Pilates?! You mean the thing that killed Jesus?
Yes, pilates. For when Cross-fit doesn’t work out *groan*
My vocational mission has changed. I was fired from left Corporate America (henceforth referred to as “CA”) in May of 2025. This was actually a blessing as it allows me to take time to reflect on what I actually want to do, which was already a seedling planted in me. I’m planning to franchise a minimum of three pilates studios through the brand Bodyrok, and to root myself in New York City for at least the next five years. In opening three pilates studios over the next few years, I want to be sure that my faith is foundational and intertwined into the aspects of my work. As such, after I heard Jon Tyson’s annual message on career vocation on April 6th, I wanted to be intentional on answering the questions God has for me within the workforce. If labor is an expression of who and what you are, then the piece below should successfully articulate who I am. The following are my thoughts and intentions articulated onto paper, answering Jon’s questions along with aligning my business plans with Praxis Labs’ '“A Rule of Life” and “The Redemptive Business.” By showing with a vision and theology coming into the endeavor, I can comfortably participate with all my heart. I hope the following can directly answer the question of, “How do I take the influence and agency (and resources) that I have, to bless the city of New York?” whilst acknowledging the Long Game of Faith, and that the view of God’s plan did not start, nor will it end, with my work.
What drew you to your work? For the past few baseball offseasons, I’ve challenged myself to exercise in different forms. While I can’t say this was a lifelong calling, in 2022/23, it was working out/lifting weights on a general basis, though I never was great at (nor enjoyed) at cardio. In 2024, I tried boxing at a local, inclusive, LGBTQ+ gym, which I found incredibly both challenging physically and expansive socially. In the latter half of 2024, I also experimented with general pilates because a friend was getting certified and offered 1:1 teaching at an incredibly friendly cost. Thus, in 2025, I began megaformer pilates as my form of exercise, hoping to get the challenge of strengthening my core and hips. I quickly identified two things. The first was the physical realization that I had no semblance of a core. The second was a transformational realization in that snowballed into a business idea. Pilates are popular, they are great for our bodies, and they can be profitable. This realization came right as I was on the verge of quitting my job, which actually ended up laying me off prior to me quitting (complete act of God as I received severance here). I find the entrepreneurial endeavor captivating and so much more life-giving than working a 9to5 in CA. It is more fulfilling and I can sense a stronger innate drive to get things going. Running a pilates business also challenges myself and others to be a better, more fit version of themselves.
What did God have in mind for your kind of work? If I had told freshly graduated with a business major 22 year old me that I would end up in a “health and wellness” space a decade later, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes. At that point in my life, I had no idea of what wellness is, nor did I anticipate myself running a business franchising pilates. However, as I went through my time in the corporate workforce, I’ve now come to the realization that my experience in CA fully matched what I wanted to get out of my career. I never really intended to climb the ladder. All I really cared about was status, getting paid a decent amount to support a yuppie lifestyle, and saying I worked at a cool company. Once those things were met, I became pretty disillusioned with my career and clearly had lost steam. Most of what I had been doing was self-serving and I’m not sure I could point to many (any) facets of it that pointed back to God. Becoming spiritually fit as well as physically fit, I’ve realized that getting into a health and wellness industry is the opposite. While I do intend to keep profitability a primary focus and will most certainly apply my business experience across the journey, there will be also be intent on having a focus on maintaining/improving peoples’ bodies, building spaces communities can thrive, and providing an uplifting perspective on showing up for one’s self. I believe that in reflecting creativity, mindfulness, as well as applying the skills that He gave me, God is pleased with my work.
What do you love about your work? Stepping into an entrepreneurial venture is new to me. While I will be franchising through a larger corporation, I’ll be operating, leading, and perhaps most importantly, fiscally responsible for this. The ownership aspect is extremely intriguing to me as it is something that I lacked in CA. My money, lifestyle, and livelihood will be much more at stake, and I’ve found that to be much more invigorating and driving. Once the studio(s) is up and running, I anticipate finding joy in teaching classes. I think that I have a personality type that will enjoy the teaching, though I have a hunch that female trainers resonate (and thus, drive more business) with the 95% female classes. I also anticipate the challenge of maximizing revenue/profits by utilizing different marketing techniques and designing potential ads. However, what I hope to enjoy most is building a community and remembering clients’ names, reminding them how proud they should be that they show up for themselves, and supporting them in their wellness journeys. I know that I’m amiable, inclusive, and good with people. I expect that those traits will shine and that I will love building the business supporting these facets.
