This week, we’re showing our appreciation for the lovely Jenny who is our Marketing & Corporate Memberships manager as well as reformer, barre and mat teacher here at Elite. You’ll find Jenny in any of our studios in Carrigtwohill, Donnybrook and The Kingsley Hotel.
Thanks for being such an important part of #TeamEliteCork Jenny!
Read about Jenny’s Pilates journey below.
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Jenny, I’m the Marketing & Corporate Memberships Manager here at Elite and I teach reformer, mat and barre. I’m from Youghal and I’m a massive foodie and pilates obsessive.
How long have you been working with Elite?
I’ve been teaching since about November 2017 and working as Marketing & Corporate Memberships manager since January 2018.
How did you start teaching pilates?
I grew up practicing gymnastics competitively from the ages of 4-17 and I used to teach a little bit to kids in my local club. When I went to college, UCC didn’t have a gymnastics club and I noticed a massive difference in my strength once I stopped training. I ended up taking up pilates as a means of keeping fit and I fell in love with it. I eventually decided to do my Mat exams, then reformer, then barre and I did the mentorship programme here at Elite.
What would you say is your favourite thing about working at Elite Pilates?
I love seeing our clients progress and get stronger every class. We have so many clients who do pilates so that they can be pain free and its amazing to see how pilates can improve their quality of life. Being a part of such a great team #TeamEliteCork is also a huge bonus!
Why did you choose pilates as a career?
It just happened really! I studied French & Italian at UCC thinking I would go on to work in translation. I loved my undergrad and still love speaking and reading in French and Italian, but at the end of my degree I realised that a career in translation just wasn’t for me. I wanted a more social, client-facing role. I always had an interest in business so I decided to do a Masters in Marketing & Management. Once I graduated from this I worked in marketing for a year and during this time I started my education as a pilates instructor. Once I started teaching I was working my 9-5 and then teaching in the evenings. Once the opportunity to up my teaching hours and work as marketing manager for Elite Pilates came up I couldn’t say no!
What 3 words would you say describe you?
Creative, Social, Hard-working
What 3 words would you say describe Elite Pilates?
Professional, accommodating, forward-thinking.
What would you say are your top 3 passions and why?
Pilates for obvious reasons! When I’m not teaching I love jumping on the reformer and getting my own practice in.
Food. I’m a huge foodie, I have to cook everyday! I love cooking healthy versions of favourites. If I’m not cooking I like to be out and about wining and dining!
Travel. I’m a huge italo/francophile and I love immersing myself in new cultures. I try to travel as often as I can.
When you’re not in studio, how do you spend your time?
I’m hugely family oriented and I’m lucky enough to have the best bunch of friends, so when I’m not in studio I try to spend as much time with them as possible. I’ll usually be found in the kitchen trying some weird and wonderful recipe and I love to travel as much as I can whether it’s in Ireland or further afield.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to give pilates a go?
I really don’t think that there is any body that couldn’t benefit from pilates. Whether you’re a complete new comer to fitness or if you train 6 days a week, pilates offers something for everybody. Give it a go, you won’t regret it!