May 17, 2017

Meet Tricia Whitlock of Soul Body Works in Hurst

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Whitlock.

Tricia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After working in corporate America for 20 years, a life changing event occurred in 2011. It completely shifted my view on the world, and I left the corporate world to go on a 6 month sabbatical. During that time, I connected with what lights my fire – teaching movement. I began to gather various fitness certifications, teach classes, and train clients starting in 2012.

In 2014, I explored opening a business with a friend, and happened upon Soul Body Works, a Pilates studio up for sale. Although I knew little about Pilates (had only done a few classes), the studio was a good business opportunity because it had a separate room where I could train clients and teach group exercise classes while Pilates classes were taught in the other room by the instructors who were at the studio when I bought it.

I quickly fell in love with the Pilates method and began training for a comprehensive certification through PAPT/The Pilates Studio of Los Angeles in 2015. I received my 450 hour Pilates Teacher Certification in 2016.

Since then, the studio has evolved from offering a mix of fitness classes to mainly Pilates, with a vision of teaching people to move their bodies in a joyful manner through the Pilates method of exercise.

There is more to tell and I would be happy to elaborate a little more if you would like.

Has it been a smooth road?
As a first time entrepreneur, owning a fitness studio has been a challenge every step of the way. I wear all the hats – from managing the website to cleaning the sink, tweaking the schedule to hiring new instructors, subbing classes to taking apart and maintaining the Pilates equipment. It’s been an adventure from day 1 – and one that I continue to enjoy and learn so much from, despite the challenges. I have met so many amazing people on this journey, and been able to affect so many lives in a positive manner. The latter is a gift that I did not anticipate, and one that fills me with the energy to continue on with this adventure, no matter what challenges come up!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Soul Body Works story. Tell us more about the business.
Soul Body Works is a boutique fitness studio specializing in small group and private training in the Pilates method, as well as other classes in movement. We are known for having the best instructors in town and developing relationships with our students, as well as providing a community where people feel comfortable and accepted by others when they come to work out.

I am most proud of how my team of instructors is dedicated to helping people learn more about and connect with their bodies to promote better movement in all areas of life!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think that interest in the Pilates method will continue to grow as people become more active. More and more athletes are turning to Pilates to improve their performance, and many doctors are recommending Pilates to their patients as a way to increase core strength and flexibility.

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