Laura reflects on her conversation with Kira Lamb this week, exploring the concept of reverence in movement practice and teaching. She discusses the importance of respecting your craft enough to embrace struggle, curiosity, and the discomfort of not knowing, recognizing that mastery takes years of trial and error. Laura reminds listeners that sustaining yourself as a practitioner requires adaptability and the willingness to juggle multiple paths, all while giving yourself grace through the difficulty. She challenges the culture of instant gratification and emphasizes that building resilience and self-confidence comes from working through the hard things, ultimately allowing us to show up better for ourselves and our clients.
In this week's episode, Laura welcomes New York-based Pilates instructor Kira Lamb for a conversation about building a sustainable teaching practice rooted in classical methodology. Kira shares her journey from ballet dancer to creating the viral Contrology Freak Challenge, and offers practical wisdom on navigating the early years of teaching without burning out. The conversation explores the distinction between Pilates as a workout versus Pilates as a method, and how to create a practice that attracts like-minded clients. With 23 years of teaching experience, Kira emphasizes the power of repetition, teaching fundamentals deeply, and the necessity of adaptability as an entrepreneur in the fitness landscape.
In this week's episode of The Walk, Laura reflects on her conversation with Erica Almodovar, exploring the ongoing journey of becoming a skilled Pilates teacher. Laura discusses embracing struggle as part of the learning process, reminding listeners that certification is just the beginning and true mastery comes through years of practice and embodiment. She addresses the business side of teaching, emphasizing fair pricing, professional boundaries, and continuous investment in one's own education. As the holiday season approaches, Laura offers a gentle reminder to practice self-care while showing up authentically for clients and yourself.
In this episode, Laura sits down with renowned classical Pilates instructor Erica Almodovar, who shares her journey from managing health clubs to studying directly under Romana Kryzanowska and becoming an international teacher trainer. Erica reflects on her nearly 30 years in the industry, the invaluable lessons from observing Romana's teaching, and her commitment to passing on the classical method exactly as she learned it. The conversation explores challenges facing Pilates today—from quick certification programs to the importance of embodiment and continuous practice—as well as Erica's approach to teacher training, client retention, and building a sustainable business rooted in the integrity of Joseph Pilates' original work. Erica also discusses navigating stress in modern clients, protecting your body as an instructor, and her vision for mentoring the next generation of classical Pilates teachers.
On this week's episode of The Walk, Laura shares a candid reflection on the importance of slowing down and resisting the urge to constantly push for more. Drawing on her conversation with Emilio Lara about humility and sustainable success, she discusses her own tendency to become controlling during uncertain times and emphasizes that ambitious fitness professionals must balance their drive for growth with genuine self-care. Laura encourages listeners to practice gratitude for what they've already built, recognize when pushing harder creates more harm than progress, and remember that preserving their physical and mental health is essential to serving clients and maintaining longevity in the industry.
On this week's episode of The Emergence Podcast, Laura chats with Emilio Lara, a coach, trainer, and multi-hyphenate creative based in Mexico City. They dive into a focused conversation around movement and discipline and how that translates into his way of life—across fitness and creativity. Emilio shares stories from his journey, from being an active kid inspired by his older brother's transformation, to discovering his passion for fitness at sixteen with those "killer chest workouts" by the side of his bed. He opens up about how discipline on the soccer field shaped him, his inspiring approach to coaching, and his philosophy of being the coach he wished he always had. They talk about what truly motivates him—the pride his clients take in their own transformations—and the hard lesson of learning to rest, listen to his body, and let go of the guilt that comes with taking time off.
On the Walk this week, Laura discusses key insights from her conversation with first-year instructor Emma Baker, emphasizing the importance of bringing one's full life experience into teaching rather than fitting a narrow definition of fitness professional. She explores practical strategies, including focusing on "needle-moving" micro-actions over overwhelming macro goals, creating grounding spaces to combat decision fatigue, and maintaining mindfulness during challenging sessions. Laura addresses anxiety around client turnover, advocating for building a financial safety net and trusting that quality work attracts clients. She challenges listeners to radically reassess their values and boundaries, asking what kind of coach they truly want to be and what lifestyle will help them show up with energy and authenticity rather than burnout.
