We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren / Elle Wilburne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren / Elle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving from New York City to Miami to pursue a career as a full-time DJ. While I had DJed in Miami several times before and knew a handful of people in the industry, I wasn’t moving for a guaranteed job. I didn’t have a full schedule of gigs booked or a steady income waiting for me when I arrived.

At the time, I was leaving behind the comfort of my hometown and everything familiar. I believed Miami offered opportunities to grow professionally, but there was no certainty that it would work out. The risk was investing in myself and trusting that I could build a career from the relationships and experience I already had.

Once I moved, I focused on networking, building my reputation, and consistently showing up. Over time, those efforts led to regular residencies and opportunities at some of Miami’s top venues. What started as a leap into the unknown became a successful full-time career that lasted for years.

The experience taught me that taking risks doesn’t always mean jumping blindly. Sometimes it’s about recognizing an opportunity, preparing as much as you can, and having the confidence to move forward even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I grew up in New York City and was introduced to the underground rave scene as a teenager. I was instantly drawn to the music, energy, and culture. That passion led me to start collecting vinyl records and teaching myself how to DJ. I would spend hours every day practicing—sometimes up to eight hours—recording my mixes and then driving around listening back to them to improve. Everything I learned came through dedication, repetition, and a genuine love for music.

Over time, DJing became my full-time career. I worked in the music industry at Universal Records while also DJing throughout New York City. Eventually, I relocated to Miami, where my DJ career continued to grow, and at one point I was performing seven nights a week.

However, years of late nights, travel, standing in heels, and the physical demands of DJing took a toll on my body, and I developed a significant back injury. After trying various approaches, Pilates was the only thing that truly helped me heal. The transformation was so profound that it changed the direction of my life.

I decided to step away from DJing and immerse myself in Pilates education, completing over 530 hours of comprehensive training. What began as a way to heal my own body became a new passion and career. Today, I help clients improve strength, mobility, posture, and confidence through personalized Pilates instruction, both in person and online.

I’ve also expanded that mission through my YouTube channel, Elle Pilates, where I share Pilates workouts, movement education, and wellness content to help people build strength and feel better in their bodies from anywhere in the world.

What sets me apart is that I understand what it’s like to overcome physical limitations and reinvent yourself. I’ve built two successful careers from the ground up—first as a self-taught DJ and then as a Pilates instructor. Both careers were fueled by the same qualities: discipline, persistence, creativity, and a desire to help people feel something—whether that’s joy through music or empowerment through movement.

One of the things I’m most proud of is turning a personal setback into a purpose-driven career that allows me to help others move and feel better every day. My goal is to show people that it’s never too late to change direction, heal, and create a life you truly love.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Several resources have had a significant impact on my mindset and approach to both business and life. Books like The Four Agreements helped shape my views on personal responsibility, integrity, and communication. The teachings of Joe Dispenza and Neville Goddard have also influenced how I think about mindset, visualization, and the connection between beliefs and outcomes.

As an entrepreneur, these philosophies have reinforced the importance of self-awareness, consistency, adaptability, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. I also regularly listen to numerous podcasts that provide valuable insights on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and leadership, and they’ve become an important part of my ongoing learning. Together, these resources continue to shape how I approach challenges, growth, and decision-making in both business and life.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Whether it’s through Pilates or music, my goal has always been to make people feel better. With Pilates, I get to help people heal, move without pain, and feel stronger in their bodies. Through DJing, I love creating moments where people can let go of stress, connect with others, dance, reminisce, and simply enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, both allow me to positively impact people in different ways, and that’s what continues to inspire me creatively.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Djellemia @ellepilates
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djelle?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ellepilates?si=oClKFaAxSNxdnHbS