Meet our Ambassador: Mardi Gannon

What is your usual morning routine?

I start my day with a cup of warm water with some fresh ginger (I’m a ginger addict). I then spend 10 minutes with a series of stretches that focus on the upper body as that is where I find I hold most of my tension. I’ll eat either a boiled egg or a banana before I have a cup of coffee and then I head to either my home workout space, my workplace Pilates studio for a Reformer class or the on alternate days I’ll head to the gym for a weight session. Straight after my workout, I’ll make myself my favourite Blueberry Pie Smoothie for a proper and substantial breakfast.

Blueberry Pie Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

1/2 ripe frozen banana
2-3 frozen cauliflower florets
1 cup frozen organic blueberries
1/3 cup vanilla coconut yogurt
2 tbsp Vanilla Protein Powder
2 tbsp low-gluten rolled oats
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp nut butter
3/4 cup almond milk
1 cup ice

Why is this your favourite smoothie recipe?

I love this smoothie recipe as it feels like a treat but it's full of all the good stuff and keeps me fuller for longer. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and are low-calorie but nutrient dense. I use both frozen banana and cauliflower to get that creamy consistency and the benefit of using cauliflower instead of a whole banana is that you’re squeezing in some hidden veggies, whilst not going overboard with the calories in this smoothie. Adding the protein powder is a must for me with the resistance training with the reformer and weights sessions. I’ll also always add some essential fibre such as chia seeds and oats.

What’s your favourite way to move your body and why?

Pilates will always remain my favourite way to move my body. I returned to my own personal Pilates practice after many years of ‘abusing’ my body with hardcore high-impact workouts that ended up causing severe arthritis and pain in both of my knees. I initially studied to become a Pilates teacher over 22 years ago for the benefit of my clients. However, this method has totally transformed my body and my mindset. It has given me back the happiness and joy in my life by providing me with a pain-free strong and mobile body.

What got you into Pilates instructing?

I started as a group fitness instructor and Personal Trainer, and I moved into Fitness Studio Management. In the late 90s, I was managing the most exclusive gym in Sydney where we had a full Pilates studio inside the fitness centre and our own resident Pilates teacher. It was one of a kind, no other fitness centre had Pilates equipment within a fitness studio at that time. I would take her classes and I fell in love with the method and the results it was delivering. She was a teacher trainer, so I completed my initial mat Pilates course through her college. I took a break from instructing for a few years while I had two children and then completed my Barre and Reformer Pilates qualifications. Pilates is the joy of my life and I have this need to share my passion and knowledge of what Pilates can achieve.

What is your number one tip for living a healthy balanced life?

Making movement a habit. Once it’s a habit you will rarely have to muster up the motivation. But on those hard days when I am feeling flat, I will reframe my own mindset from the phrase “I have to exercise” to “I will just move”, and once I’ve hit that play button and started moving the joy of movement often leads to a great workout.

Do you prefer reformer or mat Pilates and why?

I do adore Reformer Pilates. I love the challenge that the resistance of the springs delivers in helping develop strength and stamina. I look forward to the challenge that the reformer provides by being able to take one exercise and perform it in multiple ways to both spice things up and push you to move outside of your comfort zone. It’s fantastic that every reformer class feels so different as there are endless ways to move around the Reformer and many options to modify or progress the moves to suit everyone. The other benefit as an instructor is that it offers us the opportunity to get creative with our choreography which means class planning never gets boring or mundane.