Meet Core Courtney: The Woman Behind COURLATES

Hi, I’m Courtney—Pilates instructor, creator of COURLATES, and a true California girl at heart. Born and raised in California, I grew up with the belief that the sky is the limit, a mindset instilled in me by my incredible southern grandmother. She was an entrepreneur who lived life boldly—she once painted her kitchen bright yellow simply because she wanted to. That fearless attitude shaped me into the woman I am today.

At 25, I met my husband in what can only be described as a whirlwind romance. We emailed for a year before meeting in person, and when we finally did—it was love at first sight. (Before Love Is Blind, there was us!)

Then, life threw me some curveballs. COVID hit, my health declined, and I gained over 50 lbs. Acid reflux, joint pain, and an overall disconnect from my body took over. I tried the gym with my husband but hated it. I even hired a crazy expensive trainer—$1,500 a month!—only to end up with a worse neck injury.

Enter Pilates. I found it at the same gym my husband went to, and an amazing instructor welcomed me with open arms. She saw me, understood my struggles, and encouraged me to listen to my body. I became obsessed, going to class daily, often on my lunch breaks while working from home. One day, my instructor suggested I become an instructor myself, and I was shocked. Me? A Pilates instructor? But I took the leap. I quit my job, got certified, and started teaching within six months.

Teaching changed everything. I saw firsthand how so many clients struggled with perfection. They wanted to perform movements exactly like the person next to them instead of honoring their own bodies. That didn’t sit right with me. My first instructor had encouraged me to be present in my body, and I wanted to bring that same energy to my own classes.

By late 2023, I knew I wanted more. I still loved Pilates, but I craved a method that was simplified, joyful, and focused on movement for the sake of feeling good—not perfection. That’s how COURLATES was born. A fusion of Pilates, aerobics, and calisthenics, COURLATES is all about movement that feels good. Just you, the mat, a few props, and non-stop energy.

Now, I’m building my dream fitness method from the ground up. If you’ve been following me since my blogging days in 2015 (shoutout to my OG OnCourtSt readers!), you know this journey means everything to me. I want to bring back community, to create a space where we move and groove together.

Oh, and in case you were wondering—yes, I’m a foodie. Food is my favorite way to experience different cultures. My favorite movies? Gone Girl and Something New. My favorite actress? Gabrielle Union. And my favorite actor? James McAvoy (I’m obsessed). When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me walking my dogs, soaking up the sun, shopping online, or exploring my next creative hobby.

I’m a professional yapper, a lover girl, and I love love. And I cannot wait for you to join me on this journey. Follow the blog and my YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes updates on COURLATES, and let’s build this movement together!