Episode 018: How to Rebuild a Pilates Studio
In Shake It Off Episode 18 Lauren and Kendra speak with special guest Kimberley Garlick, the founder of Northern Rivers Pilates.
Kimberley is a Pilates practitioner, a senior Polestar Pilates international educator and an owner of a successful Pilates studio called Northern River Pilates located in Lismore, NSW, Australia.
Lauren and Kendra talk with Kimberly all about her journey of opening a pilates studio, how she rebuilt her pilates studio following devastating floods, and how she manages running a business and handling stressful life events at the same time.
You can find all the podcast episodes at https://www.drlaurenhodge.com/podcast/
We created this podcast to give you the tools, strategies, and stories to handle the unexpected BS that life throws your way. We plant ourselves firmly at the gates of truth-telling and we discuss how to optimize and prioritize your physical and mental health.
If you like what you hear, please leave a 5-star review on Spotify and Apple Podcast and tell us what part you liked most.
*This is not medical advice. Please get in touch with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your healthcare plan.*
Listen to the Episode
Listen to the Podcast on Spotify >>
Read The Transcript
Kendra Till
Welcome to “Shake It Off,” a podcast that gives you the tools, strategies, and stories to optimize and prioritize your physical and mental health. Hi, everyone, and welcome back to Shake It Off. Lauren and I are honored to have Kimberley Garlick joining us on our episode today.
Kimberly is a Pilates practitioner, a senior Polestar Pilates International educator, as well as an owner of a successful Pilates studio called Northern River Pilates. It’s located in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, nestled in the absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and lush byron hinterland region. With 30 years of experience, Kimberly is passionate and knowledgeable about health as well as the body. She delivers the absolute highest quality of Pilates and evidence-based movement strategies, as well as personal guidance for not only students but also her clients.
She has lectured all around the world on wellness and Pilates. Kimberly was actually my educator when I went through my Pilates training back in the day, and she’s one of my biggest mentors in the field. I’m just so grateful for her and also for her friendship. She has this authentic way of empowering people to not only move better but also have more zest in life.
Lauren Hodge
Kimberly, thank you so much for joining us. I’m curious about your opening of your studio and what inspired you to open your studio.
Kimberley Garlick
Thank you so much. That was such a beautiful, welcoming Kendra. I have such fond memories in this space and always sharing our learning curve together as well. I guess if I start back when I initially opened my original Pilates studio in Belrose, Sydney, and also one in Bondi. And then we moved here about 15 years ago to the Northern Rivers. I sold the studios in Sydney. And it was like, “Okay, where do I put our Pilates space?” I really wanted to open a studio up here.
I started actually teaching just in some of the local community halls, just to get a feel of where we wanted to be. And I was contemplating between actual Byron, Bangalow, or Lismore. And at the time, there was very little available, and there was a bit of a, I guess, risk to put it in such a country town. But the Northern Rivers had this feeling of people needing to move better and have someone assist them in getting wellness through movement. It was an opportunity to bring that into Lismore. So we opened a small space to begin with, and now we’re in a much larger space.
Yeah, it was a very exciting time because most people who were calling had no idea what Pilates was at the time. And we have a very large array of people that would come in as clients. So it was a really wonderful time to be bringing Pilates into a community that hadn’t had that exposure before.
Kendra Till
Hmm, yeah. And you? And you… I mean, definitely, you know, like you said, coming to a community where Pilates isn’t as well-known. I’m sure you had a lot of potential clients coming in and asking, you know, “What is this and how can I benefit from this?” So what an amazing opportunity just to educate the community on these movement practices and help better their overall health.
So, and you initially started in a space, and you were there for quite some time. And then, did you get a new space within town? Did you move locations? Yeah.
Kimberley Garlick
During COVID, we had a smaller space, and everything was shutting down while figuring out what to do and how to run the business without incurring significant losses. We closed the studio because, at that time, continuing in the same location would have meant a really high rent. So we actually closed the space and brought all the equipment home, not knowing how long COVID was going to last.
