Life and Work with Nathalie Gonthier Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalie Gonthier Thomas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am originally from France. I came to Los Angeles to work in the Visual Effect field, working on feature films in studios like Sony Pictures, Centropolis FX, Digital Domain, etc… I enjoyed the industry for over 20 years.

As I was exploring new careers after years of sitting at a desk job in front of a computer, I started to see a possibility for change in becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor.

I discovered the benefits of Classical Pilates after my pregnancy years ago. From my first private session, I was amazed at how quickly Pilates helped me recover strength, flexibility, and balance and also how good it made me feel, mentally and emotionally, relieving the physical strain of a busy day.

During my Certification training process, I discovered a passion for teaching. I enjoy the social interaction with my clients; getting to know them personally, listening to them, working with them to overcome their fears and helping them with their unique goals without injury.

My goal is to challenge clients at a pace at which they can comfortably grow and progress, so they feel great regardless of age, gender or physical fitness level.

The combination of stretching and strengthening movements makes Classical Pilates a fun, challenging and never boring form of exercise. It is safely adapted to everybody with its fluctuating energy levels, abilities, and possibilities.

With my body changing as I age, I am constantly learning and growing in the practice of Classical Pilates. Feeling ever stronger, fitter and pain-free are what I wish to share with my clients while staying true to Joseph Pilates philosophy, order, and exercises.

I am now a full-time independent Pilates teacher, working in a few locations on the Westside.

Training:
• Pilates Technique Certified Instructor through Jill Cassady’s Classical Pilates Certification Program: http://www.josephpilates.com
• Ongoing workshops and seminars with Master Instructor Jay Grimes and other Senior Instructors at Vintage Pilates.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to change career and to transition from Visual Effects to Fitness wasn’t a smooth one. It took a few years to fully make the change.

I started training for my Pilates teacher certification in the little bit of free time I had between film productions. Starting very early in the morning with Pilates workouts and training, going on to work in the VFX studio for 8, 9, 10 + hours a day, studying some more Pilates in the evenings.

After ten months of getting certified, I continued working both fields in parallel: training Pilates clients early morning and at lunchtime, with more back and forth to the VFX world the rest of the day. I kept building my Pilates business alongside visual effects work for almost five years. It wasn’t easy, a lot of very long days at times, keeping me away from my husband and daughter, who have been very supportive of my journey. But the reward was to see my clients getting stronger, enjoying their sessions and the enthusiasm and motivation they were giving me.

At some point, I had to make a decision. I couldn’t grow my Pilates business as I was already working over 12 hours a day. One day, as I was venting on my struggles to make room for more clients to one of my friend and fellow Pilates teacher, she said to me something along the line “You need to make room to fill up the gap.” That was the moment I decided it was time to let go of the old career to fully develop the new one.

It is scary to let go of the one thing you know for 20 years, the money that comes with it, the mindset, etc… but it is an amazing feeling to jump into something you are very passionate about.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Certified Pilates Instructor teaching Classical Pilates sessions tailored to meet your personal fitness goals.

I am constantly amazed by the human body and the mind that controls it. I feel and see what Classical Pilates can do with myself in my own practice, and with each of my clients as they learn and grow over time working with me.

I also intentionally only work with one person at the time. I offer a few duet sessions after working with some clients for a while. I do not do group classes. The reason why is that we are all different even we all have the same body parts and muscles. 🙂 We also have different strength and weaknesses that need to be addressed differently and individually.

What I enjoy the most is to bring one person to know their own capacities, to build and grow from what they can do. I can only give my best to each of my clients by focusing my full attention to one of them at the time, to make sure they feel at their best.
In a group class, you will get the benefits of moving along with other people. But you will not get the corrections and the directions your own body needs to progress.

Who have you been inspired by?
A lot of women have inspired me in my life, from activists to journalists, to politicians and business women, from all part of the world. But the ones I always feel close to my heart and help me emotionally in my days are my two french grandmothers. One of them is still alive today and celebrated her 100th birthday in July 2018. She left school and started to work very young, raised four children. She went through WW2 as an active member in the French resistance. She lost a daughter at a young age. She is always loving and kind and has a great sense of humor. She loves to laugh.

I look at her, at her life, at her smile and that’s enough to keep me going, thinking that there are no bumps on the road, the bumps are the road. Learning from mistakes and bad days to turn them into meaningful experiences and make the best of it.

Pricing:

• Introductory one time offer for first 3 sessions $240
• Private Session $90 – Duet $50 each
• Package of 10 sessions $850 – 10 Duet $475

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nathaliespilates.com
• Phone: 310.500.9669
• Email: nathaliespilates@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathaliespilates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathaliespilates

Image Credit:
Jennifer Booterbaugh

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