About Me
Hello I’m Vicki - founder of Connect Pilates Dunmow. I’m a 44 year old mum/step-mum of 3 children from 4 to 22!
Introducing people to the power of Pilates is my passion and its adaptability has been central to my own wellbeing journey - cultivating inner strength, confidence and peace with my body whilst navigating motherhood and long term medical conditions. It has allowed me to lead a more present and fulfilling life through helping me reset my nervous system on stressful days and build trust that my body is capable when my symptoms flare.
I bring my own personal experience, coupled with my extensive training, to my clients through a personalised, compassionate and authentic approach to Pilates. To me, Pilates is more than just exercise; it’s a powerful tool for self-discovery. Together, you will experience the opportunity to truly connect with and understand your body - transforming not just how you move but how you feel every single day.
My Story
Living with coeliac disease, endometriosis, adenomyosis and anaemia, I spent years in a cycle of frustration and anger with my body whilst living with pain and chronic fatigue.
After having daughter at 39 (17 years after my son – I blame lockdown!) the tiredness and isolation was next level. The pressures of motherhood only deepened my frustrations.
I felt lost and disconnected to myself. How could I feel inner confidence when I felt like I was in someone else’s body?
Pilates is the lifeline I never knew I needed.
My Journey From Disconnected to Empowered.
This is where Pilates became my lifeline. I discovered Pilates following my Mommy MOT after my daughter was born and I immediately fell in love with it. Cliché I know but it’s true!
Even when I felt fatigue I was always happy to head out to my weekly Pilates session for a bit of “me” time knowing I’d come out feeling capable and at peace. Pilates opened my eyes to how strong and connected I could feel in my own body again.
I felt like I wanted to tell everyone I knew about it, so I decided to train and become a Pilates instructor. Through my training I discovered that I could adapt my practice based on how I was feeling in a way that made it accessible and allowed me to show up, even on those though days. When my symptoms flared and I was bracing from pain and discomfort, my movement would shift to be focused on breath and mobility to release tension rather than deep core work.
The result? I began to truly appreciate what my body could do rather than what it couldn’t. I felt strong, confident and most importantly connected to myself so I could show up mentally and physically for myself and my family.
But life isn’t linear.
The Power of the Basics
Life, however, has a way of testing us. A few years ago, I underwent my second abdominal laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Six weeks post-op at my first pilates session back - I cried. I couldn't "feel" my core or pelvic floor. I felt like a stranger to myself once more.
I had to practice what I preached. I put my trust back into the method, went back to the basics and embraced slow intentional movement. Week by week the strength and mobility returned, pilates was brining me back home to myself, piece by piece.
Pilates has shown me how to understand, trust and be kind to my body. I know first hand how powerful it can be – not just for the body but for the soul. I’m here to help you connect with your body in a way that makes you realise how powerful it can be, how much it can support you and how when you build that strength, mobility and confidence, you can feel not just physically strong, but mentally strong too.