This Mat & Chat was hosted on Sunday, May 24th, 2020 on Instagram Live. The chat followed a 25 minute mat workout.
Victoria: I wanted to start today by referencing a Mat & Chat interview I had with Kira Lamb. I don’t know if you saw Kira, or if you know Kira, but Kira also comes from a dance background, and she was so humble in the way that she spoke about her dance. She was like: “Yeah, I was a dancer, and that led me to Pilates.” And then she sends me the pictures that I asked for that I upload with the interview when I transcribe it, and she captions them: “Here’s me in Fuerza Bruta. Here’s me as a New York Knicks dancer.” And I’m like: “What?! You didn’t mention any of this stuff.” Meanwhile, in my call with Nicole, she did mention those things. So, Nicole, I want you to talk all about your incredible Broadway career as well as dance, and how that led you to Pilates. All of that amazing stuff. So let’s start on a journey here!
Nicole: A journey! My goodness. I didn’t start dancing until I was 15. I just had an amazing opportunity to work with some really renowned choreographers, and that’s the backbone of my dance career. The schools that I was able to receive scholarships from were super humbling and it’s kind of the same with Pilates. The universe has guided me to meet the right people at the right time.
Victoria: Okay, well, can you tell us about Broadway?! Cuz that’s like the coolest thing! If you don’t, I will, so come on!
Nicole: *laughs* I’ve been working with The Lion King since 2002, it’s one of the best Broadway shows out there. If you’ve never seen it, and you think you have to go with kids, that’s a lie. You can go by yourself, man. The first time I saw it, I did standing room seats because I couldn’t afford it. The prices are so expensive. It’s been an amazing journey, I’ve traveled all around the world through that show and met so many amazing people. My life has changed from touring and then going on Broadway, so it’s been really great.
Pilates came into my world because I was tired of trying to go to the gym all of the time to stay healthy for an 8-show-a-week production. The stage is steel so you have to be really consistent with your training. A lot of people don’t understand that it’s vigorous; it’s really hard. So anything you can think of- from running, to swimming, to biking (depending on the weather)- we all tried to do it. From yoga, to Pilates- as I was going through and taking Pilates in different cities every 6 to 9 weeks that I moved, I started to realize a few things: one, I wanted to learn how to teach myself so that I could go into a studio and just rent the space, being ignorant. You know, the: “I’m a dancer, I can figure this out, I can teach myself.” And then it was humbling to find Romana’s studio in Texas and finding out no- there’s so much more to the work than just doing and mimicking the exercises.
When I was trying to figure out what certification program I wanted to choose, I thought back to all of the teachers that taught me that stuck in my head. All of them- all of their bios- included Romana’s name. Within the lesson, me being so green, they all talked about Romana: “Oh, Romana would say…” and they would just go into these stories and it would take them to a place that was just so peaceful. I was like: “I want a piece of that- who is she!? How do I find her!?” Once again the universe pushed me to Texas and that’s where I found her.
Victoria: So what year did you start your certification for Pilates?
Nicole: 2002. And the cool part about Metroplex Pilates, Romana’s studio there- Heritage Pilates- was that they took my certification, program money and they pushed me within my tour contract and they connected me to all of these different studios around the world. So I have lots of personalities in my head when it comes to teaching the Contrology method, and lots of humbling stories as well. The experience is amazing. I did all of my trainings- I went back to Texas and would stay for weeks at a time- and then I would stay in the studio and learn from that studio owner, and the apprentices at that time. I kind of went through the program multiple times if you think about it. Everyone teaches a little bit differently.
Victoria: So who were some of the biggest influences in that journey for you?
Nicole: Oh! Chacha Guerro. That’s my mentor, man. I say I’m 1% of her, and that’s Romana’s protégé. They’re like peas in a pod. It was really lovely to see how Chacha and her family took care of Romana and just kept her moving and going. They would bring her to the studio when we were all there so we could work with her. Of course Romana- just to be able to say that I was in the room with her! It’s great. Lori is amazing- I adore her. Cynthia Lochard is really lovely. I got to meet Juanita when I did my advanced, she’s really cool. Michael Rooks, I don’t know if you know him, he’s in DC. Larry & Juan, they’re so cool, they have their studio in New Orleans. Teachers in New York- I got a chance to spend some time with Alycea. I like her personality.
Victoria: Yeah, she is really great. She and I have a lot in common. I think we’re both go-getters, so I think that’s a good pairing.
