Ep. 11: Sara Talbert | The Emergence Podcast

In this episode of the Emergence Podcast, Laura sits down with Sara Talbert, a seasoned Pilates instructor with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Sara shares her journey from discovering Pilates as a college runner to building a thriving studio business while raising three children. She discusses the transformative impact of finding mentor Sonjé Mayo after decades of teaching, which reignited her approach to the fundamentals and deepened her understanding of traditional Pilates principles. The conversation covers practical business strategies for sustainable growth, including the transition from employee to studio owner, setting firm boundaries around cancellations and pricing, and scaling from individual classes to group sessions. Sara emphasizes the importance of curiosity, coachability, and kindness for new teachers, while sharing candid insights about avoiding burnout, maintaining work-life balance, and the physical demands of teaching. She also discusses her partnership with her personal trainer husband and how to work effectively with clients of varying motor skills while preserving the integrity of classical Pilates work.