Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Brinkmann.
Hi Monika, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a native Austinite, and movement has always been a big part of my life. I grew up dancing at Ballet Austin and on my high school drill team before moving to New York City to earn my BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
During my senior year at NYU, I started my Pilates certification because I knew I wanted a career that would allow me flexibility while auditioning for dance jobs in the city. Mat Pilates had always been part of my dance training, but I really fell in love with Pilates after being introduced to the equipment while recovering from an injury. What I didn’t know at the time was that Pilates would become just as important to me as dance.
After graduating, I spent the next few years building dual careers as a professional dancer and Pilates instructor in New York. I’m comprehensively certified through Balanced Body and have additional specializations in pre- and postnatal Pilates, as well as Pilates for athletes and dancers. Over the years, I taught at several leading Pilates studios including Equinox, Forma Pilates and New York Pilates, and developed a dedicated clientele of my own.
In 2021, I achieved a goal I’d been working toward for years and became a Radio City Rockette. I performed in hundreds of Christmas Spectaculars at Radio City Music Hall, appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Today Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, and various national and international media appearances. As someone who comes from Mexican and German heritage, it was especially meaningful to also get to represent part of my background through Spanish-language media opportunities. Being a Rockette demanded a whole new level of mental and physical discipline and precision, which continues to shape my approach to Pilates and teaching today.
While I loved both teaching and performing and had always envisioned opening a studio of my own one day, I also knew I wasn’t in a rush. I wanted several years of teaching experience under my belt before taking that leap, and I also knew I wanted to fully close the chapter on my performing career first. Being a Rockette was incredible, but it also demanded my full time, energy, and focus. When the time came to build something of my own, I wanted to be all in.
Last fall, I made the decision not to renew my contract with Radio City, and instead stay in Austin to begin building Good Pilates.
When creating Good Pilates, my goal was to build the kind of place I personally wanted to work out: welcoming and community-driven, but also athletic, detail-oriented, and rooted in quality instruction. The precision, consistency, and discipline that shaped my dance career have heavily influenced the way we teach at Good Pilates. Our classes are designed to be technique-driven, with an emphasis on helping clients move well. We believe people are capable of more than they think, and everything we do ultimately comes back to helping them get stronger.
We’ve assembled an incredible team of experienced instructors who genuinely care about their craft, and together we’re building a studio culture that values thoughtful movement, quality instruction, and helping people discover just how strong they can become.
It’s been really special to come home to the city where I grew up and build something new. After nearly a decade in New York, I’m excited to bring the experiences, training, and perspective that shaped me there back to the Austin community that I love so much.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles was having the performing arts industry shut down just as I was starting to gain momentum in New York. I was learning the ropes of auditioning and had booked an international contract that was canceled when COVID hit. I remember having to decide if I wanted to step away from dance altogether or keep training with no guarantee that any opportunities would come back. I decided to keep going, which led to some of the biggest opportunities of my career.
Becoming a Rockette brought a whole different set of challenges. The level of athleticism, mental focus, and professionalism required for the job is incredibly high. Learning to perform under that kind of pressure pushed me in ways I’d never experienced before. It taught me a lot about discipline and resilience, and also reinforced something I live by, which is that the people you surround yourself with matter. Some of my closest friendships came from my years as a Rockette, and there’s something incredibly powerful about being part of a team that holds itself to such a high standard.
Opening Good Pilates has been the most exciting and challenging project I’ve taken on yet! Finding the right location, managing a buildout, learning the operational side of running a business, building a brand from scratch, hiring a team, and opening a studio all at the same time was and is a steep learning curve. Unlike dance or Pilates, where I had years of formal training, entrepreneurship has been a process of figuring things out as I go.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Good Pilates is an athletic, form-focused Pilates studio in central Austin offering results-driven reformer/tower and infrared mat classes. We opened in Spring 2026 with the goal of creating a studio that feels both welcoming and challenging–where clients can work hard, continue learning, and build real strength.
What sets us apart is our belief that clients shouldn’t have to choose between a challenging workout and quality instruction. Good Pilates was built by an instructor, for clients. Every decision, from the programming to the class experience, was made through the lens of what creates the most effective and rewarding experience for the people walking through our doors.
While the Pilates industry has grown tremendously over the last several years, we believe the quality of teaching matters most. Our classes are intentionally small, our instructors are certified and experienced, and we place a strong emphasis on helping clients understand not just what they’re doing, but why they’re doing it.
One thing I’m especially proud of is the community we’ve built in such a short amount of time. Good Pilates has only been open for a few months, but we’ve already been fortunate to attract an incredible group of clients and instructors who genuinely care about movement and about each other. Creating a space where people feel supported, challenged, and excited to come back has been one of the most rewarding parts.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that Good Pilates is for anyone who wants to train with intention. Our goal is to provide exceptional instruction, help people build confidence in their bodies, and create an environment where they can continue getting stronger for years to come.
What makes you happy?
I love spending time with my husband Kennedy and our dog Douglas–walking around the neighborhood, or spending a day sailing on Lake Travis with my family. I also love a good book, and probably above all, swimming in the ocean.
I’ve always been someone who enjoys working toward a goal. Whether it was becoming a Rockette, building a career as a Pilates instructor in NYC, or opening Good Pilates, I’ve found a lot of fulfillment in putting in the work and watching a dream come to life. Even though there are plenty of moments along the way that don’t necessarily feel “happy,” there’s something incredibly rewarding about the process.
Professionally, the thing that brings me the most fulfillment is teaching. I love seeing the “aha” moments when something clicks for a client, or hearing someone tell me they feel stronger, more capable, or more confident because of the work they’ve put in. Pilates can seem like such a small thing on the surface, but I’ve seen how much movement can improve people’s quality of life, and getting to be a small part of that process isn’t something I’ll ever take for granted.
Pricing:
- Our new client offer is One Week Unlimited for $100 (reformer/tower + mat)
- We offer class packs, single drop-ins, and unlimited membership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goodpilatesatx.com
- Instagram: @goodpilatesatx
