Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Shawna Beardsley of Tucson

Shawna Beardsley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Shawna, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
When I first entered the Pilates world back in 2015, I really struggled with imposter syndrome. I felt like I didn’t know enough about anatomy, biomechanics, or special populations, and I was ashamed of my lack of experience. I didn’t think my voice mattered, and I was afraid to put myself out there because I hadn’t been teaching long enough. I also didn’t come from a dance background, and I couldn’t make the exercises look “perfect,” so I often felt like I didn’t belong in this industry.

Fast forward 10 years, and everything has changed. I now hold my national certification, I’ve owned In Balance Pilates since 2018, I’ve been teaching for a decade, and I even teach teachers. But it’s really only been in the last year that I’ve felt called to step into a bigger role—launching my podcast, building a YouTube channel, and showing up more boldly on social media.

Part of that calling comes from where the Pilates industry is today. Pilates is incredibly trendy right now, which is exciting, but also brings challenges. I feel a responsibility and a privilege to help new teachers navigate this industry. I want to speak up about the importance of maintaining high standards—like the traditional 450-hour training—and making sure that the integrity of the work is preserved. Short weekend certifications or low-cost “fast track” trainings ultimately do a disservice to both instructors and clients.

Because I remember what it felt like to be new and unsure of myself, I’m especially passionate about empowering new instructors with knowledge, confidence, and support. And I also believe it’s important to help clients and consumers understand the value of their investment in Pilates, and why the quality of instruction matters.

So, what I’m being called to do now—something I was once afraid of—is to use my voice. To step up as a leader in this space, to speak truth about the standards of our profession, and to help shape the future of Pilates in a way that honors its depth, integrity, and impact.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Shawna Beardsley, and I’ve been teaching Pilates since 2015. In 2018, I took over ownership of In Balance Pilates, a studio that has since grown into a truly unique and community-driven brand. What sets us apart is our philosophy of fearless movement—our style of Pilates is adventurous, athletic, and empowering. We give our teachers the freedom to design creative, challenging classes within our brand, so clients experience variety while still feeling the strength of our community identity.

I am a wife, a mom of girls, an animal lover, and a Tucson native who is deeply proud to be born and raised here. I wasn’t a dancer—I was in marching band, musically inclined, and I’ve always loved the thrill of fast cars, motorcycles, and tattoos. That mix of grit and creativity shows up in the way I lead In Balance.

For me, Pilates is about belonging. I believe everyone deserves to feel like they have a place in this industry, and I see In Balance as a special space because of that. Beyond the studio walls, we are committed to our Tucson community. We’re building free mat events and community gatherings to make Pilates more accessible—because this work isn’t just about business growth or premium offerings, it’s about giving back, creating opportunity, and making a real difference.

With owning In Balance Pilates comes both the privilege and the responsibility to share the power of Pilates with Tucson—and I couldn’t be more honored to do that in the city I love.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
It’s hard to name just one relationship that shaped how I see myself, because there are several that have been deeply impactful in different ways.

First, my parents. They taught me responsibility, accountability, and independence. From a young age, I was encouraged to work hard, take care of myself, and own my actions instead of blaming others. That foundation really shaped my work ethic and how I approach challenges in life and in business.

Then, my best friend Gabi had a profound influence on me spiritually. She introduced me to meditation, mindfulness, and a deeper connection with God—or Source, or energy—however people choose to name it. That relationship helped me see the importance of spiritual health, which I think often gets overlooked compared to physical or mental health. Spiritual connection has been life-changing for me, and I truly credit her for helping me see and experience that.

And finally, my husband. That relationship has probably been the most pivotal, because choosing your life partner is one of the most important decisions you can ever make. His loyalty, our ability to compromise, and the way we support each other—praising in public, coaching in private—has helped me grow tremendously. He’s been my partner not just in life, but in becoming a stronger leader, wife, and mother.

So for me, it isn’t just one relationship. It’s the combination of these—my parents, my best friend, and my husband—that shaped me into who I am today: a creator, a leader, a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend. And I feel incredibly grateful for the love and support that surrounds me.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success never could. There have been very dark moments in my life when I felt helpless, worthless, and like I didn’t belong. One of the most pivotal times was in 2020, when I had to end two very close relationships—people who had been my best friends and felt like family. Those relationships were deeply codependent, and I realized I had been relying on them for validation and affirmation. When I didn’t get that external validation, I felt lost.

Breaking those ties was incredibly painful, almost like grieving people who were still alive. I went through a deep sense of loss, but also sought therapy and counseling to really understand where that need for outside affirmation was coming from. That process forced me to break down walls, look inward, and discover a deeper sense of self-worth.

What I’ve learned is that success can never teach you what suffering does. Success feels good, but it doesn’t demand that kind of soul-searching. Suffering shows you who you are at your core. It teaches empathy, compassion, and resilience. It reminds you that your worth cannot come from other people—it has to come from within. And once you find that, you carry a kind of strength and understanding that success alone could never give you.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say the public version of me is absolutely the real me—but that doesn’t always mean it’s the version everyone wants to see. As I’ve started putting myself out there more, I’ve gained both support and criticism. I know there have even been online conversations where people have said things like, “The owner of In Balance isn’t very nice,” or pointed out studio turnover. And honestly, there’s some truth in that.

I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not a “nice” leader. To me, “nice” can mean avoiding the hard conversations just to keep people comfortable. That’s not me. I am a kind leader, which to me means leading with my whole heart, giving direct feedback, and saying the hard truths in a compassionate way to help others grow. Sometimes that doesn’t feel good in the moment, but my intention is always to support my teachers, staff, and trainees in becoming their best selves.

As for turnover, yes, there have been seasons where it was higher. But what you don’t always see from the outside are the dynamics behind the scenes—people’s true intentions, the presence of toxicity, or even envy that can surface when a business is growing. Part of protecting my studio, my staff, and my community is making hard decisions, and sometimes that means letting people go. If that makes me “not nice,” then I’ll gladly wear that.

Because ultimately, I don’t want to be remembered as nice. I want to be remembered as kind, direct, and someone who leads with integrity and heart—even when it requires tough conversations. That’s the real me, both publicly and privately.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I think this is such a beautiful question, because when you strip away your name, your role, and all your possessions—what’s left? For me, it’s your spirit, your soul, your life force. That part of you that is eternal, unseen, yet deeply known.

I connect with that part of myself when I’m alone, when I’m in nature, when I meditate, breathe deeply, and allow myself to just be present. In those moments, I can feel that there’s more to this life than what we see on the surface—that something greater is moving through us, guiding this human experience.

The truth is, we all know this on some level, but the distractions of daily life—work, stress, addiction, even the grind of success—make us forget. When you slow down, breathe, and ground yourself, you remember that what really remains is your soul, your connection to God, to Source, to everything around you.

To me, that’s the most liberating realization: that we’re all souls, here in this “earth classroom,” and everything we experience is temporary, but also incredibly beautiful. And at the core of it all, what remains is love, presence, and connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inbalancepilatestucson.com/
• Instagram: @ ShawnaBeardsley_Pilates
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-beardsley-622476250?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16ziuYAwAt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shawnabeardsley_pilates?si=VP2s3Spl7mSQ3bRj
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/core-with-shawna-beardsley/id1812076501

Image Credits
Gyselle Cuevas