The Pilates Business Podcast

Hosted by David Gunther

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Dec 2025

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EN-AU

About the show

The Pilates Business podcast, where Pilates business owners and Pilates instructors find out how to solve Pilates business problems. The Pilates business podcast helps you create the right Pilates business assets for where you are at with your personal Pilates business journey. You will benefit from finding out which assets will give you the best return on investment. Subscribe to the Pilates Business Podcast now so you don't miss out on any vital Pilates Business development information.

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45 recent

December 12, 2025Episode 327 min

When Weightlifting Wasn’t Enough: Pilates Rebuilt Mandy’s Real Strength & Balance

What would you do if you spent years building strength, only to realise you could not rely on it in everyday life? For Mandy Macfarlane, that moment arrived after decades of working as a pharmacist; on her feet all day, lifting, reaching, assisting customers. Even after lifting heavy weights for over a decade, her body did not always move the way she needed it to. Two knee replacements later, Mandy discovered that Pilates could rebuild the kind of strength that actually supports life. In this episode of The Pilates Business Podcast, host David Gunther speaks with Mandy about how Pilates restored strength she could trust, improved her balance, and helped her move confidently through daily life. ✨ Whether you’re a Pilates studio owner, instructor, or client wanting to understand real movement outcomes, Mandy’s story shows what strength and balance look like when Pilates becomes part of a client’s life. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How Pilates supported Mandy after two knee replacement surgeries ✔️ The difference between lifting strength and functional strength ✔️ How improved balance changed confidence in everyday life ✔️ Why consistency (three sessions each week in this case) created lasting progress ✔️ How Pilates professionals help clients return to movement they enjoy 👉 Watch now and discover how Pilates truly can change lives. Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 📌 New episodes every week! Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast for proven strategies to grow your studio with confidence. 📥 Want a practical checklist to help your Pilates business stay competitive while you build your dream team? Download my free David’s Competitive Edge resource here: 👉 https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/davids-competitive-edge/ Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

November 10, 2025Episode 227 min

The Care-First Roadmap and System Powering Pilates Studio Success

In this second episode of A Scheduling and Payment System that Cares, David Gunther continues his conversation with Emily, CEO of Clubworx, to uncover how a care-first mindset can drive real innovation in Pilates studio management. Picking up from Episode 1; A Scheduling and Payment System That Cares, this discussion dives deeper into how the Club Worx team turns customer feedback into features that truly make a difference, from an evolving member app to an in-app store that gives clients new ways to connect and buy in real time. David and Emily explore what happens when technology meets empathy, how care can shape every decision, every feature, and every relationship in your business. What You’ll Learn How Club Worx transforms client feedback into tangible software improvements Why care is a powerful business strategy, not just a company value How to “close the loop” with clients to build long-term trust What’s next for the Club Worx member app and its new in-app store The human side of leadership: balancing innovation, family, and resilience If you’ve ever wondered how to make your systems work for you, not against you, this episode reveals how empathy and feedback can power both your technology and your business growth. Stay tuned: Emily returns for the next episode in this series, where we’ll explore the essential reporting and payment tracking features every Pilates studio needs to improve profitability and free up more time to focus on what truly matters: your clients. 👉 Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast so you don’t miss our next episodes. Connect with Emily Smart LinkedIn: Emily Smart Website: https://content.clubworx.com/pilatesbusiness_podcast Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

October 29, 2025Episode 330 min

Building a Pilates Instructor Culture Through Systems and Trust

In this third and final part of our conversation with professional Pilates instructor Carla Ricalis, we explore how systems transform not just the running of a Pilates studio, but the experience of instructors and clients alike. Carla and David share candid lessons from failures, the importance of trust and accountability, and how structure creates more freedom for instructors to thrive. If you’re a Pilates studio owner looking to strengthen your instructor team and scale with confidence, this episode will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why systems are essential for both efficiency and freedom in a Pilates studio. How to build a trust-based instructor culture without micromanaging. Lessons learned from failures in instructor development during COVID. The power of structured mentoring and in-house workshops for professional growth. How tiered pricing and incentives can align instructors, clients, and studio success. Connect with Carla Ricalis LinkedIn: Carla Ricalis Website: https://www.studiopower3.ca/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

