Beyond the Reformer

Nic Lenny
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories. Join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond…

  1. 3D AGO

    The Real Difference Between Classical & Contemporary Pilates with Tracey Mallett

    Pilates is not meant to be rushed, trendy, or reinvented every week, and this conversation explains exactly why. Nic sits down with Tracey Mallett in her California studio for an honest conversation about movement, teaching, creativity, and what it really takes to build a long and sustainable career in Pilates. They explore the evolution of Pilates, classical and contemporary work, and the challenges facing new instructors in a trend driven industry. Tracey speaks openly about confidence and trust in the teaching space, why simplicity often leads to better classes, and how understanding the foundations of the method allows for true creativity. They also discuss social media presence as a Pilates teacher, suffering from burnout, and the pressure to constantly show up online. Timestamps 00:00 How Pilates first entered Tracey’s life  08:25 Building a long term career in Pilates  12:40 How the Pilates industry has changed over the years  27:42 Social media, confidence, and personal growth as a teacher  34:05 Advice for anyone wanting to show up online  39:46 Barre, Pilates fusion, and how movement has evolved  49:35 Where Pilates education is heading next  58:31 Finding balance between work, ambition, and personal life  01:00:44 Quick fire questions If you want to keep hearing from amazing guests like Tracey, please rate the show 5 stars and subscribe! Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Tracey: Tracey Mallett WebsitePilates Next EducationBootybarrePilates Barre On Demand AppTracey’s InstagramThinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 5m

  2. JAN 26

    How to Cue Pilates Classes That Transform Your Teaching

    The difference between a good Pilates class and a great one often comes down to how and when you cue. After receiving such a positive response from our previous episode on class planning, Nic is back for a solo episode that goes deep into the art of cueing. Cueing completely changes the experience a client can have in a Pilates class, and Nic shares her advice on the different types of cues you can use to deepen their overall experience. She discusses verbal cues, imagery, tactile feedback, breath and observation. Nic explores why less can often be more when it comes to cueing, how to avoid overwhelming clients with information, and how thoughtful language can help people feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to their bodies. Timestamps 00:00 Goals for the new year 03:01 Why cueing deserves deeper attention 03:53 How class structure supports better cueing 04:31 Understanding cueing as an art form 07:58 Using verbal cues clearly and effectively 16:10 Imagery and anatomical cueing explained 22:59 Exploring tactile cueing and appropriate touch 27:07 Teaching through observation and presence 32:55 Shifting from negative to constructive cueing 35:22 The importance of noticing within a class 39:01 Using breath as a flexible cueing tool If this episode resonated with you, please follow or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates ClassThinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    42 min

  3. JAN 19

    How to Work With Pain and Injuries in Pilates with Samantha Wood

    Teaching Pilates becomes a whole different experience when clients bring pain, injuries, and complex diagnoses into the room, and this episode shows how to handle those moments with confidence rather than fear. In this episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic is joined by physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author Samantha Wood for a deep and practical conversation about teaching Pilates in rehabilitation settings. Together, they explore what it really means to support clients living with pain, injuries, chronic conditions, and complex movement histories, without stepping outside the scope of a Pilates teacher. Samantha breaks down common misconceptions around rehab-informed teaching, the role of research in Pilates, the growing evidence supporting Pilates within medical and rehabilitation settings, and how teachers can collaborate more effectively with physiotherapists, osteopaths, and doctors. Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Samantha Wood 01:41 How Pilates teachers can approach pain and injury with confidence 04:07 Samantha’s journey into physiotherapy and discovering Pilates 06:26 Why Pilates fits so well into rehabilitation work 08:04 Teaching, writing, and expanding education for Pilates professionals 20:12 Why research matters in Pilates and what the evidence shows 25:49 The future of Pilates within medical and healthcare systems 32:31 Practical approaches to client assessment 35:45 Adapting sessions for chronic pain and long-term conditions 38:18 Using Pilates to support autoimmune disorders 39:59 Collaborating effectively with medical professionals 44:03 Why continued education is essential for Pilates teachers 54:50 Understanding pain and how to talk about it with clients 58:16 Connecting with Samantha If this episode resonated with you, make sure you are subscribed to Beyond the Reformer on your favourite podcast platform. Share the episode with another Pilates teacher who works with injuries, and leave a rating or review to help these conversations reach more teachers around the world. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Samantha: Samantha Wood Physiotherapy WebsiteSamantha Wood Physiotherapy InstagramSamantha Wood Physiotherapy YouTube Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 4m

