The Smart Hundred (From dollars to Pilates)

Ahh, Pilates-the fab solution for NOT having to train at the gym and the wonderful reason for occasionally wearing a half shirt to show off a washboard stomach. Today we feature an intelligent woman with a BA in dance who raced to the corporate world only to now find herself in the winning position as a trendsetting Pilates instructor.

Meet Emily Schneider. After suffering multiple injuries in college, Schneider put dance on hold and accepted an internship at ABC News. Schneider immediately caught the journalism bug. She recalls, “It’s difficult not to when you’re surrounded by people who are passionate about what they are doing.” Later she went on to work at World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and Nightline with Ted Koppel. (Show off!) With the adrenaline rushing and the excitement spewing in all directions, Schneider was having the time of her life. But her crazy schedule was exhausting. To relax and unwind, Schneider began taking Pilates classes. For kicks, she decided to get certified as an instructor. With the encouragement of her husband, Schneider finally decided to make a career out of her hobby. “I could start doing what I love: working directly with people to help them feel better about themselves.”

With President of Quantum Pilates, Mark Trudeau, as an inspiration, Schneider was confident that becoming a trainer was the right “move”. Although she was still freelancing as a journalist, she quickly earned several more certifications including Power Pilates and All-American Pilates.

Schneider is currently an instructor at Renaissance Pilates, located in gendance’s home town. (She’s actually our instructor!) At Renaissance, students shake in the mirror (literally) in Emily’s Xtend Barre Workout classes-yet another certification under Miss thang’s abs of steel.

For all GFF’s that love the burn, (this is your inner voice speaking): Follow in Schneider’s steps. “There’s nothing more contagious than passion and enthusiasm in what you believe in… do it because you love it.” (And in this case, get a bangin’ body to go with it.) Thanks Em, you kick our butts every week and we love ya for it, especially now that our half t-shirt collection is steadily growing!  (To be more like Emily, take a certification course happening this month. Click here for deets.)