We recently connected with Isabel Anderson and have shared our conversation below.

Isabel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I found myself taking an unplanned pause from a career I had spent over a decade in—film and episodic post-production. What initially felt uncertain quickly became an opportunity to reflect and reset. I started asking myself a simple question: What is the one thing that has consistently made me feel good?
I kept coming back to Pilates. It had been a constant in my life for over 20 years—through weekly routines, pregnancy, postpartum, and moments when I needed to feel grounded and strong. That’s what led me to pursue a certification. I didn’t just love Pilates—I believed in how it made people feel.
After nine months of training, I faced the bigger question: How could I turn this into something meaningful? I realized that while Pilates is powerful, it can often feel intimidating or inaccessible. I wanted to change that by creating something more approachable, flexible, and rooted in community. They just had to bring themselves and their mat. Simple.

So I started small. I reached out to fellow school moms and began teaching Pilates mat after drop-off, on weekends, in living rooms and local parks. There was no big launch—just a genuine desire to offer something that felt good and accessible.

The response made it clear this was more than just an idea. People kept coming back. They invited friends. It grew organically. That’s when I knew I was solving a real need—creating a space where people could move their bodies, feel supported, and be part of a community.
What excites me most is that this isn’t about reinventing Pilates—it’s about reimagining how it’s experienced. What started as a personal reset has grown into a business built on connection, accessibility, and helping people feel their best.

Isabel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a film and episodic post-production producer at my new and wonderful home, Nice Shoes, a mom of two, Communications director for advoMedix, and a certified Pilates mat instructor through my own business, Isabel New York Pilates – I wear many many hats.

After more than a decade in post-production—a fast-paced, detail-driven industry that shaped my problem-solving and client-focused mindset—I took an unexpected pause last year that gave me space to reflect. I found myself returning to Pilates, something that had been a constant in my life for over 20 years. Through every stage—pregnancy, postpartum, and everything in between—it’s always been my way to feel strong, balanced, and grounded.

That connection led me to become certified and start teaching. Today, I offer accessible, community-driven Pilates mat sessions in homes, outdoor spaces, small groups, and events. My goal is to create a welcoming, non-intimidating environment where people can build strength and feel good without pressure.

Interestingly, my work in post-production, communications, and Pilates aren’t as different as they may seem. In all, I’m supporting people through a process that’s deeply personal. Whether I’m helping bring a director’s project to life, inspiring others to take hold of their health, or guiding someone through movement, it’s about listening, understanding their goals, and creating an experience where they feel supported and confident. All roles require trust, attention to detail, and a genuine investment in the outcome.

I focus on making Pilates approachable. It can often feel exclusive or overwhelming, so I’ve built something more flexible and personal—classes that meet people where they are and foster real connection.
What I’m most proud of is how organically this has grown into a supportive community. People come back not just for the workout, but because they feel comfortable, seen, and connected.
At its core, my work is about care—helping people move in a way that feels good, sustainable, and genuinely enjoyable.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

My biggest lesson: You can’t control what you can’t control.

I never imagined I’d find myself in this position—working at a company that suddenly shuttered and facing unemployment for the first time in my 15-year career. It was disorienting, and at first, hard not to take personally. But I quickly realized that staying in that space of self-doubt wasn’t going to move me forward.

Letting go of that mindset allowed me to reframe the experience—not as a setback, but as a turning point. It pushed me to rethink my trajectory, reassess what I truly wanted, and ultimately see it as something that created space for growth and new opportunities.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

In both industries, I’ve learned that what people value most is how you make them feel throughout the process.

In post-production and social media, it comes down to communication. Even when it feels like I might be over-communicating, clients consistently appreciate the transparency, regular updates, and honesty. No one wants to feel left in the dark—especially when they’re deeply invested in the outcome.

In the fitness space, it’s about personalization, encouragement, and accessibility. Many of my clients are parents juggling full, busy lives, and they value genuine connection. I make it a priority to create an experience that feels supportive, flexible, and tailored to them—so showing up feels good, not overwhelming.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @isabelnewyork_pilates, @advoMedix_, @niceshoesonline
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelcafaroanderson/