The Pilates Business Podcast

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...

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 bea...

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, ...

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...

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. 

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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 conve...

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...

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 witho...

What if the secret to scaling your Pilates studio isn’t another local hire — but a skilled, full-time remote team member who costs a fraction of the price? 

In this episode, host David Gunther is joined by John Jonas, founder of OnlineJobs.ph, to explore how Clinical Pilates studios can strategically grow by hiring talented remote team members from the Philippines.  

Drawing from over a decade of experience, John breaks down how outs...

Are you relying too heavily on paid ads that attract the wrong clients or worse, no-shows? This episode explores how hyper-local marketing and strategic community partnerships can fuel sustainable studio growth. 

In the final instalment of the David & Goliath series, host David Gunther is joined again by business strategist Craig Maginness. Together, they unpack how Clinical Pilates studios can compete with franchise giants usin...

Grab your FREE checklist now to learn how to thrive in today's competitive Pilates business landscape: David’s Competitive Edge Checklist 

What if your Google Reviews could do the selling for you? In this episode, David Gunther and Craig Maginness unpack how real client stories, culture alignment, and strategic authenticity can outmatch big-budget franchise marketing. 

In this conversation, David and Craig dive deep into the pow...

Is your pricing strategy built on fear..... or on the real value of your offer? This episode reveals how clinical Pilates studios can confidently charge what they’re worth: by connecting with the right clients via the right story. 

In Part 2 of the David and Goliath series, I continue my high-impact conversation with international business coach Craig Maginness. This episode explores pricing psychology, brand perception, and how you...

When a slick new fitness Pilates franchise opens near your studio, do you feel that sinking “not again” dread? This episode offers a refreshing, strategic way to reframe the competition and thrive in its shadow. 

In this premiere episode of the David and Goliath series, host David Gunther is joined by global business coach Craig Maginness to unpack what it really means to compete against, and coexist with, giant fitness Pilates fra...

In this first episode, host David Gunther welcomes Dr. Ryan Comeau, CEO of Kinetisense, to explore the revolution in clinical Pilates through the use of 3D motion capture technology. Dr. Comeau shares his journey from chiropractic to pioneering this biomechanical assessment tool, which allows Pilates instructors to move from subjective evaluations to data-driven, personalized programs. This revolutionary approach enhances client ou...

In this episode of the Pilates Business Podcast, host David Gunther introduces a new series titled "A Scheduling and Payment System That Cares." Joining him is a mystery guest, co-founder and CEO of a scheduling and payment management system that prioritizes customer care.

David discusses the transition of their Clinical Pilates Studio business from a system that lacked care and responsiveness, to one which does ...

Host, David Gunther, discusses innovative solutions for transforming prospective clients into committed clients. Key changes include scheduling adjustments for private sessions, introducing a 75-minute session for smoother client transitions, and formalizing 15-minute private consultations for newcomers.

Together with Tara Smith and Claire Gunther, they also discuss updating assessment forms to capture essential client inf...

In this episode, join the team from Pilates Can in Canberra for an in-depth discussion on improving the conversion of prospects into clients. Tara, Claire, and the host, David Gunther, explore various strategies, including the implementation of a regularly updated spreadsheet by the admin team to track session availability and provide instructors with essential booking information.

They emphasise the need for instructors t...

In this episode of the Pilates Business Podcast, we delve into the strategies for converting prospects into clients at a clinical Pilates studio.

Hosts David Gunther, Tara Smith, and Claire Gunther from Pilates Can discuss the entire conversion funnel, from initial inquiry to commitment, emphasising the importance of consistency, strategic planning, and team involvement.

The team reviews their current processes,...

In this fifth episode of the new series "Replicating the Stars in Your Pilates Instructor Team," hosts David and Claire Gunther and their team celebrate their accomplishment of receiving over 100 5-star Google reviews in just three months. They draw parallels with the importance of focusing on details in achieving success and delve into the nitty-gritty of how they replicated this success with their team.

The discussion co...