Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Gregory Richey
Hi Kate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was a big fan of trying things as a child. I tried gymnastics, soft ball, Spanish class, crocheting, horse back riding. You name it I gave it a go. I gave it a go for a month, perhaps two, if we were really lucky an entire summer. I didn’t have a lot of follow through as a kid or teenager or young adult for that matter. I just sort of floated around, not really making any choices for myself. I went to college in Oregon because we used to live there. I majored in Psychology because my parents were going through a divorce, I moved to LA because all my girlfriends were moving to NY and didn’t invite me. I did extra work because that’s what my boyfriend did. It truly is embarrassing to look back and see how passive I was in my own life.
Throughout my childhood my family was almost always in motion. We moved yearly (my father was in the restaurant business) for the first 10 yrs of my life. Once we landed in Fresno for the long haul, it still didn’t feel like we were home. We never became part of the community, at least that’s the way it felt for me. Even once I left for college I didn’t really feel like I belonged. I transferred to University of Oregon at the beginning of my sophomore year. I always felt like I missed out on the bonding of the freshman year.
I didn’t really choose my life until I chose pilates. I was working a corporate job that I had truly stumbled into. I wasn’t happy and I certainly didn’t feel like I had earned my place at the company. One day I was driving to work and got rear-ended, which isn’t terribly surprising in LA traffic. A coworker recommended pilates to help with my recovery. This small gesture changed the course of my life.
I was able to see a private pilates instructor through my insurance (one plus about working for a corporate behemoth). I loved my instructor, in fact I refused to see anyone else at the office. She opened up my eyes to a new path in life. She talked to me about my work, my dreams, my self-care. She encouraged me to sign up for teacher training. She told me I could be a wonderful pilates instructor and that I could do for others what she had done for me. I saw her for over a year before I signed up for teacher training.
Deciding to change my life and choose pilates was terrifying. I had a steady job, growth opportunities, insurance, a 401k. But what I really wanted was to help people and see people the way I was seen. I wanted to let other people know that pilates is for everybody. I talked to my parents about it. Worried what people would think of me. Wondered why I had bothered going to college if this was what I was going to do. Contemplated whether it was worth the money for the training. I questioned everything. But in the end, I decided that I was worth this chance. I had never really wanted anything before.
As a child, I hadn’t dreamt of being anything in particular. I kind of wanted to be Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island. I knew I wanted to be happy. I just didn’t know who or what I wanted to be. And sure, it took until I was 30 years old to actually figure out something that both intimidated and excited me. The little girl in me was desperate to follow through, to make a choice and to see it through.
Teacher training took six months to complete. And once I was fully certified I had to actually decide to start teaching. I hemmed and hawed over it for a bit. Trying to convince myself I could teach and keep my steady job. That I wouldn’t have to really choose me. But that’s not how life works. Sometimes you have to take that leap, take that chance on yourself. So, the day I turned in my resignation was probably one of the best days of my life. I wasn’t doing anything out of fear, out of convenience, out of desperation. Instead I made a decision for myself and decided to have faith in me.
Luckily, I have a supportive partner who encouraged me to believe in myself and also paid the bills while I was finding my footing. It took a while and, honestly, I’m not sure I could have done it without his support. But I found my voice, found my teaching home and found the community I didn’t know I was seeking. I taught at the same studio for 10 yrs. I learned to believe in myself. Learned that I had something to offer. Learned that people would come to class just to see me. Learned that I truly have value and am an important member of society.
Sadly, the studio closed down during 2020 and soon after I moved to rural Montana with my husband. It’s been a challenging transition. I went from feeling vital to feeling adrift. It’s once again taken me some time but I am finding my footing yet again. At the beginning of 2024 I started my own pilates Instagram page. I have enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience. It even brought an old client back to me.
It’s often hard to see when you’re falling until you hit the ground. But once you see it, it’s even harder to look away. I had hit the ground and it was time to pick myself back up and advocate for myself. Starting my own Instagram page was challenging. I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome, which seems to pop up throughout my life, both personal and professional. But with the support of my friends and family I have felt confident enough to share my experiences and insights. It’s surprising that often a little thing like remembering to breath can be just what someone needs to hear to get through their day. I strive to always be a bright point in anyone’s day. Life is hard enough.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Confidence has always been a challenge for me. I’ve felt a few steps behind in life. I grew up in a household where you weren’t actually taught how to live. Instead you were just expected to already know. This was very confusing for me and led me to believe that I was missing something. Basic social cues like learning how to cover my mouth when I sneezed, I learned in school. Same with washing my hands and saying excuse me. Eventually I learned to stop asking questions (which were usually met with frustration) and I started just picking up on context clues. This is sadly, something I still do to this day. I fear asking questions. Fear that I will be found out or that I will disappoint someone.
This pattern made teaching very challenging. I had to ask questions. It is literally my job to learn about my clients and their bodies. I worried that everyone would know that I didn’t know everything. That I wasn’t a physical therapist (which I’m not). That I don’t have the understanding of the human body that a doctor has. For some reason (my childhood) I felt and still often feel like I don’t know enough.
When I started teaching this tendency of mine was made worse. I was the only instructor at my studio that wasn’t a dancer. I’ve always assumed that most Pilates instructors are almost always ex-dancers, people who have been working in their bodies all their lives. And here I was, just a woman who happened upon pilates and learned to love it because it did open me up to myself. I had never had a relationship with my body. One where I really listened to what she was saying to me. This was monumental. But I still felt like I was behind. That coming to your body at age 30 is already too late. I’d never understand like the dancers.
That was until I actually started working with clients. People from all walks of life, from social workers to actors. I learned that each person needs something different. Some folks are really interested in learning about themselves and their bodies. Other folks just want a work out and a giggle. I quickly realized I could offer clients what they were looking for. And I could do it without intimidating them with clinical terms or dance speak.
What I had previously viewed as a detriment, turned into my unique skill. Clients wanted to work with me because I understood what it was like to wake up to your body later in life. That I was a judgement free zone. That I understood how scary it is to walk into a pilates studio for the first time. So make sure to greet every person with a smile.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Teaching pilates allows me to connect with my clients on many levels. We’re in a session to work and nurture their bodies. But we’re also their to nurture their souls, which I know sounds cheesy. People often don’t notice how little attention they really pay to themselves. So setting out an hour once or twice a week to focus on themselves is huge. When someone chooses pilates they are choosing themselves. I have clients who cry out of relief or internal struggles. Clients who just want someone to talk to, someone to truly listen to them. Clients who don’t get the chance to just be for an hour.
I am lucky enough to get to share so many different life experiences with the people who I work with.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband, Kevin, is a huge support. As well as my friends and family. The community I taught in for 10 yrs was truly a gift. I loved spending my days in Atwater Village. They’re all still my biggest cheerleaders on Instagram.
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