The Work You Don’t See
When people watch videos on social media, they see the polished version of what I do. The precise movements and the Fuerza I bring to each session. What they don’t see are the hours behind the posts, the lessons learned through experience, the times I’ve held space for clients, and the constant balancing act between personal growth and continuing education in Pilates and movement.
For me, continuing education is the foundation. Movement is something I’m always learning and refining. Every workshop I teach, every anatomy book I read, and every conversation I have with other instructors helps shape how I see movement and how I support my clients.
The hardest part is balancing my want to keep learning with the reality of time. I set goals for myself, some I can achieve now and others I know will take years to build. Both require patience, consistency, and a lot of investment, financially and mentally. But it’s beyond worth it.
I show up fully for my clients because helping them understand their bodies and move with confidence reminds me why I love what I do. Even on the days when life outside the studio feels heavy, I show up because that growth, both mine and theirs, is what makes this work meaningful. Then there’s the business side. Managing schedules (that always shift), staying on top of marketing, making sure clients feel supported, and adapting to everyone’s different needs. Some days it feels like five jobs at once. Behind the scenes, I’m also planning new workshops, continuing my education through my kinesiology master’s program, improving the equipment I use daily, and managing a team to help support my next steps. Building a career in movement means constantly reinvesting in myself and my business.
Balance is the hardest part, and I struggle to keep up sometimes. Running a business, making time for family, traveling, and making time for life outside of work isn’t easy. Each day I remind myself to take it one step at a time and to make choices that feel right. When I do, my mind is clearer and I’m able to give my clients the best version of me. That doesn’t mean burnout never happens, I’ve been there. But I’ve learned that investing in myself outside of Pilates helps me show up stronger for my clients. I’m still learning that boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re necessary. Protecting my time and energy means I can potentially keep going without burning out.
We’re all juggling a million things, even if social media makes it look easy. I’m grateful for the support I have from my social media team at arcinc work and Shannon, who helps keep things running at Fuerza. I try to stick to the basics like eating healthy to have energy, prioritizing sleep, and making time for myself and the people I care about. Some days I get it right, some days I don’t but the point is to keep showing up and doing the work I love.
Growth happens over time. My clients grow when they feel stronger in their bodies. I grow every time I improve my teaching or learn something new. And Fuerza grows not just as a business but as a community. None of that happens without the work behind the scenes.
I share this because I know other instructors and small business owners feel the same pull between being a teacher, a student, and an entrepreneur. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Every late night studying, every effort I put into keeping my business busy, it all builds toward creating a space where people can better understand their bodies, and where I can keep growing right alongside them.
NICKY LAL is the founder of Fuerza Pilates in Los Angeles and a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor through Balanced Body. After transitioning from a career in graphic design, she gained experience at multiple LA studios before opening her own space in Studio City, where she specialises in training professional athletes, including NBA and NFL players. Nicky is passionate about making Pilates accessible to everyBody, and her work can be found on Instagram @Pilateswithnickylal and PILATESFUERZA.COM