Individual attention with the enriched atmosphere of a small group class in an Air-conditioned Pilates Studio

Who is Dr Mindy Thorpe (PhD)

Mindy Thorpe, originally from Papua New Guinea, has had an interesting working life with careers encompassing nursing, industrial advocacy, academia, Qld WHS Inspector, and has spent the last 23 years as a self-employed Consultant and Auditor in WHS, Quality and Environment Compliance and Management.

After back surgery at 21 prompted a career change from nursing, Mindy returned to study, gaining a Bachelor of Business and later postgraduate management qualifications while juggling full-time work. In 2000, she earned a PhD (Government) from the University of Qld while lecturing and developing undergraduate and postgraduate courses for several Universities.

In 2003, experiencing back pain caused by work and lifestyle changes, Mindy discovered Pilates. After just one class, she found pain relief and improved flexibility. Becoming a regular, Mindy learned that Pilates also gave balance to the stress of her compliance-based work.

In 2016, after becoming a certified Pilates instructor through Studio Pilates International, Mindy launched classes on Bribie Island, opening a dedicated Pilates Studio, and in 2018 gained accreditation as a Personal Trainer. Then COVID–19 hit! Mindy had to shut down her Pilates Studio and the WHS Consultancy dried up overnight. Adapting to circumstances, Mindy embraced employment for the first time in over two decades, working in Maryborough and living in beautiful Hervey Bay.

One year later, Barefoot Pilates Studio opened in Hervey Bay – Mindy needed that balance in her life from Pilates and resigned from full-time work in health and safety to focus on everything Pilates in 2021.

Mindy is registered Professional Level 2 Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer with AUSactive, an industry association that aims to professionalise the exercise and active health industry. A traditional Pilates instructor, Mindy teaches the methods developed by Joseph Pilates, improving clients’ mobility, flexibility, core and overall strength, and quality of life. A self confessed study junkie, Mindy is always furthering her skills to give clients the best possible outcomes and ensure they can achieve their personal goals. 

Mindy’s free time is devoted to her Border Collie, volunteering and fundraising for the RSPCA and RFDS, and is a qualified practicing Canine Myofascial Therapist. 

Mindy says that she has finally found her true passion in working with clients to improve their lives through Pilates and providing relief for animals through Canine Myofascial Therapy.

 An interview with the Owner – Dr Mindy Thorpe

How would you describe your exercise history? “When I had my first Pilates assessment all those years ago, I was active at the gym regularly doing circuits, weights and boxing with pads…. all the good stuff for fitness and walking my fur family twice daily. I was very active growing up and had been involved in competition Judo since I was 8 years old. At the age of 20 years, I had a fight with a patient trolley and lost, rupturing 3 lumbar discs that resulted in surgery. Post-surgery, I was permitted to walk and swim – no other sports were allowed. For years I swam almost every day, and I had dogs so always walked as well. Then as study and work commitments changed, swimming was much harder to get to, but I was still walking and had started going to a gym. Overall, I felt pretty strong but had reoccurring lower back and hip pain that would flare up every month or so then settle with physiotherapy when it was really irritating me.

How did you find Pilates? After one bout of pain and treatment, my Physiotherapist asked me to try out Pilates with a Clinical Pilates Instructor. During my Pilates assessment movements like squat and balance were tested and my performance was great. Then I was asked to do a side lying glute exercise. Well, it was not easy, within a few repetitions my right leg struggled to lift away from my body, it felt cramped and weak. The other leg was not much better – the problem – my hips! I had been to my gym a few days earlier and didn’t have any problems at all with the exercises that included some heavy sparring with pads and the dreaded exercise bike. As the Pilates assessment and exercises progressed it became obvious my hips and in particular my glutes were struggling with small, controlled movements. 

How did the Pilates make a difference to you? I started regularly doing Pilates 1-2 times a week and within a few classes I was totally hooked and feeling so much better, even the back and hip pain had receded. After a few months I noticed my posture was improving and I was standing taller and no longer needed to look at the ground in front of me when I was walking my dogs. My range of motion in my back improved and the constant niggling hip pain disappeared. I found that Pilates was the key ingredient for me to be pain free and active.

Any last words of advice?  I recommend Pilates to everyone. It stands out as a unique tool for anyone of any age and ability, including athletes and gym junkies; those looking to prevent injury; busy workers wanting to fix low back, neck or shoulder pain; or people with medical conditions or chronic injuries that makes regular gym training too difficult. And yes, it is great for Arthritis as well. Matwork Pilates is weight bearing and we use our body weight to perform the exercises, either assisted or unassisted!