Today we’d like to introduce you to Secily Garcia.
Secily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my Pilates journey about 3 years ago, knowing absolutely nothing about Pilates but always hearing people talk about taking classes. I finally decided to get a membership, and from my very first classes, I was hooked!
Pilates quickly became so much more than just a workout for me. Not only did it help me reach my physical goals, but it also became such an important part of my mental health, helping me feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to myself.
It wasn’t until about 6 months ago that I started sharing my Pilates journey online, and that’s when I discovered the Houston Pilates community. I had no idea how much love, encouragement, and inspiration I would find through this community. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible women who share the same love and passion for Pilates, and it’s been so special to connect with people who inspire and uplift one another.
What started as simply trying something new has turned into something so much bigger than I ever imagined. Pilates has not only changed me physically and mentally, but it has also introduced me to an amazing community of women who remind me that movement is about so much more than how you look — it’s about how you feel, how you grow, and the people you meet along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning, Pilates was super intimidating, both the workouts themselves and putting yourself out there in a class setting. It can feel a little vulnerable, especially when you’re surrounded by people who seem so much more experienced than you. I was always worried about being called out, not knowing what I was doing, or feeling like I didn’t belong.
Looking back, my biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily the workout itself, but overcoming the thoughts in my own head. I had to learn to let go of the fear of being judged, stop comparing myself to others, and remind myself that everyone starts somewhere.
And once I finally let that go? BOOM! It was like a whole new world opened up. My confidence started growing, I stopped overthinking everything, and I couldn’t get enough of Pilates. I was booking classes left and right and showing up for myself in a way I hadn’t before.
Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t showing up for the workout — it’s getting out of your own way. Once I did that, everything changed!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My Pilates journey has grown into something so much bigger than I ever imagined, and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. They say starting is the hardest part, and I couldn’t agree more. But sometimes, taking that first step leads you to something that changes your life in ways you never expected.
I started sharing my journey on TikTok because it felt like the most fun and creative way to share my love for Pilates. What started as posting videos has turned into so much more! I began reviewing Pilates studios around Houston, and I’ve now reviewed over 30 studios. I love sharing a little Pilates humor to make people laugh, bringing you along for my studio vlogs, and sharing my favorite workout sets and Pilates gear through hauls.
One of the most exciting parts of this journey has been becoming a boldBLOOM ambassador, a Houston-based Pilates small business that offers everything from the cutest grip socks to mat towels. Being able to connect with and support local businesses that share my passion for Pilates has been so special to me.
My goal has always been to make videos that inspire others, bring people together, and share the joy that Pilates has brought into my life. What people may not realize is how much time, effort, and creativity go into making even a 20-second video. It’s not always easy, but when you’re creating something you genuinely love, every bit of hard work feels worth it.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m just a regular girl from Houston, and for me, the biggest risk has been putting myself out there. Allowing people to see me, my journey, and a part of my life that means so much to me. It comes with the fear of being judged, criticized, or even made fun of.
I’m not the fittest person in the room, and I don’t need to be. The fitness industry can be so heavily focused on appearances and body image that it sometimes feels like you have to look a certain way to belong.
My videos might not always have the most flattering angles. You might see me sweating in one clip and struggling to catch my breath in the next. I’m not always going to look perfectly put together. And you know what? That’s okay.
Because not everything has to be pretty, polished, or picture-perfect to be worth sharing. That’s the beauty of it. It’s real. It’s showing up as you are, embracing where you’re at, and doing something you love without feeling like you have to fit into a certain mold.
At the end of the day, I’m just a regular girl who fell in love with Pilates and wants to share what it means to me. I want other women to see themselves in my videos and realize that you don’t have to be the most experienced person in the room to belong. You just have to show up.
If sharing my journey helps even one person feel less intimidated, more confident, or brave enough to try Pilates for the first time, then putting myself out there is worth the risk.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @princesssecily
- Other: Tik Tok: @princesssecily
