In this episode Lisa Jackson sits down with Donna Bridge — a high-level rock climber, lifelong adventurer and soon-to-be 60-year-old who discovered Pilates just 18 months ago. Their conversation draws a vivid line between the demands of climbing and the principles of Pilates, showing how breath control, razor-sharp focus and embodied self-mastery translate between vertical rock faces and the studio mat. Donna’s story reframes Pilates not as a gentle add-on but as a performance-enhancing, mind-body practice that complements extreme outdoor pursuits.

Donna came to Pilates originally to address hip pain and lower-back stiffness and quickly found that the practice rebuilt a missing core connection and freed up spinal mobility—changes that improved her climbing technique and everyday movement efficiency. Beyond the physical gains, Donna describes how Pilates has become a practical tool for managing the mental and physical load of caregiving and life stress: simple breath work, rolling sequences and tailored sessions gave her measurable relief and resilience. Her experience also underscores the value of personalised instruction—teachers who listen, assess, and adapt produce the real, lasting outcomes listeners want.

The episode concludes with a clear invitation: Pilates is a lifelong ally for active people who want to keep moving well into later decades. Donna urges listeners to try different teachers and formats until they find the right match, to commit to consistency, and to prioritise depth of training over quick fixes. Her message is hopeful and practical—invest in quality instruction, trust the process, and you can preserve the joy of movement for years to come. 

PAA Course Competency Criteria standards

Visit the PAA website
Find us on Facebook
Join the PAA Member Forum (Members only)
Find us on Instagram
Email us at [email protected]