Entering my pilates girl era : pilates instructor training My experience at Stott TorontoEntering my pilates girl era : pilates instructor training My experience at Stott Toronto
Shit That Keeps Me Up At Night
Jessica Danford shares how she shifted from intense martial arts training into a demanding pilates instructor course at Stott Toronto, breaking down what the programme actually involves. She also reflects on movement, community, and mental health, and how structured exercise can support people dealing with anxiety, injury, and recovery.
59:21•12 Apr 2026
From Kickboxing to Pilates: Jess Danford’s Full-On Instructor Era
Episode Overview
- Comprehensive pilates certification at Stott Toronto demands far more time, anatomy study, and practice hours than many expect.
- There is a key difference between group fitness pilates and individual sessions, especially for those seeking injury support or postural work.
- Pilates and yoga are not interchangeable, and finding movement that respects specific conditions like psoriasis can be crucial.
- Certified, well-trained instructors play an important role in keeping pilates safe, particularly on equipment like reformers.
- Strength training still matters alongside pilates, especially for women and active ageing, and lifting heavier than 10 lb dumbbells is encouraged.
“My whole life is pilates right now, which I love.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This chat with host Jessica Danford swings from punchy Muay Thai memories to grippy socks and reformer beds, all while staying rooted in mental health and recovery-friendly habits. Jessica walks through how a break from intense kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu training opened the door to pilates.
What started as a way to support old injuries and improve posture has turned into what she calls her “pilates girl era” and a full-on instructor certification at Stott Toronto.
She’s honest about how heavy the workload really is: anatomy classes that feel like a “mini kinesiology degree,” long apprenticeship hours, competitive booking for practice time, and the reality that “my whole life is pilates right now, which I love.” You’ll hear her compare yoga and pilates from the perspective of someone with psoriasis on her palms, explaining why traditional yoga hasn’t worked for her body while pilates has.
She breaks down the difference between group classes and one-to-one sessions, repeatedly stressing that a certified instructor matters if you’re using pilates to support injury recovery or long-term health. Along the way, Jessica shares how her past as a personal trainer, Beachbody coach, and martial arts competitor led to building her long-running virtual wellness community, the Self Empowerment Studio.
She talks about end-of-life caregiving, anxiety, and the need for a safe, non-creepy path into movement—especially for those dealing with mental health struggles or early sobriety. There’s also some very real “shit that keeps her up at night”: people kicking shoes off in front of doors, messy shared bathrooms, and silent classrooms where nobody wants to answer a question.
If you’ve ever wondered how structured movement can support emotional recovery, this candid, no-bullshit episode might nudge you to rethink how you move your body today. What small step could you take to feel just a bit stronger this week?
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