In this episode of The Emergence Podcast, Laura sits down with Emma Baker, a New York-based personal trainer who made the leap from ballet dancer and corporate writer to fitness professional just a year and a half ago. Emma shares the realities of being a new trainer in New York City, from managing the physical and mental demands of running between studios to navigating the identity shift that comes with a major career change. The conversation explores how Emma's background in ballet and powerlifting shaped her coaching philosophy, the challenges of maintaining work-life balance while building a client base, and the importance of staying grounded and present with clients in a fast-paced industry. Emma opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to set boundaries, and discovering that the best coaching comes from honoring her unique blend of movement influences—from strength training to yoga and dance—rather than fitting into a single mold.
Laura reflects on last week's conversation with Stephanie Krempa and gets candid about her own struggles with burnout and overextension. Drawing from Stephanie's holistic approach to wellness, she opens up about pushing past her boundaries despite knowing better—a tendency many ambitious, Type-A personalities share. Laura emphasizes the importance of listening to your body's cues before reaching a breaking point, sharing her personal health setbacks as a cautionary tale. She encourages listeners to build sustainable systems that allow space for rest and self-care, reminding everyone that slowing down isn't weakness—it's essential maintenance for long-term health and success.
This week on the Emergence podcast, Laura sits down with certified trainer, nutritionist, and yoga instructor Stephanie Krempa to discuss the realities of building a sustainable fitness career. Stephanie shares her journey from competitive runner battling female athlete triad to holistic coach, exploring the industry pressures around appearance, navigating injuries and weight fluctuations, and why she shifted from perfectionism to authenticity. They discuss the importance of rest and recovery, setting boundaries with clients, avoiding burnout, and staying connected to what makes movement joyful—plus why going back to her small-town roots keeps her grounded in New York City's elite fitness scene.
In this episode of The Walk, Laura revisits her conversation with strength and nutrition coach Roxie Jones, diving deeper into the concept of biodata feedback and the allostatic load model as frameworks for understanding how chronic stress impacts the body. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between productive signals from the body and persistent noise that indicates deeper issues, urging fitness instructors to prioritize individualized approaches to training and recovery. Laura challenges instructors to think strategically about career longevity, encouraging them to upskill and create sustainable income streams that protect their health while allowing them to show up fully for their clients.
In this episode, Laura sits down with Roxie Jones, a strength and nutrition coach based in New York who shares her winding journey from fashion to fitness. Roxie opens up about her SoulCycle obsession that led to teaching multiple classes a day before burning out, her honest experience with bodybuilding competitions in her twenties, and how she evolved from aesthetics-focused training to performance-based coaching that helps clients find joy in movement. She discusses the psychology behind nutrition coaching, the signs of overtraining from skin issues to sleep problems, and why focusing on deadlift PRs can be more fulfilling than chasing a certain look. Roxie also gets real about the business side of coaching, how the pandemic forced fitness professionals to adapt or disappear, her strategy of diversifying between in-person and virtual coaching, and why anyone considering a career in fitness should expect to work multiple jobs while building their reputation.
In this week's episode of The Walk, Laura reflects on her conversation with coach Kat Zenger-Atienza, exploring how fitness professionals can stay grounded amid technological and social uncertainty. She emphasizes the importance of establishing morning routines and systems that anchor practitioners in their bodies, enabling them to show up more thoughtfully for clients instead of constantly reacting to external pressures. Laura discusses setting healthy boundaries as empathetic coaches, rediscovering joy in movement practices, and addressing anxieties about AI's impact on the fitness industry—ultimately affirming that the people-centered nature of their work, built on genuine human connection, remains irreplaceable.
In this week's episode, Laura interviews fitness professional Kat Zenger-Atienza about her transition from general population training to specializing in prenatal and postpartum clients. Kat discusses how becoming a mother fundamentally shifted her perspective on movement, leading her to recognize the privilege of accessing quality fitness resources and education. The conversation explores her experience teaching 15 classes per week while pregnant, the challenges of "bounce back culture", and developing systems to manage motherhood while maintaining her career. Key themes include listening to your body's signals of safety, building supportive community networks, and shifting from aesthetic-focused training to sustainable, joyful movement practices for longevity. Kat emphasizes continuous learning in the fitness industry and her core philosophy that effective coaching requires practitioners to live authentically in alignment with what they teach, adapting as their bodies and circumstances evolve.