Nicole: Yeah, and I think it’s not even just about the teachers. It’s more about the people you meet along the journey. I’ve had opportunities to work with clients who have Parkinson’s, I’ve had opportunities to work with people who are professional athletes, and then the people who can’t touch their toes- and before you know it, they’re like: “I can do it! I put my socks on today and my back didn’t hurt!” So that’s been a real inspiration within this journey, you know?
Victoria: Okay, so you told us you started with The Lion King in 2002, and you also told us that you started with your Pilates training in 2002. You just spoke to this, but you were simultaneously a cast member of The Lion King while also traveling the United States on tour and then doing your certification at studios throughout the United States while you were there on tour. Correct?
Nicole: Correct.
Victoria: That’s remarkable and so frickin’ cool. I can’t even imagine the sort of excitement. A new city, a new stage, but then also a new studio and a new mentor. It’s really incredible how well rounded your teaching must be. Like you said, you have 1% of Chacha but you have 1% of all of these studios. That’s so cool, so dynamic, so unique. Nobody could say that. I mean, I’m trying to accomplish something like that with these Mat & Chats; I’m trying to encourage people to work with people around the world, around the country, but you know, now we are doing it because we are forced to in quarantine, but before that it wasn’t common. Your background to me is just so amazing. That’s why I was like: “If you don’t talk about The Lion King, I’m going to talk about The Lion King.” Because that’s your story- it’s so cool!
Nicole: Thanks! Yeah, I try not to talk too much about it because people are like: “Oh she’s a dancer, she can do [Pilates] because she’s a dancer.” No, no, no. Because of Pilates, I’ve been able to do so many things for my body. In terms of keeping it healthy- I’m able to say I’ve walked away without any injuries. I still cover- so I still have a moment to go in, which is actually one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. A 212 number will pop up on my cell phone and I’ll be like: “Oh my God, oh sh*t, they’re calling!” you know? And I haven’t touched that stage in a while, they’ll call you on a Wednesday or Thursday and you’re rehearsing on a Friday and you’re on the stage on Saturday & Sunday and you’re performing. It’s because of this method that I’m able to bounce back. Yeah, my stamina is a little challenged, but knowing your center and finding new ways to play with the movement has been great. I even bring my Wunda chair to the theatre. I flip it and I stick it under the desk, I do my makeup, then I flip it and do my warm-up on there, and slide it back in.
Victoria: That’s so cool!
Nicole: Yeah, it’s fun!
Victoria: I had Tela Anderson and Alix Schaubhut last weekend, and I always try to find some great little quote that I can find from the interview to post after the fact. Alix came from a nursing background, and she said: “Pilates is more powerful than any medicine I could prescribe” and then Tela said something like: “Pilates has allowed me to avoid surgery and allowed me to continue to do other things that I love.” I think what you’re saying here goes hand-in-hand with both. Pilates prepares you for so much in life, and then also keeps you strong and ready to jump back on stage when The Lion King calls.
Nicole: Yeah, it does. It’s definitely one of those exercise formats that keeps you on your toes, and humble at the same time.
Victoria: Yes, and humble at the same time. Ooh! Juan just started watching. Hi Juan! Juan nominated Nicole. I’m asking all of my previous Mat & Chat guests to nominate somebody to go next upon completion of their Mat & Chat, which is how I’m continuing this. When Juan nominated Nicole, he told me: “Careful because Tela and Nicole were separated at birth.” I think anyone who did Tela’s workout and just did Nicole’s workout would agree! That was so challenging. I’m like: “I’m not doing this hundred with my feet two inches off the mat.”
Nicole: *laughs* You did it though!
Victoria: I did, I did, but it was so hard.
Nicole: I was like squeezing my butt with you. I was like: “She’s got it, she’s got it!” Actually, I’m glad Juan popped on, because Juan, myself, and Tela are doing the next #PFU!
Victoria: Yeah! So actually that’s a really great segue because I did want to talk about Pilates Friends United, #PFU, #PilatesFriendsUnited. It is a group of Pilates lovers. Talk to us about started, what it is, and especially now that it is quarantine, so many more people are able to access the workouts. Usually they’re at a studio, so this is different! Tell us about Pilates Friends United.
Nicole: Pilates Friends United just fell into place I guess. We did the first one at Brett Howard’s studio with Gina Jackson, Tela, Juan, and myself, and Brett’s partner as well. It was a lovely experience to work out-
Victoria: Can you share with us though- how many people are simultaneously working out in a room? Cuz it’s really cool!
