Today we’d like to introduce you to Maghan Fittler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey in the fitness and wellness world has been a pretty organic evolution, fueled by a lifelong love of movement and a deep desire to help people feel their absolute best.
I’ve been immersed in this space for over 20 years, starting as an athlete with a strong foundation in gymnastics, cheerleading, and soccer. But it was a personal experience with a back injury that truly steered me towards Pilates. I was completely captivated by its ability to heal and strengthen, and that led me to get my certification 16 years ago.
My passion for movement and rehabilitation eventually led my husband and I to open health clinics in Sydney, Australia. For a decade, we focused on rehabilitation, chronic disease management and corporate health programs, and I naturally integrated Pilates into our clients’ recovery programs. I saw firsthand the incredible power of Pilates in managing pain and improving function.
After my first son was born, I shifted gears a bit and opened my own boutique studio in Wollongong, Australia. This is where I really started to develop my signature style, blending classical Pilates principles with more functional and athletic reformer movements that addressed real-world needs and pain points.
Then, like many others, the lockdowns hit and Australia was quite strict. When we temporarily closed my Studio, I saw an opportunity to connect with people online and started offering free on-demand classes and Zoom sessions. To my surprise, I attracted a global audience. It was so rewarding to see such a diverse community engaging with my workouts.
Even after the studio reopened, the demand for my online instruction persisted. This sparked the idea for Pilates Project, a Pilates-centric fitness app and online community which we launched in November of 2021. It’s been an amazing journey sharing my Pilates and strength training workouts – both mat and reformer – with people around the world.
And now, this passion for accessible, high-quality Pilates has brought me to Austin! We’ve identified a growing need for online Pilates solutions within gyms, hotels, and community centers, which led us to develop our newest product, Pilates StudioConnect. We’re thrilled to set up our global HQ in Austin and embark on this new chapter, bringing the transformative power of Pilates to even more people and businesses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey with Pilates Project has definitely been a dynamic one, especially in the early days. It truly began as a passion project, a side hustle driven by my love for movement and a desire to share my workouts. My first ‘film studio’ was literally my garage! And I was pretty naive about the technical side of things – video production, app infrastructure, online marketing, sales funnels, etc. – it was a huge learning curve.
Even though I graduated with a business and marketing degree in ’07, the online landscape has changed SO much since then. Facebook was just starting out, and the world of online business was still in its infancy. So, even with that background, learning to build an online platform felt like starting from scratch so in many ways.
To be honest, the business side of things was almost an afterthought at the beginning. I was so focused on creating quality content and connecting with people through movement that the intricacies of running a digital business took a backseat.
But one of our strengths has always been our commitment to constant evolution and growth. Every day brings new lessons, and we’ve had to adapt and learn quickly. From mastering video production to navigating the ever-shifting world of online marketing and technology, it’s been a continuous process of trial and error.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but the passion for what we do, and the incredible community we’ve built, have been our driving forces. We embrace the challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, and I personally find immense satisfaction in constantly expanding my knowledge and skills in this dynamic space.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pilates Project is more than just an online fitness platform; it’s a movement driven by a genuine passion to make effective and accessible Pilates and strength training a reality for everyone, no matter where they are in the world.
Think of us as your go-to virtual studio, offering a diverse and constantly expanding library of on-demand classes. We specialize in providing a holistic fitness experience, catering to all levels, from those just starting their movement journey to experienced individuals seeking a challenging workout. Our content includes a comprehensive mix of mat-based Pilates, Reformer Pilates, and dedicated strength training sessions.
But we go beyond the workouts. We understand that true wellness is a lifestyle, which is why Pilates Project also offers nutritious recipes and easy-to-follow meal plans to simplify healthy eating.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to building a supportive community. We strive to create a space where individuals feel motivated, encouraged, and empowered to achieve their unique fitness goals, wherever they are.
And now, building on the success of our direct-to-consumer platform, we’re thrilled to introduce Pilates StudioConnect with our partner, Peak Pilates. This is our latest innovation, designed to bring the quality, accessibility, and engaging content of Pilates Project to a wider audience through Pilates Studios, gyms, hotels, community centers and multi-family housing. With StudioConnect, we’re expanding our reach and positively impacting even more lives by making high-quality movement accessible in more spaces.
We’re most proud of the way we’ve combined expert-led Pilates with a strong sense of community and cutting-edge technology to empower individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. We want your readers to know that Pilates Project is a brand that’s dedicated to making wellness accessible, effective, and enjoyable for everyone.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
It’s interesting, I grew up in an entrepreneurial household, and my parents really instilled in me the importance of business and mindset resources. I remember devouring classics like Dale Carnegie’s ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People,’ Robert Kiyosaki’s ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad,’ and Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think and Grow Rich’ back in high school. Those books really shaped my early thinking.
More recently, I’ve found that David Shenk’s ‘The Dumbest Guy at the Table,’ Simon Sinek’s ‘Start With Why,’ Oren Klaff’s ‘Pitch Anything,’ and Marshall Goldsmith’s ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’ have made a lasting impact. They’ve all contributed to my approach to leadership, communication, and business strategy.
At the moment, I’m particularly obsessed with user experience and the dynamics of building and managing teams. It’s fascinating! I feel like Meta and YouTube’s algorithms have me dialed in – they consistently serve up great content in those areas. It’s amazing how much you can learn and stay inspired through those platforms.
Pricing:
- App subscription is $29/month or $259/year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pilatesproject.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypilatesproject/