What do you hate about your work? [I’m going to take this a different direction and answer “What do I fear about my work?”] I already know that I’ll find frustration with working with managing other people who may not fully resonate with the ulterior motives of running my business. If a trainer wants to clock in and clock out whilst leading a great class, but not necessarily engaging the community afterwards, I will have to be okay with that. I expect that I’ll stress out of maximizing revenue, and will need to be okay with both gains and losses. In theory, as long as I am able to repay my loans on-time and can service my community, I should be okay with whatever financial turbulence there may be. However, as I know I have tendencies to tie my self-worth to my lifestyle, status, and numbers, I am scared that I won’t be able to be proud of my revenue and profit as much as I’m initially hoping for
What scriptures shape a theology of your work? This section will end up being the largest chunk of the thought exercise. There are a lot, lot, lot of parts of the Bible I can apply to my work, but I’ll focus on seven verses that I find particularly relevant: Genesis 1&2, Exodus 31, Psalm 127, Proverbs 16, Matthew 6, and 1 Corinthians 6, and Colossians 3.
In Genesis 1 & 2, God creates intentionally, creates exhaustively, and creates mankind in His own image. If I am intentionally made in God’s image, then I, too, should strive to create intentionally and comprehensively. Mankind is also ordered to tend to the garden as well as name the plants and animals, immediately after its creation. As such, I think it’s fair to assume that God has tied the concept of working to our (mankind’s) purpose. He could have created a world that is self-sustaining, but chose to bring mankind into the world and to assign it work. In applying this to Pontius Pilates, I aim to pray for wisdom over decisions, and will be thoughtful in creation. I will try to be intentional in interactions with staff, clients, and the corporate team. This looks like treating people with kindness and respect. I’m also noting that this purpose of work and labor was lost with the fall of man, but is redeemed through Christ (Eph 2:10).
Exodus 31 tells us the story of Bezalel whom God called by name. God first fills Bezalel with the Spirit, with knowledge and ability, and with craftsmanship, and tasks him with building the tabernacle. This is a direct example of God blessing mankind with specific skills and giving agency to mankind to apply those skills. Within the chapter is also an acknowledgment that the empowerment of our skills was given to us with the understanding that it is to be used for God’s plans, and not for mankind’s selfish ends. This chapter exemplifies how I will empower my staff to do their best work by highlighting their God-given skills, and I will also acknowledge that I can’t do everything. I will have to trust others to do their best work in designing and creating the studio(s). Lastly, the chapter also highlights the focus of Sabbath, a day of rest. I will ensure that both clients and staff find time to rest and rejuvenate, to support their full wellness.
Solomon writes in Psalm 127 (which parallels Matthew 7) that without God's will and wisdom, human effort is purposeless. Unless I entrust my work unto the Lord, my work will be in vain. In doing this entire exercise, I hope to be building my business with a Godly foundation. No matter how much intent, effort, desire, etc. I choose to put in, if I do not build it with God’s intent in mind, then it will be fruitless. That is not to say it would not succeed by worldly standards, I actually believe that the business model is solid and will be financially profitable whomever runs it. However, my goals building this business are to praise the Lord with my creation, and to worship him by applying my skills, and by building my foundation around Godly pillars, those things will happen regardless of financial success, which I’d like to be my ultimate desire.
Proverbs 16 continues Solomon’s writings in highlighting the dangers of trusting in man’s own plans, and reminds us to commit our work to God. Secondly, it cautions against trusting in selfish desires. It also reiterates how God has intention for everything He created. Human nature will lead us to arrogance and while my ways may seem pure to my heart, my pride will be my downfall.
