Meet Stephanie Matinpour | Certified Pilates Instructor| Clinical Pharmacist

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

Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 20+ years working in the Healthcare Industry, I bring a unique perspective to wellness. As a licensed clinical pharmacist, I’ve seen many patients struggle with chronic conditions and ailments that often could have been prevented with diet and exercise. My own health and wellness journey over the years has centered around my passion for promoting health and well-being. In practicing Pilates and other forms of exercise, I have seen the powerful transformation Pilates has on the mind-body connection and overall holistic approach to functional wellness.

The decision to transition from a 20-year career as a clinical pharmacist to opening a boutique Pilates studio stemmed from a deep-seated belief in proactive, holistic health, combined with a lifelong passion for movement. My two decades in the healthcare field, while incredibly rewarding, often focused on managing chronic conditions after they had developed. I witnessed firsthand the impact of sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and neglected core strength on overall well-being, pain levels, and quality of life.

This experience ignited a strong desire to shift focus from “chronic condition care” to “preventative care.” I wanted to empower individuals to build resilience, prevent injury, and optimize their physical health before interventions became necessary. Pilates, with its emphasis on core strength, flexibility, balance, and mindful movement, resonated perfectly with this vision. It’s a discipline that truly builds the body from the inside out, addressing foundational strength and alignment that I saw lacking in so many patients.

Ultimately, opening Pilates Collective was about creating a space where preventative health is paramount and accessible. It’s a culmination of my clinical understanding of the human body, my personal dedication to movement, and my passion for helping others discover their own strength and vitality. I believe my unique background allows me to bring a truly comprehensive and empathetic approach to Pilates instruction, bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and practical, empowering movement.

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.
The Pilates Collective fosters a supportive and encouraging community that truly embodies the mind-body connection. Our instructors, a diverse collective from various training backgrounds, are dedicated to leading and nurturing each client throughout their Pilates journey. We pride ourselves on meeting every individual exactly where they are, understanding their unique movement preferences, and empowering them with the knowledge and options to move with greater strength and ease. This personalized approach is essential to our mission: to elevate the movement experience and share the profound benefits of Reformer Pilates with everyone. We have a unique Collective of Instructors that come from various backgrounds so those different styles prevent our choreography from getting mundane. We feel we have created an aesthetically pleasing space where everyone is welcome.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in San Diego for 20 + years there are so many things that our area offers. For a full day of wellness and relaxation I would head to the Rancho Valencia Spa, I love their treatment rooms and offerings for Yoga + mindfulness meditation. If your looking for sun and surf I would venture to Del Mar for a nice beach day at Powerhouse and end with happy hour at Jakes or Adelaide’s at the L’Auberge hotel. If your looking for more people watching I would head down to Little Italy for some downtown adventures and yummy Italian food, my favorite is Civico 1845. Residing in the Carmel Valley area my go to for the best sushi in town is Ken Sushi Workshop followed up with wine + dessert at my next door neighborhood spots CPF Winery + Wynstons Ice Cream shop at the Merge56.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Starting a business in the wellness industry offers invaluable opportunities to learn from those who have come before. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have many mentors throughout my career in both healthcare and fitness. In establishing Pilates Collective, the unwavering support and encouragement have truly come from my family and our community. My husband and three boys have been my backbone, physically helping me build the studio and providing immense emotional support as I navigate the daily realities of running a small business. It’s deeply fulfilling to show my young sons the dedication required to launch and operate a business, all while striving for a healthy work-life balance. Furthermore, the community we’ve cultivated at Pilates Collective has surpassed my wildest dreams. Our clients seek more than just a workout; they come for the genuine connections and the vibrant community atmosphere. It’s an honor to have created a space where everyone who walks through our doors leaves feeling significantly better.

Website: https://pilatescollective.org

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