Pilates Unscripted

Adriana Rotella
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Pilates Unscripted refines how we think about movement. Join host Adriana Rotella as she shares real conversations with leading experts in the field and breaks down what really matters when it comes to the body. Whether you're a seasoned pro or brand new to mindful movement, if you care about how your body moves, you're in the right place.

  1. 3 days ago

    Movement, Fascia, and the Science Behind How We Age with Jen Dahl

    I've been wanting to have Jen on the podcast for so long, and this conversation did not disappoint. Jen Dahl is a contemporary dance and theater artist, post-rehabilitation movement specialist, and fascial movement educator with over 20 years of experience. She's also a Stott Pilates Master Instructor Trainer based in Italy, and honestly, every conversation I have with her leaves me wanting more. In this episode, we get into why going back to basics is always the answer, how the body and brain are one connected system, and why there are truly no secrets and no shortcuts when it comes to movement longevity. What we cover: How Jen's dance background led her to dig deeper into biomechanics and movement science — and why she felt her generation of dancers was underserved Why the most skilled movers are the ones who can adapt and strategize, not just follow a choreography The importance of meeting clients where they're at — including a great story about a 16-year-old golfer with debilitating back pain who became pain-free through basic movement work Why high-performance athletes often have major movement blind spots, and how Pilates bridges that gap The fascial piece: what it is, why less structured movement can push clients past a plateau, and why results speak louder than peer-reviewed studies The brain-body connection and why over-thinking your movement can actually get in the way Jen's own training philosophy — changing things up every 6 weeks to 3 months, walking everywhere, and staying genuinely curious Instructor burnout: how many clients is too many, the difference between online and in-person energy drain, and why boundaries are a gift to your clients too   ~ Go to getsensate.com/arnutrition and use code "ARnutrition" for 10% off ~   ~ Connect With Jen ~ Email - ms.jdahl@gmail.com   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    53 min

  2. 2 Jun

    The Comparison Trap

    In this episode, I'm sharing five things I wish someone had told me before I started teaching — and honestly, things I still remind myself of today after 25 years in the industry. What we cover: 1. Confidence doesn't mean knowing everything. One of the biggest misconceptions I see in new instructors is thinking you need to feel fully ready before you can lead others. The truth? Great teachers aren't confident because they know it all — they're confident because they stay curious and stay present. I share the story of my very first apprentice hour and the moment I realized I did have something to offer, even when I felt miles behind. 2. The best teachers never stop being students. I still encounter things in the studio that surprise me — after 25 years. The goal isn't mastery; it's continuous layering of knowledge onto what you already know. Topics like fascia are still evolving, and the most respected instructors in the field are still questioning, refining, and changing their perspectives decades in. 3. Comparison destroys perspective. Comparing your day one to someone's year twenty is like comparing the start of a journey to mile 10,000. I share a personal story about a client I over-stretched early in my career — a mistake I made because I applied everything I learned all at once. You're not going to be them. And that's okay, because what you bring will be unique. 4. Clients aren't looking for perfection. They want to feel safe, understood, and encouraged. Sometimes the simplest cues — "bring your arms up here, perfect, just like that" — land better than the most anatomically precise instruction. If your client leaves feeling better than when they walked in, that is success. 5. Experience is built through action, not waiting. I tell students this all the time: you're never going to feel fully ready. The year after you pass your exam is often where you learn the most. Start before you feel good enough. The teaching itself is the skill — it's not one more certification or one more course.   ~ Go to getsensate.com/arnutrition and use code "ARnutrition" for 10% off ~   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    20 min

