Today we’d like to introduce you to Stuart Elizabeth Browning.
Hi Stuart, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Stuart Elizabeth, and I am the founder of Essential MVMT + Pilates Studio in Vestavia Hills, Alabama; I am a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT), a Pilates Teacher Trainer, and a Certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. I began my Pilates journey shortly after graduating from The University of Tennessee with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. My studies emphasized the importance of using activity as a means of rehabilitation and remediation and to help improve individuals’ overall quality of life. I’ve always had a passion for serving others and helping people feel their best, which has driven me toward the path I lead today.
So, how did I get to where I am now? It started when I took my first Pilates class. I left in awe, physically I felt amazing, and my mind felt so at peace, which was a rare feeling for me at the time since I had been struggling with anxiety. I immediately felt the benefits from this mind-body-centered movement and knew there was something special about the practice. Growing up, I always said, ‘I want to help people when I grow up.’ At the time, I had just graduated college, started a full-time job and had been interested in getting some sort of fitness certification, but Pilates was not on my radar. A friend suggested a class, and it was after that first Pilates class that I had finally discovered how I could help others, I felt what can only be described as ‘my calling’ and right away started looking for a training near me. In 2017, I began comprehensive training through The Classical Pilates Education (CPE) Program in Nashville, TN. Since then, I have taught over 5,000 sessions and am now a CPE Teacher Trainer, mentoring and certifying aspiring instructors at Essential MVMT. In addition to my Pilates training, I have been an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and trained in the Mattes Method Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), the barre fitness method, and TRX. These additional fitness methods have been fundamental in developing my personal teaching style and understanding of body mechanics and functional fitness.
Becoming a Pilates Teacher is no joke; it requires 600 dedicated hours, and I was determined to make this happen. A 9-5 desk job was not for me. I’m not the kind of person that can sit still. I need to move around A LOT. I wrote out my weekly practice plan with a goal to spend 1-2 hours in the studio before and after work and spent most weekends getting in extra hours! In the back of my mind, I started to dream of having a studio one day. Fast forward a few years, many practice hours, clients, and classes, and here we are today.
Teaching has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Every day before I teach, I pray that God shines His light through me and that I may be a vessel of His good works, His love, and His joy. That is my personal mission in life, and through teaching Pilates, I am able to help others feel better in their minds and bodies. In movement, there is healing and joy; movement impacts how we feel and how we carry ourselves throughout the day, and it is my hope that through Essential MVMT, I am able to spread light and spread love.
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?
When I chose my studio location, I knew I would be leaving behind much of my client base from across town. I took a leap of faith and prayed that people would show up when the doors opened. My husband and I had just moved to the Vestavia Hills neighborhood a few months before, so we really hadn’t made many connections yet. I just knew in my heart this little space on the corner of Rocky Ridge Rd. and Morgan Dr. was where I was supposed to land! I honestly didn’t know much about marketing at that point and took to social media to announce my studio’s opening date! On opening day, friends and family came out to support, and in walked new faces!! Words can’t express my excitement! For about 6 months it was just me working in the studio. I taught about 50 hours a week and worked 7 days a week. I wore all the hats as I was the only instructor, the front desk, the studio manager, the window washer, and studio cleaner. Friday nights were for cleaning, Saturdays and Sundays, I taught classes and held Teacher Trainings and would start all over again on Monday. My husband, Will, supported me every step of the way. He dropped off snacks when I didn’t have time to leave for lunch and often took my cleaning shifts so I could take a break or catch up on admin. Looking back, I have no clue how I had so much energy. I truly believe it was a gift from God. Being a one-woman show was one of the biggest challenges I have had to overcome. Since then, I’ve hired more teachers, a Studio Coordinator, and Assistant. Together, we have really grown into an amazing team! I wouldn’t change the experience becoming a young business owner and the challenges that come alongside this journey if I could. I’ve made mistakes, learned hard lessons and have grown a “thicker skin” along the way, but it has been SO worth it. The Essential MVMT community has blossomed in these past 2 years and has brought me so much joy. I love what I do, and I love all of the instructors, clients, and members who make it the community it is! One of my favorite parts of building a community is seeing women of all ages and backgrounds come together and develop true friendships that have carried on outside the studio walls. My vision to create a place where people are able to walk in and immediately feel welcomed has been carried out by the people who make up our community. As an owner, it’s easy to say, “Everyone is welcome,” but it’s the people that make up the community that truly carry out that promise, and for that, I am thankful!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Essential MVMT is a Classical Pilates and movement studio that believes in the power of movement. Our mission is to meet you where you are in your practice and encourage you to enhance, empower & evolve your mind, body, and spirit through movement. Our boutique studio is fully equipped with Pilates apparatus and offers private, semi-private, and group class training in Pilates, Barre, and Yoga. We host a Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher Training and mentorship for aspiring instructors to learn and grow into qualified, well-educated instructors who can help others using the Pilates method.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Behind the scenes are my husband, Will, my biggest supporter, business partner, and teammate. I admire his drive, commitment and work ethic, always ready to put forth the effort it takes to complete a task. Will inspires me to be my best and to push through roadblocks. By trade, he is a supply chain project manager in the automotive industry, and on the side, he is a short-term rental property manager, my CFO, and “handyman.” He can fix anything! He’s the guy that all of our family and friends call about finance, investment, and home improvement questions, and he somehow still remains calm, cool, and collected. Our personalities are far from the same. I’m the free spirit girl with new ideas each day, he’s the guy that puts my ideas into an excel sheet and helps structure a plan to make them come to life. When I first told him my dream to open a studio, he gave me homework to listen to a few business podcasts and read a few entrepreneurship books. From there, I wrote out my business plan, he helped me figure out the financials, and we got to work! He helped every step of the way. I even drew the desk and shelving units out on paper that I wanted at the studio, and Will brought my drawings to life in his wood shop. He helped with every bit of construction at the studio and all the little things in between. He has been the biggest blessing in my life, and I wouldn’t want to take on this business venture without him! He’s the best!
Pricing:
- On-Demand Virtual Pilates Classes – $9.99/month
- Membership & Class Pack Options starting at $99/mo
Contact Info:
- Website: essentialmvmt.com
- Instagram: @essentialmvmt
- Facebook: facebook.com/essentialmvmt
Image Credits
Kate Zills
