published in Pilates Style, Yoga Journal and Yoga International. Her book, Yoga Deconstructed®: Transitioning From Rehabilitation Back Into The Yoga Studio is slated to be published by Handspring Publishing in December 2019. For more information on Trina and her live + online classes and courses, visit trinaaltman.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher, physical therapist, and creator of Momentum Fest, a 3 day Pilates Festival, Jessica Valant about why she created Momentum Fest and the importance of making time for play and a personal Pilates practice in addition to continuing education. They also discuss what Jessica learned from running Momentum Fest last year for the first time, who the event is for, what to expect, and why we should embrace all styles of movement.  About Jessica Valant Jessica Valant, MSPT, PMA-CPT, is a licensed Physical Therapist, PMA Certified Pilates Instructor, continuing education provider, proud mama and movement lover. She believes when people feel strong and free in their own bodies it can lead to a ripple of more kindness and love in the world. Jessica is recognized as a leader in the Pilates industry due to her extensive experience, continuing education courses, women’s health expertise, successful online Pilates studio and popular Youtube channel. Her work has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, Shape Magazine and Thrillest and she has been named a YouTube Creator on the Rise and Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Competition Finalist. Jessica and her husband, Brian, founded Momentum Fest in 2017 in order to create an inclusive, loving and fun place for all people to celebrate movement together. Jessica can be found at www.jessicavalantpilates.com, on social media @jessicavalantpilates or at home in Denver wrangling two young kids.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Becky Phares about how she has used her understanding of Pilates and biomechanics to help her dance students improve their longevity. They also discuss strategies for making Pilates and dance fun and how to find inspiration and teaching ideas when you don't live near other studios. About Becky Phares Becky Phares is a Ragin Cajun Pilates instructor from Lafayette, LA who owns The Body Initiative Pilates Studio. With over 10 years of teaching experience she has worked with all types of populations from the ages of 7 – 93. Recently Becky has been blog writing for the Polestar International newsletter and finished in the top 10 in the next Pilates anytime instructor competition for 2018 and 2016. Movement is her passion and wants to share postivive movement experiences with the world!

In this episode, Nikki chat's with Brooke Tyler about the expansion of her business model from a physical studio into an online platform. They discuss how the online platform and studio support each other, Brooke's strategies for maintaining a work life balance, and how Brooke has combined her background in classical Pilates and acupuncture to create unique and innovate classes.  About Brooke Tyler As the creator and visionary behind Clasique Acupuncture & Pilates Studio, Brooke has created a lively and thriving community hub for whole person wellness and a home to the Clasique Pilates Instructor Certification Program. In Spring 2018 Brooke also launched CoreSelf, an online video subscription platform with “seasonal vibes” that brings Pilates directly to you wherever you are. As an experienced Pilates Instructor, teacher trainer, and Licensed Acupuncturist, Brooke bridges these distinct, but deeply interwoven practices into her own very unique style. Through Brooke’s many years of experience in sharing and living the teachings of Pilates and Chinese Medicine, she offers a unique expression that celebrates movement, embodiment, presence, strength, and self-love. As a mother of two and a lifetime athlete, her passion for working with people spans a broad range of needs, goals, and abilities, regardless of whether she’s working with an elite athlete, a new mom healing diastasis, or supporting people through prehab or rehab. Brooke's unique approach highlights the depth and artfulness of both Pilates & Chinese Medicine, making them accessible and available to all as a balanced, aligned way of living. Her passion and love for her work has allowed her to be a leader in the international Classical Pilates community and hold a strong presence online with her CoreSelf video offerings. Brooke’s passion is to support people to feel whole as they are, inspired to find deeper strength and natural grace in their lives, and empowered on their paths of embodiment, wellness and joy.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Emma Kumley about strategies that she has used to build a community and foster positive and memorable experiences for her clients in her new studio. They also discuss marketing ideas for organic growth as a studio owner. About Emma Kumley Emma Kumley, JD, PMA-CPT and certified GYROTONIC® Trainer, has been teaching movement for 25 years. She began teaching group fitness classes as an AFAA certified instructor after she finished high school. One husband, one law career, and four kids later, Emma finds herself as the owner and operator of The Movement Studio in Oxford, FL, where she teaches Pilates and the GYROTONIC® Method. Her personal movement journey has evolved from early ballet and modern dance experience to group fitness and corporate gym overdose to the balanced gratitude that is born of boutique fitness studio ownership. This evolution has taught her that physical fitness should be a way to love your body, and she advocates for moving whenever and wherever you can! To learn more about Emma, visit themovementstudiofl.com. 