Someone in the community heard about this and offered a new space. It’s amazing how, when we talk about those sliding door moments, things do happen, and opportunities arise. We moved into this beautiful new, larger space and then reopened after COVID. Of course, there were all the COVID restrictions we had to work with and go through that process. And then, unfortunately, we had the floods. But even after that, we were able to create a new space.
Kendra Till
Right? And just… Yeah, so just so the listeners are aware, in February 2021, is that right, Kimberly? The Northern Rivers community was just devastated by these catastrophic floods. And as you mentioned, your studio was sadly impacted by that flooding. It’s hard to even convey the level of impact and trauma that individuals and the community faced during that time. Your studio was completely underwater, wasn’t it, Kimberly? And obviously…
Kimberley Garlick
It was hopefully one of those once-in-a-lifetime floods that the world is experiencing in different areas. The entire town was completely underwater. So, we had a flood plan, and we did move everything out of the studio space. But even when we moved it into a warehouse, that warehouse also went under. So we did absolutely everything we could, but it wasn’t just our studio. A lot of our clients lost their homes.
Since then, we have rebuilt the studio, and we have actually made it a bigger space. So now we have an upstairs space, a downstairs space, and we’ve transformed the building into a complete wellness hub.
Kendra Till
It looks beautiful. Every time I see it online, I’m just… It’s stunning. It’s a beautiful, beautiful space, and it serves as a nurturing environment for people. Especially following the floods, opening those doors for your community would have been essential for them to take care of themselves during such a traumatic time.
And going on that theme of rebuild, I feel like this doesn’t really compare, but it’s something that I can personally relate to in terms of a rebuild. Just with Jesse and me moving to the US in our adulthood, I underestimated how major of a rebuild it would be for us and how much resilience is required to start over. Even if you have a foundation, you’re still starting over to some degree. So when I reflect back on these 18 months, it has taken me until now to feel steady on my feet again.
So, I reflect and think that periods of rebuild are extremely hard on all facets of ourselves. And I’m curious, could you talk us through some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout the rebuilding process, not only for yourself but also for your business?
Kimberley Garlick
I think when you’re going through a process of rebuilding anything in your life, you run on adrenaline for a period of time. And it’s important to have that adrenaline drive you and actually acknowledge it and embrace it because that’s what gets you through initially. Yes. So whether it’s those initial two weeks of having a baby, going through a business transition, or moving across the world, the adrenaline is there, and that fight-or-flight component acts as a bonus. So, first of all, acknowledge and enjoy it and allow it to help you get through.
Then, be aware that after you’ve had that adrenaline burst, there will be a moment of realizing, “Well, okay, there’s been a lot.” And you’ll have to figure out a plan to give yourself some downtime as well. I believe the most important thing is to have a supportive network of people around you that you can rely on. And when I talk about reliability, it’s about having a support structure. It’s not necessarily a financial component. It’s about having someone you can bounce ideas off, someone who can help with anything from making a meal to cleaning. If somebody offers a helping hand, acknowledge it and accept it. So, I really encourage setting aside ego and embracing the willingness to say, “Yes, thank you, I do need your help, and I would really appreciate it.” And if these are the right people in your life, acknowledging and utilizing their assistance and help no longer requires you to repay that help down the line. So, acknowledge it there, embrace it, enjoy the time in the moment, and don’t put it in the back of your head as something you’ll have to repay later.
I learned a lot about accepting assistance and enjoying that process rather than feeling overwhelmed by everyone’s support. Instead, I simply said, “Thank you,” and welcomed their help. And then, use it as an opportunity to remind yourself why you’re doing it. Constantly ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? What’s going to drive me to continue this very difficult process of rebuilding and connecting staff and community together?” Understanding the importance of this hub, not just for myself but for everyone else, became my driving force to reopen.
To me, building this hub was crucial in order to reopen a space that so many people referred to as their church, their safe place, their place of healing. And with that in mind, everything came together in a way that was even better than I could have imagined. So, for me, the driving force behind rebuilding was to create a space that held immense importance for both myself and everyone else involved.
