Sarah Meinert
Sarah Meinert is a Pilates and holistic wellness expert dedicated to helping busy professionals, active adults, and wellness-minded leaders move better, feel stronger, and live fully. As the founder of Ozean Pilates + Wellness in Pasadena, California, she specializes in creating personalized programs that combine Pilates, functional fitness, and whole-body wellness. Her approach emphasizes lasting strength, improved mobility, and sustained energy—empowering clients to perform at their best in both life and work without experiencing burnout. With 20 years of experience in Pilates instruction and holistic health, Sarah holds certifications as a BASI Pilates Comprehensive Teacher, Board Certified Holistic Practitioner, Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitioner®, and Menopause Coach. She integrates science-backed strategies with intuitive coaching to address not only how the body moves, but also how energy, skin, and gut health influence overall vitality. Her programs blend mindful movement, nutrition, and recovery practices, helping clients enhance posture, performance, and longevity while cultivating confidence and resilience. Beyond her professional work, Sarah is passionate about community and giving back. She has volunteered for over two decades as a puppy raiser and area co-leader for Guide Dogs for the Blind, fostering dogs to prepare them for life-changing partnerships with those in need. Through her work and her advocacy, Sarah continues to inspire clients to prioritize health, embrace mindful living, and achieve holistic well-being—proving that wellness is as much about empowerment as it is about physical strength.
• BASIPilates Certified Pilates Teacher
• California State University (Long Beach) - B.S.
• Advisory Board Member for Nutritional Aesthetics
• Pilates Anytime
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to adaptability, discipline, and a deep understanding of the body. With over 20 years of experience spanning dance, fitness, Pilates instruction, and holistic wellness, I have developed a practice that blends Pilates with physical therapy principles, offering clients an integrated approach to strength, mobility, and body awareness. My background in dance and movement-based rehabilitation allows me to meet clients where they are physically, helping them move with intention, confidence, and long-term resilience. I also credit my willingness to pivot during challenging times—including major economic shifts—as a defining factor in my career growth.
One of the milestones I am most proud of is transitioning from a career in the mortgage industry into Pilates instruction during the 2008 market crash, ultimately building a thriving wellness-based business. Over the years, I have cultivated a practice where clients not only improve their strength and mobility but also develop greater body awareness and confidence in movement. This journey has reinforced my belief that a holistic, client-centered approach is essential for meaningful results.
Today, I work as a Pilates instructor and holistic wellness practitioner, providing both in-studio and virtual sessions. My services include Pilates-based therapy, pre- and postnatal care, rehabilitation, athletic conditioning, geriatric movement, and mobility work. As a board-certified holistic practitioner, I also support clients with nutritional guidance, gut and skin health education, supplement insights, and aesthetic wellness strategies, helping them achieve overall well-being and lasting lifestyle improvements.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most valuable career advice I have received comes from the mentors and colleagues—physical therapists, movement specialists, and wellness professionals—I have trained alongside. Their guidance reinforced the importance of continual learning, adaptability, and meeting clients where they are, which has fundamentally shaped my approach to teaching and holistic care.
I have also been deeply influenced by my mother. Her long-term dedication to service through guide dog training taught me the value of patience, commitment, and purpose-driven work. Her example continues to inspire how I show up for my clients and professional growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering this industry, I would encourage you to stay open to career pivots, trust your instincts, and focus on building skills that can translate across different areas of work.
I have found that challenges often create the greatest opportunities for growth. Longevity in this field comes from truly listening—both to your clients and to your own intuition. Cultivating adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness will serve you well throughout your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is helping clients move beyond surface-level fitness to develop true body awareness and functional strength.
Simultaneously, there is a tremendous opportunity in virtual and hybrid wellness services. These models allow practitioners to support clients wherever they are, making holistic wellness more accessible and flexible. This enables a meaningful, long-term impact on people's health and movement confidence.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The core values that guide my work and personal life are balance, intentional movement, education, and connection.
My belief is that wellness should be sustainable, personalized, and empowering—helping individuals feel stronger, more aware, and more confident in their bodies over time.
Outside of my professional life, my passions include traveling and dancing, which are central to my identity and creative expression. These interests continually inspire my movement philosophy and holistic approach, allowing me to bring energy, curiosity, and joy into the work I do with my clients.
Locations
Ozean Pilates + Wellness
Buneo Park, CA 90621