The Wild West of Pilates: Why Teaching Standards Are Letting Everyone Down with Katie Nankivell

"There is a lot of money-hungry people chasing trends with a lack of moral compass and ethics behind them."The Pilates industry is growing fast - but not always in the right direction. In this episode, Nic is joined by Katie, founder of Pilates Delivered, an Amsterdam-based at-home and private Pilates service. Katie trained comprehensively with Polestar Pilates and has been teaching for over a decade across private clients, studios, and her own business.They get straight into the hard conversation: what's actually happening with teaching standards right now, why weekend certifications are producing a generation of teachers who only know the choreography, and why loving Pilates does not make someone qualified to teach it.They also explore what separates good teachers from great ones - from personality and people skills to the ability to read a body, adapt on the spot, and never stop learning. Katie shares how expanding into sound healing, Reiki, fascia, and nervous system work has made her a more intuitive, holistic teacher - and why Pilates has always been about the whole person.And on the business side, Katie talks candidly about building a sustainable private practice from scratch in a new city, setting boundaries with clients, pricing at a premium, and designing a career entirely on her own terms.Timestamps00:00 Intro to Katie00:21 What's really happening in the Pilates industry right now01:47 Weekend certifications and the choreography problem06:17 Katie's journey into Pilates and why she chose Polestar10:13 Building Pilates Delivered: at-home Pilates in Amsterdam13:47 What clients actually want — and what keeps them coming back18:55 Expanding beyond Pilates: sound healing, Reiki, and fascia work23:17 How holistic training makes you a more intuitive teacher26:57 Pilates and wellness as complementary — not competing32:35 What actually makes a great Pilates teacher37:09 Just because you love Pilates doesn't mean you should teach it39:29 Authenticity, personality, and being exactly who you are44:04 Building a sustainable career outside the studio model49:02 Quick-fire questions50:26 Where to find KatieIf you're enjoying the podcast, make sure you're following along so you don't miss future episodes. And feel free to share this one with someone you think would take something from it.Connect with Nic:Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic's InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates ClassSign up to Our NewsletterConnect with KatiePilates Delivered InstagramPilates Delivered WebsiteKatie’s SubstackJoin the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.