Reflecting on my Pilates Journey

I often find myself reflecting on the past, wondering if my younger-self would be proud of where I am today.

When I was 16, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). I missed most of my final years of school, attending just five days of Year 9. My world at the time was confined to the four walls of my bedroom, with appointments every two weeks at Great Ormond Street Hospital and a life that revolved around coping with a debilitating illness.

Most of my teenage years were spent too sick to leave my bed, unable to do much more than shower or eat. It was a really hard time, the time where the lives of my friends were growing, busy with parties, boys, and normal teenager things. This wasn’t the case for me.

Fast forward to today, and so much has changed. I’m now 29, stronger, healthier, and in control of my life in a way that I couldn’t have imagined back then. My life is no longer defined by my illness. I’m living a life that younger me could have only dreamed of, teaching Pilates, helping people move better, feel better, and live healthier lives. This work isn’t just my profession; it’s my “why”, the driving force behind everything I do. It’s a reminder that my 14-16-year-old self, who feared her life would be spent stuck in a room, could never have imagined where she would be now.

But my journey didn’t happen overnight. It took years of perseverance, growth, and small, incremental steps. I started my freelance career over six years ago when I took on a few copywriting projects, trying to carve out a new path for myself. At the time, I didn’t have a clear vision of what my future would look like, I simply knew I wanted more. I wanted to take control of my life and create something that mattered. So, I started small, working part-time as a copywriter while still holding down a full-time job, before eventually moving to a 4 day a week job.

For five years, I worked four days a week, squeezing in freelance work on the side. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was my way of slowly building something I could be proud of. I’ll always be grateful to the people who gave me a chance during this time!

During this time, something unexpected happened that would change the course of my life forever: I discovered Pilates. It started with a class led by Lottie Murphy on YouTube, and it sparked something deep within me. Pilates became my way to maintain my mental health during lockdown.

Eventually, I started taking Reformer Pilates classes, at Sea Breeze Pilates in my hometown, deepening my love for the practice. I went on to complete my Reformer Pilates teacher training, which, at the time, felt like another leap of faith into the unknown.

At the same time, my copywriting business was growing, and I began teaching Pilates on the side. I was balancing 3 jobs, and it wasn’t sustainable. I was overworked and burned out. For about a year, I worked seven days a week, trying to juggle everything. There were moments when I didn’t feel like anything was happening, but through it all, I knew my vision was clear. I couldn’t give up. I owed it to both my younger anf future self. I needed to stay consistent and persistent, even when progress felt slow.

Then, things started to shift. Four months ago, I made the decision to quit my almost full-time job. I went down to two days a week in a new job, giving me more time to focus on both teaching Pilates and growing my copywriting business. This was a huge step toward the life I envisioned, but I still wasn’t fully there. I kept showing up. I kept teaching, writing, and refining my skills. And in March 2025, I made the final leap I quit my day job for good.

Now, I’m officially a full-time freelancer, splitting my time between teaching Pilates and working as a copywriter. It’s a dream come true, but it wasn’t without its challenges. The first four years of my business were small, just enough to cover the gap between my part-time job and my dream. There were times when it felt like nothing was happening, and the pressure to “succeed” felt overwhelming. But I kept going. I kept showing up. And in time, the pieces began to fall into place.

Whether we take action or not, time moves forward. So, we might as well use it to take steps toward the life we want. It’s not about making giant leaps all at once. It’s about small, consistent actions that build momentum over time. In a world filled with ‘overnight successes’ I am not one of them.

I’m proud of where I’ve come from, and I know my younger self would be too. I’m incredibly lucky to be living the life I dreamed of, and I’m excited for what’s next.

If I can do it, so can you.