We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kate Coltman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Oak Tree Pilates Studio was born from a lifetime of movement. After retiring from Cirque du Soleil, where Pilates had been a cornerstone of my training since childhood, I knew I wanted to carry that practice forward — not just for myself, but for others.
I became a Pilates instructor as I prepared to step away from performing, and what started as a personal transition quickly became a calling. Oak Tree grew from a simple but deeply held belief: that everyone deserves focused, one-on-one attention in an environment that feels calm, restorative, and completely free of stress. A place where we can address real physical challenges — whether that’s recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply wanting to move through life with more ease.
My approach has always been rooted in genuine care. I’m not here to put you through a workout — I’m here to help improve your quality of life. And the thing that brings me the most joy? Hearing from clients that the work we’ve done together has made a real difference. That they caught themselves before a fall. That they feel stronger doing activities whether it is simply standing more, walking in less or no pain to a better golf game.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started Pilates at age 14 as a cross-training tool for my acrobatic and ballet career. At 22, I went back to school to earn my teaching certification, knowing I needed a backup plan in case of injury — and something meaningful to retire into once I decided to stop performing. Everything went according to plan, and I now teach full time and own my own studio.
I offer private and duet lessons, which allow me to really hone in on the details and provide the best possible care for each client. What I’m most proud of, though, is a Veterans program I created that offers complimentary classes to wounded servicemen and women. This work has been profoundly rewarding — not only because it connects back to the roots of Joseph Pilates’ own practice, which began with rehabilitating soldiers during World War I before evolving into the well-known fitness discipline it is today, but because that was always its intended purpose. Seeing the impact it’s having on the veterans I work with now makes it all the more meaningful.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the biggest hurdles I’ve had to overcome came from my time performing with Cirque du Soleil. I had just landed my dream job — and it was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Then I had an accident. I wasn’t physically hurt, but I was deeply shaken mentally, and it took a real toll on my well-being. I found myself unable to perform a particular trick, and I nearly lost the job I had worked so hard for.
I had to take a step back and reconnect with the reason I started in the first place. I loved being an aerialist. I had loved it since I was four years old, when I began performing just for the joy of it. So I stopped putting so much pressure on myself and let myself have fun again — and it worked. I solved the technical problem, kept my job, and went on to have a long career with Cirque du Soleil.
I’ve carried that same mindset into running my own business. When things get tough and stressful, I take a step back and remember why I started teaching Pilates in the first place — to help people.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I started my business in 2019, and then in March 2020, everything changed when COVID hit. I was new to running a business, the whole world was turned upside down, and no one knew what to do. I was petrified.
Most of my clients are a bit older, and several have compromised health, so I had no choice but to go completely virtual for months. I had never done that before — it was a real learning experience for both me and my clients. We figured out the technology together (which could be genuinely hilarious), and discovered what works when you’re at home with limited equipment and dogs and cats insisting on joining the workout.
My clients were real troopers, and I am so grateful for them. They kept showing up even when it was hard, and in doing so, they kept my business alive — something I will never take for granted. I slowly returned to in-person sessions, but virtual lessons turned out to be a wonderful and lasting addition to what I offer. I still teach clients remotely today, from people traveling out of town to those living in other cities entirely. It’s become one of the best things to come out of an incredibly difficult time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oaktreepilates.com
• Facebook: Oak Tree Pilates Studio