In the New Testament, the author (Matthew?) reminds us in Matthew 6 to trust in the Lord, and to seek first the kingdom of Jesus and His righteousness. By doing so, all things mankind questions and worries about (sense of security, what we will eat, drink, and wear) will be granted to us. Jesus notes that those who believe in Him and his resurrection have no need to worry about tomorrow. This isn’t a call not to strategize or not plan for the future, rather that with the fear and anxiety that plagues humans, those who trust in God shouldn't allow wallow in useless worry over the future. Putting God’s kingdom first means to continually repent from sin and to lead the kind of sincere, from-the-heart, devoted-to-God lifestyles Jesus asks for. From there, we trust God to provide us with our needs. I can put this into action by entrusting God with my financial future, knowing that I’m tying a significant (basically all) my personal equity and credit into this venture. Trusting in God to provide for me will become more apparent as I take on debt via loans, but by keeping Christ at the center of opening the pilates studios, I can rest assured.
While 1 Corinthians 6 typically used discussing the sexual formation within the church, the human body remains a temple of the Holy Spirit regardless of the context. Our bodies are sacred dwelling spaces for the Spirit and because they were bought with the blood of Jesus through his sacrifice for us, our bodies really belong to Jesus. This may be the easiest scripture to apply to my work, as running a fitness studio directly deals with improving peoples’ bodies and minds. I pray that by running the pilates studios, I can encourage staff and clients to appreciate their bodies, to love their bodies, to improve their mindfulness, and be better in touch with the Holy Spirit which dwells in their (but really Jesus’s) bodies.
Colossians 3 is the seventh and final scripture piece that I will anchor my business around. Verse 12-14 and verse 23 specifically catch my attention here. I’m called to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, and above all, to put on love, which binds the formers all together in perfect unity. Throughout building my studios and dealing with clients, I vow to meet them where they are at. I vow to listen, and to treat them with respect as individuals. I vow to care for and stand up for my teachers and staff. I vow to love the people I interact with, which means to protect, trust, and to put aside my own ego and pride. Colossians 3 goes onto remind us that whatever we do, to work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. I vow to put my time and intent into this business, and to intentionally prioritize my faith into it. I vow to evaluate my business metrics through the lens of the Lord, maintaining good healthy stewardship by using resources to benefit others.
Unsurprisingly, a large amount of the Bible can be applied across various aspects of business. With that being said, I will choose to focus keeping these seven scriptures at the forefront of my mind as I buildout this business. Also applicable, Ephesians 2:10.
Where are the ethical tensions of your work? In the fitness industry in particular, I find that clients and staff (whether or not they are Christians) alike can end up putting these two things before the Lord- the first is putting their focus on their body, moreso putting their identity into their physical image. While I promote maintaining a healthy body, humans can too easily obsess over their beautiful imperfections and numbers on a scale, and if they aren’t meeting worldly standards, the goal-setting turns into chasing an identity that tells them they are not “enough” as they are. In a post-resurrection world, humans can accept the sacrifice Jesus made for them and live a redeemed, free life. However, when worldly and unholy goals are set, we lose sight of the freedom we live in and can find ourselves feeling unworthy, even though the price has been paid. Secondly, in business in general, people can put profits before the Lord. As this is my first real foray into entrepreneurial ventures, I’ve yet to personally experience how exactly this will play out in my business model. With that said, I also acknowledge that the profits and business will largely affect the lifestyle I’ll lead, as it is my main source of income. I plan to stay mindful about this by maintaining a tithe, and leaving room on the margins to build out God’s kingdom. This can look like publicizing an amount that I intend to donate each month to the Church, charities, and faithful establishments. This also can be applied by using my resources (tangible assets outside of capital), to advance God’s kingdom.
What are the best practices for people of faith in your industry?
