Pilates Unscripted

This episode is a special one for me because my guest is someone I've known since our nutrition school days; long before she became "DJ Ray" or launched Reunion, the alcohol-free, women-only dance party that's taken Toronto by storm. Rachel Molenda has worn more hats than I can count: holistic nutritionist, intuitive eating coach, mindset coach, and now DJ and event producer. But through every rei...

I sat down with Bridget Robitaille, a Stott Pilates instructor trainer since 2009, with a background in psychology, massage therapy, breathwork, and meditation. Bridget is the founder of Inspire Movement, and honestly, every time I'm in her energy I just feel calmer. I wanted to bottle that up and share it with all of you. Timestamps 2:54 — What is mindful movement? Beyond the physical exercises 7...

Barbara Birke joins me this week for one of my favorite conversations yet. We dive deep into why building and maintaining muscle is one of the most important investments women can make for long-term health, especially as we move through our 40s, 50s, and beyond. If you've ever wondered whether Pilates counts as strength training, how much protein you really need, or why the scale isn't telling you...

This week I'm joined by Tracy Smith, marketing strategist, speaker, entrepreneur, mom of two teenage boys, and founder of Oh Yes We Can, her signature event for women entrepreneurs and leaders. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Tracy over the past year, presenting at her events, and being part of the same mastermind group, and I love how she keeps marketing simple, practical, and doable. In...

In this episode, I sit down with my mentor and dear friend Jenn Pike; functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, registered holistic nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, and host of The Simplicity Sessions podcast. With 30 years in the fitness and wellness space, Jenn breaks down what's really happening in women's bodies during perimenopause and menopause, why so many of us feel dismissed...

In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favourite topics: mentorship. If you've been feeling like you need more support, this episode is for you! We don't have to do it all alone.   Pilates Instructor Mentorship | JOIN HERE   ~ Connect With Me ~ Instagram - @adriana.rotella Website - adrianarotella.ca  

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Laura Di Lorenzo of Sunshine Mattress Co. to talk about something that doesn't get enough attention: sleep. We dig into why sleep might honestly be the most important piece of the health puzzle, even ahead of nutrition and movement.   We cover: Why sleep is the foundation that everything else (nutrition, movement, recovery) depends on The three materials actu...

I'm coming to you fresh off three incredible (and long) days at the Merrithew Stott Pilates Global Instructor Trainer Summit, and I couldn't wait to sit down and share what's been filling my cup this week. What We Covered: Being named a new Master Instructor Trainer for Merrithew  Reconnecting with instructor trainers from Japan, Korea, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, the US, Canada, an...

In this episode, I sit down with Balanced Body Master Trainer and prenatal specialist Victoria Roper to talk about what really makes a great Pilates instructor. We dig into why "engage your core" is often meaningless cueing, and why slowing down beats rushing through certification. Victoria shares hard truths about postnatal recovery, from the outdated "six weeks and you're cleared" myth to the la...

I have been waiting to have this conversation for a long time, and Dr. Carrie Jones did not disappoint. If you've ever been told "you're just stressed" or "this is just part of getting older", this episode is for you. In this episode, I cover: What perimenopause actually is and why it can start years earlier than you think Why your symptoms look nothing like your sister's or your best friend's (an...

In this episode, I'm doing a deep dive on one of my favorite topics, posture, and I want to challenge everything you think you know about it. Here's the truth: perfect posture doesn't exist. What we're really after is adaptable posture; a body that can move comfortably through life, not one that's frozen in a "correct" position. In this episode, I cover: Why the idea of "perfect posture" is a myth...

I've administered hundreds of exams over my 25 years in the industry, and in this solo episode I'm sharing the five tips I give my students on the very last day of their certification course to help them walk in prepared, confident, and ready to perform at their best. In this episode, I cover: Tip #5 – Audit your courses. If your program allows it, come back and sit in. You'll hear the same inform...

In this episode, I walk you through five powerful side effects of great movement and get into why walking is one of the most underrated tools we have. Let's dive in!   In this episode, I cover: The real reason people come to Pilates (and what actually happens) 5 side effects of better movement: confidence, freedom, aging, relationships & identity Why growing older ≠ moving poorly The power of move...

