Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Talbert.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey with Pilates began in 1998, and what started as a love for movement turned into a career I never could have imagined. Twenty-eight years later, I’m still just as passionate about teaching as I was when I first started, maybe even more.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach people from all walks of life, from beginners discovering Pilates for the first time to professional and Olympic athletes. I’ve also spent much of my career mentoring and training instructors, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work. I love helping people understand not just how to move, but why they’re moving.
After more than 20 years of directing Pilates programs and managing teams of instructors, I took a leap and opened b. pilates boutique in Greenwood Village, Colorado, in 2019. Owning a studio brought a whole new set of challenges, but it also gave me the freedom to create a space that reflected what I believe Pilates should be: personal, thoughtful, and rooted in quality instruction.
Social media was another unexpected chapter. I started sharing simple exercises and teaching tips on Instagram, never imagining it would grow into a community of nearly 400,000 people. What surprised me most was how many people were looking for a better understanding of their bodies, not just another workout. That really reinforced what I’ve believed throughout my career: good movement doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
In 2026, I launched LUME, my online Pilates platform, as a way to bring my teaching beyond the studio. I wanted people to have access to the same thoughtful, progressive instruction I give my private clients, wherever they live. It’s especially meaningful to me to help women feel strong, capable, and connected to their bodies as they move through different stages of life.
Outside of Pilates, my greatest joy is my family. My husband, Joe, and I have three children who have grown up alongside my career. Balancing motherhood, marriage, and running a business hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. As our children have gotten older, I’ve also found more opportunities to explore another passion of mine, traveling.
I love experiencing new places, meeting people, and seeing how movement connects us across different cultures. I recently returned from Thailand, where I had the opportunity to teach Pilates while traveling with my husband. Experiences like that remind me how fortunate I am to have a career that allows me to connect with people wherever I go.
Looking back, my career has evolved in ways I never expected. I’ve been an instructor, educator, studio owner, and now an entrepreneur in the digital space. Along the way, I’ve learned that growth often comes from being willing to try something new, even when it’s outside your comfort zone.
The one thing that hasn’t changed is how much I love teaching. Even after 28 years, I’m still learning, refining, and finding new ways to share Pilates. I don’t feel like I’m finished growing, and I’m genuinely excited about what comes next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! I think when you love what you do, people often see the rewarding parts without realizing how much work goes on behind the scenes.
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing my career with being a wife and mother of three. For many years, I was managing large Pilates programs, mentoring instructors, and teaching clients while raising our children. There were definitely seasons when I felt stretched thin, trying to give my best to everyone.
Opening b. pilates boutique in 2019 was another big leap. After spending so many years working for others, I was excited to create something of my own, but owning a business is very different from teaching Pilates. Suddenly, I was responsible for everything from hiring and scheduling to finances, marketing, and all the little details that keep a studio running. Just months after opening, the pandemic changed everything, and like so many small business owners, I had to figure out how to adapt.
Now I’m navigating a different season of life. Two of our children are away, one in Nashville and another in Michigan, and I want the flexibility to visit them and be part of their lives. At the same time, my parents are getting older, and one has experienced some significant health challenges. It’s made me much more aware of how valuable time is and how important it is to be present for the people I love.
I’m also looking ahead to the next chapter of my Pilates business, including finding a new studio space as my current lease comes to an end. It’s exciting, but there’s also a lot of uncertainty that comes with making big decisions.
Building my online presence and launching LUME have brought their own challenges. I’m naturally a little shy, so putting myself out there on social media didn’t come easily. Learning the technology, creating content, and building an online business have pushed me outside my comfort zone in ways I never expected.
I think my biggest lesson has been realizing that success looks different in different seasons of life. Earlier in my career, I was focused on building and growing. Now I’m thinking more about how to continue doing what I love while also having the freedom to travel, spend time with my family, and enjoy the life we’ve worked so hard to build.
