BY LINDSAY VAN WERT, Sales Representative

At 7 a.m., you’ll find me on a reformer at my local Pilates studio. It’s early – yes – but it’s also sacred. In an industry like real estate, where the pace is fast, the hours are long, and the list of to-dos is never-ending, that one hour in the morning has become a quiet act of rebellion against the chaos.

And as a working mom with two young kids, that hour is even more precious. My time is rare. Between getting my children fed, dressed, out the door, and showing up fully for my clients, the day can feel like it belongs to everyone but me. But at 7 a.m., it’s mine. No one needs a snack, paperwork, or an urgent call returned. It’s just me and a bit of calm before the storm.

Pilates gives me time for myself – before the calls start, before the emails pile in, before the whirlwind of showings, negotiations, school drop-offs, and dinnertime meltdowns. It’s the one part of my day where I don’t have to be in charge or making decisions. Someone else leads. I follow. And my phone stays zipped in my bag.

It’s not just about fitness. It’s about clarity. Pilates sharpens my focus. There’s no multitasking on the reformer. You have to be fully present – aligned, breathing, listening. That kind of focus carries into my workday, where being present with clients (and my kids) is everything.

More surprisingly, Pilates has helped build my resilience. When your muscles are shaking halfway through a plank and the instructor says “just ten more seconds,” you learn to push through discomfort. That same mental muscle gets flexed in real estate too – especially when deals get tough or timelines get tight. And let’s be honest: parenting is a full-body endurance sport of its own.

There’s also the community aspect. My 7 a.m. crew is made up of people I might never have crossed paths with otherwise – designers, teachers, entrepreneurs, new parents. We cheer each other on in silence, with tired smiles and knowing glances. It’s grounding to be reminded that everyone is juggling something, and we’re all just trying to start the day strong.

And honestly? I’ve never once regretted going. Even on the coldest mornings or the days I’d rather hit snooze, I leave class feeling more capable, more energized, more me. It’s the anchor that steadies the rest of my day.

Pilates might not seem connected to real estate or motherhood at first glance – but for me, it’s the foundation that supports it all. It’s the pause that fuels the hustle. The quiet that sharpens the voice. And the space that lets me show up for my clients, my kids, and myself with calm, confidence, and a clear head.