Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Raglin.
Hi Nicole , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Movement for Life: My Journey with Pilates
It’s been 24 years since I took my first Pilates class, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just given birth to my second son, Luke, and my body was still healing—not just from pregnancy, but from old injuries sustained in a car accident years earlier. My back and neck pain had become a constant companion, and I knew I needed something that would not only strengthen and realign my body but also help me feel whole again.
I found that “something” on a mat at the local YWCA in Corpus Christi.
From the very first Pilates class, I was hooked. The movement was subtle but powerful, and the connection I felt to my body was unlike anything I had experienced before. I felt grounded, strong, and deeply present. It wasn’t long before I was not only practicing regularly, but teaching mat Pilates alongside other group fitness classes. Teaching felt like a natural extension of my passion, and I loved helping others experience the same transformation I had.
A pivotal moment came during a Pilates Day event at a studio in Austin. That’s where I was introduced to the Reformer. The equipment added a whole new dimension to the practice—it was dynamic, supportive, and endlessly challenging. I returned to Corpus Christi inspired and soon found a local physical therapist who ran a small Pilates studio. With her mentorship, I began my formal teaching journey.
Over the next couple of years, I pursued comprehensive training with Balanced Body, became a certified personal trainer through NASM, and opened my first Pilates studio—out of a spare bedroom in my home. It was humble, but it was a start. Within a year, I outgrew the space and moved into my first commercial location: Synergy Pilates.
Synergy quickly became a hub of wellness in the community. We grew fast—expanding twice into a 2,000 sq ft space, then a 5,000 sq ft studio where we offered everything from group fitness and barre to personal training and Pilates. It was a vibrant, energetic time.
But life, as it does, shifted. I made the decision to return to my hometown of Austin to be closer to my mom, who had been diagnosed with cancer. I knew I wasn’t ready to manage a large studio again, so I embraced the idea of a more intimate space. I rented from another instructor in downtown Austin and also began seeing clients out of my home in Cedar Park. I didn’t know many people when I moved back, but I followed my intuition and took a leap of faith.
It paid off.
Over the next few years, I built two thriving boutique studios. I focused on what I loved most—one-on-one and small group sessions, where I could really tailor each experience to the client’s individual needs. My belief has always been that Pilates should meet you where you are in life, and that approach became the heartbeat of Synergy.
In 2017, another door opened. A local commercial realtor from Round Rock reached out and asked if I’d consider opening a studio there to help rehabilitate his father, a stroke survivor, and support his mother during her cancer treatments. Once again, I took the leap. That small Round Rock studio blossomed, and eventually expanded into our current downtown location on N. Mays.
In 2018, I deepened my own education with a comprehensive certification through Polestar Pilates and later became a Polestar educator, offering teacher trainings from our Round Rock studio. Mentoring new instructors has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey—I’ve watched so many grow into confident, skilled teachers with their own unique voices.
Most recently, I moved from my downtown Austin location and opened a second boutique space in Rollingwood, just three miles from downtown Austin and within walking distance of Zilker Park. I now split my time between both my Rollingwood and Round Rock studios, offering private and small group Pilates, SRT (Facial Stretch Therapy), workshops, teacher trainings and NLP life coaching. Each studio has its own energy, but they share the same foundation: a commitment to individualized, high-quality care. I’m proud to work alongside a team of incredible instructors—some are apprentices in training, others are graduates I continue to mentor, and a few are seasoned pros who simply love the Synergy vibe.
At 51, my passion has evolved yet again. I’m now dedicated to supporting women in perimenopause and beyond—helping them navigate this powerful life transition through movement, education, and connection. Pilates is an incredible tool for this stage of life. It boosts confidence, restores energy, improves sleep, and supports hormonal balance. It’s not just fitness—it’s transformation.
Our motto at Synergy is Movement for Life, and that means exactly what it sounds like. Pilates is for everyone—every age, every stage, every goal. Whether you’re recovering from injury, entering a new chapter of life, or simply wanting to feel stronger and more connected to your body, Pilates meets you right where you are.
And for me, that’s what it’s all about
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?
