I’ve recently been tasked with writing my “Superhero” story as a challenge to connect with WHO I am, WHY PCS was created, and WHERE I want to go next. I stumbled upon an interview with Voyage LA in 2019 in this effort. While reading my words, it feels like a lifetime ago- before the global covid-19 pandemic and only about 2 years into business.
I’m surprised that I still deeply connect with the version of me that wrote the article in 2019. As such, I thought I’d reshare, at least an excerpt, about the start of this journey if you’re inclined to join me in a walk down memory lane. I’d love to hear your own stories of what makes you who you are. Read the full interview here: Meet Keira Cumberland of Pilates Collective SLO in San Luis Obispo - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide
Thanks for stopping by,
Keira
Today we’d like to introduce you to Keira Cumberland. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Keira. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I grew up moving my body A LOT. Since the age of three, I was enrolled in dance classes and was always active in dance and other sports like soccer and track and field until the end of high school. After high school, not sure what I should major in, I auditioned to be a part of several college’s dance departments, including the dance department at Cal State Long Beach. I was accepted, and I thought it was a great fit. During my time, I soon realized- while I was a good mover and a decent dancer- the likelihood of becoming a professional dancer seemed slim. Luckily, CSULB offers a great program called Dance Science, it’s sort of a mix between Dance and Kinesiology, and it started to shape how I viewed exercise. I learned that it’s a science, the body works in amazing, complicated ways, and you can begin to break things down, troubleshoot and improve movement. My mentor at CSULB, Karen Clippinger, who ran the Dance Science program, also hosted a yearly Pilates certification program. I had my eye on that program for a few years before officially applying, being accepted, and enrolling.
Long story short, I loved Pilates. I loved teaching Pilates and practicing Pilates, and I was ready to share it with the world. After my certification, I applied to different gyms and began teaching. I felt like I couldn’t support myself by just teaching, so I sought management positions for Pilates Studios, including a position with Equinox South Bay, where I took on sales quotas and learned about numbers and marketing. I guess it was my first “real job” out of college. It was a steep learning curve as a young professional. It was hard to ask for what I wanted, be patient, manage others, manage clients, and know myself. But I guess you have to start somewhere!
Skipping forward about a year and always looking to create options for myself, I started looking at graduate schools. My parents hold advanced degrees, so it felt like a good path. I took two preparatory courses, including the LSAT and GRE. I decided on the LSAT; two things fueled my decision: 1) My father was an attorney, he loved his career, he was good at it, and I figured I share the same genes; 2) the LSAT required no math.
At the same time, I moved home and worked for MINDBODY, Inc. while living with my parents and learning about all things tech sales. Working in tech was interesting and fast-paced, and I learned much about selling. After about a year and a half with MINDBODY, I knew my LSAT scores would expire at some point; I felt called to go back to school, try new things, and embark on the endeavor that is law school. I attended Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
Skipping several years and all the law school things, I found myself stuck trying to pass the California Bar. It took me 3 tries. This time was defining moment for me. It takes a lot of grit to put your life on hold, to be knocked down repeatedly, and to get back up and try again. I learned a lot about what I was made of at that time. I remember my dad saying, “I don’t know if I could have done that myself.” He probably would have done the same thing, but it’s nice to hear when people acknowledge your resilience.
After passing the bar, FINALLY, it was time to use my license. I had trouble finding a job I was qualified for as a new attorney while doing something that felt like I was making a difference. I only got ONE job offer, and it was located back on the central coast, working for a non-profit helping people find relief from eviction. It was too perfect to pass up, even though it meant I had to leave San Diego, where I had recently moved, teaching Pilates and thriving.
The first three weeks of my first attorney position were challenging. I felt overwhelmed and unqualified. I told myself- I needed to make it 90 days. I need to make it through the holidays until January 1. I got a calendar, and I started marking off the days.
I don’t know how to explain the next part; I searched for commercial space for a Pilates studio on Craigslist. I can’t tell you why I was doing it, how I was doing it, or what the real plan was. I was so afraid to practice law I went back to my roots. I knew I could run a Pilates studio, and I thought- if I ended up leaving this firm, I would need a source of income.
This isn’t a unique event. I had always looked for a space to call a Pilates home. I did it right before law school as well. I may even have the “Pros and Cons” list I originally wrote: Pros to opening a Pilates studio in Pismo Beach vs. going to law school.
I found a space I truly couldn’t refuse. It was the price I would have paid for an apartment (I was supposed to be moving out of my parent’s house), and it was only a year's lease. It was a beautiful space that looked like an art gallery with bright lights, glass doors, and bamboo floors. It was in the back of a bridal accessory company (shout out to Untamed Petals), and I thought: if not now and in this space, then never. Against any of my friends and family’s advice, I jumped on it. Nothing happened in that space for months, and I didn’t know if I would keep it, but I knew I had a backup plan and a place to feel like myself.
I made it to my 90-day goal of practicing law and was starting to feel more comfortable as a full-time attorney. As I eased into my new life, It all changed drastically at the turn of the year.
On January 11, 2017, my dad suffered a life-altering stroke during our weekly walk to a coffee shop near our house. There are 1 million things I could say about the stroke, but here are the things I find most relevant: 1) my father is still alive, and despite some physical challenges and life changes, he is doing remarkably well and is still making progress; 2) I now trust that there is a greater force putting me where I need to be because it cannot be a coincidence that all the closed doors or forks-in-the-road lead me home, a mere 3-months before this catastrophic and unexpected event; 3) I have never been more grateful for my strong body so that I could physically support my father who could not sit up, stand up, walk, communicate with others, transfer himself from wheelchair to chair to bed to shower; 4) I realized that during his recovery while watching the nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists, I had these skills- I could help my dad in his recovery. I knew how to move and troubleshoot bodies and now had a space to do it.
For about six months, the studio, now known as Pilates Collective SLO was a haven for me and my dad; we would go several nights a week- nothing was more important for his recovery than movement. I still worked at Legal Aid. I found that during a crisis, nothing is more important than stability. My coworkers and the work kept me supported and grounded, and I stayed with that job for about 2 years before I decided to focus on the studio full-time. I told myself the same things when making that decision later: if not now and in this space, then never.
My dad and I used to come to that space in the dark after a full day of work. At first, I would wheel him in his wheelchair to the small but beautiful studio in the back of the bridal accessory company. By that time, I had two reformers in the space. Now, my dad (still my client) drives himself to the studio, puts up his handicap placard, and walks with his cane to our appointments. Pilates Collective has now taken over the full space, added more equipment and instructors, and even opened a new location this month in the same town.
We offer many types of Pilates, movement, and breathwork for all people from all walks of life. We offer Pilates for neurological conditions such as stroke while offering more traditional forms of fitness ranging from classical Pilates created by Joseph Pilates to more contemporary perspectives.
In short, I couldn’t have planned all this, and that’s what I always remind myself of now. I am in a good place that makes sense, but by no means did I plan any of these events or outcomes. I go with the flow and appreciate that everything feels right. The things I plan for in the future likely won’t be exactly what happens, but I trust I’m where I’m supposed to be. I also trust that I know what I’m doing and am resilient, strong, and disciplined. I support others, and therefore I am also supported.
There’s always more to say about this incredible journey. If you’d like to learn more, read the full interview here: Meet Keira Cumberland of Pilates Collective SLO in San Luis Obispo - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide