our january member of the month

Tierra Gabelein

This month, we’re celebrating Tierra Gabelein—a Whidbey local, hairstylist, and mom who brings a calm, steady kind of power to the studio. If you’ve ever taken class with Tierra, you know she’s not here for chaos… she’s here for control (her one-word description of the Pilates Collective experience, and honestly? It fits).

Whidbey roots + heart-centered values

Tierra was born and raised on Whidbey, and one of her happiest childhood memories is “Listening to stories from my grandparents ❤️”—which feels like the perfect window into who she is: grounded, family-centered, and full of heart.

Her guiding philosophy is simple and deeply intentional:
“Jesus told us to love one another as he has loved us. I teach this to my kids everyday!”
That love-first energy shows up in the way she talks about her life, her boys, and the effort she puts into showing up for herself.

And yes—she’s also got a very important member of her household: a red golden retriever named Sawyer, who is “one of my kids! ;)”

Why Pilates? To get stronger. Period.

When asked what inspired her to start Pilates, Tierra’s answer was refreshingly straightforward: “To get stronger!” And she’s been doing exactly that—week after week—until strength became something she knows she has.

One of her proudest moments?
“When I was able to do real push ups and planks, was quite an accomplishment for me. I was like I can do this now!”
That’s the magic of Pilates: one day you’re working toward it… and then suddenly you realize you’ve crossed a line you didn’t even know you could cross.

Stronger for life (and for motherhood)

For Tierra, Pilates doesn’t stop at the physical benefits (though those are real). She shared that Pilates helps her feel stronger, and that it supports her in the roles she cares about most:
“I feel stronger and it helps me be a better Mom and stronger for my work as a hairstylist!”

And there’s another benefit she didn’t necessarily expect:
“Definitely helps me mentally!”
We love hearing this, because Pilates isn’t just about building muscles—it’s about building capacity: for stress, for life, for the moments when you need more steadiness than you thought you had.

Consistency that’s non-negotiable

If Tierra has a secret sauce, it’s this: she’s made Pilates part of her normal rhythm.
“It’s become just a part of what I do every week, it’s something that just needs to happen.”
That’s not motivation. That’s identity. That’s the kind of consistency that creates real change.

And if you’re thinking about starting? Tierra keeps it simple:
“Give it a try! It’s a great full body exercise.”

The move she swears by

We had to ask: any exercises she loves? Tierra’s pick is one we all recognize as equal parts humbling and effective:
“Doing side donkey kick routines with the top foot in the strap. I always feel like I’m getting stronger when doing it!”
If you know, you know. (And if you don’t… you will. 😅)

Community matters

Tierra also shared something we hear often—how Pilates can be such a bright spot in a week, especially on quieter days:
“It’s great to have classes to socialize a bit, always nice when it’s my day off and I’ve been home alone all day.”
This is why we do what we do. Pilates is strength, yes—but it’s also connection.

A life built around what matters

Tierra is a hairstylist at Salon Bella and mom to Wilson and Huddy. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and golden retriever, traveling, camping, hiking, and creating memories with our close friends. And if you want to know her deepest passion, she says it best:
“My main passion is to be the best Mom I can to my boys.”

Tierra, we’re so grateful you’re part of this community. Your consistency, your heart, and your strength-in-progress are exactly what Pilates Collective is all about. 💛