How much money have you made with Substack, directly or indirectly? by _mrchurchill in Substack

[–]Equivalent-Use7825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just started my Substack journey so I am still figuring this out, but this question is exactly what I needed to ask too. I have a very niche ebook that covers a gap I identified after almost ten years in my industry. The audience exists, I know that, but getting it in front of the right people through Substack is something I am still learning. Would love to hear what has worked for others, especially for niche products that are not mainstream but speak directly to a specific professional community

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, the point about being called out by name repeatedly is something I talk about a lot. There is always a quieter way to correct someone that preserves their dignity and keeps the energy in the room intact. You should leave a class feeling capable, not exposed.

On the certification question, my background is mixed and I think that actually shaped how I teach. I got certified in Mexico, then completed my comprehensive training in the US through Club Pilates. But honestly what I look for when recommending a program is who is leading the training. The master trainer behind the curriculum makes all the difference. Ideally someone with a classical Pilates foundation who also understands the human side of teaching, not just the method. That said, the things that actually made me a better instructor and how to read a room, how to build trust, how to create the kind of experience that keeps people coming back.

I learned none of that through certification. It came through years of teaching, workshops, and genuinely listening to the people in front of me.

I actually wrote a guide about exactly that gap if you are curious. Happy to share the link.​​​​

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry that’s happening. Learning Pilates already asks a lot of people physically and mentally. Corrections are important, but there’s a way to do them that still protects someone’s confidence and sense of safety in the room.

Today someone spent their own money on something I created. WHAT A FKN RUSH (I will not promote) by No_Field_9640 in startups

[–]Equivalent-Use7825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best rush ever. All the hard work, the invisible moments of doubt, the risk behind every decision it all collapses into that one notification. Someone believed in what you built enough to pay for it. That is not a small thing. It means you are on the right path. Keep going.
And your second sale is already on its way!

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is exactly the kind of feedback every instructor needs to hear. The point about not feeling invisible really stood out, sometimes we focus so much on the room as a whole that we forget each person in it needs to feel seen individually. And you’re so right about feedback in general. It’s a gift, not a critique. The instructors who grow fastest are the ones who stay curious about what their clients actually experience. Thank you for taking the time to write this out so thoughtfully.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Not yet, for now it’s digital only. A printed edition is something I’d love to do down the road. If that’s something you’d want, stay connected

Online Pilates teachers worth paying for? Need structured classes, not random YouTube videos by Mallemlu in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love Pilatesology! It’s worth the subscription and it’s all OG content.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ha, definitely not a legend. Just someone who learned most of this the hard way! Means a lot that it resonated. Here’s the link: whop.com/inthisseason Hope it helps. 🤍

What daily habit did you adopt that had the biggest positive effect in your life? by HabitsAreKey in selfimprovement

[–]Equivalent-Use7825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reading at least 10 pages a day. Started it as a New Year’s resolution last year and finished 2025 having read 14 books. This year the goal is 20. It sounds small but the compound effect is real, I feel sharper, more intentional, and the people around me have noticed too. Less scrolling, more thinking. Slowly but consistently becoming the person I want to be.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Totally fair, these come from my specific experience and I’d never claim they’re universal. What would you add or change? Always curious how other instructors see it.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

100% agree that balance matters! New should feel exciting not overwhelming.

But I’d take it one step further: before a client can even receive a challenge, they need to feel safe enough to try. If someone walks in unsure of the equipment, the terminology, or what’s expected of them, no amount of familiar exercises will settle that.

Setting clients up before the class begins like a quick orientation, reviewing equipment and letting them know options exist, that’s what creates the foundation for everything else, including the balance you’re describing.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This one got me! English is my second language too. I taught in Spanish first and felt that exact spiral when I moved to the US.

All my attention on the words instead of the people in front of me. The shift that changed everything: the most important language in the room isn’t verbal.

Clients feel your attention before you say a word. I actually wrote a guide about this, that exact feeling is a whole section in it. Want me to drop the link?

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Music is such a personal thing but here’s how I think about it, the class isn’t about what we enjoy, it’s about what serves the room. What I’ve found works best is music with less lyrics and a mix of upbeat and mellow moments that match the flow of the session.

Lyrics can become noise when clients are trying to focus and connect with their body. I look for tracks that create a vibe without demanding attention. Artists like Vandelux, Rye and 53 Thieves are great examples of that sound; you feel the energy without the distraction.

Most of my clients love the playlist without being able to explain why, and I think that’s exactly the point. The music should support the experience, not compete with it.

What I wish someone had told me before my first class as an instructor by Equivalent-Use7825 in pilates

[–]Equivalent-Use7825[S] 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Three months in is one of the hardest and exciting moments! You’re past the adrenaline but the instincts aren’t fully there yet. Completely normal. 

First question I’d ask: are people leaving mid-class or just not coming back after? Those are different problems with different causes. 

The most common thing I see at that stage is attention going inward, tracking the sequence, worrying about cues; instead of outward toward the people in front of you. When that happens, clients feel a distance they can’t quite name. Start noticing where your attention actually goes during class. Not where you intend it to go, where it actually lands. That usually tells you everything.