Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Gridley.
Hi Bethany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a Division I collegiate athlete who majored in exercise science, and movement has been part of my identity for as long as I can remember. I have played sports since kindergarten and started weightlifting in eighth grade. After earning my undergraduate degree, I went on to physician assistant school, blending my passion for performance with a deeper understanding of the human body. But during PA school, while juggling intense academic demands, I stopped strength training and focused mainly on running. That imbalance led to a ruptured disc and back surgery, a pivotal moment that changed everything.
Physical rehab forced me to slow down and reevaluate how I trained. I realized that strength, especially core strength, is not optional. It is foundational. That is when I fell in love with Pilates and functional training. I experienced firsthand how intelligent, intentional movement could rebuild the body from the inside out. What started as personal recovery became a professional calling.
I practiced as a PA for 10 years, but after COVID and the birth of my three daughters, I felt pulled toward something different. I stepped away from medicine to pursue my dream of helping people move better and feel stronger through Pilates and performance based training. I became comprehensively certified in Pilates through Balanced Body and earned my EXOS certification in functional training. I began by seeing just a handful of private clients in my home studio. As demand grew, I invested in additional Pilates equipment, adding a second reformer, tower, and chair to accommodate more sessions. When my schedule filled again, I expanded further with a third set and began offering semi private training. What started as occasional one on one instruction naturally evolved into a fully built out studio, growing entirely through word of mouth, and today I serve about 120 clients.
Today, what drives me is not just stronger cores or better posture. It is confidence. It is watching women, especially mothers and former athletes, reconnect with their strength. It is building a community where people feel seen, challenged, and supported. The relationships formed inside my studio are just as meaningful as the physical transformations. Movement has shaped my entire life, and now I get to help others use it to change theirs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a perfectly smooth road. I had no business background, so navigating everything from scheduling to managing clients and growing a studio was completely new to me. Leaving a stable career to start over was both exciting and unsettling, and building a business from scratch required a lot of trust in myself. Balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood has also been a challenge. Running a studio while raising three young daughters requires constant boundaries, careful time management, and often early mornings to fit in my own workouts and prioritize my health, even if that means training at four in the morning.
There are long days, and as a solo business owner, everything falls on me. But these challenges have shaped my approach and philosophy. They remind me that consistency, resilience, and intentional effort matter more than perfection. Every hurdle has reinforced why I do this work and has made me a stronger coach and more empathetic trainer for the women and men who trust me with their health.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I run a boutique Pilates and functional training studio in Raleigh, where I help clients of all ages and fitness levels build strength, flexibility, and confidence. My youngest client is 11 and my oldest is 73, and I work with men and women, from busy professionals to athletes and moms looking to regain strength postpartum. I specialize in private and semi-private Pilates sessions using reformers, towers, and chairs, combined with functional movement training in a fully equipped gym. My gym includes kettlebells, dumbbells, a Keiser Functional Trainer, a squat rack, barbells, an Assault Bike, an elliptical and more, allowing me to create comprehensive programs that improve movement patterns, prevent injury, and enhance overall performance.
What sets my studio apart is the combination of my background as a Division I athlete, a physician assistant, and a certified Pilates and functional training coach. This unique blend allows me to approach training with both an athlete’s mindset and a deep understanding of anatomy, rehabilitation, and longevity. Every session is highly personalized, with attention to form, movement quality, and each client’s individual goals.
I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and the community I’ve created. My studio has grown entirely through word-of-mouth referrals, which speaks to the trust and results my clients experience. Beyond just workouts, I provide a space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to move better and live stronger.
I want your readers to know that my studio is not about trends or one-size-fits-all classes. It’s about intelligent, intentional movement that transforms bodies and builds confidence. Whether someone wants to improve posture, increase strength, recover from injury, or simply feel better in their daily life, my approach helps them achieve real results in a safe and supportive environment.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is that consistency and intentional effort matter far more than perfection. Building a business, balancing motherhood, and maintaining my own health has shown me that progress does not happen overnight, and it rarely follows a straight line. I have learned to prioritize what truly matters, set boundaries, and focus on sustainable habits whether that is showing up for my clients, fitting in my own workouts, or investing in my personal growth as a coach.
This journey has also reinforced that the relationships we build and the trust we earn are just as important as any program or workout. Helping people move better, get stronger, and feel confident requires supporting them consistently and meeting them where they are. That mindset guides every decision I make in my business and every session I teach.
Pricing:
- Private Instruction Pilates: $110
- Semi-Private Instruction Pilates: $55/person
- Private Instruction Functional Training: $110
- Semi-Private Instruction Functional Training: $55/person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.revivepilatesandtraining.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanygridley_performance/
