Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernadett Gazsi
Hi Bernadett, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first witnessed the devastating effects of back pain as a teenage girl. My mom, a strong and active woman, suddenly couldn’t get out of bed. She was in constant pain, unable to be there for me the way she wanted. Just three months before my high school graduation, she underwent back surgery. It was one of the most critical times in my life, and I deeply missed her support. Instead of celebrating that milestone together, I was visiting her in the hospital every day after school—while juggling my studies and taking care of our home. It was an incredibly tough time.
Even after the surgery, her pain never truly went away. She had to give up the things she loved—gardening, exercising, hiking. She tried physical therapy, massages, and every treatment she could find, but nothing brought lasting relief. Years later, in consultation with her doctor, she decided to undergo a lumbar fusion surgery.
By then, I was living in Australia. The news of her operation was hard enough, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. During the procedure, the surgeon accidentally snapped her vena cava, the main vein in her abdomen. What was meant to be a spine surgery became a life-or-death situation. She was rushed into emergency intervention, received multiple blood transfusions, and was placed in a coma for four days to help her recover. Being thousands of miles away, helpless, was agonizing.
Ironically, around that same time, I had my own terrifying experience with back pain. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when, out of nowhere, I was completely unable to stand up. The pain was excruciating. I could only crawl to the bathroom. My husband had to call a doctor to our home, and I was given muscle relaxants to ease the pain. As soon as I was able, I sought help from a sports physician in Sydney. That’s when I first heard about Pilates.
I had no idea what it was, but I was willing to try anything. I started with one-on-one sessions, and within just a few weeks, my pain drastically decreased. I felt stronger, more flexible, and finally mobile again. When we moved to Melbourne for my husband’s work, I had to find a new studio. That’s when I discovered Breathe Yoga & Pilates on Little Collins Street. I fell in love with the practice—and with my instructor, Miriam. Her classes were life-changing. In fact, I only wanted to take her classes. When she was on vacation, I was devastated.
One day, after class, she casually mentioned they were launching a teacher training program. That’s when it clicked. I knew I wanted to become a Pilates instructor. I wanted to help other women and moms overcome back pain—because no one should have to live in pain. And more than that, I knew firsthand how back pain doesn’t just affect the person struggling with it. Every child deserves a mom who can be present, active, and pain-free.
That’s what Pilates gave me. And that’s what I now dedicate my life to giving others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey with back pain—both personally and through my mother’s experience—has shaped everything I do today. Watching her struggle, feeling helpless as a teenager, and later dealing with my own debilitating pain gave me a deep understanding of how chronic pain affects every aspect of life.
When I discovered Pilates, I had no idea how much it would change my life. But transitioning from someone seeking relief to an instructor promising that relief to others was a whole new challenge.
One of my darkest moments was questioning whether I was truly good enough to deliver what I promised—helping my clients achieve a pain-free life. Managing my own pain was one thing, but when people placed their trust in me, it felt like an entirely different weight to carry. What if I couldn’t help them? What if their pain didn’t improve? The responsibility was overwhelming at times.
The fitness industry can be competitive, and I often felt pressure to prove myself, especially in a space where people are skeptical about movement as a solution for chronic pain. I had to fight against self-doubt while continuing to learn, refine my approach, and show up for my clients every day.
But then, the feedback started coming in. Clients told me they were waking up with less pain. That they could pick up their kids without wincing. That they felt stronger, more capable, more like themselves again. One mom told me, “For the first time in years, I played on the floor with my child without pain.” Another said, “I was scared to move, but now I feel free in my body again.”
Those words reassured me that I could do this. That I was making a real difference.
Every struggle reaffirmed my why—I wanted to help moms reclaim their lives from pain so their children never had to miss out on having an active, present mother, like I did. Seeing my clients move with more ease, regain confidence, and return to doing the things they love reminds me that the journey, as tough as it has been, is absolutely worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Betka Back to Movement is a 100% online back pain program designed specifically for women and busy moms struggling with back pain. This program goes beyond just exercise—it provides coaching, expert support from a dietitian and CBT therapist, and personalized guidance from me throughout the journey.
Living with back pain doesn’t just affect your body—it impacts your mental health, confidence, and daily life. This program is designed to help women move better, feel stronger, and reclaim their lives—without pain holding them back.
This is not a quick fix for back pain—it’s a long-term journey toward lasting relief. In this program, you’ll feel fully supported because you don’t have to go through this alone.
I follow current evidence-based guidelines to ensure that my approach is backed by the latest research on treating chronic back pain. My goal is to provide the most effective, up-to-date strategies to help you move with confidence, reduce pain, and reclaim your life.
My commitment to science and expert knowledge also extends to my evidence-based podcast, The Back To Movement Podcast where I invite leading professors, researchers, and specialists to share the most up-to-date insights on back pain and movement.
How do you define success?
For me, success is about impact. I measure success through the feedback and progress of my clients. When a mom tells me she can finally play with her kids without back pain or a woman regains confidence in her body after years of discomfort—that’s success. Seeing my clients move freely, feel stronger, and reclaim their lives is what truly matters to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://betkabacktomovement.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betkabacktomovement
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ZPWrDPyH1Eiz9Pqe/
- Youtube: UCxieUsyQt5aiFrKkJDLp8Ig
- Other: https://rss.com/podcasts/backtomovement
