Meet Breanna Robinson of Bold Body Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Robinson.

Hi Breanna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into fitness started long before I became a Pilates instructor. I’ve been an athlete practically my entire life, playing multiple sports growing up and eventually going on to play collegiate softball at Howard University where I received BA in Business. Being an athlete was such a huge part of my identity, and after my competitive sports career, I started exploring different ways to stay active, maintain my strength, and take care of my body.

That’s when I discovered Pilates, and I completely fell in love with it. I loved the physical changes I was seeing in my body, but even more than that, I loved how it made me feel. Pilates gave me a deeper understanding of movement, body awareness, and control. After spending so many years training as an athlete, it introduced me to an entirely different relationship with my body. I felt stronger, more connected, and more in control of how I moved. I knew I wanted to share that experience with other people.

I began my professional fitness journey by earning my NASM Certified Personal Trainer credential and eventually pursued my Pilates education, becoming a comprehensively certified STOTT PILATES® instructor.

As both a student and an instructor navigating different fitness spaces, I started noticing a gap in the industry. Oftentimes, I was one of the only people who looked like me in the room. I recognized how intimidating boutique fitness environments could feel for people who didn’t necessarily fit the image traditionally associated with Pilates.

Within the Pilates community, representation and belonging can take many forms. Sometimes it’s reflected in your personality, your background, your personal style, the way you carry yourself, or simply having a different perspective. Through Bold Body Pilates, I’ve connected with people from so many different walks of life who share that same feeling of not quite fitting into the mold of what’s expected of them. I believe creating an inclusive space means celebrating those differences and allowing people to feel seen, valued, and comfortable being themselves.

That’s where the vision for Bold Body Pilates came from.

Bold Body Pilates was created to bring greater representation, accessibility, and a sense of belonging to Black and Brown communities within the Pilates industry, while also welcoming people from all walks of life who may not identify with the traditional image of boutique fitness. I wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality, encourages self-expression, and embraces people who aren’t afraid to stand out or challenge expectations.

To me, being bold isn’t about how you look or where you come from. It’s about having the confidence to be yourself, think freely, and take up space without feeling like you have to fit into someone else’s mold. That’s what Bold Body Pilates represents.

I wanted to bring my personality, creativity, love for music, and athletic background into Pilates and create an experience that felt authentic to me. From our signature sculpt classes and Black Light Hip-Hop & R&B Pilates experiences to our Bold Body grip sock collection, everything I create is rooted in confidence, self-expression, and community.

Building my own business has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve had to learn how to navigate entrepreneurship, wear multiple hats, and continue believing in my vision even when things weren’t moving as quickly as I hoped. There have been plenty of moments of uncertainty, but every challenge has taught me something about resilience, creativity, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.

Today, I’m continuing to grow Bold Body Pilates in Long Beach, California. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching people discover my classes, sometimes through social media, and walk through the door feeling excited to try something new. Seeing people from different backgrounds come together, feel comfortable in their own skin, and connect through movement reminds me why I started.

My vision extends far beyond teaching Pilates classes. I want to continue expanding Bold Body Pilates into a brand and community that creates opportunities, encourages people to invest in themselves, and challenges the expectations of what fitness is supposed to look and feel like.

I’m still building, learning, and growing, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and even more excited about where I’m going. Ultimately, I want Bold Body Pilates to be a reminder that you don’t have to change who you are to belong. You deserve to take up space, embrace your individuality, and move through life confidently.

We were never meant to fit between the lines.

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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through entrepreneurship is that betting on yourself is one of the scariest yet most rewarding things you can do. No matter what industry you’re in, investing your own time, money, energy, and resources into something you believe in requires an incredible amount of faith in yourself and the process.

When I first started Bold Body Pilates, I was hosting classes and workshops in local parks. I remember researching different locations, figuring out whether permits or fees were required, and trying to find spaces that were accessible and convenient for my clients. From there, I began renting space at different studios to host classes and workshops, eventually working toward finding a more consistent home for Bold Body Pilates.

Finding and maintaining a space has been one of my biggest challenges. Between studio rental costs, increasing rent, and the rising cost of just about everything in this economy, the financial side of running a small business can be incredibly humbling. You’re constantly making decisions about where to invest, what you can afford, and how to continue growing while keeping your business sustainable.

Then there are the unpredictable ups and downs of building a clientele. Some days you have a fully booked class, and other days you might not have a single person signed up. You can put so much time and effort into creating an experience, promoting it, and preparing for it without knowing whether anyone will show up. Those moments can be discouraging, especially when you know how much heart you’ve poured into what you’re building.

