Daily Inspiration: Meet Nicole Briggs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Briggs.

Hi Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A former boss, and chiropractor, gifted me Pilates lessons. I had no clue what is was, but quickly discovered it was another way to tap into my body. I was about to finish a dance degree and was dancing upwards of eight hours a day. My body had difficulty keeping up and I had daily joint and muscle pain. I found that doing Pilates regularly got rid of these issues. It inspired me to teach Pilates and help others connect to their body and give them a better quality of life.

After being certified in 2005, I taught at various Los Angeles Pilates studios, at people’s homes, and eventually at a physical therapy clinic. I added a home studio in 2008 and when that became tight I opened my public studio in 2011.

I have been fortunate to work with one of Joseph Pilates’ students, the late Jay Grimes. He kept the method alive and encouraged his students to keep the torch going. He taught at Strong Body Pilates, until his death in 2024. I believe all Pilates teachers should have a teacher. We learn so much from each other.

Through the years of building the business, training the next generation of teachers, surviving the COVID-19 shut downs, and the ups and downs in the economy, resilience is our middle name. Our clients are from varied backgrounds and they keep us going, no matter what else stands in our way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is no such thing as smooth in business. Persistence gets us far. Learning to pivot while still keeping track of how to help our clients feeling good and working on their goals is the main struggle. After the COVID-19 shut downs, we did have a little uphill battle with getting back to the studio feeling like a community. Luckily, people were more open to online lessons and classes than before. We still work that into our format.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am very knowledgeable about the original Pilates system, how the exercises were created to compliment the way the apparatus works. I am good at explaining, in easy terms, how to move and build on basic movements. I love when my clients discover the a-ha moments. I love to train new teachers and give them the tools that will prepare them for a lifetime of teaching.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Letting people know you care about them and that you are on a journey with them to help them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.strongbodypilates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongbodypilates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongBodyPilates
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strongbodypilates
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/strong-body-pilates-toluca-lake