Danielle spent 15 years working for Fortune 500 companies as a corporate communications specialist. Her 10-year battle with chronic pain led her to pilates and convinced her to change careers to bring the benefits of pilates to others. Danielle was training for a half marathon at age 25 when she hurt her hamstring. That led to a series of chronic pain issues in her back, knee and shoulder that escalated over the course of a decade. She saw many of the best physical therapists and sports medicine doctors in the Twin Cities. They gradually cut her off of exercise, aside from walking. This was devastating. She had been an athlete her whole life. At the time of the injury, she was working out six days a week and had aspirations of being a personal trainer. Becoming a couch potato was not an option.  Her physical therapists said she needed to improve her core strength and wake up muscles in her legs that weren't firing properly. Danielle followed their exercise protocols religiously because she wanted to get better and be active again. But nothing worked. She was in pain all day, every day. She was a shell of her outgoing, athletic self. After nearly 10 years of suffering and frustration, she approached a personal trainer at her gym and asked what she could do to build strength and be active again without causing more pain and injury. The trainer recommended pilates. It was exactly what Danielle needed to help her build core strength and wake up her muscles. It worked because it incorporated the mind-body connection that helped her really tune into and strengthen the muscles that the physical therapists had been targeting.  It took time and baby steps, but after a year of pilates lessons Danielle was able to start working out again without fear. She was strong enough to get back on the Spin bike. She was able to go for a jog. She could go on a long car ride without pain. She could wear high heels again after years of wearing orthotic shoes. That suffering led Danielle to make decisions that ultimately changed her life for the better. She wanted to teach others about the benefits of pilates for chronic pain and help them avoid the endless merry-go-round of doctors and physical therapists that she experienced. So, she changed careers 10 years ago to teach pilates and it was the best decision she ever made. Danielle has helped numerous clients defeat their chronic pain thanks to the power of pilates. Today, Danielle is completely pain free. At age 47, she’s in the best shape of her life. She can bike, run, lift weights and salsa dance for hours with no issues. Pilates was the key to helping her get her life back and make positive changes to help others.