FS8 Middletown Lou

Born and raised just outside of Detroit, Michigan, Emily never imagined she’d end up calling Louisville, Kentucky home—but she’s incredibly grateful that life brought her here. While attending Western Michigan University, where she earned her degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Family & Consumer Sciences and English Education in 2021, she met her husband on a trip to Florida. A few months later, that unexpected connection brought her to Louisville! Teaching has always been Emily’s passion, whether it’s in a classroom or a Pilates studio. Fitness has also been a huge part of her life for years, from working at a gym throughout college to eventually discovering her love for Pilates. She spent over a year teaching at a local reformer studio after first working behind the desk, and that experience sparked a passion for helping others feel strong, confident, and capable in their bodies. When the opportunity at FS8 arose, she was excited to expand her knowledge beyond the reformer. In her classes, Emily wants you to feel strong, confident, and capable. She’ll encourage you to listen to your body while also reminding you that you’re often capable of more than you realize. Most importantly, she wants you to have fun, leave feeling proud you showed up, and maybe sing along (she totally will be) to the playlist while you’re at it! Music is a big part of Emily’s life, and she takes her weekly playlist curation very seriously. Ariana Grande (her forever favorite) is almost guaranteed to make an appearance, but expect plenty of pop, R&B, and hip-hop to help you push yourself and let loose. Outside of the studio, Emily is a full-time high school teacher, where she jokes that she has over 100 kids of her own. They may drive her a little crazy, but she loves them dearly. When she’s not teaching, you’ll most likely find her spending time with her husband and their three fur babies, who are her whole world. She feels incredibly lucky to get to do what she loves in both the classroom and the studio—and she can’t wait to move, sweat, and jam with you!

Jessica is a critical care nurse and student Nurse Practitioner who has spent the past eight years caring for others, educating patients, and helping people become the best versions of themselves. Through nursing, she discovered her passion for helping others improve their health and well being, but Pilates introduced her to a whole new meaning of that purpose. Jessica first came to Pilates as a student, immersing herself in the practice and discovering the power of the mind to muscle connection. After navigating postpartum depression, Pilates became her calm, her reset, and the place where she felt most connected to both her mind and body. What started as a personal journey quickly grew into a genuine love for the practice and the strength it brings, both physically and mentally. She began taking classes at Sweat Society, where she fell even more in love with Pilates and was fortunate enough to become an instructor. That opportunity opened the door to something bigger than movement. For Jessica, the most rewarding part of teaching is watching women show up for themselves, work toward their goals, grow stronger week after week, and gain confidence in what their bodies can do. Being able to pour into her clients, encourage them, and celebrate their progress is what makes teaching so meaningful. In Jessica’s classes, you can expect R&B and hip-hop, smooth transitions, intentional movement, and plenty of time under tension. She is passionate about helping clients focus on their form, challenge themselves, and truly connect with their bodies. Her goal is for every person who walks into her class to feel supported, capable, and empowered and to leave feeling stronger than when they arrived. Jessica loves reminding her clients that they are capable of more than they realize. Your goals are achievable, and you don’t have to reach them alone. She is there to encourage you, challenge you, and work alongside you every step of the way. In her classes, you are not just showing up to work out; you are showing up for yourself. Outside the studio, Jessica is a proud mom of four, and her children are the center of her world. Balancing motherhood, nursing, graduate school, and teaching Pilates has strengthened her belief in the importance of making time for yourself, caring for your body, and protecting your peace. For Jessica, Pilates is more than a workout. It is her passion, her purpose, and another way to care for others. She takes pride in pouring into every client who walks into her class, creating an environment where women feel encouraged to grow, strong enough to challenge themselves, and confident enough to believe in what they can accomplish. Her mission is simple: to empower you, help you discover your strength, and remind you that becoming your best self starts with showing up for yourself. I am so excited to emerge in the culture at FS8

