It seems common now to talk of second or third careers but when I gave up corporate life to teach Pilates at 40, it did not feel like a straightforward decision. After more than 20 years of office life, culminating in a Head of Marketing role for a division of Thomson Reuters, I decided to take voluntary redundancy and find my passion.
I had been enjoying Pilates at various group fitness classes. For me, it was just as Joseph Pilates said: “In 10 sessions, you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference and in 30 you’ll have a new body.” I was pleased with the results of 30+ sessions, when it struck me that I was genuinely good at it and should think about teaching this body-changing technique to others.
I was looking for the most comprehensive training on offer and after researching the different certification bodies, I chose Body, Arts and Science International (BASI). They also taught repertoire on their unique Avalon machine as well as all the regular ones. After almost 2 years of study, teaching practice and the many written and practical exams, I qualified in 2013 and have never looked back.
Today, I teach mat and machine groups and privates in South West London studios and enjoy working with a number of hardworking, motivated clients, including a car crash victim who suffers from a brachial plexus and a foot amputation, meaning that the strength of his core, back extensors, gluts, hip flexors and hamstrings are vital to enable him to enjoy cycling and lead a close to normal life. Other clients are so complimentary about their new found self confidence, extra energy or lower golf scores that my job satisfaction is higher than ever. I believe the contemporary BASI training was a good investment of my time and money.
The final chapter is to open my own studio. I have two locations under consideration and hope to be up and running by this Summer.
So they say “Life begins at 40” and for me it really did!
Your amazing!