Episode Details

“I started to shift my focus to curiosity. And that profoundly changed the way that I connect with people and the way that I show up in my classes.”

In this episode, we are joined by Courtney Miller, Pilates educator, teacher trainer and founder of Pilates Republic, a growing group of Reformer Pilates studios in Southern California. Courtney has been teaching since 2001, is a long-standing Pilates Anytime instructor, and designed her own Rebel Reformer for her studios.

Nic and Courtney explore how Courtney went from teaching out of insecurity and perfectionism to teaching with curiosity and connection. They talk about the isolation many new teachers feel, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can change everything.

They unpack the rise of athletic and creative Reformer Pilates, and why athletic doesn’t have to mean advanced or risky when every exercise has a clear purpose. They also dig into the gaps in teacher training, including why new teachers need real teaching practice, ongoing education and the permission to be a rookie.

They also go deeper into the business side of Pilates, from building and supporting a studio team to growing multiple locations without losing quality. They finish on standing out in a saturated industry where copycat studios are on the rise.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro to Courtney Miller
01:21 From perfectionism to curiosity as a teacher
06:17 Overcoming isolation as a new Pilates teacher
10:06 Bringing Pilates into the gym and finding her creative approach
15:00 Athletic Reformer Pilates: risk, reward and purpose
20:04 Where the Pilates industry is heading
23:39 Classical, contemporary and the Pilates Republic approach
28:18 Building Pilates Republic
33:29 Hiring, training and supporting a studio team
40:25 How Courtney chooses studio locations
44:05 What new teachers really need from teacher training
50:01 Why continuing education matters
54:10 The biggest gaps in teacher training
01:01:12 AI, technology and the Pilates industry
01:03:02 Saturation, copycat culture and standing out
01:09:29 What’s next for Courtney
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Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_reformer_pod/
Soul Pilates Education: https://www.instagram.com/soul_pilates_education/
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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. 

Connect with Courtney:

Courtneys Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneymillerpilates/photos
Pilates Republic website: https://www.pilatesrepublic.com/

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. 

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