Hidden Gems: Meet Allie Myszka of Pilates With Allie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Myszka.

Hi Allie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2007, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and had a spinal fusion surgery shortly thereafter to help correct it. That was my freshman year of high school, and afterward, I lived life as if nothing had happened. In my later college years, I started having pain in my back and hips, and after it calmed down, I realized I needed to get into a better (and more proactive!) routine of moving and taking care of my body. I tried yoga, running, swimming, and a ton of random classes, but ended up loving barre classes the most. I enjoyed them so much that I became a barre instructor in Nashville.

After I taught for a while, I knew I wanted to deepen my knowledge of the human body, and I trained to become a Pilates instructor. I finished my certification in 2018, and worked for a local boutique Pilates studio for a few years.

In June 2021, I opened my own private Pilates studio in Franklin, and most of my energy is focused on getting that off the ground! I love my work, and I love that so much of my story is engrained in what I do every day.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At times, yes, and at times, no. There have been seasons where things go really well– sometimes even better than I expect– and those times have affirmed to me that I was on the right path.

Some of the biggest struggles for me have been leaving my comfort zone and all things familiar in pursuit of what I know I’m called to do. I’m grateful to have learned from some of the best people in the Pilates industry, and it took me a while to take the leap and venture out to open my own studio. As I’ve made changes in my career, keeping my own health and well-being a priority has been a challenge (ironic coming from a health-related professional, but I gotta keep it real!). I’ve been extremely fortunate to have a support network of people who remind me that I can’t pour from an empty cup!

Since becoming a full-time business owner, I’ve also had to fight to find a good routine that makes space for both work and play. I know there’s no such thing as perfect work-life balance, so I’m learning to stay in a “trial-and-error” mindset, give myself heaps of grace as I learn, and call on that support network when I need it!

As you know, we’re big fans of Pilates With Allie. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I teach in-person and virtual one-on-one Pilates sessions to people who’ve been through a scoliosis spinal fusion (like me!) as well as people who need help managing chronic pain and conditions. I want to empower people with the knowledge and movement tools they need to live their life– and truly ENJOY their lives, even with “body issues.” In the studio, I use Pilates equipment like the reformer and tower, and for virtual sessions, I teach clients how to use household objects or any fitness props they have at home to work out.

Some of my proudest moments are when clients tell me they feel safe when working with me, and that they feel at home and well-cared-for at my studio. All I’ve ever wanted was to create a safe haven for people to move and find freedom in their bodies, no matter what they’ve been through.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see instructors branching out on their own a bit more. I don’t think big Pilates studios will ever fully go away, but with the pandemic, so many of my friends and colleagues around the world have started their own small operation on the side (or full-time, like I’m doing).

I also think the industry is going to start seriously challenging long-held “norms” as we learn more about biases and adopt a more compassionate approach to health and fitness. Fat bias, race bias, ability bias, and appearance bias (just to name a few) have been hiding in the shadows of the fitness industry for far too long, and I’m so encouraged to see the people around me who are speaking out and taking tangible actions to fight against those things.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: pilateswithallie.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pilates.with.allie