In this episode of The Walk, Laura reflects on her inspiring conversation with Pilates instructor Sara Talbert, drawing key insights about authenticity and business sustainability in the fitness industry. Laura discusses Sara's advice about taking calculated risks and believing in yourself when pursuing a full-time teaching career, while exploring her own journey of embracing her unique personality rather than trying to fit a typical instructor mold. A central focus of the episode is knowing your worth as an instructor—Laura emphasizes how proper pricing prevents burnout, creates better client relationships, and allows instructors to show up fully energized. She encourages fellow instructors to value themselves appropriately and trust that advocating for fair rates ultimately benefits both their well-being and the quality of service they provide.
In this episode of the Emergence Podcast, Laura sits down with Sara Talbert, a seasoned Pilates instructor with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Sara shares her journey from discovering Pilates as a college runner to building a thriving studio business while raising three children. She discusses the transformative impact of finding mentor Sonjé Mayo after decades of teaching, which reignited her approach to the fundamentals and deepened her understanding of traditional Pilates principles. The conversation covers practical business strategies for sustainable growth, including the transition from employee to studio owner, setting firm boundaries around cancellations and pricing, and scaling from individual classes to group sessions. Sara emphasizes the importance of curiosity, coachability, and kindness for new teachers, while sharing candid insights about avoiding burnout, maintaining work-life balance, and the physical demands of teaching. She also discusses her partnership with her personal trainer husband and how to work effectively with clients of varying motor skills while preserving the integrity of classical Pilates work.
In this week's episode of The Walk, Laura reflects on her conversation with Jordan Fairclough, a former Liverpool FC performance coach, about taking calculated risks and betting on yourself in your fitness career. She emphasizes the importance of creating safety nets before making major career pivots, drawing from her own experience of building a private practice while maintaining stability at Equinox. Laura discusses staying connected to what makes you feel most alive in your work, celebrating small wins in a demanding industry, and being honest about your needs for happiness and fulfillment. She encourages listeners to take calculated risks, put themselves out there through connections like cold DMs, and tune into their intuition when making career decisions.
Laura is joined by Jordan Fairclough, a former Liverpool Football Club first-team physical performance coach who spent seven and a half years working with elite athletes before choosing to follow his intuition and pursue his own venture. Jordan shares his journey from realizing he was living someone else's dream as a footballer to finding himself "out of alignment" despite working at one of the world's most prestigious football clubs. In this honest conversation, Jordan opens up about the hidden mental health struggles in elite sports and his own battles with anxiety during his tenure at Liverpool. Now six months into betting on himself, Jordan introduces Holism—his coaching philosophy that views athletes as whole human beings—and discusses the importance of humanizing performance, trusting the universe's signs, and learning to celebrate your own achievements.
In this week's episode of The Walk, Laura opens up about her recent creative struggles and self-doubt while reflecting on her conversation with Pilates instructor Alexa Idama. She shares her personal battle with perfectionism and the pressure she puts on herself to be exceptional, which has led to a two-week creative rut and emotional breakdown. Drawing inspiration from Alexa's insights about consistency and the natural ups and downs of pursuing goals, Laura reminds listeners that being human means experiencing lulls and self-doubt, but that consistent movement toward goals — even imperfect progress — is what matters most. She encourages anyone feeling frustrated or lost in their journey to keep showing up for themselves and trust that things will work out with time and persistence.
Laura is joined by Alexa Idama, a third-generation classical Pilates instructor based in Atlanta, founder of Peachtree Pilates, and the voice behind Low Impact Fit. Alexa shares her transformative journey from earning a psychology degree and working in corporate settings to discovering her calling in movement as medicine through a life-changing encounter with chronic knee pain. In this episode, Alexa reflects on how her lineage training shaped her understanding of authentic classical work, her mission to create inclusive spaces for Black and brown women in Pilates, and how she built a thriving social media platform and teacher training program during COVID. She and Laura discuss the evolution of classical Pilates to serve diverse body types, the reality of entrepreneurial seasons and hustle, and her vision for making Pilates accessible to every body while maintaining the integrity of Joseph Pilates' original work.