Kendra Till
That’s beautiful. I can relate. You’re right. It can be hard to initially accept help. For me, I have a tendency to think I can do everything myself. It’s that sense of ego that kicks in. Lauren, you and I have had conversations about this too, acknowledging the importance of accepting help when we’re in these situations is imperative.
Lauren Hodge
Certainly. I didn’t live in Australia as long as Kendra did. I was there for about 11 years and moved back to the US probably a year before Kendra did, just three months before COVID hit. It’s been similar to her process of having to rebuild in a way, and you nailed it. Accepting help was so hard for me at first, with my ego getting in the way. I had lived on my own overseas for 11 years, thinking I was a big girl who could do everything on my own. But eventually, I had to reach a point where I had to accept help. Now it comes more naturally to me, especially since I live closer to my family. When I first moved here, I lived in Colorado, and now I live in South Carolina, where my family also resides. It has been a learning process to become comfortable with accepting help, and realizing that there are no strings attached, just pure acts of love and support without any expectations of repayment.
Your other point about knowing your purpose and why is so important. Sometimes I forget that, so I’ve started writing it on post-it notes. When I wake up and open my laptop, I have a post-it note reminding me of my purpose and why I’m doing what I’m doing. It helps me stay grounded and focused, especially when things get busy and overwhelming.
Kendra Till
Yeah. It just made me laugh. I had a bit of a of a flashback when Lauren and I lived together and I remember just walking into her bathroom and her whole mirror was just covered and post it notes.
Lauren Hodge
I liked that. So many things.
Kimberley Garlick
I think it’s also about being brave. When you’re writing those post-it notes, you’re brave enough to actually do it. You’ve already put that intention out there, and that intention becomes very real to you. Then, you have to be brave enough to take action and follow through with that intention. It requires bravery in both the thought and the action. And as you know, there are costs involved. You might be taking loans or borrowing money, and there’s the financial cost. There’s also the bravery of putting yourself out there, stepping back from your ego, and embracing the possibility of failure. You have to move forward and see where it takes you.
The bravery of accepting help is another component. There are so many aspects to embarking on something new. It’s exciting, and if you can allow that adrenaline to flow through your body and hold onto the enthusiasm, it becomes a driving force that wakes you up every day. New beginnings, despite the challenges of floods and COVID, bring fresh ideas, new people, and unexpected opportunities. What has emerged on the other side is so much more than I could have ever imagined. So, I believe we have to acknowledge that sometimes things close for a purpose. And if we can take that next step, new beginnings are likely to be much better than we anticipated.
Kendra Till
Yeah, I love that.
Lauren Hodge
Yeah, that is a really good message. So, with all of that, I’m sure there was the adrenaline for a while. And then, whenever you’ve experienced stressors since then or over the last couple of years, what’s your go-to strategy to manage stress and navigate through challenging situations?
Kimberley Garlick
Yeah, I think this is gonna sound a little like an infomercial, but to me, Pilates is truly ingrained in every part of my being. If I do a Pilates session, even something simple, it rebalances me. So that is my true go-to. And then, surrounding myself with nature and being outdoors rejuvenates me. I love your ideas as well, so I get excited about creating something new in advance. When things start to feel a bit stagnant, I want to come up with fresh ideas that ignite my passion and propel me forward.
So, when facing stressors, my go-to strategies are Pilates, walks in nature, and being around animals. But when it comes to rebuilding my enthusiasm, it’s all about creating new ideas. I focus on how I can make a positive impact in our industry and for my staff. It’s not just about what I want to produce, but also about who it’s going to affect. And that’s what makes it truly exciting because I’m taking many others along on this journey. Going on this ride with a group of people is exhilarating because I get to witness and nurture their own journeys. It makes everything worthwhile and prevents me from becoming too self-absorbed or stagnant.
Lauren Hodge
You get your new ideas, usually from like reading or from workshops and like, where do you normally generate your new ideas? Or where do you find that you get your best ideas?
