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Beyond the Reformer

Beyond the Reformer

Nic Lenny 62 Episodes Aug 17, 2026

Beyond the Reformer is a podcast for Pilates professionals and enthusiasts, hosted by Nic Lenny. Each Monday, it offers thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories to help listeners feel more connected and empowered in their Pilates practice and teaching.

Episodes

Has Pilates Lost it's Identity with Ava Rodriguez
Has Pilates Lost it's Identity with Ava Rodriguez Aug 17, 2026 4009 "Pilates won't lose its identity just because you learn different methods. It loses identity when you haphazardly memorize a set of exercises and think you can just teach this."In this episode, Nic is joined by Ava Rodriguez, a movement specialist, international presenter, and founder of the globally accredited Mobility Fitness Academy (MFA), recorded in person while both were in Lo
Why Great Pilates Isn’t Enough Anymore | Georgia Testa
Why Great Pilates Isn’t Enough Anymore | Georgia Testa Aug 10, 2026 3764 "Until you do that, you're not a brand, you're just a transactional product within their life."In this episode, we are joined by Georgia Testa, founder of Studio 281, a fast-growing Reformer Pilates and functional fitness brand with five locations across Bedford, Milton Keynes, Ampthill, and Olney.They explore what it really takes to build a genuine community in a Pilates studi
How to Build a Pilates Business That Actually Supports Your Life with Caroline Copp
How to Build a Pilates Business That Actually Supports Your Life with Caroline Copp Aug 3, 2026 3950 "They create a business that worked for them ten years ago and they forget to move their business to work for them for the future."In this episode, Nic is joined by Caroline Copp, a Pilates teacher turned business coach for wellness entrepreneurs. Having opened and sold two studios, Caroline now helps wellness professionals build scalable businesses through her Scaling Wellness Accelerat
The Truth About Pilates Cueing Nobody Talks About with Shelly Power
The Truth About Pilates Cueing Nobody Talks About with Shelly Power Jul 27, 2026 5013 "We're not gonna cue muscles to cue a movement."In this episode, Nic is joined by Shelly Power, Director of Curriculum for Polestar Pilates and one of the most respected educators in the industry. Shelly has been teaching Pilates since 1992, has led teacher trainings since 2000, and has examined and mentored Pilates teachers all over the world, including Nic herself.They explore why
Harder Isn’t Always Better: The Smarter Way to Build Strength
Harder Isn’t Always Better: The Smarter Way to Build Strength Jul 20, 2026 2660 "I've been lied to my whole life. This just feels relaxing, and yet my body is starting to change."In this episode, Nic flies solo to unpack a question she gets asked constantly on her teacher trainings: why isn't harder always better?She explores what conditioned so many of us, especially in the fitness world, to believe that pushing more, harder, and faster is always the goal
How to Cue Pilates Like a Pro with Alan Herdman
How to Cue Pilates Like a Pro with Alan Herdman Jul 13, 2026 3891 "The technique is less important than the person."In this episode, we are joined by Alan Herdman - the man widely credited with bringing Pilates to the UK, opening the country's first Pilates studio back in the early 1970s. After training in New York under Bob Fitzgerald, Alan returned to London and has spent the last 55 years shaping how Pilates is taught, practiced, and passed on.
What the Future of Reformer Pilates Actually Looks Like with Yvette McGaffin
What the Future of Reformer Pilates Actually Looks Like with Yvette McGaffin Jul 6, 2026 2856 In this episode, Nic is joined by Yvette McGaffin, co-founder of ReformRx and the driving force behind what is set to become the world's first digitally connected Reformer Pilates machine for the home.Yvette's story is one of the more remarkable in the Pilates industry right now. A professional dancer turned studio owner, she built and ran her own Reformer Pilates studios in Belfast and
How to Build a Profitable Pilates Studio Business with Joanne Mathews
How to Build a Profitable Pilates Studio Business with Joanne Mathews Jun 29, 2026 3929 "I think we're at that time where we can actually professionalize this industry, and we can have the standards that we want to set, and we can offer people careers."In this episode, we are joined by Joanne Mathews, founder and CEO of Ten Health & Fitness, one of London's longest-running Dynamic Reformer Pilates brands, now growing into franchising with Tenreformer.They expl
How Much Anatomy Do Pilates Teachers Actually Need to Know With Tracy Ward
How Much Anatomy Do Pilates Teachers Actually Need to Know With Tracy Ward Jun 22, 2026 3277 "I really worry that we will lose the essence of what Pilates actually is. How much are we going to dilute it?"In this episode, Nic is joined by Tracy Ward - physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author of The Science of Pilates, published by DK. Tracy sits at the unique intersection of clinical practice and Pilates, bringing over 15 years of experience teaching, treating patients, and t
The Wild West of Pilates: Why Teaching Standards Are Letting Everyone Down with Katie Nankivell
The Wild West of Pilates: Why Teaching Standards Are Letting Everyone Down with Katie Nankivell Jun 15, 2026 3286 "There is a lot of money-hungry people chasing trends with a lack of moral compass and ethics behind them."The Pilates industry is growing fast - but not always in the right direction. In this episode, Nic is joined by Katie, founder of Pilates Delivered, an Amsterdam-based at-home and private Pilates service. Katie trained comprehensively with Polestar Pilates and has been teaching for
From Basement Studio to 9 Locations: How New York Pilates Defined Its Method
From Basement Studio to 9 Locations: How New York Pilates Defined Its Method Jun 8, 2026 3503 "Real change in your body happens from grounded, consistent work. Doing the split and a handstand is entertaining, but that's not what Pilates is about."In this episode, Nic is joined by Heather Andersen, founder of New York Pilates - one of the most recognisable reformer studio brands in the world, with nine locations across New York City and counting.Heather built New York Pilates
The Missing Piece in Pilates Teacher Training with Amy Havens
The Missing Piece in Pilates Teacher Training with Amy Havens Jun 1, 2026 4128 "I think self-acceptance and self-compassion... it's gonna keep changing and if you hear the loud stuff saying, I can't do that anymore - no." - Amy HavensIn this episode, Nic is joined by Amy Havens, a veteran Pilates educator, mentor, and movement teacher based in Santa Barbara with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Amy has trained across multiple lineages - includ

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