Jacqui Kingswell, co-founder of The Pilates Class, has built a career helping women find balance without burnout, proving that wellbeing doesn’t have to mean perfection.We chatted to Jacqui about the shift away from toxic ‘all or nothing’ wellness culture, and what realistic, sustainable wellbeing actually looks like now.

Talk us through your background. What was your career to begin with?

I actually started my career as a professional dancer. I started dancing when I was 3 and was working commercially quite young – touring, performing, and training at an international level. Dance was such a huge part of my identity growing up. It taught me discipline, body awareness, and a really deep connection to movement that I still carry with me today.

What was it like working with such famous names and touring?

It was an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful for that chapter of my life. Touring and working with artists at that level teach you so much, not just about performance, but about resilience, adaptability, and showing up consistently no matter how you’re feeling. Artists work so hard, they are where they’re for a reason and working so closely with them inspires you to work hard and follow your dreams.

At the same time, it can be quite demanding. There’s a lot of pressure on your body, and it’s not always sustainable long term. That’s something I really started to feel toward the end of my dance career.

So why switch from dancing to Pilates?

I always say the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing. After my final performance, I walked off stage and, for the first time, I didn’t have any notes for myself – nothing I wanted to refine or improve. I’d always had that inner dialogue, that drive to keep evolving. And in that moment, I realised it was time to step into a new chapter.

Talk us through The Pilates Class. How does it work?

The Pilates Class is an online platform designed to make really intentional, effective movement accessible to everyone. You can take classes from anywhere, at any time, which allows you to build consistency in a way that fits into your life. Whether you have a busy career, you’re a mum, are new to fitness or are a Pilates pro, there’s a class to guide you wherever you are in your life.

The method itself is very focused on form, control, and connection. It’s not about rushing through movements; it’s about understanding what you’re doing and why. We have a range of classes, from shorter targeted sessions to full-length workouts, so there’s something for wherever you are in your journey.

What was it like starting a business from scratch?

It was definitely a learning curve. I went from being a dancer to a dance instructor to a Pilates instructor in studios, and then suddenly ran a business, which requires a completely different skill set.

In the beginning, you’re fulfilling every job role, and you learn very quickly through experience. There were moments that felt overwhelming, but also incredibly rewarding. Building something from the ground up that genuinely helps people is such a special feeling. To this day, I still dip in and out of customer service emails to finance calls.

Have you made any mistakes running your business to date? If so, how would you go back to change what occurred?

Of course! So many. I think mistakes are part of the process, especially when you’re building something new.

If anything, I probably would have trusted myself more earlier on. There were times I overthought decisions or tried to do things a certain way because I thought I ‘should’. Over time, I’ve really learned that staying aligned with your vision and intuition is what creates something meaningful. Even if there are mistakes made on the journey. That’s part of it all. You can’t be afraid of that.

And what has been your greatest accomplishment to date when it comes to your business?

Honestly, it’s the community we’ve built! Seeing people from all over the world connect through TPC and make it part of their daily lives is incredibly special. Of course, there are milestones – growth, partnerships, tours – but the real accomplishment is knowing that what we’ve created is genuinely impacting how people feel in their bodies and in themselves.

From your social media, we can see you had your second daughter in December. Congratulations! How has it been juggling your business with family life?

Thank you! It’s been such a beautiful, grounding experience.

Balancing business and family life definitely comes with its challenges, but it’s also shifted my perspective in the best way. I’ve become much more intentional with my time and energy. When I’m working, I’m really focused, and when I’m with my family, I try to be fully present.

It’s not about perfect balance every day, but more about giving yourself grace and adjusting as you go.

Speaking of social media, the world is obsessed! How have you managed to reach over 70k in your personal and almost 300k across your TPC socials. Why is it important to businesses and brands these days?

I think it’s always come back to being authentic and consistent. I’ve never approached social media as something separate; it’s really just an extension of what we do through TPC. People connect with honesty and intention. Sharing value, showing up consistently, and creating content that genuinely helps people is what builds trust over time.

For businesses and brands, it’s such a powerful way to connect directly with your audience and build a community, rather than just a following.

What is your goal when it comes to your business?

My goal is to continue growing TPC in a way that feels aligned and intentional. I want to reach more people, but also maintain the quality and depth of the method. At its core, it’s about helping people feel stronger, more connected, and more confident in their bodies. If we can continue to do that on a larger scale, that’s what matters most to me.

For more information on The Pilates Class, see here.