In this episode, Nikki chats with Marimba Gold-Watts working with hypermobile clients. They discuss Marimba's personal experience with hypermobility, what it means to be hypermobile, specific strategies for improving proprioception, and why you don't have to fear allowing clients to move through their full range of motion.  About Marimba Gold-Watts Marimba Gold-Watts, PMA-CPT, RCST® is the 2018 Winner of the Next Pilates Anytime Instructor Contest. Formerly a professional dancer, she began studying Pilates in 1999 and received her pilates certification at The Kane School of Core Integration under the direction of Kelly Kane in 2007.  In 2012, Marimba and her husband Steve opened Articulating Body Inc., a pilates and wellness studio in New York City. Marimba is also a Registered Certified Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist®, a graduate of Barnard College of BA in Art History, and has taught modern dance both internationally and at The Ailey school since 2005. Her goal is to help her clients achieve strong, fluid, and more articulate bodies. To learn more about Marimba, visit articulatingbody.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Michelle DuVall about the benefits of barre and why it's important to foster community among barre instructors and seek continuing education beyond the initial training. They also discuss how to add variations to classes and what to expect if you are taking a barre class for the first time. About Michelle DuVall Michelle is an expert movement teacher who finds joy in motivating others to make connections through mindful movement. Michelle holds a BFA in Dance, PMA®-CPT, 200hr Yoga certification, and trained in The Roll Model Method by Jill Miller.​​ She is a co-founder and Education Director of a former barre method company. She spent years teaching barre, and training other barre instructors how to teach.  Taking her knowledge, Michelle wanted to create a method and community that was inclusive, creative, and backed by proper biomechanics.  With her rich background in various movement styles, Michelle created Barre Variations. A manual, method, and video library with an expanded syllabus of choreography and technique. Michelle believes that there is plenty of room at the barre, and aspires to inspire others to let their inner creative barre star shine! To learn more about Michelle, visit barrevariations.com. 

In this episode, Nikki and Missoni, co-owner of Ara Pilates and Movement, discuss what do you do when you have to move your studio and revamp your entire business model. They cover how to position yourself to larger companies, so you can collaborate, increase brand awareness, and attract more clients, and offer ideas for creating an amazing and unique client experience.  To connect with Missoni, say hello on Instagram or visit her website. 

In this episode, Leah and Nikki chat about the cultural differences between teaching Pilates in Ireland versus in the states. They also discuss the types of clients that Pilates attracts in these markets and some of the challenges and advantages to building a business in an area that has fewer Pilates studios.  To connect with Leah, say hello on Instagram. 

In this episode, physical therapist, Pilates teacher, and co-founder of  Momentum Fest Jessica Valant recaps what it was like to plan a 3 day Pilates festival and shares her tips for planning a large scale event.  To connect with Jessica, visit her website or say hello on Instagram. 

In this episode, Nikki chats with Australia based physical therapist and Pilates educator Susan Cottrell about how she incorporates fun and empowerment into a clinical setting and cultivating body diversity in the Pilates world. To connect with Susan visit her website or say hello on Instagram. 

In this episode, Jewel Elizabeth shares her insight on how to tailor programming for large groups and online classes, her experience presenting for the daily burn, and her best advice for advancing your career if you're a Pilates teacher who wants more opportunities beyond the walls of the studio. 

In this episode, Susan Sommers discusses how she and Neil Healey worked together to create a private FB group for contemporary Pilates instructors to come together, share ideas, and learn from one another in a positive and supportive environment.  She also delves into her philosophy for teaching to the body in front of her and why it's important to keep an open mind. 

In this episode, Hollie Grant talks about her mission to change the conversation around how women view their bodies and exercise into something more empowered and more focused on athletics not aesthetics. She also discusses why she developed The Model Method, a combination of Pilates and High Intensity Interval Training and the importance of cross training. To connect with Hollie visit her website, say hello on Instagram, or check out her passion project Athletics Not Aesthetics on Instagram.