I’m still figuring out what that balance looks like, and I think that’s okay. I’ve learned that sometimes growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about being more intentional with what matters most.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been teaching Pilates for 28 years, and I can genuinely say I still love it as much as I did when I started. I think that’s pretty special. After all these years, I still get excited when something clicks for a client, when they finally understand a movement or discover they’re capable of something they didn’t think they could do.
I’m a third-generation classical Pilates instructor, nationally certified teacher, and teacher trainer. I’ve worked with just about everyone over the years, from people stepping into a Pilates studio for the very first time to Olympic athletes. I also have a special interest in working with people with scoliosis and helping women maintain their strength and mobility as they get older.
I’ve always been a little particular about how things are taught! I love the details, and I believe the smallest adjustments often make the biggest difference. I’m constantly reminding my clients that more isn’t necessarily better. You don’t need to move faster, do more repetitions, or feel completely exhausted to get something out of your workout. Sometimes less movement, done really well, is far more challenging.
One of the things I enjoy most is teaching other Pilates instructors. I’ve spent a large part of my career training and mentoring teachers, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about passing along what I’ve learned. I had wonderful teachers who invested in me, and I love being able to do the same for others.
Opening b. pilates boutique in Greenwood Village in 2019 was a huge milestone for me. After years of teaching and directing Pilates programs, I wanted to create a space where people felt comfortable, received individual attention, and experienced really good instruction. I’m proud of what we’ve built and the relationships I’ve developed with clients over the years. Some have been with me for a very long time, and they’ve become such an important part of my life.
Another part of my career that I never saw coming was Instagram. I started sharing exercises and little teaching tips, mostly because I love helping people understand their bodies. I certainly never imagined nearly 400,000 people would be following along! It’s been such a surprise, and I love hearing from people around the world who tell me something I’ve shared has helped them.
That experience eventually inspired me to create **LUME movement**, my online Pilates app, which I launched in 2026. I’ve always wished I could reach more people than I can physically teach in a day. With LUME movement, I can share the same thoughtful, progressive approach I use with my private clients, but people can practice from their own homes and on their own schedules. I especially love helping women feel strong and confident as they move through their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. I’m in that stage of life myself, so I understand how important it is to keep moving and feeling good in your body.
One of the unexpected gifts of my career has been the opportunity to connect with people through Pilates wherever I go. I love traveling, and I recently had the opportunity to teach Pilates in Thailand while visiting with my husband. It was such a special experience and a reminder that movement really does connect people, no matter where you’re from. I love that something I started doing 28 years ago has become a part of my life that I can take anywhere in the world.
I think what sets me apart is that I’ve never stopped being a student myself. Even after 28 years, I’m still learning, asking questions, refining my teaching, and finding new ways to explain things. Pilates is so much more than a collection of exercises, and I love helping people discover that.
When I think about what I’m most proud of, it really comes back to the people. The clients I’ve worked with, the instructors I’ve helped train, and now the people I’m able to reach online. Of course, I’m proud of opening a studio and launching an app, but those things mean so much more because of the connections I’ve made along the way.
At the end of the day, I just really love teaching. I think people can feel that, and I hope it’s something that always comes through in my work.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people know me for Pilates, but I actually love running and cycling, too! Running has always been my way of clearing my head. It’s where I do some of my best thinking, and I love how I feel afterward. Cycling is another passion of mine. I love the energy, the music, and the feeling of just getting lost in a good ride.
Something else people might not know is how much I love to cook. I really enjoy being in the kitchen, trying new recipes, and making meals for my family. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind, especially when everyone is home together.
And here’s something that might surprise people even more. I’m actually pretty shy! I know that sounds funny coming from someone who shares videos with nearly 400,000 people, but I’ve always been much more comfortable teaching than talking about myself.
I guess I have a lot of different sides to me. I love being active, but I also really appreciate the quieter, simple moments at home with my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lumemovement.gcph.tv/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saratalbert/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saratalbert
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-talbert-94523918
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PilatesWithSara
