How a career in Pilates allows you to balance your personal and professional goals
Do you dream of a career that offers you flexibility and freedom, the capacity to set your own hours and rates, and pursue jobs which align with your values and passions? Maybe you’re motivated by the idea of starting your own business in an industry that respects your commitments outside of your work - things like family, children, hobbies. If this sounds familiar, a career in Pilates is the solution to all of your career and life aspirations! Pilates gives you the flexibility and control to create a career that leaves you feeling fulfilled and rewarded - in your personal and professional life.
Entrepreneur and Pilates instructor, Ashlee Stow, shares her own journey in the Pilates industry, telling us how she chose to pivot her choice of career to allow her to spend more time with her young children and family. Since completing her APPI Pilates Instructor Certification with Unite Health, she’s gone on to launch her own business, and has ambitious and exciting plans for her future. She explains how her studies with Unite Health have been the one-way ticket to career and business success she was looking for, allowing her to create a life of balance, passion and contentment. Here’s what she had to say.
Tell us about your career background, what were you doing before you got into the Pilates industry? What were your career goals?
I worked in the finance industry for 12 years. I was a senior manager in one of the Big Four banks, and I was quite ambitious wanting to continue to climb the corporate ladder. Then I had my son and everything changed! My perspective on life and what was important shifted, and all I wanted to do was create a life around my family!
What led you to pursuing a career in Pilates? And what motivated you to begin your own business?
Health and wellness were always a big part of my life. In my early 20s I was a runner and focused a lot on strength training, after pregnancy and going into my 30s my body changed so much that these forms of movement didn't feel right anymore. That's when I found pilates and was able to build my body back to a state where running and strength training partnered with Pilates felt good again! When I fell pregnant with my second son, I suffered from sciatica and lower back pain, and Pilates was my saviour during this time. The relief I felt from practising Pilates was phenomenal. It saved me!
After these experiences, I knew I needed to help other mums find the same relief, and to show them how to move their bodies in a way that feels good! So I signed up with Unite Health to complete my APPI Pilates Instructor Certification!
Family is a fundamental focus for you - even in your work. How has your family informed the way you've created and operated your business previously and now?
I run my business around my family. With two small boys, they are my number one priority - especially while they are still so young. I’m able to operate my business in a way that allows me to be there for my boys. I run seasonal Mat classes in the park over the summer period when my husband is around more to help, I take 1-on-1 mat classes in my client's homes, and I teach Reformer Pilates at a local studio at night. This works for our family and allows me to be available for my boys.
Once my boys are both in school, I have huge goals for my business and will shift my focus more towards growing and creating a space for women - especially mothers - to move their bodies in a way that feels good. But for now, my business gives me true flexibility!
What piece of advice would you give to anyone considering pursuing a career in Pilates or starting their own business in the industry?
My advice to anyone looking to start a career in Pilates is to try not to compare yourself to others. You will develop your own style and way of teaching, and that’s what will make you unique!
This also translates into creating a business in the Pilates industry. You can do it your way! You don't need to do anything fancy. Keeping it simple and being true to yourself will be what stands out most to your clients!
What does Mother's Day mean to you? How do you plan to showcase this in your own business?
Mother's Day is an opportunity for me to celebrate all the amazing motherly influences in my life: my mum, my step mother, mother in law, sisters, grandmothers, aunties and my amazing girlfriends. I am forever grateful for the love and support, fun and guidance these women have shown me! Mothers are at the centre of my "why", and they’re the reason I created my business. My vision is to support their minds, bodies and souls through Pilates!
What did you think of your experience with Unite Health, and would you recommend other aspiring instructors to study our APPI Pilates Instructor Certification?
Unite Health was amazing! I loved the option to do the intensive training, and the modules were so thorough and detailed! Anatomy is covered in the course, and the educators are allied health professionals or extremely experienced in Pilates, which is a huge win. The support and guidance I was given were phenomenal, and I felt ready and excited to start my career in Pilates when I finished my study with Unite Health. I can not recommend Unite Health’s certification enough.
If you want to keep up with Ashlee’s journey building her Pilates business, or get in touch with her to discover how you can experience her dynamic, incredible classes for yourself, you can find her on Instagram at @ashleestowpilates or contact her via email at ashleestow.pilates@gmail.com
If you, too, are ready to embark on your career path to becoming a Pilates instructor, reclaiming control over your job and your day-to-day, or building a business you feel proud of and rewarded by, check out our upcoming intakes for our APPI Pilates Instructor Certification today! Like Ashlee, you can step into your new career path feeling confident, prepared and inspired by our top-quality, world-recognised education, taught by leading experts in the Pilates industry.
To learn more about how our course can help you achieve your career and personal goals, book a free chat with our helpful course experts to get the answers to all your questions today!