  3. 26 May

    20 Years of Integrity, Community, and Building a Pilates Legacy in China with Patricia Liao & Anita Tang

    I am so thrilled to share this conversation with two of my dearest friends in the Pilates world — Patricia Liao and Anita Tang, co-founders of The Orange Room Wellness Center in Shanghai, China.   What We Cover: How Patricia and Anita met as expats in the international school community and said "yes" to each other before they even knew what they were agreeing to Why they started as a yoga and Pilates studio and how The Orange Room evolved into one of the most respected Merrithew training centers in China The core values — integrity, honesty, and commitment — that have guided every hiring decision and every business challenge for 20 years How they navigated the 2008–2009 global recession, losing 40% of their clients overnight, and how the community they had built came together to help them survive What it really looks like to build a team that feels like family — and why their instructors stay for the long haul How they manage their partnership as 50/50 co-founders, and why mutual respect is the foundation that makes it work Their approach to avoiding instructor burnout by prioritizing life outside the studio What they look for when hiring (hint: it's not just qualifications — it's values, temperament, and how someone gels with the team) The future of The Orange Room and their thoughtful plan to pass the torch to the next generation   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    1hr 1min

  4. 19 May

    When the Body Won't Let Go: Working With Complex Clients with Melanie Byford-Young

    In this episode, I sat down with someone who has been in my world for a long time — Melanie Byford-Young, physiotherapist, Master Rehab Instructor Trainer for Stott Pilates, and co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates in Portland, Oregon. Melanie has spent over 25 years doing what most of us find the hardest: working with the most complex, challenging clients. And she does it brilliantly.   What we talked about: How Melanie went from physiotherapy to Pilates  The concept of "unwinding" complex joints  Why stretching isn't always the answer  The Pilates boom and where it's headed  Teaching instructors to think, not just follow a syllabus  How to have better pain conversations with clients  The "contrarian" client  Global bodies, global differences  The case for lifelong mentorship    Learn more about Melanie and the workshops:  https://www.melaniebyfordyoungeducation.com/workshops   Special Offer for Listeners: Save $100 when registering for both workshops using code PODCAST20 at checkout.   Register here for both workshops and receive the listener offer: https://www.melaniebyfordyoungeducation.com/offers/NpqtFTNo/checkout (Bundle price: $500 → $400) Offer valid through June 9, 2026.   ~ Connect With Melanie ~ Website - www.melaniebyfordyoungeducation.com Website - pacificnorthwestpilates.com Facebook - @PNWPilates Instagram - @pacificnwpilates Instagram - @melaniebyford_youngeducation   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    1hr 4min

  5. 12 May

    The Pilates Boom: What We're Getting Wrong and How to Fix It with Carla Ricalis

    This week I got to sit down with someone who has been part of my Pilates journey since the very beginning, Carla Ricalis, Toronto-based instructor, educator, and studio owner of Studio 3. What I love about Carla is that she doesn't just teach Pilates, she thinks deeply about it. This conversation went in so many directions, and I was reminded again of how much there is still to talk about in this industry. In this episode we cover: How the Pilates landscape has changed — and what the boom of reformer-based "fitness Pilates" studios actually means for the industry The difference between client-centric and exercise-centric teaching, and why it matters for your clients' results and long-term retention Why quality over quantity has always been at the heart of Pilates — and what gets lost when that principle is ignored The importance of continuing education and what Carla would say to instructors who want to go deeper with their practice How Carla has built a culture at Studio 3 that keeps both instructors and clients engaged, connected, and coming back Instructor burnout — what it really looks like and how thoughtful scheduling and studio culture can prevent it Her three pillars for running a successful Pilates studio   ~ Connect With Carla ~ Website - www.studiopower3.ca LinkedIn - connect with Carla Instagram - @studio3pilatesyoga   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    1 hr

  6. 5 May

    A Client's Unfiltered Take on What Pilates Really Does with Charan Bhattal

    I've been coaching instructors and movement professionals for years, so I thought it was time to flip the script and bring on someone who experiences Pilates from the other side — as a client. In this episode, I'm joined by one of my absolute favourite people to work with, Charan Bhattal. In this episode, we talk about: Why Charan came back to Pilates after completing teacher training — and never using it The moment she realized she couldn't (and didn't want to) practice alone How Pilates has transformed her tennis game, her yoga practice, and the way she simply walks through a city The difference between pushing through pain and truly listening to your body Why I believe the "no pain, no gain" mentality is one of the most damaging things we were ever taught What Charan looks for when she walks into a Pilates studio on the road — and what she refuses to do in a class, even when everyone around her is doing it Her biggest physical transformation (hint: it involves her core, her glutes, and yes — new jeans) Why I think the patient is always the smartest person in the room   ~ Connect With Charan ~ Website - graceandgoode.com   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    51 min