Kimberley Garlick
Really, it varies. I get a lot of ideas from clients. When I’m teaching and different questions come up or different scenarios are exposed to me, I feel the need to delve further into them, to understand them better and find ways to produce better results for those individuals. That’s when new ideas start to form. I might then share these ideas with someone else, and they might say, “Oh, I can relate to that,” or the next minute, I’m reading about it somewhere. It’s like starting with a broth and then gradually transforming into an amazing, big, giant soup. Many ideas come together to create that final product.
I was thinking, even when the floods happened, I opened myself up to the idea that I needed to go out and earn money to rebuild and open a studio. So, I put it out there and found myself living in Singapore for a period of time, then in Sydney, Melbourne, wherever I was needed. I was doing workshops and teaching a lot to rebuild my bank balance and eventually open the studio. It was during that time that I developed three workshops that have become incredibly popular this year. They just took off. One of them focused on utilizing the barrel, another one was about the components of the spine and scoliosis. These were things that organically inspired me and created a momentum of, “Okay, where can I find more information? What can I do? Where can I go with this?”
So, it’s a combination of life experiences and the information I come across that spark new ideas and propel me forward.
Kendra Till
Yeah, I love this theme of connectedness and the essence of community. It’s amazing how chatting and discussing different things with clients can generate ideas. Conversations with people within the community and at your studio can lead to incredible insights and inspiration. It really shows the importance of having people and a supportive community around you. They can uplift and support you in so many different ways.
Kimberley Garlick
Listening more than talking. As practitioners, we are gifted with a wealth of knowledge, and our intention is to deliver that knowledge and assist people. However, if we listen first, the correct knowledge will naturally come forward for the right client. It’s better to avoid over verbalizing or spewing out excessive information just because we have it. Instead, it’s more effective to retain that knowledge and selectively share small, valuable nuggets when appropriate.
Kendra Till
So, I know that following the floods, you also hosted a retreat called “Teach to Preach,” right, Kimberly? I absolutely loved how that retreat served as a way to bring practitioners to your studio. The format of the retreat looks incredible, and it’s such an amazing way to not only bring people to the community but also support local businesses like cafes and grocery stores. I can imagine that this idea was one of the many that emerged during that challenging time of stress and rebuilding for you. It’s truly remarkable. And you mentioned those other workshops that also came to fruition for you. It’s fascinating how these ideas can be generated during these moments when we’re running on pure adrenaline.
Kimberley Garlick
Yeah, I know. Adrenaline is given a dirty name. But adrenaline is super cool because it boosts us to move forward. It’s a part of us that we should celebrate, alongside calmness and all the other emotions that we experience. Each of these emotions plays a role at certain times, and suppressing or ignoring them can be dangerous. Allowing ourselves to be human, embracing our emotions, and creating new ideas by embodying everything within ourselves and the people around us can lead to greater greatness, I believe.
Kendra Till
I like that. I completely agree, I think that’s a great nugget of information and wisdom that can be carried in many aspects of life.
Lauren Hodge
Yeah.
Kimberley Garlick
I’m just looking at some of the things you’ve mentioned, and one person who stands out is Madison, who is both the studio manager and my daughter. She played such an integral role in bringing calmness to my heightened energy. We all have our own personalities, and it’s perfectly okay to be a little more outgoing or a little more reserved. The key is to acknowledge and embrace those differences and then utilize the strengths of each person to come together. Madison’s calmness was instrumental in bringing to life everything I was envisioning. While I may come up with ideas and express my desires, having someone else in your life who takes action is essential. They help bring those ideas into reality. So, yes, surrounding oneself with the right people is crucial in achieving our goals.
Kendra Till
Yeah, surrounding yourself with the right people is essential. And I must say, Madison is such a calm and beautiful person. Anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her can attest to that. Just being in her presence brings a sense of tranquility. I can imagine how her calmness supported you during that time. Reflecting on my own experiences, I can relate. There are times when I’m in a more heightened state, and my husband, Jessie, becomes my source of calm. It really helps to have that balance and the presence of others who naturally bring that calmness. It’s about being aware of who to gravitate towards and appreciating the role they play in our lives during challenging situations.
