My entrance into Pilates wasn't particularly glamorous - I'd been traveling for some time, and landed in London in dire need of some income.  A Reformer Pilates studio paid you a full time wage if you stayed on for 12 months, so I jumped in with both feet.  Having already completed a Bachelors of Physical Education from NZ (Sport Science and Exercise Prescription majors), it was an easy enough transition.  

It didn't quite tick all my boxes though, so after a couple of years, I upskilled my Pilates training through the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI), and managed to talk my way into a job in their physio clinic while also taking on training for Brentford Football Club, who they had a contract with.  It was a dream gig!  For the next 18 months, I moved between APPI, another physio clinic, and some Reformer Pilates studios doing as much teaching as I could.  Pilates was an easy fit for my brain, as I'd previously worked through my own significant injury rehabilitation, as well as having worked in a free student clinic while at Uni. 

During this time, I also met my now wife, Ash Berry, and brought her into the Pilates industry too - she is a trained dancer.  We decided to move to Australia in 2015, winding up in Melbourne in 2016, and landed work with a local Pilates legend.  After 12 months of amazing upskilling and learning from one of the best Australia has, we ended up buying one of his studios, and opening Movementality in Richmond.  

We've now spent the last 7 years honing our craft, working with everyone from models trying to tone up, men trying to touch their toes, grandparents trying to keep up with grandkids, athletes trying to maximise their performance, and chronically pained individuals looking for a glimmer of hope for a pain free life. Our success has shown up in our studio being well recognised by our colleagues across the country, resulting in us both regularly presenting our knowledge on local and national platforms over the last 3-4 years.

My focus is generally on breaking down barriers for our clients to achieve whatever outcome that may be - as a result, I break down the Pilates repertoire to fit the person, rather than fit the person into predesigned exercises in hope that they work!  I've seen this method bring out amazing outcomes for anyone who's willing to listen, learn from, and challenge their mind and body connection.

Safe to say, I love what I do - much more than my other jobs from semi-rural NZ: tree pruner, dairy milker, lifeguard, or chalet boy in France!

Connect with Rob here - Movementality