Career Change and Pilates – It’s NEVER Too Late! – Interview with Jola and Justyna from Rebalance Pilates Studio in Łódź

Today we invite you to an extraordinary place on the map of Łódź – Rebalance Pilates Studio, where dreams meet determination, and the passion for Pilates transforms lives. In this interview, Iza Wiśniewska from Balanced Body Polska talks to two exceptional women who founded this studio: Jola Krawczyk, who after two decades in the food industry found her true mission in Pilates, and Justyna Śliwkiewicz Sadowska, an experienced physiotherapist with an innovative approach to movement. Their stories are proof that it is never too late to change and fulfill your deepest desires. Listen to how they dared to dive into the deep end and create a space that promotes health, balance, and well-being.

[Iza Wiśniewska from Balanced Body Polska] We are today in a place where dreams meet determination. Rebalance Pilates Studio in Łódź. Meet Jola, who after 20 years in a completely different industry discovered her passion for Pilates, and Justyna – a physiotherapist with a head full of creative ideas. Their stories show that it is never too late for a change. Listen to how they dared to jump into the deep end and create this wonderful place. Jola, behind the scenes you mentioned that you spent 20 years in the food industry, that’s quite a long time, what was the decisive impulse? That spark that made you decide to turn towards Pilates and open your own studio?

[Jolanta Krawczyk] I was looking for an idea for myself because I felt that I had hit a wall in that industry. I think I was experiencing burnout.

[Iza] And why Pilates?

[Jola] I encountered Pilates three years ago. I fell in love basically from the first class. Those were classes that made me stop for a moment because I had always been very energetic, always fast, always in a hurry. However, Pilates made me pause for a moment.

[Iza] And you wanted to stay like that.

[Jola] Yes, I wanted to stay like that.

[Iza] Were there mats first, or did you jump straight into equipment?

[Jola] It was equipment right away, and basically, that equipment has been constant.

[Iza] Do you see that this is it?

[Jola] Yes!

[Iza] Short and to the point! Tell me, how long did it take you to prepare this beautiful studio? Because it is really lovely here. What was the easiest and what was the hardest part of planning all of this, since you are just starting out?

[Jola] Yes, we are just starting out. In fact, the studio is the realization of some of my dreams. It is a place that, selfishly, I created a bit for myself. What was the hardest? I think time. I thought we had plenty of it because I started the investments here in December.

[Iza] 2024?

[Jola] 2024.

[Iza] And tell me, how many square meters is this place? Because it seems to be quite large. It doesn’t look that big from the outside, but there is really a lot of space here.

[Jola] There is about 350 m² here.

[Iza] Well, now you know why it took so long with the professionals and why since December – and I remind you it’s now May – so that’s half a year for such an investment, it’s incredible. What you have done is truly amazing.

[Jola] Thank you very much.

[Iza] That is fantastic! Tell me, what would you say to people who, like you, suddenly feel burned out, are fed up with what they were doing, are thinking about changing careers, but are afraid that it is too late for that.

[Jola] It is never too late, we actually limit ourselves and convince ourselves that we cannot do something. Because if we really want that change, we need to ask ourselves whether we truly want it? Are we just complaining for the sake of complaining, or do we really want to change something?

[Iza] Great!

[Jola] Because if we want to change something, then we need to take action.nia, and not just stick to complaining.

[Iza] Great! You are truly an ideal example that it’s worth fighting for your dreams and doing what you want, regardless of age, and that’s wonderful.

Alright, now let’s move on to Justyna. Justyna, you are a physiotherapist, and Pilates has become your next passion. Tell me how your previous experience in the profession connects with Pilates.

[Justyna Śliwkiewicz Sadowska] From the very beginning of my journey, right after my studies, I went straight to a personal training studio. I worked there as a trainer and as a physiotherapist. I used various methods, for example, a method called Kinetic Control, which has a lot in common with Pilates. Then came two children, maternity leaves, and so on, and I returned to the profession and focused on Pilates.

[Iza] Great! And from what I know, you are particularly close to the Low Pressure Fitness approach as well. Tell us more about it, because not everyone knows what it actually is.

[Justyna] It’s a novelty. It’s also a method brought from California, just like Pilates and Balanced Body. It is a gentle breathing practice that uses the hypopressive maneuver to additionally stimulate the deep muscles. It is an ideal method for women after childbirth, where there is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles or where the pelvic organs are lowered, where the pelvic floor is weak. So it connects perfectly with Pilates and Kinetic.

[Iza] So during your classes, you combine all of this: physiotherapy, Low Pressure Fitness, and Kinetic.

[Justyna] Yes, yes. When there is a need, of course, because it’s not always the case.

[Iza] But generally, you push as much as you can.

[laughter]

Alright, I also know that you are at the stage of taking exams after Pilates training, specifically from the Balanced Body school. Tell me what emotions accompany you regarding this new challenge and what motivates you to continue developing in this field?