October 23, 2025Episode 240 min

Pilates: When you’re on a good thing, stick to it! Kerry’s Pilates Story

When movement slips away, so does freedom. For Kerry Whitaker, living with a connective tissue disorder could have meant just that... limitations, setbacks, and a shrinking world. But Pilates gave her another path. In Series 11 of The Pilates Business Podcast: episode 2, Pilates Can Change Lives, Kerry shares how clinical Pilates became the key to strength, resilience, and everyday independence at 72. From line dancing and beach walks to recovering after injury, her story is proof that Pilates isn’t measured by the exercise itself, but by what it makes possible. Whether you’re a Pilates studio owner, instructor, or simply someone curious about how Pilates transforms lives—you’ll find Kerry’s story both inspiring and instructive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why strength, not stretching, is the answer for hypermobility. How starting with a personalised assessment sets the foundation for long-term results. The role of habit; once or twice-weekly Pilates for ageing whilst also living well. How semi-private sessions build community, laughter, and accountability. The power of Pilates in recovery after injury or when living with conditions. Why Pilates is less about reps and springs, and more about what it enables beyond the studio. 👉 Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

October 16, 2025Episode 222 min

Improving Your Pilates Studio Business Model

Independent Pilates studios face unique pressures today. On one side are the big-box gyms with their high-volume reformer classes. On the other, medical rehab models, as part of the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. In between, studio owners are asking: how do we stand apart while staying true to our unique heart and part of Pilates? In this second conversation with Carla Ricalis, Co-Founder and Director of Studio3 in Toronto, we explore the realities of running a Pilates studio in a shifting marketplace. Carla brings decades of perspective, from training with Moira Stott in the 90s, to opening training centres across continents, to building her own thriving studio business. Together, we get curious about: The strengths and pitfalls of privates, semi-privates, and group models. Why belonging and habit-building matter more than drop-ins. The challenges of recruiting instructors and maintaining standards post-COVID. How our niche industry could be moving from fragmentation to unity. 👉 Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast so you don’t miss Part 3 of this conversation with Carla, releasing in a couple of weeks. Connect with Carla Ricalis LinkedIn: Carla Ricalis Website: https://www.studiopower3.ca/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

October 1, 2025Episode 127 min

Finding the Words: How to Differentiate Your Pilates Studio

The word Pilates means different things to different people. For some, it’s a crowded studio of reformers moving in sync like choreography. For others, it’s something quieter, more precise, and deeply personal. That divide creates both opportunity and confusion for those prospective Pilates clients so important to Pilates studio owners everywhere. In this episode, David Gunther is joined by Carla Ricalis, Co-founder and Director of Studio3 in Toronto. Carla’s Pilates journey spans decades and continents, from her early certification with Moira Stott in the 90s, to launching training centres across North America and Europe, to running her own thriving, fully equipped Pilates studio. Together, David and Carla explore: Why the language we use to describe Pilates matters more than ever The differences between boutique studios and big-box franchises Whether terms like clinical, personalised, or fully equipped capture the value of small studios How instructors can communicate their difference without losing the heart of Pilates This episode kicks off our new series, Diaries of Professional Pilates Instructors, relatingreal stories from those who’ve built their businesses, honed their craft, and found ways to stand apart in a crowded Pilates marketplace. 👉 Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast so you don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation with Carla, releasing next week. Connect with Carla Ricalis LinkedIn: Carla Ricalis Website: https://www.studiopower3.ca/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

September 23, 2025Episode 124 min

From Spinal Fusion to Strength: Rae Harvey’s Pilates Journey

What happens when, after a decade of chronic pain, you’re told that without urgent surgery you could end up paralysed? For Rae Harvey, that moment was the beginning of a new chapter, where Pilates became not just exercise, but a lifeline. In this episode of The Pilates Business Podcast, host David Gunther sits down with Rae Harvey, an 81-year-old Pilates client whose story embodies the series theme: Pilates Can Change Lives. Rae shares her journey from living with severe back pain, through major spinal fusion surgery, to rediscovering strength, posture, and independence through Pilates. This conversation is inspiring for Pilates clients but also a reminder for studio owners and instructors of the life-changing impact of their work. What You’ll Learn ✔️ How Rae navigated a decade of back pain and the life-changing decision to undergo spinal fusion surgery ✔️ The role Pilates played in her preparation, recovery, and ongoing mobility ✔️ Why personalised instruction and small classes create the environment for success ✔️ The emotional and lifestyle benefits of Pilates, from family connection to renewed independence ✔️ Why consistency became a turning point in Rae’s transformation Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

