Meet Jessica Pate of Trufusion Scottsdale, Remedy Pilates, The Foundry in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Pate.

Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Peoria, Arizona with just me and my mom. She was a single mom who provided the best life that she knew how to for me. I was lucky enough to have been put into dance at the age of 8. I danced from eight until the age of 25. I was by no means the prima ballerina and it was never my goal to be. Because I had danced my whole life, I felt like getting a degree in dance made the most sense. In January 2011, I moved to Sydney Australia to get a Dance Education degree at Hillsong International Leadership College. Although I moved there for school, I ended up falling in love with a country that now forever is a piece of me. I learned more about myself in that year and a half that I would have anywhere else. I learned I was more interested in the human body and how it moves, as opposed to leading dance teams and performing on stages. I moved back to Arizona in June of 2012 and continued education in dance at Scottsdale Community College. It is there that I learned what I had hungered for in my whole dance career… the answers to the questions of HOW the body moves and what muscles are being used in the movement. I had explored an Exercise Science degree while taking the dance courses and quickly realized that MOVEMENT was my passion, not just dance. I changed my major to Exercise Science and fell in love. I realized I can help people learn how to properly move and it wouldn’t have to be just through dancing. I found Pilates in 2014 and knew I had found my calling. I got trained and certified through Pilates Sports Center by Kelly Snailum at Remedy Pilates in 2015. It is there that I learned all that I know now. Because of that training, I am now helping to change peoples lives daily. I have clients that range from all walks of life. I train ballerinas that are 14 years old, I have clients who are professional athletes, I train single moms, I train a woman who is 74 years old, I train traumatic brain injury survivors. I work with any and everyone and I know it is exactly what I was meant to do. To change the lives of the people that walk into mine. I hope to continue this path and only grow more confident in it. It’s been a humbling experience. An experience of patience, love, understanding, self-reflection, and selflessness. And it’s a journey that I’m excited to continue.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m no philosopher, but one thing I know for sure is that nothing worth having comes easy. The struggles are always there. For me, they were just constant reminders of how bad I wanted what I was working towards. For example, the day I had decided to move to Australia for a year of college, I had $7.00 in my bank account. I knew that if I wanted this bad enough, that I was going to have to work my booty off for it! I loaded myself up with four jobs and gave myself a year to make it all happen. It was FAR from easy to get enough finances, but it happened. I endured people questioning if I could actually do this. People would smile or laugh when I told them. Not to make fun, but people just didn’t think it was possible to move across the world in that short of time with the financial situation I was in. I also had support from good friends and family, which definitely helped. Of course, self-doubt is always the hardest to overcome. When it’s you vs. yourself, it can become dangerous. But keeping my head focused on exactly where I was going kept the dream alive.

Jumping into my Pilates career was the same. The main struggle was am I ready to give up what everyone else thinks is normal to pursue what I feel like I was called to do. Essentially, the constant worry of what OTHER people thought really kept me on the fence out working towards the goal of becoming a full-time Pilates instructor. The type of pilates I teach (mat) was not very well known in the city. I went to multiple gyms and studios across the valley to show them what I could offer. I had a line… it was “let me show you what it is, and watch me build this class.” It took a lot of faith from others to believe in me and even more to believe in myself that I could do something that wasn’t really being done. I built full classrooms all over the valley. I helped create programs for studios to continue their programs as I moved on to other places. It’s been amazing to leave a legacy where I once was. Because at the end of the day, people lives were still being impacted by something that I had brought.

Sometimes, I still struggle with the question of “am I doing the right thing?” but again, it’s the only thing that I can look at and say “yes because I’m not doing it for me, I do it for other people.” And little do those people know, as much as they “need” me, I need them in way more.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Trufusion Scottsdale, Remedy Pilates, The Foundry – what should we know?
I am currently the Fitness Director at TruFusion in Scottsdale. What I am most “known for” is Pilates. I have taught mat pilates around the valley for almost five years. In those five years, my love for it has only increased. I strive to be a master in this discipline and I take pride in every class/private that I teach. I think my attention to detail and taking time to break down the “why” behind the “what” sets me apart. I have to say that I wouldn’t be the instructor I am if it weren’t for my mentor Kelly at Remedy Pilates. She taught me the knowledge behind what I know and I am so grateful for her. I have been a part of the Remedy team since she certified me and it will always be a home to me. It’s also where I train all my private clients on the reformer. Although I no longer teach at The Foundry, it is the place that allowed me to really run with passion. They trusted me enough to bring me in and say “do what you do… however you do it.” I am forever grateful for the family I have found in that studio and it will always be a special place for me.

I am most proud when I hear the words “Because of you, I…” It might sound selfish, but those words validate my “why.” I teach people with the passion that I do because I love knowing people’s lives are literally changing right before my eyes. There are many times that my clients can’t see the change in themselves, as it’s hard for anyone to self reflect on the good things. But I can see them. I see the strength that has been made. I see their body changing, creating new pathways of movement, I see when things “click” with a client, and it is the most beautiful site in my eyes.

What were you like growing up?
How I am now is exactly how I was. I have always had a pretty goofy sense of humor. I try to keep life and those around me lighthearted. I was always cracking jokes and hoping to put a smile on someone’s face. I’ve always been. Even as a kid, I didn’t really do what everyone else was doing. I just did what felt good to me at the time. I think subconsciously, I have always championed being a true version of myself so others can become a truer version of themselves. It’s pretty cool when I run into someone I haven’t seen since we were kids, and the first thing they say is “You haven’t changed one bit… even your laugh is the same”

My whole life, I have considered myself a mermaid. I just have always resonated with the sea. I appreciate what it gives and I respect the fact that it can take away just as easily. My dreams of living by (or close to) the ocean came true once I moved to Australia. It was truly a time where I took 2 of my passions and had them at the same time. It was extremely satisfying to work hard for something people only ever dream of, and actually achieving it. (referring to moving to Australia)

Pricing:

• One-on-one Private Intro Special-$35 @ Remedy Pilates and Barre
• First time in studio- 30 days for $30 Dollars- Trufusion Scottsdale
• 1st month of membership $30 @ all The Foundry locations

Contact Info:

• Address: Remedy Pilates and Barre-
  6949 E Shea Blvd. #115
  Scottsdale, AZ 85254Trufusion Scottsdale
  142020 N Scottsdale Rd
  Unit 114
  Scottsdale, AZ 85254The Foundry
  13637 N Tatum Blvd
  Unit 12
  Phoenix, AZ 85032
• Phone: 480-699-8160
• Instagram: @jessmpate

Image Credit:
Tiffany Goldberg, Mindy Hunt, Savannah Dedeaux, Emily Westberg, T.J. Perez

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