In this powerful episode of Pilates Perspectives, Jessica Valant, physical therapist, Pilates instructor, and women’s health expert specializing in perimenopause and menopause, joins Joy for a deeply honest conversation about community, vulnerability, and empowerment through movement. Jessica opens up about her own health journey, including a breast cancer diagnosis and other challenges that reshaped her understanding of connection and resilience.

Together, Joy and Jessica explore how movement fosters community, the responsibility of instructors to create safe spaces, and why clear boundaries and expectations are crucial for establishing trust and safety. They discuss how vulnerability in Pilates and mindful movement can lead to personal agency, helping clients advocate for themselves, understand their limitations, and embrace the nuanced wisdom of the human body.

Whether you’re a Pilates teacher, wellness professional, or movement enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to foster authentic connection, honor individuality, and see how even small acts of community can create profound impact.

You can find Jessica at jessicavalant.com or on Instagram @jessicasvalant.