Kathleen has been a part of the Louisville Fitness Community for 8 years now! Originally from Alabama (ROLL TIDE) -Kathleen found herself in Kentucky when she went to College at The University of Kentucky (GO CATS). Kathleen graduated with her BSN from the UK College of Nursing in 2014 and has been practicing as an RN ever since. Kathleen moved to Louisville in 2017- she started taking classes at Cyclebar and from there began her teaching career. Kathleen started teaching Mat Pilates classes in 2026 with the opening of Emberhaus–and discovered how much she loves Pilates. When the opportunity arose to teach at FS8 for Stacy and Thurman-Kathleen was ecstatic! Kathleen’s main goal in class is for her clients to work hard but also to have fun! In her class you will find lots of beat drops, some sub par dance moves, a little singing, and a whole lot of motivation. Kathleen wants her clients to always know that she is proud of them for showing up but also knows it’s her job to motivate them to reach their potential. In Kathleen’s class you will find artists like Britney Spears, Drake, Miley, Rhianna, and Odesza–and she LOVES a good throw back! Kathleen’s favorite job of all is being a Mom–Kathleen met her husband Kenneth while living in Louisville and they have two children- Magnolia 5 and Hayes 1year.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Lydia has always loved connecting with people and finding ways to bring a little more joy into their lives. She earned her degrees in Finance and Supply Chain from the University of South Carolina before returning home to Louisville, where she went on to earn her MBA from Bellarmine University. Outside of the studio, Lydia works at her family’s business, Nanz & Kraft Florists, where she shares her love for connecting with people and bringing joy to others. After discovering Pilates over three years ago, Lydia found a kind of movement that made her feel good, and she knew she wanted to help others experience that same feeling. Lydia fell in love with Pilates because it was one of the first ways she truly enjoyed moving her body. That experience inspired her passion for helping others discover movement that makes them feel good, strong, and confident. After spending a year teaching at another reformer studio, she was excited to join FS8 and continue growing as an instructor. She loves expanding beyond the reformer through mat Pilates and strength training! In her classes, Lydia wants everyone to feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported. Having once found group fitness intimidating herself, Lydia knows how important it is to feel comfortable and supported. She loves helping clients connect with their bodies, discover their strength, and leave class feeling proud of themselves. Expect plenty of positive energy, encouragement, and a little chit-chat—she’s definitely a gabber! Music is also a BIG part of Lydia’s classes, so get ready for feel-good pop, R&B, 2000s and 2010s throwbacks, and a few remixes with beat drops that make you want to dance! Most importantly, she wants you to have fun, challenge yourself, and find movement that makes you feel good inside and out. Outside of the studio, Lydia’s best friend is her dog, Halo, and she’ll probably find a way to show you a picture of her at some point (or several!). She loves traveling (she’s visited 20 countries!), getting lost in a good book, and spending time with friends and family. She’s always up for trying a new workout class, especially cycling and strength training, and loves pushing herself to try new things and step outside her comfort zone. Lydia feels so lucky to share her love of movement with others and can’t wait to cheer you on, dance along to the music, and have some fun with you in class!

Mariah has always been passionate about fitness, movement, and helping others feel strong and confident in their bodies. A Hoosier at heart, she’s a wife, mom, and proud corgi owner who loves staying active both inside and outside of the studio. When she’s not teaching, you can find her traveling with her family, hiking, enjoying good food, or simply soaking up time at home with the people she loves most.

Sara began practicing Pilates in 2008, and quickly fell in love with this form of movement that actually felt good in her body. Exercise went from a chore to a joy, and she never looked back. Sara has been teaching Pilates since 2013. She is certified through Balanced Body in both mat and equipment, as well as in barre through Barre Above. One of Sara’s favorite things about Pilates is how the smallest adjustment or activation can make a big difference, both in engagement during a workout and for movement in everyday life. Exercise should support your functional living, and Pilates is foundational for controlled movement in a balanced body. She loves when something clicks for a client and changes how they move throughout life! In her class, you can expect cues to help engage your muscles with a focus on control and form. She’ll offer small corrections for a big impact. Sara believes that your workout should support the body you have today, so she’ll offer frequent options for modifications and reminders to listen to your body. Don’t be deceived by her sweetness; you’re in for a sneaky hard workout! When she isn’t at FS8, she can usually be found reading or playing chauffeur to her children. Sara is married to Matt and they have 2 kids, Asher and Sky.