How Pilates transformed the career of successful entrepreneur and Unite Health Educator, David Tran

David Tran is a physiotherapist and successful entrepreneur, having founded his own physiotherapy business, Strength and Pilates Physiotherapy, combining strength, Pilates and movement to support his patients’ recovery. David is also one of Unite Health’s expert NSW Educators, having helped hundreds of our students complete their APPI Certification.

David’s career trajectory was solidified in 2013 when he became a personal trainer, working with regular clients and some athletes. He quickly realised he wanted to offer more than just fitness. He was determined to deeply understand how the human body works, how to effectively rehabilitate injuries, and how to optimise movement and his services for each individual client.

So he decided to pursue a new path: physiotherapy, integrating strength training, Pilates and rehabilitation into his approach.

In 2014 David moved into the area of sports training, helping to manage on-field injuries as well as starting to teach Pilates classes at KX Pilates. Before long, he founded Strength and Pilates Physiotherapy in 2016, blending physiotherapy, strength training and Pilates principles to offer comprehensive, effective and powerful support to his client base.

Since establishing his own business, David has continued to deepen his understanding of strength and hypertrophy training, competing in bodybuilding competitions and becoming a KX Pilates State Training Manager where he was able to mentor Pilates instructors, before joining Unite Health as one of our expert Educators. 

He continues to show Unite Health students how to integrate physiotherapy principles into their Pilates instruction and classes, and remains the leader of a team of physios, Pilates instructors and massage therapists in his own business, focusing on injury management, movement efficiency, and education for both clients and instructors. Strength and Pilates Physiotherapy, located in Surry Hills in Sydney, offers physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, reformer and equipment Pilates and remedial massage services. 

TLDR: He does it all! Whether you’re an allied health professional or an aspiring (or current) Pilates instructor, David is passionate about teaching you how to incorporate powerful and effective aspects of physiotherapy and rehabilitation into your skill set. His approach allows you to achieve greater results and health outcomes for your clients, and offer a more comprehensive, knowledgeable approach to movement, strength and rehabilitation.

David is one of the incredible expert Educators you could learn from when you study with Unite Health, and he’s also an example of the diverse and exciting career possibilities you can choose to pursue when you complete our APPI Pilates Instructor Certification or APPI Clinical Pilates Certification.

Let’s hear from David himself how Pilates has contributed to his career opportunities and progression, and how it’s impacted his own life personally.

How did you become involved with Unite Health? What about the company and our courses aligns with your own approach to Pilates and health, or your personal values?

David: One of the Educators who presented on the Unite Health course was actually my mentor. I really admired the way she integrated her Pilates practice with her love of education, making complex movement principles accessible and practical for others. 

Seeing how she taught and inspired others made me realise that I wanted to use my own skills in the same way. Teaching became a natural extension of my work, and I found it incredibly fulfilling to help instructors bridge the gap between Pilates, strength training and rehabilitation.

What drew me to Unite Health was the focus on understanding movement at a deeper level, which aligns perfectly with my movement and teaching philosophy. I love that the [APPI] programs equip instructors with the tools to think critically about biomechanics, injury prevention and movement efficiency, making Pilates more accessible and impactful for a wide range of clients.

What does a regular workday involve for you at the moment?

David: A typical workday involves a mix of patient care, teaching and business operations:

• Morning: I start with physiotherapy clients, whose goals can range from strength-focused rehab to acute injury management.
• Midday: Depending on the day, I might run a workshop, mentor Pilates instructors, or refine training programs for clients.
• Afternoon: More physio sessions or hands-on Pilates-based rehab sessions.
• Evening: Some days I teach Pilates classes, or run staff development sessions for my team.
• Behind the scenes: Between all of that I’m also managing the clinic, refining educational content, and staying up to date with research in physiotherapy, Pilates, and strength training…

All while juggling life as a dad to a very energetic toddler, and making sure our greyhound gets his fair share of attention too! It’s a constant balancing act, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are your career goals and aspirations for the future? Is there anything you haven't yet achieved and are still working towards?

David: I’m always looking for ways to refine and elevate movement education. 
Some key goals I’m working towards:

• Expanding instructor education – I want to create more structured workshops and courses for Pilates instructors that go beyond just certification and into practical, applied learning.
• Developing a structured online component – While I love in-person teaching, I see a lot of potential in expanding access to on-demand, evidence-based movement education.
• Growing my team and clinic – Strength and Pilates Physiotherapy has grown a lot, and I want to continue fostering a strong team that provides top-tier rehab and movement coaching.
• Blending more strength training principles into Pilates – There’s a great opportunity to modernise Pilates education by integrating principles from physiotherapy and sports science, while still honouring and incorporating the core principles of the practice.

How important do you believe your Pilates education and training was in getting you to this point in your career?

David: Absolutely critical. My Pilates education gave me a movement-based lens to look at rehab and injury prevention [through]. Physiotherapy gave me the clinical knowledge, but Pilates taught me how to apply it in a way that makes sense, with minimal equipment required.

My Pilates education also shaped how I teach movement, not just to clients but to other instructors. It taught me that rehab isn’t just about “fixing” things - it’s about teaching people how to move better and take control of their own bodies.

Do you have any advice, lessons or insights you'd share with any aspiring or emerging Pilates instructors or allied health professionals, who want to start their own business, improve their services, or make their mark on the industry and provide optimal support to their clients?

David: Master the fundamentals. A deep understanding of movement, biomechanics, and injury considerations will set you apart.

Keep learning, always. The best instructors are constantly refining their approach. Take something away from every interaction you have.

Think beyond just exercises. Pilates isn’t just about choreography; it’s about teaching people how to move well and stay strong for life.

If you want to build a business, know your niche. The best studios and instructors aren’t just good at Pilates - they know how to connect with a specific audience and solve their problems.

Most importantly, don’t just follow the script… ask why. Why does this movement matter? Why does this variation help? The more you question, the better you’ll be at helping your clients move well and feel strong.

Keep up to date with David and his incredible career trajectory by following him on Instagram at @davetranphysio or his business at @strengthpilatesphysio

If David’s career has inspired you to commit to your own career in Pilates, or shown you the importance of upskilling in clinical Pilates - or you want to learn from inspiring success stories like him, enrol in one of our APPI Certifications today!

Learn evidence-based content and modules developed and taught by expert healthcare professionals, to give yourself the best chance of a successful career like David’s!