September 9, 2025Episode 414 min

The Leap of Faith in Remote Hiring

Hiring your first remote team member can feel like stepping off a cliff. But what if that leap of faith is the key to time freedom and sustainable growth for your Pilates studio? In the final episode of the Remote Teams for Pilates Studio series, host David Gunther speaks with John Jonas, founder of OnlineJobs.ph, about the realities of hiring and managing remote staff. Together, they explore why trust, retention, and open conversations are more valuable than “quick fixes,” and how small businesses can create loyal teams that free owners to focus on growth. If you’re hesitating to outsource, this conversation will help you see what’s possible when you take the leap. What You’ll Learn ✔️ Why hiring remotely always starts with a leap of faith—and why it’s worth it ✔️ The truth about “hire slow, fire fast” (and why it doesn’t work for small studios) ✔️ How open conversations can rescue underperforming staff and build loyalty ✔️ Why retention is more profitable than constant rehiring ✔️ How remote teams create genuine time freedom for Pilates studio owners 👤 Guest Bio John Jonas is the founder of OnlineJobs.ph, the largest marketplace for hiring full-time Filipino virtual assistants. He’s helped tens of thousands of business owners build loyal, high-performing remote teams that fuel long-term growth. Connect with John Jonas LinkedIn: John Jonas Website: https://johnjonas.com/ Onlinejobs.ph: https://www.onlinejobs.ph/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

September 2, 2025Episode 320 min

Hiring Your First Virtual Assistants for Your Pilates Studio: What Really Works?

How do you keep remote staff accountable without falling into the trap of micromanagement? In this episode of The Pilates Business Podcast, host David Gunther and Onlinejobs.ph founder, John Jonas take you inside the practice playbook for managing Filipino virtual assistants and remote teams. Building on last week’s conversation about trust and long-term loyalty, this episode moves from philosophy into practice, showing you exactly how to balance freedom with accountability in your Pilates business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why judging staff by productivity, not attendance, transforms remote work. The “daily three-question report” that keeps everyone aligned. When SOPs are useful, and when they actually slow you down. How to design an interview lead-up process that reveals true fit, without scaring away great candidates. Why cultural awareness is key to long-term success with Filipino virtual staff. Today, we translate that trust into action with systems that keep your team on track without suffocating them. 👤 Guest Bio John Jonas is the founder of OnlineJobs.ph, the largest marketplace for hiring full-time Filipino virtual assistants. He’s helped tens of thousands of business owners build loyal, high-performing remote teams that fuel long-term growth. Connect with John Jonas LinkedIn: John Jonas Website: https://johnjonas.com/ Onlinejobs.ph: https://www.onlinejobs.ph/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/ Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126 If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!

August 26, 2025Episode 221 min

The Remote Hiring Strategy That Delivers Loyalty and Long-Term Results

Hiring the right people can feel like a leap of faith especially when they live on the other side of the world. Last week, we explored why direct hiring in the Philippines could transform your Pilates business. This week, we go deeper into the how. In this episode, David Gunther is joined again by John Jonas, founder of Onlinejobs.ph, to break down the exact steps to finding, hiring, and keeping skilled Filipino professionals without the costly agency middleman. You’ll discover: Why building mutual trust is the non-negotiable first step The hidden costs of agency hiring - for you and your worker How to spot, recruit, and onboard the right person for your Pilates business Cultural insights that make-or-break remote working relationships Real-world success stories from small business owners who got it right Whether you’re looking for admin help, marketing support, or a loyal client service manager, this conversation will help you bridge the gap from uncertainty to long-term success. 👤 Guest Bio John Jonas is the founder of OnlineJobs.ph, the world's largest marketplace for hiring highly skilled and motivated full-time Filipino virtual assistants. He’s helped tens of thousands of business owners build loyal, high-performing remote teams, fueling long-term growth & stability. Connect with John Jonas LinkedIn: John Jonas Website: https://johnjonas.com/ Onlinejobs.ph: https://www.onlinejobs.ph/ Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin Website: Pilates Business Facebook: Pilates Business Youtube: Pilates Business If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow clinical Pilates studio owners and let’s strengthen our community together. Send us Fan MailWant to learn more about Pilates Business?Learn from other business owners and prominent leaders, to benefit your Clinical Pilates Studio business, and your life.Our purpose here at Pilates Business Podcast and at http://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au is to help you create your Pilates business success.Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today!