Katie’s Story - Her journey from pain and MD diagnosis to ace Pilates Teacher
Hi everyone!
It is such a pleasure to write to you to introduce myself. I’m Katie, 41, mum of two humans and two pets, lover of long walks by the sea… oooh, and Pilates addict! I have been studying hard to become your new teacher at Nimble & Wild and I’d love to share with you a little of the journey that has led me to you.
I started my career as a languages teacher in Surrey, a job that I absolutely loved, but with long hours and a big commute. Like many of you who have found Pilates, I came from a place of pain, fatigue and weakness. After having my son aged 30, I was diagnosed with FSH Muscular Dystrophy- a rare, progressive genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, mainly in the face, shoulders, upper arms and lower legs. This explains why I was always so clumsy, and so awful at PE in school!
Up to my diagnosis I had led a sedentary lifestyle - I was in constant lower back pain and got so tired so quickly. I had never really thought of movement helping me to feel better, and my workload as Head of Languages was too huge to really think about my health, plus I felt too ashamed to join a fitness class.
I decided to fight…
After my diagnosis, I decided to fight. I was determined that this disability was NOT going to define me. I started jogging, I started walking to places instead of driving (a revelation for me!), and, most importantly, I found Pilates. I was feeling great, energised, and my pain had completely gone away!
However, as my children grew up and started school, I increased my teaching hours again and before I knew it, I was back to not exercising, I was making poor food choices and, lo and behold, my pain and weakness began to return. Entering my 40’s, I just couldn’t do it anymore. Juggling my job alongside family life was too much and I was heading swiftly toward burnout. I had stopped seeing friends, I had stopped doing my Pilates, I had stopped taking any quality time for myself, and I felt that my body was failing me.
On one day in particular, I remember waking up and finding myself so overwhelmed that I felt unable to do the simplest of tasks. I dropped my children off at school, then just sat and cried all day. That evening, I went for a long dog walk, then came home and had a long chat with my lovely husband. I handed my notice in the very next day. This was not easy to do. I’ve always loved teaching - I think it’s a privilege to get to help shape young people’s lives. Like many of you (probably all of you) will be able to relate to, I have always put such pressure on myself to do things well and to do what is right. I had worked so hard to get to where I was, why was I throwing it all away?
The start of something new and very special…
But this was a decision that I felt had to be made for my future, and for my family’s future too. And, spoiler alert, it turned out to be the start of something new and very special for me. I re-set, I walked, I listened to countless geeky health podcasts and I found my love of Pilates again. Jenni helped to bring me out of pain (again!) and persuaded me that I could use and develop my teaching skills to help others feel amazing too - that’s you lovely lot!
I love this community that Jenni has built here at Nimble & Wild, where people from all stages of adulthood can get together and feel empowered to move, in a positive and supportive environment. I know how it feels to be embarrassed to come to a fitness class. I know how it feels to be in constant pain and fatigue, and this is how I know that Pilates WORKS!
I feel so proud of what I can do.
Yes, there are parts of Pilates that I will always struggle with, due to my MD, and due to the particular way my body is (because we all move differently!). However, I have felt the magic of Pilates strengthen my own body and bring me out of pain. I no longer feel ashamed of what I can’t do, instead I feel so proud of what I can do! And that is what I want for each of you, too!
Learning and teaching this magic makes me feel awesome- it gives me all of the lovely, warm feelings that teaching has always given me. I feel very lucky that I will soon get to share my passion and knowledge with you. Whether you’re already a Pilates-pro or a total newbie, if I can play a part in giving you a little slice of quality time for your body and mind, if I can give you a great workout and help you to feel like your strongest, happiest self, THAT would be a privilege!
I can’t wait to get moving with you.
Katie xxx