Meet Roshni McLeod | Owner of The Pilates Space

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roshni McLeod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roshni, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Before Pilates, I was a hairstylist, and between motherhood and my career, I gave so much of myself to others that I stopped taking care of me. Health and fitness weren’t even a thought. My time for myself often looked like eating in excess or just lying in bed because I was so exhausted. Eventually, I became overweight for my size and age, and I couldn’t even recognize myself in the mirror.

Then the pandemic happened, and for the first time, I had nothing but time on my hands. I knew this was my moment to do something about my health. I started running, something I had never done before but had always admired in others. Those first months were so hard: the breathing, the endurance, the mental challenge but I never quit. After six months, I lost the weight I’d gained over the years, but I realized I still wasn’t strong.

That’s when I discovered Pilates. I took my very first intro class at Club Pilates in the Bay Area, and it changed everything for me. It was so intense yet gentle. I knew right then that this was what my body truly needed. I had very little body awareness when I started, but Pilates taught me so much about how my body should move and how it should live. I fell in love with the control, precision, and mind-body connection, especially learning how the abdominals and pelvic floor work together.

I eventually received a BIPOC scholarship through Club Pilates for teacher training, and that’s when my mission really began. Movement gave me my confidence and energy back, and I wanted to share that feeling with other women who didn’t grow up with fitness or body awareness.

Now, in my private practice, I work with so many incredible women, including cancer survivors; and it’s the most rewarding thing to see their progress. They tell me how much stronger they feel, how they have more energy, and how they hear my voice in their head reminding them about posture when they climb the stairs.

Starting my business was about creating a safe and supportive space for women to move at their own pace. A place where they feel seen, inspired, and empowered to reconnect with their bodies again.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career in Pilates has been such a transformative journey , not just professionally, but personally as well. What sets me apart is that I didn’t grow up as an athlete or dancer. I actually came from the beauty industry; I was a hairstylist for years before becoming a Pilates instructor. When I found Pilates, everything changed. It wasn’t just about fitness anymore, it was about reconnecting with my body, healing from burnout, and rebuilding confidence from the inside out.

It definitely wasn’t easy getting to where I am today. Starting over in a new city, new industry as a mom and small business owner came with a lot of self-doubt and financial uncertainty. But I’ve learned that growth happens when you lean into the uncomfortable, when you show up consistently even when no one’s watching.

Today, I run my own private Pilates studio in San Diego, where I specialize in helping women reconnect with movement, especially those who may not have grown up with fitness or body awareness. I work with women from all walks of life.

What I’m most proud of is creating a space that feels safe, empowering, and inclusive. My brand is deeply personal, it’s rooted in mindfulness, community, and cultural authenticity. I want the world to know that movement is for everyone, and that it’s never too late to start again. My mission is to help women feel strong, grounded, and alive in their own bodies, the same way Pilates helped me find myself again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting San Diego for a week, I’d want them to experience the perfect balance of what makes this city so special, the coastal calm, vibrant food scene, and the energy of wellness and connection that’s everywhere here.

We’d start the week slow with coffee and breakfast at Better Buzz or Communal Coffee, followed by a long beach walk. One morning, I’d take them through a Pilates session in my studio so they can experience how grounding and energizing mindful movement feels before a full day out.

For lunch, The Taco Stand or Una Más would be on the list, followed by some time relaxing at Mission Beach or Ocean Beach. Evenings would be all about the sunsets- Sunset cliffs, Pacific Beach or Mission Bay and dinner at Cannonball. I know it’s a little touristy, but there’s something about their cocktails and tapas-style dishes right on the ocean that’s such a vibe!

Midweek, we’d get a little more active with paddleboarding in Mission Bay, a scenic hike at Torrey Pines, or even a quick day trip to Encinitas for the local boutiques and cozy cafés. I’d also make sure we stop by Liberty Station. I love the mix of good coffee, local markets, and that creative, community-driven energy.

For the weekend, I’d plan a full day in North Park or South Park, brunch, vintage shopping, and drinks at one of the craft breweries or rooftop bars. And of course, no San Diego trip is complete without a slow Sunday: the Little Italy Farmers Market, a walk through Balboa Park, and maybe catching some live music at sunset.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been so blessed to have started my Pilates journey with some incredible classical teachers who really shaped the foundation of who I am as an instructor today. One of my earliest teachers, Meera, was incredibly strict, in the best way. I’ll never forget when she told me that if I couldn’t maintain a neutral spine, I wouldn’t be allowed in her Level 2 class. At the time, it felt intense, but it taught me so much about discipline, precision, and truly respecting the movement.

My teacher trainer, Julie, was the complete opposite energy; patient, kind, and so generous with her knowledge. She really supported me as I learned all the anatomical terms and deepened my understanding of the body. She also introduced me to some wonderful Pilates and movement-based books that helped me connect the dots between theory and practice.

Later, I went through an intense Stott Pilates program to expand my education even further. That experience helped me bridge classical and contemporary Pilates, learning to honor the traditional roots while also exploring the method in a more in-depth and modern way.

Each of these teachers played such an important role in my growth, and I carry a little piece of what they taught me into every session I lead today.

Website: https://www.pilateswithroshni.com/

Instagram: @ThePilateSpace

Image Credits
Photographer: Christian Blake