Episode Details

"When did being a good teacher become being endlessly accommodating?"

In this solo episode, Nic answers the one problem you asked her to help solve when she put the question out on Instagram: exhaustion. As a studio owner, teacher and educator, she shares six reasons she thinks so many Pilates teachers and studio owners are running on empty, and she's honest that she's working through this herself.

She explores why Pilates attracts people who care so deeply, the emotional and energetic labour of holding a room, and the hidden load of running a studio. She unpacks the "good person" trap of always saying yes, why boundaries need to flex without becoming rigid, and whether the careers we're building are actually sustainable, including the impact of undercutting on prices and why fair pay for teachers matters.

There are no quick fixes here. The thread running through it all is awareness: noticing what drains you, what refills your cup, and making conscious choices about your trade-offs.

Timestamps

00:00 Why exhaustion is the problem you asked about

01:45 Problem 1: why this work attracts people who care

04:14 Turning your hobby into your job

05:16 Finding a work structure that suits you

07:42 Problem 2: the emotional labour of teaching

08:32 The six minutes before and after class

09:48 The art of presence

11:34 Empaths and protecting your energy

16:51 The "doing more" mentality

17:57 Problem 3: the studio owner load

21:35 Scoring your meetings for energy

22:56 Problem 4: the good person trap

28:56 When to let a client go

31:05 Problem 5: boundaries that flex

34:00 Problem 6: building a sustainable career

38:44 Undercutting, pricing and paying teachers well

41:35 Awareness as the starting point

If you're enjoying the podcast, make sure you're following along so you don't miss future episodes. And feel free to share this one with someone you think would take something from it.

Connect with Nic:

Beyond the Reformer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_reformer_pod/

Soul Pilates Education: https://www.instagram.com/soul_pilates_education/

Sign up to Our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/2bff55298739/beyond-the-reformer

Ready to take your Pilates teaching to the next level? Applications are now open for Soul 

Pilates Education's 2027 Teacher Training programs in Bristol! Choose between our 12-month Comprehensive Training (Jan 2027) or our 7-month Reformer Training (Mar 2027). Learn to teach with real depth, adapt movement, and gain full confidence with clients. Limited places available. 

Episodes mentioned:
Michael King: https://youtu.be/QrGUNoPmCqE?si=iuF0yMoefU7lmuit
Phil M Jones: https://youtu.be/sD1fw5GaQtE?si=gr-Ma3H09t_2W2rn
Cameron Angus: https://youtu.be/tu2UB2Qn6Rc?si=pxM6Ia2rNGB_6A9-
Lisa from Studio Grow: https://youtu.be/GjKVyv67W7k?si=kDPGFIDn6m1ttKvT
Christi Idavoy: https://youtu.be/nGoTG1BX950?si=EeXmmdgfiZiOQWui

Ready to take your Pilates teaching to the next level? Applications are now open for Soul Pilates Education's 2027 Teacher Training programs in Bristol! Choose between our 12-month Comprehensive Training (Jan 2027) or our 7-month Reformer Training (Mar 2027). Learn to teach with real depth, adapt movement, and gain full confidence with clients. Limited places available. 

Become a Certified Pilates Teacher in 2027