[Justyna] I think that with the opening of a new studio, we are focusing on quality, so we are really honing these exercises and scripts that soon we will know them by heart. [laughter] So I hope the exam will be a formality. That’s what I’m counting on. And there are also many clients, so I have plenty of opportunities to practice Pilates and continuously refine my practice. So I think it will be good.

[Iza] The best training comes from practice, right?

[Justyna] Yes, exactly.

[Iza] We are very pleased that you chose the Balanced Body school. How do you like the program of this training? Would you recommend this training to someone else?

[Justyna] I chose this program because it has exercises for people, not people for exercises. There is a set of exercises that truly helps you feel better, and you can gradually increase the difficulty of the exercise. And just like I once found a graphic about stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s like paving a path around, and with these Pilates exercises, it’s a bit like that too, right? We are in a certain place with our body, organism, and capabilities, and during this training, we can continuously pave more of what we can do on this equipment and in Pilates and feel better.

[Jola] Can I interrupt? Because you asked if she would recommend it to someone – Justyna recommended it to me, because I am also training. I am at the very beginning of this journey, still a long way to go in learning, but I also chose…[Iza] And how are you feeling?

[Jola] Stressful but very interesting. I found it very engaging. I was a bit scared because I come from outside the industry completely. It was even hard for me to imagine if I would be suitable for this. However, each subsequent session builds my confidence. As I mentioned, I am at the very beginning, so this journey is still very, very long ahead of me.

[Iza] The most important thing is that you are aware of it, you know? And that makes it easier. It makes running such a business and everything easier, and it’s great that you are in this together. Can you tell me how your collaboration and mutual support help you in realizing your vision for this place – Rebalance Studio?

[Jola] We divided the tasks a bit without any major agreement. I took care of the investment side, renovations, furnishing, some operational matters, accounts, banks, and so on, all the formalities. And Justyna took care of the important sports side. That is, she assembled the team.

[Justyna] Also in choosing the equipment.

[Jola] Yes, in choosing the equipment, Justyna had a very significant role.

[Iza] Generally, it’s hard for one person, right? Running a business requires a lot of paperwork.

[Jola] We are in a tandem, so actually…

[Justyna] Well, Jola, as a client, visited studios, and I, as an employee, could also choose things that suited me because at this moment, when creating something new, you can be a bit picky. [laughs]

And for example, it’s great that we have so much space that I can approach the client from every side. That is incredibly valuable. Because it’s not always like that.

[Iza] And the fact that you designed this studio completely for yourselves, I know because I heard about something like a leg nook in the ceiling for the Cadillac. Tell me, because that sounds so creative and incredible. Where did that idea come from? How do you think it affects or will affect the clients’ experiences?

[Jola] For the contractors, it was obviously initially unfeasible. [laughs] But somehow I managed to get to the point where it could be done. It was Justyna’s idea because we have a nice space here, but it’s low. We had to adapt to what we have and decided that since we want to have a Cadillac, let’s prepare a place for it where everything can be done without being limited by the space. So that you can stand on it calmly and breathe, without feeling the ceiling above your head, as often happens in other studios.

[Justyna] And also for the inverted position, where, for example, we hold in the boxes, we are upside down, so that the legs have somewhere to fit, or to smoothly transition in that cat-like walking on the Cadillac. So that was our main concern.

[Jola] Yes.

[Iza] I will tell you that when you jump over such things at the beginning, there are no impossible things for you, really!

[Justyna] Jola asks me: “how many people, how many clients will actually do such an exercise?” I say, well, about 3%.

[Iza] But it’s worth fighting for dreams, regardless of the level. So, what plans and dreams do you have regarding the development of this studio here? What would you like to achieve in the future?

[Jola] We would like it to be a friendly place. So that someone could come after a hard day’s work, sit in the chairs, chill out, go to a class, and leave with a clear, calm mind.

[Justyna] I think we won’t stop too much.

[Iza] I think so too.

[laughs]

[Iza] I think so too![Justyna] There will be more equipment!

[Jola] Yes.

[Iza] Great! Girls, listen, you shared your stories with us. This is beautiful and wonderful. Super inspiring for sure for most who will watch this. Your experiences perfectly fit into such normal everyday life. And it shows that you can start your own business, you can fulfill your dreams regardless of what you did in the past.

You also show that it is never really too late to pursue your passion, make career changes, and strive for your goals. Girls, we truly wish you all the success and all the best on this shared business journey.

[Jola and Justyna] Thank you.

The stories of Jola and Justyna, founders of Rebalance Pilates Studio, are a powerful inspiration for anyone dreaming of a change in their professional life and following their passion. Their determination, courage, and mutual support show that success is within reach, regardless of previous experiences and age. They prove that building a business based on true values and commitment brings not only profits but, above all, fulfillment and joy in helping others. We wish the girls from Rebalance Pilates Studio all the success on their shared business journey, believing that their passion and professionalism will continue to inspire and change the lives of many.

You can find Rebalance Pilates Studio online:

https://www.instagram.com/rebalance_pilates_studio
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rebalance-Pilates-Studio-61574835262169
https://www.tiktok.com/@rebalance_pilates