  4. JAN 12

    The Business Skills Every Pilates Studio Owner Needs with Seran Glanfield

    Building a successful Pilates studio takes far more than great teaching, and this episode breaks down what truly creates long term growth, profitability, and sustainability in the Pilates industry. Nic sits down with Pilates business strategist Seran Glanfield to explore what it really takes to build a thriving and sustainable Pilates studio. They discuss the biggest mistakes studio owners make, why mindset plays such a crucial role in success, and how to shift from thinking like a teacher to stepping fully into the role of business owner. Seran explains why great teaching alone is not enough, how to stop getting distracted by competitors, and what separates studios that struggle from those that consistently grow. She shares practical insights into tracking key metrics, building a strong brand message, raising prices with confidence, and using marketing in a way that aligns with your values. Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Seran Glanfield 02:20 How Seran found Pilates and transitioned from finance 04:33 Moving from teaching Pilates into business strategy 06:15 How Pilates businesses differ across cultures around the world 07:47 A deeper look at the business side of Pilates studios 08:04 The most common mistakes studio owners make 11:41 Traits shared by the most successful studio owners 12:53 Why leadership and mindset are so important 17:40 The numbers every studio owner should be tracking 28:43 Approaching marketing in a way that feels aligned and intentional 29:33 Why clear brand messaging makes such a big difference 31:14 How to build a sustainable marketing strategy 36:08 Raising prices and overcoming fear around money 40:36 Mindset shifts that support long term success 45:25 Future trends in the Pilates industry 51:59 Quick fire questions If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to Beyond the Reformer wherever you listen or watch. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Seran: Spring Three WebsiteSpring Three InstagramSpring Three FacebookSpring Three YouTubeSeran on LinkedInSpring Three Podcast on Spotify Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1 hr

  5. JAN 5

    How These Pilates Conversations Can Shape Your 2026 | Recap Part 2

    Happy New Year and welcome to part 2 of the 2025 Beyond the Reformer Recap! In this episode, Nic reflects on the lessons that emerged over the past year and how they are shaping the year ahead. Following on from part 1, this episode explores balance, burnout, education, and the realities of building a sustainable life in Pilates alongside family, teaching, and leadership. Guests such as Audrey O’Connor, Julie Driver, Rachel Hall, Amy Kellow, and Claire Sparrow share insights that go beyond movement and into how we live, teach, and lead. Timestamps: 00:00 Reflections on the year 04:11 Audrey O’Connor on slowing down 08:56 Julie Driver on challenges in Pilates education 21:20 Rachel Hall on asking for help and building a community 30:31 Amy Kellow on classical versus contemporary Pilates 35:19 Claire Sparrow on balancing business, teaching, and family 41:04 Looking ahead to the new year Thank you so much to all the guests who came onto the podcast in 2025! If you’d like to be a guest this year, please apply here! Listen back to episodes mentioned! Audrey O’Connor Apple Podcasts Spotify Julie Driver Apple Podcasts Spotify Rachel Hall Apple Podcasts Spotify Amy Kellow Apple Podcasts Spotify Claire Sparrow Apple Podcasts Spotify Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    48 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    The Most Impactful Pilates Conversations of 2025 | Recap Part 1