But I’ve learned that consistency is everything. You have to trust that the work you’re putting in today is laying the foundation for something greater, even when you can’t immediately see the results.

I think one of the most interesting challenges I’ve faced is learning to practice the same things I teach. As an instructor, I spend so much of my time encouraging people to believe in themselves, recognize their strength, push past their limitations, and trust what their bodies are capable of. But as a business owner, I’ve had to learn how to give myself that same encouragement.

There are days when I have to remind myself of my own strength, speak positively about my future, and believe in my abilities even when things aren’t going according to plan. It’s easy to motivate someone else, but learning to be your own biggest supporter, especially during difficult moments, is a completely different kind of discipline.

Through it all, I continue to show up because I know what Bold Body Pilates means to me, and I’m beginning to see what it means to the people who walk through my doors. Even if only one person shows up to class, that person deserves the same energy, attention, and experience as a room full of people. They made the decision to invest in themselves, and I want to honor that.

I’m still learning how to navigate the financial pressures, uncertainty, and growing pains of entrepreneurship, but I wouldn’t trade the lessons for anything. This journey has taught me patience, resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of staying committed to a vision even when the results aren’t immediate.

I always tell my students that they’re stronger and more capable than they think. Building Bold Body Pilates has challenged me to believe that about myself, too.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bold Body Pilates is a Long Beach-based Pilates and wellness brand rooted in movement, confidence, individuality, and community. I created Bold Body with the intention of bringing a fresh perspective to the Pilates industry, one that combines the foundations of Pilates with athleticism, creativity, music, and self-expression.

As a former collegiate athlete, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and comprehensively certified STOTT PILATES® instructor, my approach to movement is heavily influenced by both my athletic background and my Pilates education. I specialize in creating dynamic, full-body workouts that challenge strength, endurance, stability, coordination, and body awareness while staying true to the principles of Pilates.

What makes Bold Body Pilates different is that I don’t believe fitness has to fit one particular aesthetic or personality. Pilates can be challenging, athletic, expressive, and fun while still being intentional and effective. I love creating experiences that encourage people to step outside their comfort zones, connect with their bodies, and discover what they’re capable of.

Our classes range from foundational Pilates flows to more athletic, strength-focused sculpt experiences. One of our signature offerings is Black Light Hip-Hop & R&B Pilates, held every Friday evening. It’s an energetic, music-driven mat Pilates experience that combines movement, a black-light atmosphere, and some of my favorite Hip-Hop and R&B tracks. It’s become one of the experiences people recognize Bold Body for because it introduces Pilates in a way that feels exciting, culturally connected, and different from the traditional boutique fitness environment.

Beyond our signature classes, we offer a variety of mat Pilates experiences designed to help students build strength, improve mobility, develop body awareness, and feel more confident in their movement. I also enjoy creating collaborative wellness events, workshops, and experiences that bring people together beyond a traditional fitness class.

Another part of the brand that I’m especially proud of is our Bold Body Scrunch Grip Sock collection. I wanted to create something that brought together functionality, fashion, and personality. Our socks are designed to transition from the studio to the street, with grip soles for Pilates and a scrunchable silhouette that can be styled in different ways. The collection reflects my love for fashion and the idea that fitness accessories don’t have to be boring or limited to the studio. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see something I envisioned become a physical product that people can wear and make their own.

But what I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily a specific class or product. It’s the community and identity I’m building around Bold Body Pilates.

Representation has always been an important part of my mission. I wanted to create greater visibility, accessibility, and a sense of belonging for Black and Brown communities within the Pilates industry, while also welcoming anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t fit the traditional mold of boutique fitness.

To me, being bold is about embracing individuality, regardless of background, appearance, or athletic ability. It’s about embracing your individuality, having the confidence to express yourself, and feeling comfortable taking up space exactly as you are. Some of the people who connect most with my brand come from completely different backgrounds, but we share that same appreciation for authenticity and the freedom to be ourselves.

I think that’s what makes Bold Body special. You’re not expected to look a certain way, dress a certain way, or already be experienced in Pilates to belong. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or have been practicing for years, I want you to feel welcomed, challenged, and empowered.

As I continue growing the brand, my vision is to expand Bold Body Pilates into a larger wellness community with its own dedicated studio, more signature experiences, products, and opportunities to make Pilates accessible to people who may have never imagined themselves in these spaces.

If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s that Bold Body Pilates is about so much more than a workout. It’s about investing in yourself, celebrating what makes you different, and discovering the confidence to move through life on your own terms.

