We’re looking forward to introducing you to Roberta Hughes. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Roberta, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misunderstandings about PeaceFull Living is that people often assume all Pilates experiences are the same. Many picture a large group fitness setting where everyone follows the same cues and moves in unison. While that works for some, a boutique private Pilates studio is completely different—it’s intimate, highly customized, and built around your unique body, goals, and needs. In our one-on-one or very small sessions, I’m able to watch every movement, adjust form in real time, and design programs that adapt to where you are that day—whether you’re recovering from injury, building strength, or seeking more mobility.
Another area that tends to surprise people is our work with facial reflexology. Many first hear about it in the context of beauty—reducing puffiness, improving skin tone—but don’t realize its deeper benefits for the nervous system. This gentle, non-invasive approach supports relaxation, better sleep, stress resilience, and overall well-being. It’s one of the ways we care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—so the changes you feel aren’t just visible in the mirror, but also in how grounded and at ease you move through life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Roberta Hughes, the founder of PeaceFull Living, a boutique private Pilates and wellness studio where movement meets mindful restoration. My work blends highly personalized Pilates training with therapeutic modalities like facial reflexology to help people feel stronger, calmer, and more connected to their bodies.
PeaceFull Living grew out of my own journey—navigating stress, injury recovery, and the realization that true wellness is about more than just “working out.” In my studio, every session is tailored to the individual in front of me. That means I’m just as focused on alignment, mobility, and strength as I am on calming the nervous system and creating a sense of deep ease.
What makes PeaceFull Living unique is the integration of science-backed movement with restorative therapies you won’t often find in the same place. I love introducing people to facial reflexology—not just for its beauty benefits, but for the way it can reset the body’s stress response, improve sleep, and support overall health. Right now, I’m working on expanding my offerings to include small, immersive retreats that combine movement, mindful rest, and self-care practices, so clients can leave not only looking and feeling better, but truly transformed from the inside out.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My business coach, Colleen Biggs, saw me clearly before I could see myself. When we first met, my confidence was low, and I felt like I needed to compete with or mimic the high-energy style of other fitness professionals. Colleen kept reflecting my true gifts back to me—patience, calmness, and a deeply nurturing approach—and she spoke them out loud so often that I finally started to believe her. She helped me see that those qualities aren’t just “nice,” they’re needed in the world. Because of her encouragement, I now stand strong in those gifts and let myself shine in my own way, without trying to be anyone else.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
After my divorce, I went through a period of intense anxiety. It was humbling and disorienting because the very tools I had spent years adopting—and teaching others—suddenly felt out of reach. At first, I saw that as a personal failure, as if I “should” have been able to handle it better. But that season became a turning point. I began diving deeper into the science and lived experience of stress, anxiety, and trauma. Through reading, talk therapy, and self-compassion, I learned new ways to support my own nervous system.
That process helped me stop hiding my pain and start using it as power—because it gave me a level of empathy and understanding I hadn’t had before. Today, that experience shapes everything I do. My studio isn’t just a place for movement; it’s a space where people can feel safe, seen, and supported in their own healing journey.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the Pilates industry is the idea of having a “Pilates body.” It’s a myth that there’s one ideal shape or look you achieve by practicing Pilates—and it’s both unrealistic and exclusionary. Pilates was never meant to be about fitting into a certain mold; it’s about helping your body move with more ease, strength, and alignment, no matter your size, age, or background.
Another misconception is treating Pilates solely as a fitness trend rather than as a deep, intelligent movement practice. While it can absolutely build strength and tone, the heart of Pilates is about improving how you move through life—supporting posture, mobility, injury prevention, and nervous system health. When we limit it to “just a workout,” we miss the richness of what it can offer for long-term well-being.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in nature—breathing in the fresh air, feeling the ground beneath my feet, and watching the colors of the sky shift as the sun sets. Sunset is more than just a beautiful time of day; it’s a self-care ritual for me. The infrared energy present at that time of day has a deeply calming effect on the body and helps restore balance to the nervous system. It’s also the time when I can transition from productivity to peace, from thinking to simply being—a natural pause and shift that allows me to nurture myself. Those quiet moments remind me to slow down, be present, and soak in the beauty and healing that’s always available in the natural world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peacefullliving.com/
- Instagram: @roberta_peacefullliving
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-hughes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16wzRhBKo7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Lara Mark Photography
