Meet Patricia Edelist

We recently connected with Patricia Edelist and have shared our conversation below.

Patricia, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I used to work in the garment industry, pulling long hours and dealing with quick turn around times. I turned to fitness to help me manage my stress. Going to the gym was my “me” time and over the years my passion for fitness became evident to those around me. I used to work with a personal trainer who continually encouraged me to go into the field. That idea would linger in the back of my mind.

Eventually, a friend of mine asked if I wanted to complete a Pilates certification course with her and I decided to take the leap. I’d been doing Pilates for ten years prior and knew how much it had helped me. I wanted to pass my love of fitness forward to others and started the next part of my journey.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I specialize in older people and those with injuries; there are very few Pilates instructors my age and my own experiences have given me a unique understanding of how older bodies deal with the aches and pains that accompany aging. My goal is to make fitness accessible and enjoyable no matter where my clients live or how old they are. I do private or duet session in person as well as online mat Pilates classes twice a week. I’m looking to continue expanding my online services to help even more people. Every session or class I teach is different—it’s never the same workout twice—and I make sure my clients leave feeling better than when they came in.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Going back to work later in life, and in a new field no less, taught me the importance of being open to new things and learning new skills. I took how to take a leap of faith. I left a salary job to start my own business and that’s a daunting transition for anyone. What helps me is persistence, and doing the best I can day in and day out. I listen to my clients and There are always options, even if they’re not the ideal ones. Understanding that I always have a choice is what helps me work through those obstacles. Not to mention working out myself keeps me sane.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

As with any independently owned business, the first year can be the toughest. Right now my biggest challenge is growing my business at a sustainable rate while still helping as many people as I can.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilateswithpat