Instructors
Nicole Lucas Wallen
Avid athlete, studio owner, and lead instructor Nicole Wallen is professionally certified in the Peak Pilates method and teaches the original, classical style of Joseph Pilates. Desperate to alleviate the pain associated with an old back injury, Nicole started taking Pilates Apparatus classes in 1999. Witnessing firsthand the life changing method and benefits of Pilates, Nicole opened Mt. Pleasant Pilates, and dedicated herself to helping others through her instruction.
Nicole infuses modern accents where necessary to accommodate students with special back, neck, hip or knee injuries, as well as to challenge avid athletes. She learned modern accents to the classical repertoire, by studying under talented instructors in NYC, San Francisco, Seattle and Austin, TX as well as attending numerous professional conferences and workshops across the country. Logging thousands of hours teaching, observing, and working to improve her own personal practice, Nicole remains loyal her mission to teach a vigorous class, that will push you to be your best.
In conjunction to classical Pilates instruction that emphasizes body awareness, core strength, increased flexibility, and ease of movement, Nicole Wallen is Charleston's only certified Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates Specialist. She has completed a highly regarded, rigorous & comprehensive training program, requiring apprentice teaching, training in anatomy, rehabilitation and a deep understanding of all stages of pregnancy. Nicole has safely guided dozens of women through their first and subsequent pregnancies.
Nicole also holds a BA in Business from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from The Citadel with a focus on both International Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition to her numerous academic and Pilates certifications, Nicole is responsible for launching the Charleston chapter of Pink Ribbon Pilates, a program specific to the needs of recovering cancer survivors, to the Charleston area.
Molly Conklin
Prior to joining the Mt. Pleasant Pilates team, Molly owned and taught at her studio in Spartenburg, SC for 4 years. She is comprehensively certified in the Stott Pilates and Barre Evolution Methods and holds a degree in dance from Columbia College. During her years as a dancer, three were spent structuring and developing Pilates programming for her own studio. Molly recognizes Pilates as a catalyst for body transformation and feels her commitment to accurate technique and proper body movement are a product of her previous dance background. Molly is dedicated to making her Pilates classes personalized, developing the individual to their fullest, and providing every opportunity for students to meet their goals.
Catherine Bell
Catherine is a first grade teacher who fell in love with Pilates while looking for an exercise that would challenge and strengthen her mind and body. She discovered Pilates five years ago and was so inspired by the results she was seeing in her own practice, she decided to become a certified Pilates instructor. She has two certifications through Power Pilates as well as a comprehensive certification in the STOTT Pilates method. Catherine loves working with students new to the Pilates method and is excited to help them to achieve their fitness goals.