Michelle Leach is a highly respected and deeply knowledgeable Classical Pilates instructor, known for her unwavering commitment to the integrity of The Method—just as Joe intended. Based in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, she is the founder of No Excuses Pilates, a boutique-style studio offering personalized, results-driven instruction, as well as a comprehensive Classical Pilates teacher training program rooted in true mentorship, critical thinking, and real-world teaching experience.

Michelle has practiced Pilates for over twenty-five years and has been teaching for more than seventeen years. She became certified after developing a sincere passion for the transformative power of the work. She studied under the notable and highly respected Linda Farrell, who trained at the original Pilates Studio in New York City under Joseph Pilates’ protégé Romana Kryzanowska. She continued her education at re:AB with renowned instructor and New York Times bestselling author Brooke Siler, as well as Master Teacher Cary Regan, both of whom also studied extensively under Romana.

Committed to excellence, Michelle has continued to refine and deepen her practice through workshops and mentorship with respected Classical Master Teachers around the world, including Anthony Rabara, Kathy Ross Nash, Mariano Dolagaray, Jerome Weinberg, Cynthia Shipley, Jay Grimes, Mari Winsor, Cary Regan, and Phoebe Higgins - just to name a few. She believes that to teach well, one must always remain a student: “I love that I am never bored with Pilates. I’m constantly learning.”

A native New Yorker, Michelle was raised in Brooklyn and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baruch College. With a successful background in real estate, she ultimately followed her calling to help people of all ages and body types become their strongest, most aligned selves - physically, mentally, and spiritually.

At No Excuses Pilates, Michelle specializes in helping clients relieve pain, improve mobility, rebuild core strength, and enhance overall wellness through the full Classical Pilates system. Her precision, patience, and deep knowledge inspire confidence and lasting change. Clients are drawn to Michelle’s teaching for her warmth, her artistry, and her unwavering dedication to authentic Classical Pilates. Her studio provides a supportive, elegant environment for anyone seeking to feel grounded, capable, and deeply at home in their body.

Through her comprehensive teacher training program, Michelle is equally passionate about developing the next generation of highly skilled Classical Pilates instructors. Her mentorship-based approach emphasizes intelligent teaching, hands-on learning, understanding the body in front of you, and preserving the integrity of the original method. The cohorts are intentionally kept small to ensure the highest quality education, individualized attention, and a deeply immersive learning experience. For Michelle, the program is not about the number of students enrolled, but about offering something truly unique, meaningful, and special - a rare opportunity for aspiring teachers to receive authentic mentorship, practical experience, and the confidence to teach with clarity, integrity, and purpose.  Students graduate with not only a deep understanding of the Pilates system, but also the confidence, critical thinking skills, and practical experience necessary to teach with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.