Nicole: Well it started out with just a handful of us, but now, I think virtually for PFU 13 with Alycea, Juan, and I we had 63 people show up!
Victoria: I was there!
Nicole: Yeah!! We had one room with reformers, another room with reformer on the mat. We did breakout rooms, and then did a collective ending. Basically we go from city to city, state to state, and Juan will ask a studio owner to host us, and they will invite their teachers and teachers around the community and those who can travel in, and we’ll just work out together! We’ll just sweat. It’s 30 minutes at a time in a pocket of space, and then we rotate. After we sit, talk, laugh, share experiences, and it’s been a great experience- especially in this time- to be connected.
Victoria: Okay so I already see people commenting: “So fun, I want to come to that party!” I’m not going to lie, in the beginning Pilates Friends United was very exclusive, I’m serious about this- I would know it was happening at Real Pilates but I wasn’t getting the invite, and I was like: “Okay, it’s okay, I haven’t earned my spot in Pilates Friends United, maybe one day I’ll get invited.” Then one day I got an email from Juan- I just suddenly got the cc. I was like: “Yes!!” But is it invite-only? If people want to join, can they? How do they get involved? People are all over the place and want to hop in.
Nicole: Yes! It is totally the opposite of what you’re saying, but I understand it because even in the dance world it’s like: “Oh, here they are- the elitists.” You know, it actually is so funny. When I was in college and in training, I didn’t realize this at first, but Kathi Ross-Nash was a principal dancer with Ballet Hispanico and I was in the pre-professional program at that time. At the time I had no idea what Pilates was. I hadn’t put the pieces together or anything like that. Then, as we went on, I would stare at her and I read her bio and was like: “Oh my God, we crossed paths already!”
So Pilates Friends United is so the opposite. It’s not even about the elitist part. If you see it and we hadn’t invited you, just say: “Please girl, let me in!” Send an email or a message to Juan, pilatesfriendsunited@gmail.com and you can jump into the next one.
Victoria: I think there’s one coming up soon, right? When is that?
Nicole: Yes, it’s next Sunday [the 31st]. It’s me, Juan, and Tela, and the donations will go to a COVID foundation. We just want as many people as possible, so we’re starting at noon so that we can open it up to as many people as possible. We want that energy, we want it to say: “It’s us, collectively coming together and sharing this Contrology method and our life stories.” So thank for everybody who has joined, and who has an interest in joining. So all you gotta do is just tell us, and then you’re in!
Victoria: Yes! So if you’re watching, and you want that entry ticket, you got it. No ticket needed, but in the beginning I was a newer instructor, and I saw all of these big instructors like Tela, Juan, Melissa [Castro-Schmidt] and they were talking about it and I was like: “Oh, I’m definitely not asking, I’m not there.” But it’s great and for anybody that is interested the first virtual PFU, which featured Alycea [Ungaro] and Nicole, the reformer/reformer on the mat, all the money raised went to a hospital or nursing foundation in New Orleans. It’s good to do something for the better of all, especially right now.
Before I pivot this to my “this or that” speed round, I do want to ask you, since you did get to work with Romana, if you have one memory that sticks out of your time with her.
Nicole: I think the most would probably be how gracious she was. She taught how important it is to inspire and to tell a story and to look past the physical part and to encourage others to want to be better, to want to do better, to strive for more. To really love on each other and love all around- it’s model she would say. To really love on one another, because you might not get tomorrow. Chacha and her husband Roberto were so generous, they didn’t know me from a hole in the wall, and they brought me into this space where this woman is held on such a high platform because of the work that she’s done, and the people and the lives that she’s changed. That has been my journey- hopefully that shows. I’m grateful. I love the method, I love meeting new people, I’m all about talking to someone, to being a voice. It keeps me energized. I try to really take in those who don’t really know the method, who haven’t practiced the method and share it so that they understand that if you change it, it’s cool, but don’t say that that’s what it is. Or if you change it- tell people. If you’ve taken something from someone, tell people where you’ve gotten it from, so the world has an understanding as a whole. She is us, we are him. We just keep sharing the trueness of the work.
Nicole’s Speed Round
City or beach?
Sweet or savory?
Cat or dog?
Adventure or comfort?
Books or movies?
Nights in or nights out? I like to party
Summer or winter?
Tea or coffee?
Early bird or night owl?
Pizza or pasta? Half a pizza, lots of pasta!
Europe or Asia?
Spring or fall?
Breakfast or dinner?
Spicy or mild?