    Welcome to part 1 of the 2025 Beyond the Reformer Recap! Nic is reflecting on the conversations that shaped Beyond the Reformer over the past six months. What began as a 10-episode series so that Nic could tick having a podcast off her goals list, quickly grew into an ongoing show that connected teachers, studio owners, educators, and movement professionals from all corners of the Pilates community. With listeners tuning in from 94 countries, this podcast has grown bigger than Nic could have imagined. Guests such as Diane Nye, Linda Rhodes and Sarah Liston, Michael King, Jenna Zaffino, Alexander Bohlander, Christi Idavoy, Jeannie Di Bon, and Ava Rodriguez share insights that go far beyond movement alone. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the 2025 recap part 1 05:00 Diane Nye on what makes the most successful teacher 08:14 Linda and Sarah on the realities of running a Pilates studio 11:00 Michael King on the tapestry and method of Pilates 18:39 Jenna Zaffino on what teachers in the industry need to hear right now 28:05 Alexander Bohlander on mindfulness and ease in Pilates 29:11 Insights from the Polestar Pilates community 32:51 Christi Idavoy on Pilates being a calling 36:08 Jeannie Di Bon on understanding hypermobility and EDS 44:29 Ava Rodriguez on nervous system responses and teaching strategies 47:50 Subscribe for part 2 Want to be a guest on Beyond the Reformer in 2026? Apply here! Listen back to episodes mentioned! Diane Nye Apple Podcasts Spotify Linda Rhodes and Sarah Liston Apple Podcasts Spotify Michael King Apple Podcasts Spotify Jenna Zaffino Apple Podcasts Spotify Alexander Bohlander Apple Podcasts Spotify Christi Idavoy Apple Podcasts Spotify Jeannie Di Bon Apple Podcasts Spotify Ava Rodriguez Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    51 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    Inside the Growth of an Award Winning Pilates Studio with Angela Walker

    Some Pilates studios grow because of strategy. Others grow because of community. Angela Walker has built her studio through both. This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to grow a thriving, award winning Pilates studio outside of a big city. Angela, the owner of Align Pilates near Glasgow, shares the real story behind building a community led, wellness focused space. Angela opens up about so many important topics such as studio growth, dealing with burnout, setting boundaries with your teachers, teacher training, the pressure of social media and why community matters just as much as good teaching! Timestamps 00:00 Intro to Angela Walker 02:09 How Angela grew from teaching on one reformer at home to a full community studio 04:02 Building a wellness centred space that clients feel connected to 08:05 The realities of growth and the challenges facing modern Pilates studios 11:45 Creating a supportive, balanced team culture 17:34 Keeping clients engaged with classes 25:01 Why Angela moved into teacher training and how she develops new instructors 27:38 The community spirit behind Align 29:24 Angela’s take on the state of Pilates today 32:54 Social media pressures for studio owners 37:16 Balancing profit and quality while running a boutique studio 41:04 Being named Best Pilates Studio 43:26 The future of Align and the broader Pilates industry 48:04 Quick fire questions If you loved this conversation, follow or subscribe to Beyond the Reformer so you never miss an episode. It really helps the show reach more teachers, studio owners and Pilates lovers around the world. We will be back on the 29th of December with a new episode! Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you as always for the support on the podcast. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Angela Align Pilates InstagramAlign Pilates Website Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    56 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    What Is Fascia and Why Every Pilates Teacher Should Care About It with Kath Pentecost

    Once you learn what fascia really does, you can’t unsee it in every client you work with. In this conversation, Nic sits down with movement educator and fascia expert Katherine Pentecost for a deep dive into the world of fascia and why every Pilates teacher needs to understand it. Kath shares her journey about how discovering fascia changed absolutely everything about the way she moved, cued, programmed and taught. Nic and Kath explore what fascia actually is, the biggest misconceptions teachers still have, how fascia adapts to movement, why it’s so deeply connected to whole-body wellness, and how shifting your cueing and sequencing can unlock better results for every client you work with. This episode is full of ‘aha’ moments for Pilates teachers, studio owners and anyone curious about movement, anatomy and long-term wellbeing. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and intro to Kath 01:40 What fascia is and why it matters 04:48 How Kath first discovered fascia 08:42 Bringing fascia awareness into Pilates 13:03 Applying fascia concepts in real teaching 15:29 Fascia essentials for Pilates teachers 18:41 Helping clients build awareness and agency 28:48 What healthy fascia looks like in movement 31:34 Stories that show how adaptable fascia is 32:57 When fascia becomes restricted 34:38 Hydrating and releasing fascia in practice 35:29 Blending fascia work with Pilates 39:34 Teaching and sequencing for fascia health 49:01 Where fascia education is heading next 52:05 Training programmes and pathways with Kath 57:10 Quickfire questions Please hit subscribe and rate the show ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you loved today’s episode! Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Kath: WebsiteKath’s InstagramKath’s CoursesThinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 4m
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About

Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories. Join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond…

Information

  • Creator
    Nic Lenny
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Reformer
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Reformer

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