Her life in motion
Simmone Cser-Pratzky is the founder of Pilates 44 Studio – a boutique movement space built on instinct, care and the belief that women deserve to be met exactly where they are. She reads what a woman carries into the room before a word is spoken – the tension in a shoulder, the heaviness in a breath – and builds her work from there.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Simmone, founder of Pilates 44 Studio. Like most women, I wear a lot of hats. Running a business while navigating life isn’t always simple, but building this community has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
Movement should adapt to you – not the other way around. When a woman walks into the studio, I’m already reading her body, her energy, her cues. Pilates 44 is intentionally small so I can hold space for the whole person. I value her story, her humanity, her lived experience. Movement should support your life, not complicate it.
A client messaged me recently: “Thank you for your kindness yesterday – and for holding space.” That’s exactly what this studio is meant to be.
“Movement should support your life, not complicate it.”
What would you tell a woman who is running on empty but doesn’t know how to stop?
Why do we treat our own wellbeing as optional? It’s the oldest cliché because it’s true: you cannot pour from an empty cup.
At 53, mid‑life feels like an awakening. There’s wisdom, clarity, and a shedding of expectations I’ve carried for decades. I’ve learned to set boundaries – and I genuinely love the word “no.”
But I’ll be honest: some days I feel like I’ve left the building entirely. Perimenopause is wild. The emotional ebb and flow is unpredictable. Half the time I don’t recognise myself. This season has forced me to pause, nurture, and invest in myself. Whatever form that takes, it isn’t indulgent – it’s essential.
“This season has taught me to pause, nurture and invest in myself.”
What drew you to the work you do, and how did you find your way into it?
I spent years facing limiting narratives and being told what I couldn’t do. A female colleague once told me my value was “aesthetic.” It shook me to my core. Starting my own business was how I flipped the script. Working for myself became the ultimate way to reclaim my power, rewrite my story, and help other women feel empowered to take charge of their wellbeing.
I didn’t just wake up one day with a sudden desire to work in women’s health – the path was far more meaningful than that. It was a conscious choice shaped by lived experience. Everyday social interactions don’t feel effortless for me; my connection to women’s health is instinctual. This field felt like a true vocational calling.
As a woman navigating mid‑life and perimenopause, I often found myself with more questions than answers. That curiosity became a driving force. It pushed me to deepen my education and specialise in supporting women through something I genuinely love – Pilates.
“Starting my own business was how I flipped the script.”
What do you want women in this region to know about you that they might not see from the outside?
I run a small business while navigating migraine – a complex genetic neurological condition. It’s a variable or dynamic disability and spectrum disorder therefore some people will be significantly impaired while others will live a relatively normal life. Managing it has taught me to unapologetically streamline my days and protect my energy.
I’ve also weathered panic disorder and profound grief. In 1994, my world changed when my 19-year-old brother, Shayne, died suddenly from complications due to pneumonia.
Creativity is part of who I am – art, photography, writing, content creation and teaching Pilates all serve as wonderful outlets for expression. And horses have been a lifelong passion. I spent fifteen years running Annwn Park Lipizzaner Stud. Letting go of that chapter in 2016 was incredibly hard, but starting over was necessary. Bathurst became home again.
I don’t use the word “survivor.” It implies victimhood. I am a warrior. Before I could become the warrior, I had to name what I was surviving: domestic violence. You cannot step into your strength while denying your reality. It took me four attempts to leave and a level of mental and physical resilience I didn’t know I had. I chose to rewrite my ending and give myself time to heal.
Photos: Linc Pratzky
If you could change one thing about how women connect in the region, what would it be?
Women can be our greatest allies and our deepest letdowns. We forget our capacity, our achievements, our survival. My own perfectionism and competitiveness have pushed me hard, but I’m learning to soften. I’m trading comparison for peace and grounding myself in my own quiet evolution.
What is one challenge you face right now as a small business owner?
The cost of living means we are all making tough choices. Preventative healthcare is vital, but everyone’s financial reality is different. Even with health fund rebates, the uncertainty is real. It’s a shared challenge – and I feel it deeply.
Any final thoughts?
Community gets talked about a lot, often without depth. But our studio truly embodies it. There’s give and take, patience and understanding. Honest dialogue creates an empathetic environment. I may be the founder, but the women who walk through the door each week are the caretakers of our studio’s success. I never expected to find a group of humans who would challenge and support me so deeply.
Simmone continues to shape Pilates 44 Studio into a space built around instinct, care and meeting women exactly where they are.
If anything in this story resonated with you, you are not alone. 1800RESPECT.
