Lead Instructor Trainers

Michelle, from Sydney, Australia, has both a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts (Dance) degrees and a Masters in Learning and Development. She became a fully certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in 2003, and later that year went on to become an Instructor Trainer. She is now a Lead IT for Merrithew^® specializing in the STOTT PILATES full repertoire and Total Barre. Over the past 22 years, she has taught hundreds of STOTT PILATES courses and workshops in Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, the UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. Michelle is an intrepid traveler who loves an adventure.

Monique is the founder of Pilates Winnipeg, a Merrithew^® Licenced Training Centre in Manitoba, which opened in 1997. She is one of very few bilingual Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainers and upon request to teach any certification course or examination in both English and French. A graduate of The National Ballet School, Monique has over 30 years of teaching experience. Monique is also a certified Gyrotonic instructor.

In 2007 and again in 2009, she received a mentorship award as a result of recommendations from her peers, along with a lifetime achievement award from Merrithew. She recently hosted Moira Merrithew at her studio in celebration of the studio's 20th anniversary.

Nate is a certified Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES^®, specializing in comprehensive instructor education since 2010. With a strong background in anatomy, movement science, and personalized coaching, Nate has trained hundreds of instructors to become confident and competent professionals. Nate’s teaching style is precise, methodical, and deeply rooted in the mind-body connection, with a mission to empower every learner to apply what they have learned effectively.

Paulina has an extensive and distinguished career in the fitness and movement industry, rooted in a strong foundation in professional dance. Her background has given her a profound understanding of the human body, movement mechanics, and injury prevention—knowledge that has been pivotal throughout her career.

Paulina first achieved certification as a STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in 2004, and she is now a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializes in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®. With over a decade of teaching experience, Paulina has shared mindful movement practices across an international landscape, teaching and presenting throughout North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia. This global exposure has allowed her to work with students and professionals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, enriching her teaching perspective.

Her teaching approach is both broad and highly individualized. Paulina is passionate about leading dynamic group classes as well as providing personalized one-on-one instruction. A cornerstone of her work is supporting clients with injuries or special physical needs, developing safe, effective, and tailored programs that support rehabilitation, functional movement, and long-term wellbeing. Her approach is defined by precision, empathy, and deep respect for the integrity of the body.

Pilar started her practice as a physiotherapist in the neurological field, then transferred to the sports field. She specializes in Obstetric & Gynecologist Therapy as well as Myofascial Techniques. Pilar shares her enthusiasm in the Pilates Method teaching courses internationally in several University Masters programs. She received her Full Certification in the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2006 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007 and the STOTT PILATES Rehab program in 2014. She was granted Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in 2018.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in Japan, Rie moved to Toronto, Canada to pursue her avid interest in the human body and passion for health and wellness. She received her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2006, excelling further to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2008. Rie applies her expertise to deliver high quality education to students as a Lead Instructor Trainer and in her work as Education Programming Specialist at the Merrithew’s Head Office in Toronto. In addition to teaching students and supporting Instructor Trainers, she is involved in developing Merrithew Education and expanding Instructor Trainer resources and website content. She also became a Registered Homeopath in 2015, furthering her passion to help people in the pursuit of holistic health and wellness.

Rob, with a strong military background from South Africa, brings discipline and motivation to his fitness clients. He started as a group fitness instructor and built his expertise internationally, specializing in Pilates after training with STOTT PILATES^® in the US. Rob holds multiple certifications in Pilates, Yoga, massage therapies, and more, and owned a successful Pilates studio in Massachusetts for over a decade.

After relocating to the UK in 2011, Rob became a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, delivering courses worldwide. He recently opened a new “Body in Sync” studio in Greenwich, London, and continues to advance his skills as a Corrective Exercise Specialist. Rob is dedicated to supporting and inspiring clients to achieve their best through mindful movement.

A native South African with a dance background, Rouxchelle began her STOTT PILATES^® training in 2005. She opened a home studio and commercial studio in South Africa before relocating to New Zealand in 2010. After moving to Australia in 2011, she opened a new Studio ROUX Wellness. Rouxchelle is a great ambassador for Merrithew^® and her passion and enthusiasm are contagious. She is fully certified in STOTT PILATES and is a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Total Barre^®, Halo^® Training and Merrithew Fasical Movement. She is also a Qualified Instructor in ZEN•GA^®, CORE^™, and Fascial Movement. Rouxchelle creates an atmosphere of love and support for both clients and Instructors. Her client list includes all ages and all possible needs, from post-surgery rehabilitation to performance-enhancement for elite athletes such as Australian Olympic kayaker Naomi “Floody” Flood and Canadian Olympic kayaker Emily Fournel.

Sarah Jarvis joined the Merrithew^® team in 2004 after completing her Full Certification in STOTT PILATES^®. She is now a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer and specializes in ZEN•GA^®, Halo^® Training and Total Barre^®. With a background in aerobics and fitness, Sarah brings a dynamic approach to her Pilates teaching. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor and is Can-Fit-Pro certified.

Sarah has extensive experience working with various demographics, including individuals with injuries and those with lifelong conditions where movement is crucial for maintaining quality of life. She is particularly passionate about empowering active aging clients. Since becoming certified, she has continually expanded her knowledge through specialized courses and workshops on the fascial system and anatomy, as well as seminars on specific injuries and programming with leading experts in physiotherapy and kinesiology.

“Pilates, for me, has always been about getting people into their bodies. Many people go through their workouts with poor or no activation and little understanding of how their muscles work. It’s my job to help them activate, provide well-balanced workouts, assist in injury prevention and improve posture and overall strength."

In addition to teaching clients, Sarah mentors internationally trained instructors and has represented Merrithew for over a decade, presenting across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Outside of Pilates, Sarah enjoys spinning, HIIT training, traveling, savoring great food and wine, and meeting wonderful people.

A lifelong passion for movement began for Saulo as a competitive gymnast and sports aerobics athlete, where he first understood the profound connection between disciplined physical training and mental focus. This foundation led him to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and work in fitness instruction and strength coaching.

His journey transformed in 2006 upon discovering the Pilates Method. By 2007, he was directing his own studio, seeking a system aligned with biomechanical precision and holistic wellness. This search culminated in 2009 with STOTT PILATES^®, leading him to relocate to São Paulo to immerse himself fully. He became a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer in 2013 and a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer in 2017.

Saulo gained further experience at the Merrithew Corporate Training Center in Toronto, contributing to global education until 2020, and later teaching across the Middle East, delivering STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®. He is also a certified GYROTONIC^® instructor.

Now based in Oxfordshire, UK, Saulo directs his own official Merrithew Host Training Centre, continuing to train instructors and integrate biomechanics and mindful movement into his teaching and practice.