Lorna Ghazali is a Pilates instructor, small business owner, and mum. With over a decade in the fitness industry across the UK, UAE, and Pakistan, she now runs her own Pilates business in Abu Dhabi. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has its challenges, but it’s also what inspires her to create empowering, flexible wellness spaces for women.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
I focus on supporting women through all life stages, especially pregnancy and postnatal recovery. The purpose is to create a welcoming space where women can build strength, confidence, and resilience through mindful movement. Classes are designed to be both empowering and accessible, offering physical benefits like improved posture, core strength, and mobility, as well as emotional support and a sense of community. It’s not just about fitness, it’s about helping women feel good in their bodies and prioritise their well-being.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
What inspired me was a mix of personal experience and the desire to help others feel strong and capable in their own bodies. After working in fitness across different countries and cultures, I saw a real need, especially among women, for more than just a workout. There were so many women struggling with postnatal recovery, pain, or simply not feeling at home in their bodies.
Becoming a mum myself was a turning point. I truly understood the physical and emotional challenges women face, and I wanted to create something supportive, flexible, and empowering. Starting my own business gave me the freedom to do just that, on my own terms, with purpose.
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
In the early days of my career, one of the biggest challenges was building credibility, proving my knowledge and skills while developing my own style as a coach. I also struggled with confidence at times, questioning whether I was doing enough or if I was truly making a difference.
When I became a mum and started running my own business, a whole new layer of challenges appeared, especially the constant juggle and the mum guilt. Balancing client needs with family life wasn’t easy, but staying connected to my purpose, supporting women through movement, helped me push through and grow with more clarity and intention.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievement?
One of my most meaningful achievements has been building a loyal community of women who trust me with their wellness journey, especially during pregnancy and postnatal recovery. It’s incredibly rewarding to see clients move from pain or uncertainty to strength and confidence.
Another highlight was launching and running my own Reformer Pilates business from home while raising a family. Creating a space that blends professionalism with warmth, where women feel supported and seen, feels like a huge win, both personally and professionally.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women in leadership today are bringing something incredibly powerful to the table—empathy, resilience, collaboration, and a deep sense of purpose. We’re seeing more women lead with authenticity, balancing strength with vulnerability, and that’s creating more inclusive and human-centered workplaces.
What excites me most is that women are no longer trying to fit into old leadership molds—they’re redefining what leadership looks like. And in doing so, they’re inspiring others, especially younger generations, to lead in their own way. There’s still work to be done, but the shift is happening, and it’s empowering to be part of that change.
What message /advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
My advice to future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs is this: trust your voice, even when it feels small. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin—start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there.
Surround yourself with people who uplift you, stay grounded in your “why,” and don’t be afraid to do things differently. Challenges will come, but so will growth, and every step forward, no matter how small, matters.
Most importantly, give yourself grace. You can lead, build, create, and still honour your personal life. You don’t have to choose one over the other—you can do both, beautifully.
Get in touch:
Instagram – @lornagpilates
– @lornaghazali
