Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Peper.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Maybe you’re like me, and taking time to care for yourself does not come easy and you just don’t know where to start.
From my earliest childhood memories, I remember riding my bike, always swimming at the neighborhood pool, jumping on the trampoline or over fences- my body was my vehicle of pure joy and happiness. In school, my favorite classes involved science and Health Class. I had a genuine interest in wanting to learn more about how to care for my well-being through exercise and nutrition. I felt in charge of my future.
Then, there came a time in my life where I was not well. My body ached. I felt frustrated, stuck and trapped in a situation that felt spinning out of control. Somehow, I knew that didn’t have to be the course of my life that I wanted to live & I remembered how I felt as a young child and wanted to feel that again.
So, I traveled 60 miles away from home to take a class at Pilates studio I had briefly read about in the newspaper. The class was kick-ass and the instructor said immediately after, “Change happens from movement, and movement heals.” (Little did I know it was an actual J.Pilates quote). That one class made me feel alive again. It motivated me to jumpstart my changing process and I have consistently been improving upon that message ever since.
If you are like every other person I have met, you want to be healthy. You want to feel empowered and in charge of your life. You can do this! We can turn movement into wellness. You want to choose movement to inspire, the kind that brings awareness and mental focus to the forefront. I will help to bring clarity to you with encouragement and patience.This is why I do all of this. I believe to be well, it begins with moving well.
And I want you, too, to move well and also be well. I want you to do more of what you love and to show up as the best version of yourself. This has become my passion project, to offer to you what has helped me continue to stay on the path to wellness and that is through mindful movement.
I know life is complicated. At Courtney Peper Pilates, I am here to make it easy to begin! From personal experience, I know what it takes to make the first step and ultimately build the habits toward positive changes in your body and in your life. And I can’t wait to help you.
Reach out to me on my contact form under the button labeled CONNECT and I will get back to you very soon. I look forward to hearing from you!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes and No.
I began my first studio after Hurricane Ike destroyed our island-it was a yoga mainly with some Pilates. I partnered with another person because I was teaching elementary full-time along with raising two children and our partner ship did not last and I moved on because our visions didn’t align.
Then I opened my own studio, called The Body Space. It was a 6,000 square foot art deco beautiful studio with hard wood floors and high ceilings. I ran that for 7 years with success and elevated the fitness scene on the island because I introduced Pilates Reformer Group Classes along with the first studio to have barre classes. We won Best Fitness Studio and also Best Yoga Studio several years in a row. My last year in business there came huge challenges – the road to my studio was completely blocked off to road repairs. It did not stop my clients from coming which showed how much they loved the space and community. I had just gave birth to my 3rd child and then Covid happened. I knew at that moment, it was better for me to scale back and change direction.
Just as Covid happened, I was also creating my own personal workout space- converting my garage into a beautiful Pilates studio for myself. The week of the shutdown was also
the same week my studio was completed. Well, because of Covid, and changing direction, I brought my favorite clients with me and continued teaching at my private studio.
I have never looked back since. By scaling back, I realized that I was a better instructor, I could show up better for my clients, for my family and ultimately myself. I am more successful today than ever because I can create the best classes for my clients and hone my craft and value my health in the process.
I have been teaching mind/body forms of movements for 30 years now. I have taught in schools, business offices, bank lobbies, hospitals, churches, homes- you name it-and I have found my peace and serenity keeping it small and simple.
I am now working on becoming a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach – and I plan on incorporating those services in my business. I also plan on offering online courses and classes soon.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Courtney Peper Pilates- The Body Space?
A lot of information is found on my website- www.courtneypeper.com
I teach Pilates reformer and other Pilates equipment classes full-time. I teach one on one private appointments as well as small group classes up to four people.
What sets me a part from others is my experience. I can work with all ages-I specialize in preventing back pain and injuries. I help with spinal alignment. I have worked with every kind of injury from shoulder replacements to knee and hip replacements. As well as spinal fusions. I spent specialize in prenatal and postnatal and can work with any client. Pre-or post surgery.
My clients ranged from business professionals to stay at home moms and I am currently working with Moore men than ever.
I have a very highly trained eye being able to see what is going on with a person‘s body and help them to understand and create that awareness in themselves.
What does success mean to you?
Overall, success means that you feel happy within yourself. Not all the time, but a general contentment and joy and what you love doing. I still can’t believe that I get to do what I do for a living and help others with their health and wellness. Health is truly wealth and without it, you have nothing. I am able to take care of my family and myself. Work life balance is important for me as well that I have time for my friends and my family and that I also am working on future projects, that I have that freedom to create and work on Improving and moving forward on my dreams and wishes.
Pricing:
- -$96-1:1
- -$36 for a group class/per person
- -$62 – 2:1/per person
- – Retreat pricing available upon request
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Courtneypeper.com
- Instagram: Courtney Peper Pilates
- Facebook: Courtney Paige Peper
Image Credits
Gary Huffman Photography
