From Burnout to Freedom | by Lucy griffiths
This is the story of how Pilates helped me rebuild my life.
STOTT certified mat and reformer pilates instructor & founder of online platform - the aligned studio
If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be running my own Pilates platform, travelling the world, and living a life of freedom, I would have laughed. Back then, I was a burnt-out teacher barely making it through the week. I didn’t know what the way out was, I just knew I couldn’t keep going like that. This is my journey from burnout to freedom.
@lucekatee
The Breaking Point - Burnout
There was a time when every day felt the same. Wake up, go to work, come home, sleep, repeat. I was working as a teacher, and on the outside it probably looked fine. But inside, I felt completely lost, exhausted, overwhelmed & always unwell.
The breaking point came during lockdown. I thought I had Covid, but after weeks of feeling drained, I realised it wasn’t illness, it was burnout. When I realised I’d have to go back to work, I had a panic attack and completely hit a rock. That moment made me stop and face the truth: something had to change. I ended up taking two months off work and It was the first pause I’d allowed myself in years.
During that time I had taken off, I read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and it sparked something in me. I started implementing the habits straight away - waking up earlier, creating a morning routine that made me feel my best. I journaled, read, moved my body, and practised visualisation. For the first time in a long while, I felt hope.
The Spark - Discovering Pilates
Movement had always been a part of me. I grew up dancing and doing gymnastics, and as a teenager I first came across Pilates on a family holiday at Center Parcs. I fell in love with it instantly, as it felt so familiar, like an extension of my dancing and gymnastics.
I took mat Pilates classes here and there and tried some online classes during lockdown, but it wasn’t until I experienced Reformer that I became hooked. From that moment, I just knew: this is what I want to do. It wasn’t just exercise, It gave me space to switch off, reconnect, and breathe.
What started as an occasional class soon became non-negotiable. My energy levels began to shift. I felt calmer, lighter, more like myself. The more I practised, the more I realised this wasn’t just something I loved, it was something I wanted to share.
@lucekatee
The Leap - Building a Career in Pilates
In January 2022, I signed up for my Pilates instructor course with STOTT. By April I was in training, nervous but excited. At first, I balanced my studies with a full-time teaching job. As soon as my course was finished, I threw myself into teaching Pilates. I set up classes for the staff at my workplace, offering them after working all day. It was exhausting, but by throwing myself in at the deep end, I was able to gain confidence quickly and develop my skills in a real-world setting.
A few weeks later, I realised I had to step out of my comfort zone and make a change - I knew it was time to leave my teaching job. Before I knew it, I had secured a part-time position at another school, which gave me the breathing space I needed to grow my hours as a Pilates instructor.
I started teaching at beautiful studios, all the while holding onto my dream of travelling and living with more freedom. While I loved working in person, I knew I wanted to create something that could reach people anywhere, anytime. I launched The Aligned Studio, my online Pilates platform, and then set off on a year-long adventure.
During that year, I filmed classes across Southeast Asia and Australia. It was surreal, creating content from beaches and jungles, while connecting with clients all over the world. I was earning an income doing what I loved, and for the first time, I truly felt free.
Balancing Online & In-Studio Life
Today, my life looks very different from those early days. I balance teaching in studios with running my online platform, and boundaries are key. I only work at a few studios I love, teaching no more than 12 classes a week from Tuesday to Thursday, leaving time for private clients at home and online work.
I love teaching in person, it allows me to connect with clients and helps me improve as a teacher, working with real bodies.
I batch my tasks, with two filming days each month: one for mat and one for Reformer. I live by Google Calendar and plan everything in Notion. These systems keep me organised and prevent me from slipping back into burnout.
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. The fear of the unknown was huge, and I doubted myself constantly. I found my Pilates exam prep incredibly difficult and nearly gave up but I reminded myself of my why. I decided to dedicate everything to passing this exam. I woke up at 5am before work to study, constantly practiced teaching, observed others teaching, and ended up achieving 96% in my STOTT Pilates exam.
Learning the business side of things was tough, but each challenge helped me grow.
Mindset work became non-negotiable. Journaling, EFT tapping, listening to podcasts, reading - these tools keep me grounded.
Freedom & Success on My Own Terms
The first time I realised, this is really working, was when I was travelling and earning an income online through teaching Pilates. I could wake up and choose when to work. I could spend the afternoon exploring a new town, then film a class by the ocean. That was freedom.
Now, my weeks look completely different from the exhausting, repetitive schedule I once lived.
I get to wake up slowly, enjoying my morning routine without rush. I have the flexibility to go on Pilates dates with like-minded people I’ve met through Pilates and social media. Each day is different, and it doesn’t feel like work, because my ‘work’ is now fully aligned with my values.
@lucekatee
Looking Back - Advice for Others
If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, unsure of your next step, or dreaming of a career that gives you freedom, know this: change is possible. The hardest moments often spark the biggest growth.
When I was teaching full time and exhausted, I reminded myself of my why. Movement had always been part of me, and I wanted a life where work felt aligned with my values. Exploring Pilates, training as an instructor, and building my online platform, The Aligned Studio, was scary but it changed everything.
Even small steps, like teaching your first class or sharing content online, can shift your life. If you’re looking for support with your Pilates instructor career, I’ve created a range of products to help others pass their exams and build freedom as an instructor. Your ideal career and the joy of work that lights you up are waiting on the other side of that first step.
Full Circle
The girl who once cried in her head teacher’s office now wakes up excited to start her day. And it’s all because I chose to follow what lit me up: Pilates.
If you’re standing where I once stood, overwhelmed, exhausted, longing for something more let this be your reminder: you are absolutely capable of creating the life you can’t stop thinking about. Change is possible, and the life you dream of is closer than you think.
If my story has inspired you or even if you’re just simply curious to connect, you can contact me via ‘The Loop’ (see below) community app.
