Margot McKinnon has owned and operated Body Harmonics Pilates since 1996 (long before Pilates became a fitness craze). She holds a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and is a Pilates Master instructor. Margot teaches classes daily and helps train new Pilates instructors from around the world. She wants all students to feel rejuvenated, relaxed, aligned and in tune with their bodies. Not only has she developed classes for ‘regular’ students, but also highly specialized classes for expecting moms, performance artists and people with MS and Parkinson’s disease.  

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?  
6:30 a.m. wake up, time with my son, and I’m unrushed until 8 a.m., then one hour of emails and phone messages, I teach Pilates from 9:30-3 p.m., in meetings till 5:30 p.m., pick up my son, home for dinner and family time till 9 p.m., paperwork, reading till midnight or 1 a.m., then lights out! 

What was your first job out of school?
I was a waitress both during and after university and loved every minute of it. I had a superb manager who I try to model every day in my own business when I deal with my staff. And the day-to-day interaction with our regular customers helped me understand the importance of creating meaningful connections with your customers.  

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?  
My job breaks down into two main categories: movement teacher and business owner. The three major skills I draw on in both realms are: creative problem-solving, organization, and saying thank you to all the people that help everyday.  

What do you love most about your career?  
I love the constant learning. The fields of movement education, biomechanics and neuroscience inform my work on every level. The profound effect movement has on our physical and mental health is still poorly understood but is starting to open up in the realm of neuroscience.  There is always new research and different techniques to stay abreast of, so reading for my work as movement teacher is an integral part of my week.  

Do you have any warnings?  
Don’t focus on what you can get from your work, but rather what you can give. You will feel your sense of purpose and self-confidence grow exponentially.  

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?  
Travel writer.