My Dad Says It’s Physical Therapy — I Say It’s Pilates (And He’s Not Wrong)

Jun 14
3 min read

Updated: Jun 16

🧠 My Dad Says It’s Physical Therapy. I Say It’s Pilates. It’s both.

We were in Florida, and he was on the floor doing some exercises. I watched as he moved through Saw, Spine Stretch, Bridge... And I couldn’t help it:

“Dad… you’re doing Pilates.”

He looked up at me and replied:

“No I’m not. This is physical therapy.”

Sure, Okay Dad. Tomato, tomahto.

But the truth is — he is doing Pilates.

He just calls it something else.

💼 My Dad Was My First Entrepreneur Role Model

When I was little, I said I wanted to be an accountant, just like him.

But as I got older, I realized what I really admired wasn’t the numbers — it was the freedom.

He owned his own business.

He provided everything we needed.

He made his own rules. No clock-ins. No bosses.

And now, here I am — doing the same.

Just with fewer spreadsheets…

And more movement, mindset, and travel.

Lush green golf course with trees and sand trap near Oakmont Country Club — Pilates blog about movement and back pain relief by Kim Stokes. — If your swing feels like it needs a chiropractor… you might be overdue for some Pilates.

🏌️‍♂️ Pilates and Golf: A Match Made in Core Heaven

This weekend marks the 125th anniversary of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, just outside Pittsburgh — one of the most iconic golf courses in the world.

And if you’ve ever played 18 holes and felt like you needed a chiropractor after…

Let me introduce you to Pilates.

Private sessions help with:

✅ Spinal mobility

✅ Core control

✅ Hip rotation

✅ Balance + injury prevention

Pilates and golf go together like clubs and caddies.

One improves your swing.

The other keeps you healthy enough to use it.

Dads, tight-hipped execs, and anyone who’s said:

“I’m not flexible enough for Pilates” —

You don’t need to be flexible to start.

You start so you can move better, play longer, and hurt less.

✈️ The World-Traveling Dad

My dad has always traveled — sometimes with his buddies, often with his family.

He’s played legendary courses like St. Andrews and has Pebble Beach on deck. He leaves my mom at home, packs his clubs, and hits the road. Honestly? I love that for him.

He recently crossed Egypt off his bucket list with my mother. (I helped plan it) He has been able to gift our family with amazing experiences and travels all over the world.

It’s what I teach in travel coaching too:

Make time for the things that reset you.

Do what lights you up.

Where is your next trip? Pittsburgh is a great place to watch sports and concerts, and we’re even hosting the NFL Draft next April.