What can you do to release beauty through your work? I think that people working out and keeping their bodies holy by maintaining them is a fantastic way to worship the Creator, if it is done with the Lord in mind. Referencing back to ethical tensions, it is easy for humans to pursue their worldly ambitions for the benefit of man. I vow to remind clients that showing up for themselves (and the Lord) is the best they can do, as opposed to “crushing” a workout. Many a time I’ve left the James (which is what I call the gym but I don’t go often enough to call it the Jim) feeling like I didn’t do “enough”. I will acknowledge and reiterate that showing up for themselves is already the win in the battle. Carving out time to be in the gym is enough, because they are beautiful and enough as they are, but also encouraging them to treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. I also vow to release beauty by
What can you do to resist brokenness in your work? I vow to remind people of the following: 1) they are enough as they are, because while we are sinners, Christ died for us to live redemptive lives, worshipping Him and building out His kingdom on Earth. 2) to keep my finances in mind with a Godly stewardship. To use the resources to
What does excellence look like as a Christian? Doing this exercise, and living it out. I’ll be unafraid to address theological differences and reevaluate my goals and this paper. I think as people experience, learn, and continually grow, their perspectives may shift and they can admit they were right about some things, wrong about others. However, by living a Godly life with the intent behind it, I feel that this business, my work, and my life’s intent are already excellent, and we haven’t even broken physical ground on the studios yet.
With these questions answered, I also want to apply thinking from the Praxis “The Redemptive Business” and “A Rule of Life” playbooks. These two playbooks recognize that there are typically three approaches to the world. The first is Exploitive (take all you can get), the second is Ethical (do things right), and the third is Redemptive (creative restoration through sacrifice). My goal is to run a redemptive business, which means that the innate driving forces behind my business are loving and serving others.
My Redemptive Strategy - What I’m building. This is defined by cultural impact. I vow to develop products and services (fitness classes and a community) that will avoid manipulative sales practices, and to craft a brand of Truth that people are saved and redeemed. I think this is easily stated but difficult hard in practice given that gyms usually are marketed to those seeking status and results. I will aim to develop my business with profitability being a test of value and viability of my classes being able to address needs and capabilities of people made in God’s image. I will create my company’s offerings as artifacts and expressions that are worth our care, excellence, and endeavor.
My Redemptive Operations - How I’m building. This is defined by people impact. I vow to aim to build a deam that helps people experience work as purposeful and relational. I develop my team beyond their contribution to the profitability, but to how they love and treat others. My business model will optimize to not only be profitable, but to also build capital for the Kingdom and for its assets to be used for Godly endeavors. I will steward the people I work with for AND beyond the work of the organization. Additionally, I vow to invite team participation (amongst my personal Cabinet of believers) and visibility into how I use my profits for long-term reinvestment. My business model is made for people, and not people made for a business model.
My Redemptive Leadership - Why I’m building. This is the ambition, worldview, and character behind my work. I vow to surrender personal ambition to God and seek first the good of others. I think this is also easily stated, but when push comes to shove, I’ll have to reevaluate how well I’m following this. With that said, I vow to cultivate gratitude, joy, and humility in the way I lead and serve. I desire to identify opportunities for growth and satisfaction, but I also will acknowledge that the mission of God can advance without myself. I will urgently attend to my own spiritual and moral formation, and will make myself accountable to my personal team.
Throughout my business endeavor, I will also apply a Rule of Life, an expression of community, undertaken in the belief that humans need help from one another to live the lives God meant for us. I will intentionally address my Time, Money, Imagination, Decision-Making, Power, and Community.
Time - I will make time for myself and others to practice a rhythm of work and rest. I will ensure that each of my team members and myself will commit at least one full day every week to rest from daily work.
Money - I commit to give away at least 10% of my gross profit to churches and charities, and will identify specific needs of the materially poor that resonate with me.
Imagination - I vow to establish structured limits of entertainment and screens, and to be mindful while I am at work. I will evaluate the quantity, frequency, and moral character of my entertainment and media intake.
Decision-Making - I pledge to commit to daily prayer and will not proceed through major decisions without actively submitting my own desires to the will of God. I also pledge to maintain an inner peace about the decisions that the Spirit leads me to.
Power - I promise to use the power, status, and influence that I accumulate to generate opportunities and possibilities for those who have less access. I will prayerfully sacrifice certain opportunities to intentionally create pathways for others. I also will acknowledge and practice chastity and fidelity, honoring the men and women whom I work with.
Community - I pursue diversity across class and ethnicity amongst my friendships and relationships, and promote community over isolation and individualism.