Today we’d like to introduce you to Joscelyn Chapman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Before becoming a Pilates instructor, I was a chef and then a business manager, meaning I was either hunched over a stove or slumped over a computer for the first 14 years of my adult life. I had always been pretty active, either through the gym, yoga, cycling, and even Pilates from online sources, but without a good foundation, I found myself getting injured quite frequently.
I first began doing Pilate properly when I found Julie Erickson and Endurance Pilates in 2012 and immediately loved it (and realized, I’d been doing it wrong for years). After being a student for a while and seeing how it changed my life for the better, I realized that I wanted to make a career out of Pilates and everything it had to offer. In 2015 I began certifications and teaching and in February 2017, I made the leap, quitting my office job once and for all to teach Pilates full time. Being able to help people recover from injury, regain strength and simply get into the shape they want has been endlessly rewarding.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like any major transition, it has had its ups and downs. Going from a steady income to having to build my own book of business has definitely been a little nerve racking! There are incredibly long hours, slow months, client cancellations, juggling schedules, all while trying to take care of yourself. It’s not easy! Now in my 3rd year of teaching, I have found my groove, but the hours are still long and there’s still a lot of hustle. You begin to learn where the balance is, and what you’re comfortable saying no to. Working at 3 studios, in-home clients and Fridays in Manhattan seem like a lot for many, but that is what works for me, and I could not be happier.
My advice would be, don’t panic! It’s a little scary, especially if you’re making an extreme change to your career. If you remember why you started teaching and use that same passion to inspire your clients, you’ll be just fine. I’ve used my excitement in my clients’ progress and areas they’ve improved in and they’ve used the same enthusiasm to motivate themselves and even recruit their friends. It’s worked for countless other health professionals; if you focus, stay positive and remember why you chose your profession, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t succeed as well.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
I am a Pilates instructor specializing in precision in movement. My work at Endurance Pilates uses almost exclusively the Endurance Method (TM), and I incorporate other methods and fitness disciplines at other studios and for my in-home clients. I find having a large toolbox helps me to best meet the needs of my clients and make sure they are getting the best-tailored workout I can give them. According to my clients, I am best known for being tough, haha! I try to challenge my clients as much as possible, but keep it doable; the last thing I want to do is discourage them!
As one of my clients once told me, my approach to the individual makes Pilates less intimidating. I strongly encourage people of all walks and body types to at least try it out. In a lot of magazines and social media posts, you mostly hear about actresses and models doing Pilates, but you don’t need to be runway-ready to reap the benefits! Everyone needs a strong core, whether you’re 6′ size 2 or 5′ size 10, famous or under the radar. It’s meant for everybody and I think that idea sometimes gets lost
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be shy! With every person I speak to, I give out my information and tell them to come see me within the first 5 minutes. People respond well to enthusiasm. Who knows, it could be the one thing they didn’t know they were looking for and if not, the worst thing they can do is throw out your card.
Finding a mentor can be a bit more tricky. You have to find someone who teaches and operates in a way that works well with your own personality and goals. Explore different studios and gyms, reach out to people who have completed the same training or under the same teacher and ask what their experience has been. You can never have too much information. You also have to make sure you are serious about your study. Mentors are not desperately seeking mentees to take under their wing. They are incredibly busy teaching, guiding and running their own brands and businesses and you have to be willing to respect that and understand you are not always going to be first foremost of their priorities every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: JoscelynChapman@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Pilates.N.Prosecco
- Facebook: To The Core
Image Credit:
Endurance Pilates and Yoga Boston, Upward Spiral Studio
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