Bold Body, Balanced Mind. We were never meant to fit between the lines

My passion for using movement to empower others actually began before I became a Pilates instructor. While attending Howard University, I volunteered with Girls on the Run, a program that uses a running-based curriculum to help young girls develop confidence, build healthy habits, and recognize their potential. That experience introduced me to the impact movement can have beyond physical fitness, especially when it comes to building confidence and self-esteem at a young age.

As I continued my career in fitness, I had the opportunity to work with high school boys’ basketball teams, introducing young athletes to Pilates as another tool for athletic development. As a former collegiate athlete myself, this experience was especially meaningful because I understood the physical demands of competitive sports and the importance of learning how to properly care for your body.

I wanted to challenge the way these young athletes thought about strength and conditioning by introducing them to movement that emphasized stability, mobility, coordination, control, and mind-body awareness. More importantly, I wanted to give them knowledge and tools they could carry with them throughout their athletic careers and beyond.

Working with these students reinforced something I’ve always believed: fitness is about so much more than physical appearance or performance. It’s an opportunity to educate, build confidence, encourage discipline, and help people recognize what they’re capable of.

That philosophy continues to influence everything I create through Bold Body Pilates. Whether I’m working with competitive athletes, someone stepping onto a Pilates mat for the first time, or a community of people coming together through one of our curated wellness events, my goal remains the same: to help people feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to themselves through movement.

Another aspect of Bold Body Pilates that I’m especially passionate about is creating curated wellness experiences that bring people together through shared interests. I’ve hosted events like Pilates & Purrs, Pilates & Prosecco, Pilates & Pumpkins, and our Balance & Breathe workshop, each designed to connect movement with something fun, creative, or meaningful.

I recognize that starting a fitness journey can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never taken a Pilates class or haven’t always felt comfortable in traditional fitness environments. I love the idea that someone might attend an event because they love animals, enjoy social experiences, or simply want to try something new, and end up discovering a love for Pilates along the way.

For me, these experiences are about making movement feel less intimidating and more approachable. Pilates becomes the common ground that brings people together, encourages new friendships, and creates a sense of community. You don’t have to walk into the room already knowing what you’re doing or feeling confident in your abilities. Sometimes all it takes is a fun, welcoming environment to help someone take that first step.

That’s what I want Bold Body Pilates to represent. Fitness doesn’t always have to feel serious or intimidating. It can be playful, social, expressive, and something you genuinely look forward to. If someone leaves one of my events feeling more confident, connected, and excited to continue their wellness journey, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would definitely say my resilience and my ability to never give up. I’ve always believed that if I’m going to bet on anybody, it’s going to be myself every single time. I know that I’m capable of accomplishing the things I set my mind to, even when the journey looks completely different from what I originally imagined.

But what keeps me going is something much bigger than my own personal success. I’ve created a community where people are finding a safe space to be themselves, feel seen, build confidence, and connect with others. Knowing that Bold Body Pilates has become a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and appreciated gives me a sense of purpose that goes far beyond teaching a fitness class.

There are definitely days when I’m exhausted, discouraged, or questioning how everything is going to come together. But I remind myself that I’m not just doing this for me anymore. I’m doing it for the people who have already found something meaningful within the Bold Body community, and for the people who haven’t discovered us yet.

I think about what Bold Body Pilates could become if I continue showing up, putting in the work, and believing in the vision. I think about the people who might walk into one of my classes someday and, for the first time, feel like they’ve found a fitness community where they truly belong. I want more people to experience that feeling of confidence, connection, and freedom to be themselves.

That’s what motivates me to keep going, even when things get difficult. I feel a responsibility to see this vision through, not because everything is guaranteed to work out, but because I genuinely believe in what I’m building and the impact it has the potential to make.

For me, resilience is about more than refusing to quit. It’s about believing that what you’re building is worth continuing, even on the days when you can’t see the finish line.

At this point, it’s less about me and more about the dream, the community, and the opportunity to help more people feel as bold, welcomed, and appreciated as the people who have already become part of Bold Body Pilates.

Pricing:

• Single Class Drop-In — $26
• New Body Intro — $18 (First Class)
• Class Packs — 5 Classes for $115 | 10 Classes for $210
• Monthly Memberships — Starting at $44 (2 Classes); Unlimited $179
• Black Light Pilates — Three-Peat: $72 (3 Classes) | Mixtape: $115 (5 Classes)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boldbodypilates.com
• Instagram: Bold Body Pilates
• Facebook: N/a
• Twitter: N/a
• Other: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/locations/bold-body-pilates