This week's solo episode was inspired by a conversation I had with one of my students, and honestly, it's something I think about a lot in my own life. We talk about self-care constantly in this industry, but I want to go deeper than bubble baths and face masks. I'm talking about the real, unsexy, foundational stuff that actually keeps you going.   In this episode, I cover: Why prioritizing yourse...

In this episode, I'm talking to Kristen Parise, a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic health. We discuss the importance of understanding the pelvic floor, breaking the stigma surrounding pelvic health issues, and the interconnectedness of various health aspects. Kristen shares insights on effective cueing techniques for pelvic floor activation, common misconceptions about pelvic health, and the...

Kim Kraushar has been one of my greatest teachers, and this conversation did not disappoint. With over 30 years studying the connection between movement, breath, mindset, and wellbeing, Kim is a Merrithew Master Instructor Trainer, international educator, and co-owner of Interlude Spas. Practical, grounded, and full of wisdom. You are going to love this one. What We Cover: Why maintaining your own...

This week I sat down with someone whose journey in movement truly blew me away. Joshua Norris Ongso is an Australian physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience, a former competitive aerobic gymnast, founder of 10 Pilates and barre studios, and the creator of the world's first physiotherapist-designed barre workouts. He's now based in Portugal, bringing his S3 Method to a whole new community....

Picture this: Seoul, South Korea, about 20 years ago. It's 10 PM, class just wrapped up, and my students invite me to the sauna. Sounds lovely, right? What I did not expect was walking into a room with 200 naked Korean ladies and realizing very quickly that this was NOT the kind of sauna I had in mind.  I hope this one makes you laugh, maybe blush a little, and hopefully inspires you to find your...

I've been wanting to have Jen on the podcast for so long, and this conversation did not disappoint. Jen Dahl is a contemporary dance and theater artist, post-rehabilitation movement specialist, and fascial movement educator with over 20 years of experience. She's also a Stott Pilates Master Instructor Trainer based in Italy, and honestly, every conversation I have with her leaves me wanting more....

In this episode, I'm sharing five things I wish someone had told me before I started teaching — and honestly, things I still remind myself of today after 25 years in the industry. What we cover: 1. Confidence doesn't mean knowing everything. One of the biggest misconceptions I see in new instructors is thinking you need to feel fully ready before you can lead others. The truth? Great teachers aren...

I am so thrilled to share this conversation with two of my dearest friends in the Pilates world — Patricia Liao and Anita Tang, co-founders of The Orange Room Wellness Center in Shanghai, China.   What We Cover: How Patricia and Anita met as expats in the international school community and said "yes" to each other before they even knew what they were agreeing to Why they started as a yoga and Pila...

In this episode, I sat down with someone who has been in my world for a long time — Melanie Byford-Young, physiotherapist, Master Rehab Instructor Trainer for Stott Pilates, and co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates in Portland, Oregon. Melanie has spent over 25 years doing what most of us find the hardest: working with the most complex, challenging clients. And she does it brilliantly.   What we...

This week I got to sit down with someone who has been part of my Pilates journey since the very beginning, Carla Ricalis, Toronto-based instructor, educator, and studio owner of Studio 3. What I love about Carla is that she doesn't just teach Pilates, she thinks deeply about it. This conversation went in so many directions, and I was reminded again of how much there is still to talk about in this...

I've been coaching instructors and movement professionals for years, so I thought it was time to flip the script and bring on someone who experiences Pilates from the other side — as a client. In this episode, I'm joined by one of my absolute favourite people to work with, Charan Bhattal. In this episode, we talk about: Why Charan came back to Pilates after completing teacher training — and never...

This week I sat down with Hilal Lee — certified STOTT Pilates instructor, studio founder, app creator, and the 2024 Pilates Journal Instructor of the Year — based out of Dubai and reaching Pilates lovers everywhere through her mobile app and social media community. Hilal's story is not your typical career pivot. A serious neck injury in 2014 that left the left side of her body temporarily paralyze...