Inspiring Conversations with Kara Levenda of Strong Core Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Levenda.

Hi Kara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In the summer of 2021, I was craving something new. I had heard of Pilates in previous years and dabbled in some self-mat practice at home via YouTube, but I had never been on a reformer. I was inquisitive. I began my search, as most people do these days, by Googling Pilates studios near me. There were so many options, and it was overwhelming! I landed on Club Pilates because they offer a free “Intro” class, and seeing as I had never once even stepped foot in a Pilates studio, I knew this was exactly where I needed to start. Fast forward a few days, and 30 minutes later, I was hooked on the reformer.

I signed up for a membership that day and began taking classes at least four times a week – I could not get enough! A few months into my Pilates “addiction” (as I so lovingly call it), I was lying in class thinking about how fun it would be to teach Pilates. As a girl who grew up dancing until college and cheering throughout high school, I never once dreamt of coaching a team or being a choreographer. I also never really cared much for group fitness classes! I let that thought simmer for a few days and did surface-level research on what it required to become a Pilates instructor. One afternoon, I threw the idea out to my dad, mentioning it was something I had never considered before but felt a little interested in the prospect. To me, it was something maybe I’d tackle in the future, but for now, I’d keep my focus on real estate. My dad, however, wanted to hear more and insisted we do more research, and thus began my journey to becoming a certified Pilates teacher. A whirlwind of a few days in the fall of 2021, and before I knew it, I was registered to start my training in the spring of 2022. I was ecstatic and terrified. During the 500+ hours of teacher training to become certified, different hours are required to finish the certification. One of these blocks is “practice teaching,” a solo session with one client or a small group of up to four. I fell even more in love with Pilates during this time and decided this was something I most certainly wanted to do much more than just a little side gig. Thus began the dreaming again – telling anyone who would listen about my ideas of converting a spare room into a home studio so I could continue to teach people on one from a space that felt comfortable to me and, most importantly, to them. As my incredible parents always do, they helped make this dream a reality. I now have a studio at home where I can teach clients on one. I can share my passion and knowledge. I can make them fall in love with the practice and how it makes them feel. That’s really what it is all about!

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?
Is it ever a smooth road? ☺️ Nope, there have been many hurdles along the way. The biggest one for me personally was crossing the finish line to certification. I was so close, and suddenly, I found myself deep within the trenches of imposter syndrome. My anxiety and self-doubt took over many times, drawing out the process so much longer than it ever needed to be. There were also a few months when my reformer had to live in my living room until the studio space was ready. I have learned a lot about creating a business and running it!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Strong Core Collective, or SCC, is a on one Pilates studio offering mat, reformer, and tower Pilates sessions. The focus is on overall health – my goal is to create longevity, flexibility, and strength while building a love for the practice. I want to inform every client who walks through my doors. I want every client to know who Joseph Pilates was and why he created the practice. I want every client to be in the best body awareness state they can be in. I want every client to know and love Pilates and all the amazing things their bodies can do. My ability to connect deeply with each client sets me apart from others. While we will work hard and personalize each session to your specific needs (athletics, injury recovery, strength, agility, etc.), I also want each person in the studio to feel at home. I want my studio to feel like a safe space. That loops in what I am proud of as my brand. I chose the name Strong Core Collective because I wanted everyone to feel like they are a part of something here at SCC. I want people to know that we offer single-session pricing and packages (& eventually will be diving into the virtual world of training). At SCC, we aim to create a fun, safe, productive environment. We listen to our bodies and customize our work to what we need that day. My mission is to have you leave your session better than you came. ☺️

What was your favorite childhood memory?
This is always such a tricky question for me! I have a lot of fond childhood memories, but one that sticks out the most is traveling to Oceanside, California, every summer for 2 weeks with my entire family and our friends. I love the beach and quality time with my loved ones more than anything!

Pricing:

• Single Session: $60 for 50 minutes
• 3 (50 Min) Session Package: $165 total
• 5 (50 Min) Session Package: $250 total
• 10 (50 Min) Session Package: $450 total
• The First Session is FREE!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.strongcorecollective.com
• Instagram: @strongcorecollective