04/30/2026
I began my Pilates journey while in my Master’s program for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Austin. School offered plenty of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, but I knew I needed something more strength-focused. I practiced Pilates mat consistently for over seven years—through my Master’s, my Doctorate, and into my early years in clinical practice. Although I had been active on and off in the past, this is where I mark my true health and fitness journey began. Pilates mat was a lot of fun and I was highly motivated, but it was not well individualized and I slightly mistrained my body for years.
When I moved to Milwaukee, I had fallen out of my routine, and I could feel it. I became sluggish and weak feeling. I found Body Language Pilates and went straight to the reformer. I’m so grateful I did. The level of attention to detail in body mechanics there became more important to me than I could have anticipated.
After about a year, I was stronger than I had ever been. Then I was a passenger in a car accident. My sternum is now permanently deformed, and the pain throughout my body was something I can’t fully put into words.
Even so, I’m deeply grateful I entered that moment strong and healthy. My blood pressure stayed regulated, and I was able to get myself out of the car. The doctors were shocked.
After months of difficult recovery, and once I was cleared to return, I was able to come back to a team at Body Language Pilates that was knowledgeable, attentive, and truly caring. Today, despite everything, I am strong again, stronger than I knew I could be—and proud of it.
At the age of 41, I am far more active than I was at 21: I roller skate, backpack, canyoneer, and free climb.
It is never too late.
I carry this experience into my work every day. I know what it feels like to be a beginner, to feel strong, to lose that strength, and to begin again—over and over. And I’m here for folks at every point along that path.
