Meet Donna Ligon | Founder/Instructor, Bolder Pilates

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

Hi Donna, what do you attribute your success to?
Success, in and of itself, is an incredibly subjective term; my personal measure of success lies in relationship. Who do I choose to surround myself with, both professionally and personally? What is the community surrounding my business, and what am I hoping to create for them? So, for me, the most important factor in creating the successful Bolder Pilates community I have, is authenticity.

Before I opened up my commercial space, I worked out of my home studio for 14 years. I loved the intimacy, and the serene and focused environment it provided for my clientele. I had always thought of opening up a studio outside of the house, but I couldn’t reconcile my need for this calm and familiar space within which to deeply connect to and help clients, with wanting to offer more community, more diversity of teaching, and more variety of equipment. I saw how big studios operated, and I thought they lacked that special, more boutique environment, often feeling, to me, more clinical.

One day, it finally hit me that I could create exactly what I wanted…that it could still be small and intimate, that I didn’t have to hire 20 teachers or have a huge space…that it didn’t have to be a competitive environment for the staff. What if I had just a handful of amazingly kind and skilled people to learn from one another and provide incredible care to our studio community? What if clients and teachers alike could still feel like they were coming to a home of sorts, where they could relax, unwind, and connect to other people while moving their bodies. It’s truly amazing what sticking to your authentic vision brings; our studio has the most unique and insanely loyal community, one that has supported us and loved us, and has kept us open and thriving throughout these uncertain times. Once I got clear on what felt authentic to me, I manifested it; the space I imagined presented itself, the dream team of skilled and wonderful instructors literally found ME, and Bolder Pilates was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Bolder Pilates emerged from a place of needing to share with others what I had personally experienced in my own body. I was debilitated with back pain throughout my twenties. I wasn’t able to engage with life the way I wanted due to chronic pain and episodes of acute spasm, where I couldn’t move for weeks at a time. Finding Pilates truly changed my life in every way, from participating in activities I once thought impossible, to no longer self-identifying as an an injured person. Because of my personal journey, my business has always been, first and foremost, about helping feel strong and empowered in their bodies, especially those are disconnected to it due to pain and/or injury. This is the mission of Bolder Pilates. It’s not just a workout…it’s about using Pilates as a tool to live your best and boldest life…free from injury and pain, which can take you out of engaging with life the way you want and away from your fullest expression of yourself. I believe that my compassionate/passionate approach and personal experience is what helped me build trust with my clients, and why I have ben able to build a loyal and consistent base.

Running a small business is never easy. There are constant set-backs and challenges, but I think that NOT focusing on what others are doing is the key to what has gotten me this far along. I don’t constantly look at other Pilates studios to see how they’re marketing themselves or what they’re offering…I stay true to myself and focused on being the absolute best I can be, and trust that what I offer will resonate with some people, and perhaps not with others..and that’s ok. Really! I’ve learned that if I bring my most authentic self, every day…even if that means being real and showing up when I feel 60%…as long as I’m honest and REAL with my clients, they relate to it, and appreciate it. I don’t put on a “show” face, and I believe that bringing your unique humanity into your work is essential in building trust with your community.

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?
Well, my friends and clients lovingly refer to me as the “Boulder Concierge”…when they want to know where the best gluten free bagel is, or the best outdoor spot for a happy hour is, I’m the one they ask. I’ve lived in Boulder off and on for almost 30 years, and I love our town. Let’s start with morning coffee: hit up Boxcar Coffee Roasters – the best latte in town, in my opinion add a splash of the cardamom rose syrup. After your caffeine fix, looking for some breakfast? Head over to Tangerine in north Boulder for a fantastic meal, or to the Boulder teahouse for something a little more BOULDER. Oh, and you can’t beat Lucille’s for some down home cajun cooking and a Bloody Mary. Feeling full and want to move? Take the creek path until you run into “The People’s Landing”, and hike up to the top for some awesome views. Other favorite hikes: Chatauqua Park – I love the Mesa trail. Lion’s lair on the back side of Mt. Sanitas is also a favorite with amazing views of the Indian Peak Wilderness area. Ready for lunch? Head to Pearl St, and take your pick of the amazing eateries…..The Kitchen or Salt for farm to table fare, Chimera if it’s chilly for some amazing Ramen, or…head to the East end where you grabbed coffee, and grab a sandwich or custom picnic from Cured to sit by the Boulder creek with. If there is a concert at the famous Red Rocks Ampitheater while you’re in town, you must go – it’s truly spectacular. Dinner…wow, so many options – for fancier, check out the stellar Frasca or Corrida – you’ll find the best view in town up on their rooftop. Oak is incredible too, and Blackbelly! Want some Pizza? Hit up Pizzeria Locale, Frasca’s sister restaurant, or newcomer Barchetta, which we have been frequenting and has the best GF pizza Ive ever had. River and Woods has the most inviting and delightful backyard for any meal, and another newer place, Ash’kara, is a mediterranean bomb of flavor. If the weather is nice, hit up the Boulder reservoir for some stand up paddling…and, of course, if you want the best workout in town, Bolder Pilates has you covered.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate it to Tory Capron, my mentor, spiritual teacher, and guide, who helped me figure out who my authentic self was, and what my vision for life and business looked like.

Website: www.bolderpilates.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bolderpilates

Facebook: facebook.com/bolderpilates

Yelp: yelp.com/bolderpilates