Check Out Vanessa Williams-Ramos’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Williams-Ramos.

Hi Vanessa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
I started my at-home pilates studio, called EVERYBODY PILATES, in 2018, four months after I had my first baby. At the time, I couldn’t keep to someone else’s schedule/company timings with a new baby and all the postpartum feel, so I decided to work on my own terms, hours, with my flexibility, and whatever I was capable of during those months. Being new to the country (1 year living in the United States and Tucson), I had no community to rely on, so it was just me and my husband. We soon found a babysitter, and I got to work. 

I started by going to various marketing events around the city and used my voice to tell people what I do and invite them to try a session to see for themselves. Soon, my clientele grew at a quicker pace than I had imagined. Some of my clients weren’t able to match the price for personal one-on-one sessions, and that’s when my group sessions were created. Always outdoors, at a park, my goal was to provide this service to my community, to help people move, feel present in their bodies, and leave with a skip in their step and a little more stretched out each time. I also used this as an opportunity to get to know the neighborhood and people of this city. 

Unfortunately, COVID hit, and I found out I was pregnant, yes, all at the same time. Woo hoo! LOL. After having my second baby I couldn’t think of working, I was in deep overwhelm with a shutdown community and no one to support me through my journey. So, I decided to stay home and be there for my kids. 

Fast forward 3 years later, and I’m back! Slowly but surely picking up the momentum again. Getting that ball rolling is hard work, but once in motion, it’s easier for me to drop into the flow of things. It’s been 3 months now since I’ve been back to teaching and I’m LOVING it. My family shows up for me 100%, and we make the time for me to have my business and fulfill my dream of wanting to help people be healthier in their bodies. 

I was once asked why I chose the name Everybody Pilates, and I said, “It’s because it’s for everybody and EVERY BODY type.” Nobody type is excluded from this type of movement. No matter the level of fitness or size, this work is for everyone who has bones and muscle. 

My goal through teaching is to help people understand the mechanics of their body in the hope that what we do in a one-hour session translates to their everyday living and movement lifestyle. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It most definitely has not. One of my biggest struggles was/is lack of community. 

I came here from India to study a course and take my knowledge back to open a studio in my hometown. During the span of the program, I met my husband, and my ENTIRE life changed. 7 years and 2 kids later, I am still here trying to get back into all things movement. 

In India, I come from a thriving community, and no matter which phase of life one is in, there is always a welcoming smile and hands reaching out to guide you. I noticed the different mentality almost immediately here. A massive culture shock would be putting it lightly. But I am finding my way, doing my best not to harden my heart and soul and bring some of India’s hospitality and spunk to the people here. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always knew I was never meant for a 9-5 desk job. At the age of 14, I went for my first professional dance class and didn’t look back after that. I’ve always wanted to be a professional dancer and excelled in all my performances and local dance groups I was part of. I was always in the movement world, whether it was a personal trainer, spin instructor, Zumba teacher, and now pilates instructor; I knew my heart was in movement. 

I’ve always been known for my movement and dancing. Around 21, I wanted to take my dancing to an international level and joined a professional program to propel my growth as a dancer. Unfortunately, I had an ankle injury and wasn’t allowed to complete my program. Because of that injury, I turned to rehabilitation work for my body, which led me to pilates. 

I’ve been studying and practicing Pilates since 2014, and I’m most proud of my perseverance no matter what the challenges have been thus far. 

From what I’ve heard, what sets me apart from my peers is the care and attention to detail I provide to my clients. None of them have left feeling like they couldn’t done more in a session or it be a waste of time. I have a special capability of quickly tuning into and assessing what my clients’ bodies will need from the get-go. I teach with confidence and enthusiasm. More than pushing my clients to achieve their goals, I pull them into a world of presence in their bodies and help them find their superpowers from within. I truly believe as a teacher, I’m here to help them remember what they have always been capable of. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Since being new to this country, finding a mentor and networking was challenging to me as a foreigner. 

But what worked well for me in my circumstances was to be my best student. To keep learning, doing, showing up, and never giving up. To consistently study and find an online community of support to learn from. 

Image Credits
July Tillis