I'm so happy you're here!!!!
If you had told me six years ago that Pilates would completely change my life - and eventually become my career - I never would've believed you.
Like so many people, my fitness journey didn't start from a place of balance. For years, I believed that the harder the workout, the better. My routine was filled with intense HIIT workouts that left me exhausted, constantly stressed, hormonally imbalanced, and feeling disconnected from my body. I thought that was what being "healthy" looked like.
Then I found Pilates.
It was the first form of movement that made me feel strong without feeling depleted. Instead of punishing my body, I learned how to work with it. I felt healthier, more confident, more grounded, and more connected to myself than ever before. I quickly fell in love.
While earning my Pilates certification in college at the University of Arizona, I started teaching classes on the front lawn of my sorority. Those small classes sparked something in me that I couldn't ignore.
Soon after, I pitched the idea of bringing Mat Pilates to the University of Arizona Recreation Center - and thankfully, they said yes.
What started as a new class format quickly grew into something so much bigger than I ever imagined.
Week after week, our classes became a community of ~60-80 participants. People showed up to challenge themselves, move to fun music, laugh together, sweat together, and leave feeling lighter than when they walked in. Watching confidence grow - not just physically, but mentally - became the most rewarding part of every class. Teaching Pilates was truly the highlight of my college experience.
From there, I had the opportunity to teach campus events, visit sororities, partner with incredible brands, teach private clients, and become certified to teach cardio dance. As someone who has danced her entire life, being able to combine movement, music, and community filled my heart in a way I can't fully put into words.
After graduation, I continued teaching through studio classes, private sessions, Zoom workouts, wellness events, and bachelorette parties. Around the same time, I also had the incredible opportunity to live out a lifelong dream of becoming an NFL Cheerleader for the Arizona Cardinals.
It was everything I had worked toward for years, and I will always be grateful for that experience. But behind the scenes, it was also one of the most challenging seasons of my life.
I was navigating injuries, constant mental pressure, and putting my body through so much that I began to feel disconnected from myself. Even though I was performing at such a high level physically, I felt completely out of my body. That season reminded me that true wellness isn't just about how your body looks - it's about how you feel.
It pushed me to dive even deeper into holistic wellness, nervous system regulation, recovery, healing, nutrition, and creating sustainable habits that support both your physical and mental well-being. Along that journey, I became a Certified Holistic Health Coach because I wanted to help people beyond the workout itself - to educate, empower, and help them build a lifestyle that feels incredible from the inside out.
Through every chapter of my journey, one thing became incredibly clear:
Movement has the power to transform so much more than your body.
It can change your mindset.
It can build confidence.
It can regulate your nervous system.
It can help you reconnect with yourself.
It can become a form of self-care instead of self-punishment.
That belief is exactly why I created mbodi.
mbodi is more than just workouts.
It's a space where Pilates meets mindfulness, holistic wellness, nourishment, and intentional living. A place to strengthen your mind, body, and spirit from the inside out.
Whether you're here for a quick 20-minute Pilates class, a guided meditation, journaling resources, or simply a reminder to slow down and reconnect with yourself, my hope is that you leave every session feeling stronger, more grounded, and more like you than ever before.
My goal has never been to help you chase perfection.
It's to help you build a relationship with movement, nourishment, and yourself that feels sustainable, empowering, and joyful.
Thank you for trusting me to be part of your journey. It truly means the world to me.
Welcome to mbodi.
Let's get out of our heads & into our bodies.
I'll see you on your mat. 🤍
(click the photo below to watch a video on my story)
xoxo,
Marissa