Two years later, she became a Pilates instructor and when the previous owners retired in December 2022, Sam took over the business.
I am where I am today because of Pilates.
Late last year, Sam won Hyrox London, a global indoor fitness competition that blends running with functional workouts in a standardised race format. She was an impressive 10 minutes ahead
of the second-place competitor and coming within 1 minute of the world record. And hot off the press, she has recently won Hyrox in Berlin, in her age group, with her female race partner! What an amazing achievement.
Here, Sam talks about her journey from pain to power through Pilates.
“I used to love riding horses and started at the age of five. I was in South Africa at the time and rode competitively from a very young age. We then moved to South America when I was ten. Over the years, I represented Chile in Show Jumping, won various National Championships and came second in the FEI World Championships. I also represented Chile in Dressage as a Junior and later as a Senior, riding up to Grand Prix level.
While I was in Chile I met my husband, who was a diplomat, so we started to travel, and it became increasingly difficult to ride competitively. We had children and I still rode. In my life, I’ve broken my back twice from horse riding. The second time, my physio said ‘you need to look after yourself and you should try Pilates’. I didn’t think it would be much of anything, and it’s been extraordinary and changed my life. I am where I am today because of Pilates.
With horse riding, you’re so involved with the horse, that really riders often don’t think about themselves, and neglect themselves. People tend to spend money on their horses and not on themselves. I was one of those. It’s revolutionary when you come to Pilates and feedback into any sport that you do, whether that’s riding, or running, or tennis, or walking.
I’m now fitter and healthier than I have ever been.
One of the things I’m passionate about is how closely related food and movement is to the overall feeling of wellbeing. Both are equally important. People understand the importance of movement and then don’t understand why they don’t feel better. If we eat well, we have so much more to give in our movement. It’s also about the timing of your meals and the combinations there of, your carbs and proteins. People are fearful of eating carbs but it’s your energy.
I am now a hybrid athlete which is a mixture of running and strength. I do Hyrox, trail running, obstacle course running and I’m now fitter and healthier than I have ever been. I can put that down to a positive link with food that has changed my life.”
Find out about classes at Winchester Pilates.
You’re an inspiration Sam and an example to us all of the power of the Pilates method.