  7. 28 Apr

    From Patient to Instructor: Building a Global Community with Hilal Leigh

    This week I sat down with Hilal Lee — certified STOTT Pilates instructor, studio founder, app creator, and the 2024 Pilates Journal Instructor of the Year — based out of Dubai and reaching Pilates lovers everywhere through her mobile app and social media community. Hilal's story is not your typical career pivot. A serious neck injury in 2014 that left the left side of her body temporarily paralyzed became the turning point that led her to leave a successful corporate career and pursue Pilates full time. What struck me most about her story is not just the courage it took to make that leap, but the sheer discipline and strategic thinking she brought to it. She had a plan — and she worked it. In this episode, we covered: Leaving corporate behind — why a near-paralysis experience became the catalyst for a completely new life, and why she says she might never have left without it The romanticization of becoming a Pilates instructor — what it actually takes, including years of early-morning and late-night shifts, continuous education, and learning in a second language Why solid training matters more than ever — with weekend certifications flooding the market, we got into why a rigorous foundation (and ongoing education) isn't optional if you want to truly serve your clients Building a one-to-one practice and staying sane — the isolation of solo teaching, and how community, workshops, and getting out to events is what keeps the spark alive Creating the Hilal Pilates app — how she built a mat-based library of 250+ classes from scratch, during COVID, with a baby at home, and why knowing your audience is everything Pricing yourself fairly — a conversation I know so many of us need to have. Hilal's perspective: benchmark your peers, trust your education, and know your market. You have earned it. Pilates as a foundation for everything — whether your clients go on to lift weights, play pickleball, or just want to pick something up off the floor without pain, we are giving people the tools to move well for life Face fitness and fascia — Hilal's newest certification and why posture work from the neck down shows up everywhere, including on your face   ~ Connect With Hilal ~ Instagram - @hilalleighpilates Website - hilalleighpilates.com ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    1hr 3min

  8. 21 Apr

    Building a 25-Year Pilates Legacy with Connie Ierullo

    In this episode, I sit down with someone who has been a cornerstone of my own Pilates journey — Connie Ierullo, co-owner of the Pilates Body Studio in Oakville, Ontario, and one of my very first instructors and instructor trainers. Twenty-five years in, Connie is still one of the most thoughtful, principled educators in this industry, and this conversation did not disappoint. We go deep on what it actually takes to build a lasting studio, what it means to be a skilled instructor, and why Pilates — done right — is a practice for life. In this episode, we cover: What inspired Connie to open her studio 25 years ago (hint: it's deeply personal and incredibly moving) What it was like teaching Pilates back when people literally couldn't pronounce the word Why the staying power of Pilates comes down to adaptability — for instructors and clients alike The shift in clientele from older demographics to younger practitioners, and why the conversation we have with each group needs to be different Why private sessions when you're starting out are so worth the investment What Connie looks for in her certification students — and the traits that separate a good instructor from a great one The 10,000-hour rule... and why it might actually be a lifetime Why Connie went back to school to become an osteopathic manual practitioner, and how that has completely transformed the way she sees the body in motion The beautiful overlap between Pilates and osteopathy — and why understanding the body as a whole, interconnected system changes everything What makes a studio last: client-centered motivation, community, a strong team, and knowing your "why" Why Connie believes Pilates is here to stay — and what will separate the studios that thrive from those that don't   ~ Connect With Connie ~ Instagram - @thepilatesbodystudio Website - www.pilatesbody.ca New Student 3 Class Group Pass - ACCESS HERE STOTT PILATES Certification Schedule - ACCESS HERE STOTT PILATES Online Live Intensive Mat-Plus Certification Course - ACCESS HERE   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca

    49 min
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About

Pilates Unscripted refines how we think about movement. Join host Adriana Rotella as she shares real conversations with leading experts in the field and breaks down what really matters when it comes to the body. Whether you're a seasoned pro or brand new to mindful movement, if you care about how your body moves, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Adriana Rotella
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Pilates Unscripted

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