Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Franken.
Tasha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a model, certified nutritionist and Pilates instructor. I started modeling when I was discovered on the beach in Spain aged 18. The week after I was flown to for London Fashion Week, where my modeling career took off.
I’m Norwegian/Dutch and was raised in Spain. Through my modeling career, I was lucky enough to live in many different places including London, Dubai, Sydney, Singapore, and New York, before finally settling in LA three years ago where I live with my boyfriend and little dog Peanut.
I’ve always been interested in holistic health, so I’ve taken courses in nutrition to teach myself and others how to heal from the inside. That’s also what inspired me to take a Pilates instructor course, seeing how movement can be medicine has been one of the best lessons for both my mind and body.
This is why I created T — F Studio, an online Pilates platform that transforms your mind and body by focusing on quick and effecting at home workouts that you can do anywhere and anytime.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely had some bumps and curves along the way! I started as a model, which sounds glamorous, but the reality is that it comes with a lot of instability. I was lucky enough to live in many cities all over the world but that also meant living out of a suitcase for ten years and the difficulty of really grounding myself anywhere. I also developed an eating disorder which took a lot of time to work through and it’s something I will always carry with me. As part of my recovery, I really began to focus on health. I really gained an understanding first-hand that there are no quick fixes and that it’s all about taking small, consistent steps toward becoming our best selves. That’s the ethos and foundation of T — F Studio.
My career took a turn during COVID-19 when restrictions took a huge hit on many industries, including modeling. I used this time as a time to really reflect on my values and what was important to me. So, I decided to become certified in Pilates and to focus my energy towards contributing to the health and fitness community in my own way.
It wasn’t an easy journey; firstly, it’s scary to put yourself out there! When you’re starting anything new, there are so many feelings of self-doubt to overcome, from “what will people think” to “do I look stupid in this video”. The logistics of it all were also challenging. I was living with my boyfriend in a small apartment so a lot of my earlier workouts were shot in the corner of my bedroom whilst he was sleeping. What I learnt was that where there is a will there is a way and you can make something out of nothing if you put your mind to it!
When I look back today, I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. And excited for what’s next!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about T — F Studio?
I started my Pilates platform during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to connect through movement, when taking care of ourselves was key to navigating times of uncertainty.
I started with live IG workouts shot in the corner of my bedroom and posting YouTube videos and tutorials. I really enjoyed seeing how a focus on the mind and body can create such a positive impact on our overall well-being. After all the positive reactions, I decided to launch True — Form Studio, an online Pilates studio inspired by the female body.
I believe that what sets me apart is my approach to fitness – that it all starts with the individual. There is no one-size fits all and it’s about finding what works best for you. For me, Pilates has been the most effective for my body. And trust me, I’ve tried it all! My workouts are bite-sized 10-min bursts for those short on time or one-hour for those who want a longer workout. They are also easy to tailor to individual needs so that you can really customize it to your body. At the same time. I try to make it fun! Because that will help to make it consistent.
In my experience, we need to tune in to our bodies and really listen. From my holistic health background, I have designed my workouts with the female body in mind. Focusing on slowing down helps to balance cortisol levels due to less constant stress, which benefits the fragile hormonal balance of women in particular. This helps to generally feel more energetic and have a more effective workout with less time.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I always credit my family for supporting me through every stage of my life! I’m also really grateful for my team who I work closely with on a daily basis.
Pricing:
- $19.99 per month (or $0.66 per day)!
- $159 per year (or $0.43 per day)!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tashafranken.com/
- Instagram: @trueform.studio @tashafranken
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tashafranken1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TashaFranken
Image Credits
Kelsey Hale
