Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaqui Howard.
Hi Jaqui, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t find Pilates; Pilates found me, so rewind 20 years from now, and you’ll see me and my mom doing mat Pilates on a DVD in the living room. The whole time, I had no idea it would come back full circle. I went to Michigan State University for Food Science because I knew how food impacts the body and its performance from the running track for 10+ years. While in college, I continued working out but hated going to the overcrowded gym. My body was shot from running track, and no amount of pre-workout could prevent me from yawning while working out. In 2017, my friends and I founded a student organization that provided a safe space for minority women to work out properly. We provided the space 3x a week, a personal trainer, monthly healthy eating habits, and accessible mental health resources at a meager cost.
I found my home. After moving to Minnesota once I graduated, I craved the community of women from the organization I had built on campus. I would go to the gym with friends and try out boot camps, but something needed to be added; I still needed to learn what it was. Fast forward, I’m on LinkedIn looking for part-time jobs, and I see Club Pilates was hiring for front desk staff, so I thought, “Oh, this is perfect!” (I didn’t even know what a reformer was at this point) I start working. I’m watching these classes with people’s feet in the air, and I’m like, what is this? I finally tried a class, and I was hooked, okay! I was feeling muscles I had never had a day in my life, and if you’ve been to a session, you know what I’m talking about. Anyway, a year later, the General Manager asked me if I would be interested in becoming an instructor, and it hit me then and there. Here was my opportunity to bring my org from MSU to Minnesota. After 500+ hours, I am a certified fully comprehensive Pilates instructor, and my signature event, Pilates & Prosecco, brings Pilates to the community that can’t access the Pilates space, whether its affordability or accessibility while providing a safe space to practice. I am so very excited to continue on this journey!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, it has been a relatively smooth road! My biggest struggle has been dealing with imposter syndrome, which means doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. There have been times when I am prepping for a class or event, and the little voice in my head is like, “What are you doing?” I started doubting myself and the work I’d put in. I even considered giving it up if I was not good enough, but I always shook back and told myself that I was her and nobody could do it like me. Another struggle is going off the traditional path, as I’ve done the “right” path. I went to college, got a corporate job, got a house, etc., but Pilates changed that. Trying to navigate corporate baddie and entrepreneur lifestyles has been challenging, but I love it because pressure makes diamonds. Building a business is difficult, so shout out to anyone who has!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart from others is that I will do whatever I can to bring the people I care about on my journey with me. As badly as I want to succeed, I want my friends and family to too. I truly like the best for the ones around me. It sounds simple, but I’m the type of person who will do whatever I can if I have the means to help a friend. If I’m winning, we’re all winning.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Be on the lookout for future Pilates & Prosecco events! There are lots of things in store that I am super excited about! I also offer private sessions at Club Pilates in Eagan.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jaquihoward