Absolutely not—it was far from smooth. Like any journey worth taking, there were plenty of bumps along the way. One of the most difficult periods came when I moved back to Austin to be closer to my mom while she was going through cancer treatment. Balancing the emotional weight of caregiving with rebuilding a business in a new city was incredibly challenging. Then came the pandemic. Like so many others, we had to shut our doors during COVID, and I wasn’t sure what the future would hold. But we pivoted quickly, moving sessions online almost overnight. That shift not only kept us connected to our clients, but it also opened up a whole new layer of flexibility and creativity in how we offered Pilates.
There were also challenges on the business side—new studios opening up nearby, the ups and downs of the economy, and the constant learning curve that comes with running a small business. As a single female entrepreneur, every decision carried weight. There were times of financial strain, staffing changes, and sheer exhaustion. But through it all, I stayed rooted in my purpose and the belief that I was doing meaningful work. Those challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and trust—in myself, in the process, and in the community that grew around Synergy.
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?
At Synergy, we offer more than just Pilates—we offer a holistic, personalized movement experience designed to support you through every phase of life. Our services include private and semi-private Pilates sessions, SRT (Fascial Stretch Therapy), and NLP life coaching. We also host comprehensive Polestar Pilates teacher trainings and provide ongoing mentorship for both new and experienced instructors.
What truly sets us apart is our intentionally boutique, client-centered approach. We’re not a one-size-fits-all studio. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, navigating perimenopause, managing stress, or simply looking to feel stronger and more connected to your body, we meet you exactly where you are—with care, compassion, and expert guidance.
We are especially passionate about helping women age confidently. As a 51-year-old woman myself, I understand firsthand the physical and emotional shifts that come with this stage of life. Our work focuses on rebuilding confidence, increasing strength and energy, improving sleep, and balancing hormones through mindful movement and individualized support. It’s about more than just fitness—it’s about reclaiming your strength and vitality.
Our instructors are a diverse and dynamic team—some are apprentices, others are certified graduates we continue to mentor, and many are experienced professionals drawn to Synergy’s purpose-driven, intimate environment.
Our motto is Movement for Life, and at Synergy, that means honoring your body’s needs, your lifestyle, and your goals—wherever you are in your journey. We believe movement is medicine, and Pilates is a path to living with strength, ease and confidence
Who else deserves credit in your story?
No journey like this happens alone, and I’ve been incredibly blessed by the people who have supported, mentored, and believed in me throughout the years.
Early on, I connected with a physical therapist in Corpus Christi who introduced me to the expansiveness of Pilates and supported me through those first steps of my teaching journey. Her mentorship gave me the confidence to keep going, even when I wasn’t sure where it would all lead. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from other brilliant physical therapists whose insight continues to shape how I approach movement, recovery, and long-term wellness.
My educators through Balanced Body and Polestar Pilates were instrumental in my growth. Their knowledge and passion inspired me to go deeper—not just in technique, but in how I show up for others through this work. They planted seeds that have grown into the foundation of how I teach, mentor, and lead today.
I’ve also learned so much from yoga instructors along the way. Their emphasis on breath, presence, and connection brought a new layer of depth to how I see movement and how I guide my clients—especially during moments of stress or transition.
My friends have been an incredible support system. Whether it was helping out around the studio, helping install equipment, or simply showing up with encouragement when I was stretched thin, they were there. I’m so grateful for their kindness and steady presence during the long hours and big leaps.
I’m endlessly thankful for the clients who put their trust in me—some who’ve been with me since the very beginning. Through every studio move, life change, and even the transition to virtual sessions during the pandemic, their support has meant everything. They’ve helped shape the heart of Synergy.
And to the incredible instructors and apprentices I’ve had the honor of mentoring: they continue to inspire me. Watching them grow, explore, and finding their own teaching voice has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Finally my family for their constant love and support. They have been behind me through every risk, every long day, and every high and low. Their belief in me has been the quiet force that’s kept me going.
Pricing:
- $95 Private session
- $50 Semi-Private
- $75 Private with Jr. Instructor
- $55 Privates with Apprentice
- $125 SRT Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.synergypilatestx.com
- Instagram: nicole.raglin.pilates