Kimberley Garlick
Yeah, absolutely.
Kendra Till
And so, you guys are also planning another workshop in October. Is that right?
Kimberley Garlick
Yes, we are running another workshop in October. We have Darren from Melbourne, Doug Cohen, myself, and Madison as well. The workshop will start on Friday evening, and we’re opening it up to our entire community. It focuses on breathwork and understanding tremors as an amazing tool for dealing with trauma. We want to reach out to the community who are now emerging from the aftermath of the flood and have experienced a lot in the past year.
On Saturday morning, we have a full breath workshop for practitioners only. Doug will be leading a detailed workshop on balance, specifically on the reformer. We’re calling it “Reclaim the Reform” and it involves incorporating various modalities like Cymatics and bioenergetics, using movement in both closed chain and open chain exercises to evoke different responses within the body. I’m really excited about it. We already have eight participants confirmed, and we haven’t even advertised it yet. The response has been amazing.
Speaking of workshops, the “Teach to Preach” retreat was a huge success. The feedback we received was outstanding. Participants mentioned that it was the most amazing experience they had ever had. I believe it was because of the attention to detail that Madison brought to the event. From the warm welcome rooted in local culture to the organic food, everything was thoughtfully curated. The presenters went above and beyond, delivering not only new information but also maintaining an exceptional standard. There was a beautiful energy in the room, making it a truly special and cool experience.
Kendra Till
Yeah, that’s excellent! It’s a true testament to you, Maddie, and the team for hosting such an event and creating a learning environment that is supportive and transformative. Providing a space for people to gather and attend workshops, events, and retreats is integral for those who feel called and drawn to it. It sounds absolutely amazing, Kimberly. I’m genuinely excited for you and your team. I only wish I could be there to experience it firsthand.
Lauren Hodge
I was thinking the same thing. That sounds like a great workshop. It sounds like something I could use.
Kendra Till
Exactly, yeah. Oh, that sounds amazing. And what a beautiful time in the Northern Rivers to be there to October is such such a beautiful time. I mean, it’s a beautiful time, all the time. And so where can I our audience, find out more about your Pilates studio and yourself and also the workshop that’s coming up and potential more workshops that might be popping up.
Kimberley Garlick
We have our website, NorthernRiversPilates.com.au, where you can find more information about us. Additionally, you can reach out to us through Instagram at @NorthernRiversPilates and on Facebook. We are highly responsive and strive to answer any messages or questions promptly. While I may not be a huge advocate for social media, I believe it is a brilliant tool for communication, allowing us to share different skills and aspects of our work. We aim to go beyond sharing beautiful pictures of the studio and also highlight our clients and the reasons behind what we do. You can also find articles on our website, as I am constantly writing journals and providing fresh information for our audience. So, it’s not just about the aesthetics of the studio, although it does create beautiful pictures. Thank you for mentioning that!
Kendra Till
I highly recommend checking out Kimberly’s articles. Her knowledge, expertise, and years of experience in the field of body and movement, coupled with evidence-based strategies, make them truly valuable. If you’re interested in diving deeper, I encourage you to visit the website and explore more.
Well, Kimberly, thank you so much for joining us. This conversation has been incredibly enlightening, and I truly appreciate you sharing your story. Your presence and insights are greatly appreciated. Thank you once again for joining us.
Lauren Hodge
Thank you Kimberly. You can find Kendra on Instagram @kendratillpilates or kendratillpilates.com. If you’re at the Montage and Bluffton you can do a private class or group class with her. And you can find me on Instagram @drlaurenhodge or drlaurenhodge.com. My online course Flow is available right now with strategies to help you get unstuck, prevent burnout, set habits and manage stress. So the links to all the resources that we mentioned are going to be in the show notes. Be sure to click on those if there’s anything you want to check out that we talked about. And if you liked what you heard today and find the tips useful please give us a five star review on iTunes podcasts or Spotify and tell us what part you liked about the episode we want to hear everything.
