We recently connected with Jolane Morgan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jolane thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

In my opinion Pilates is an upper middle class and above luxury. The equipment is so expensive and certifications can be pricey….. but worth it. However, because of this the price point is high for clients. Especially private sessions are priced out of range for the average income today. I truly believe that pilates should be available to every Body. It is a brilliant form of exercise that works on strength training, flexibility, stability in daily activities, breath work, and fascial training. It is a perfect practice for rehabilitation of injuries and meets a person somewhere between a typical gym or aerobics and physical therapy. So I opened a boutique studio above my garage and although I am only able to provide private sessions currently, I have membership options that bring the prices down to more affordable option for people who are looking for a more personal approach.

Jolane, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well this is my second life/career. I worked in a male dominated industry behind the scenes of live television and large corporate events, building stages, managing installations and I felt I had to do everything the men did only better! I carried lots of heavy objects and had little to no knowledge on body mechanics to do this correctly. This resulted in me herniating my lumbar spine multiple times at multiple levels. THEN I had twins at 38! The pregnancy actually isn’t what hurt my back but it did hurt my pelvic floor. The early days of having these babies however, did make my back worse and I reherniated several discs. I went through every possible therapy modality to help myself, from acupuncture, decompression therapy, chiropractic, rolfing or structural integration massage, and eventually against all my beliefs- I had spinal steroid injections and nerve ablations. Nothing was working with any length of success. Then I revisited pilates and for the first time I felt prolonged pain free days. I decided I needed it everyday and wanted to help others live with less pain and more ease. SO I got certified in 2017 through a 750hr comprehensive training program with a Balance Body instructor. I’ve become obsessed with body awareness, fascia/connective tissue science and my goal is to help clients find ways to live their lives with mobility and less pain. I have an affinity for mothers of course , so I furthered my certification with Carolyn Anthony’s Center for Women’s Fitness Pilates certification, specializing in all things female: Pelvic Floor Support, Diastasis Recti Recovery, Menopause and more. I will say that I love working with men also! I worked 23 yrs with mostly men so I feel I know how they move their bodies and what would benefit them. So I work with every BODY! I am currently continuing my education and getting certified by the Fascial Training Academy for Fascial Fitness. I so excited to bring this to my clients. Fascia/Connective tissue is the largest sensory organ in our body based on nerve endings(250m+)and the science is building every year. So I suppose I view my work as more of a physical therapy or rehab offering. To be clear, I am not a PT, but if I see an opportunity to go back to school to get a doctorate, I will. In the meantime, I’d love to be the one a PT refers to for continued care and exercise.

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

I think I have had to have a reset of my brain and pain. I am always having to reset because we are taught from a young age that pain isn’t good, that where the pain is, is where the problem is and pain is pain. As I work through pain of my own, learn more science and work with clients none of those statements are fully true. There is some pain that leads to a greater outcome on the other side of it. There are so many types of pain and being aware enough to know what they mean is crucial. Typically where the pain is, is just the result of a problem else where. Pain is your body compensating for an issue that is not actually where the pain is….more often than we realize.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Covid- 2020- We all were trying to figure out what the future will look like. Were we all going to be stuck with our kids at home and figure out how to homeschool, make money from home, depend on one income vs two for many households etc. During this time, as a single parent and trying to develop a whole new career, I was in a bit of a panic. I had 6 yr old twins at the time. I realized my ability to be home was crucial. I made the decision to refinance my home and take out equity to build a studio above my garage and start an official business of my own, all so I could be on the premises with my kids. It has worked out well but I do hope to grow past this space and move into more space, more offerings etc. My idea for this business is not original but I believe still much needed everywhere. Having a Wellness space that offers physical health, nutritional health, mental health is my dream. While I was going through training to be a pilates instructor I was also in school to become an IBCLC- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I felt like I really wanted to help women specifically through all the journeys of life. Pregnancy/motherhood really is full body life changing experience. So, when I work with moms in their breast feeding journey, I may throw in a few tips for a healthy back or pelvic floor. Having a place that is sort of a one stop shop for a mother &family seems so dreamy to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vestawellnessstudio.com
• Instagram: Vestawellnessstudio and vestalactation ( I don’t do a lot on either)
• Facebook: Vesta Wellness Studio

Image Credits
Lisa Vinsant Connor