Meet Katie Mehaffey | Pilates Instructor & Wellness Lifestyle Digital Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Mehaffey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from Marin County, just north of San Francisco. From a young age, I was inspired by my Italian grandmother, who owned a yoga studio for many decades and made health, movement, and mindfulness a central part of her life. She lived well into her mid 90’s and her example showed me how powerful and fulfilling a wellness-focused lifestyle could be, and that early influence really shaped who I am today.

I’m now based in Los Angeles, and being in a city that’s so health and wellness-oriented has been a huge catalyst for my career. There’s an incredible energy here in LA—people are genuinely passionate about feeling their best inside and out, and I think that that’s opened up amazing opportunities for me to grow not only as an instructor, but as an individual. It’s allowed me to truly connect with a community that shares a similar wellness philosophy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a Pilates instructor, my work is about so much more than just movement alone. I help people feel strong, confident, and connected to themselves; both physically and mentally. I aim to provide an intentional, elevated experience in every class, with every client that walks into the studio. My goal is for every client to not only feel good in their bodies, but feel understood, supported, seen, and empowered in every aspect of their wellness journey.

My love of Pilates really began during the pandemic in 2020. I had always been a regular at the gym, but when everything shut down, I was completely thrown off. I started looking up workouts on YouTube and stumbled upon mat Pilates. I was doing it almost every day and quickly fell in love with how it made me feel. I also saw results much quicker than with any other type of exercise I had done in the past. Once business began to reopen, I discovered reformer Pilates and took a class at a local studio. I was instantly hooked.

At the time, I was working over 40 hours a week for a large real estate company. It wasn’t fulfilling, but it paid the bills. The highlight of my day was logging off work and heading to a Pilates class. It was an hour that felt like mine, where I could move my body and connect with a community of like-minded women who were just as passionate about wellness as I was.

Then, in October 2022, I was laid off unexpectedly during a company-wide restructure. It completely blindsided me, and for the first time in my adult life, I was without a job—and without direction. I spent nearly a year and a half applying for jobs, feeling lost and unsure of what was next.

One evening in January 2024, I sat down with a pen and notepad and started writing out everything I wanted in life: my passions, my values, and what my dream life looked like. What came through clearly was this: I loved fitness, I loved helping people, and I wanted a career that aligned with those things. So, that February, I enrolled in a Classical Pilates Teacher Training Program. It was a 10-month, comprehensive course covering all apparatuses, anatomy, vocal training, and Pilates business foundations. I poured myself into it; practicing every single day and finally received my certification that November.

Looking back, that layoff was a turning point. It gave me the space to redirect my life toward something meaningful. Getting to where I’m at now hasn’t been easy in the slightest; it’s taken resilience, faith, and a lot of self-work, but it’s been worth every step.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that clarity often comes from disruption. As uncomfortable as it was to feel so lost and uncertain, that space pushed me to really listen to my true self and get brutally honest about what I wanted. I’ve also learned that resilience doesn’t always look like pushing through…it sometimes means pausing, reevaluating, and choosing a new direction entirely that is more aligned to you. Most importantly, I’ve realized that building a fulfilling career isn’t about having it all figured out from the start; it’s about being willing to grow, stay curious, and trust yourself enough to take the next right step, even when the path ahead feels unclear.

Looking ahead, one of my biggest dreams is to open my own Pilates studio—to have a space that reflects everything I value about movement, community, and intentional living. I envision a place that will be a thoughtfully designed experience. The studio will feel elevated yet welcoming, where people come not just to move, but to connect, recharge, and feel at home in their bodies.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start most mornings with something grounding and energizing; either a Pilates class or an outdoor hike. I love the trails in Runyon Canyon for a good sweat with stunning LA views. Post-movement, we’d grab a coffee at Maru followed by brunch at Great White in WeHo (one of my favorites for fresh, delicious food and cute vibes!).

Midday would be reserved for a little shopping—maybe on Melrose, The Grove, or at Malibu Country Mart. We’d pop into a few boutiques, pick up something cute, and maybe sneak in a green juice or an Alfred matcha along the way.

Dinner would consist of a night at Sugarfish for some sushi, a cozy evening at Jon & Vinny’s for pasta or maybe something a little more elevated like Horses or Mother Wolf. After dinner, we’d end the night on a sweet note with Levain cookies and a little nightcap—maybe back at home in cozy sweats with a movie, or out at SoHo House rooftop for a little music and mocktails.

Throughout the week, we’d sprinkle in some activities like a visit to the Getty, drive down to Disneyland, or just book a wellness experience at Pause or Formula Fig.

To me, the magic of LA lies in its effortless blend of wellness and lifestyle. You can spend the morning centered in movement and nature, then step into the evening with great food and a little indulgence. It’s a city that invites both intention and spontaneity, and that’s exactly the kind of experience I’d want to share with my best friend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband has been my biggest supporter from day one. His unconditional belief in me, especially during the more uncertain moments of building my career, has meant everything. He’s always encouraged me to pursue my dreams with confidence, and having that kind of unwavering support has made all the difference.

I also feel incredibly blessed to be part of a community of teachers, mentors, fellow instructors, and loyal clients who have challenged me, inspired me, and stood by me throughout my Pilates journey. It has been a huge part of my growth and I don’t think I’d be where I am today without them.

I truly believe no one achieves success entirely on their own. Having a team of people who believe in you and lift you up can really shape the course of your path, and I’m endlessly grateful for mine.

Instagram: @missykatie

Other: TikTok: @katiemehaffey