New Toowoomba business Sculpt and Soul pilates, fitness studio opened by mum Jessica Darr

A Toowoomba mum of three has shared how one small decision to take up pilates changed her life, and led to the opening of a successful new business.

After giving birth to her third child and struggling to find the time to look after herself, Jessica Darr began an inspiring fitness journey and lost more than 40kg which led her to open her dream business.

Feelings of intimidation and low self-esteem initially stopped Ms Darr from going to the gym, so she began doing pilates and muscle strengthening exercises from home instead.

“When I was at my heaviest and wasn’t eating healthy, I just felt so alone and lost,” she said.

“I loved how pilates made me feel without putting too much pressure on my body and because I was feeling better, I wanted to eat healthier food too.”

Sculpt and Soul owner Jess Darr instructs in the Toowoomba pilates and fitness studio. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Pilates and lifestyle changes gave Ms Darr the confidence to step into the gym where she began incorporating weights and resulted in a 40kg weight loss.

Now aged 37, the mother-of-three decided to qualify as a pilates instructor – a big career move for Ms Darr who previously managed a haulage business.

Working as an instructor at several gyms, she then purchased a few reformer machines and began offering pilates classes from home.

As demand increased, Ms Darr decided to find a larger space and opened her own studio Sculpt and Soul at the former site of The Cave Gym on Keefe St.

Since opening the fitness business only seven weeks ago, the new business owner has already employed 11 instructors and signed on 110 clients aged between 16 and 70.

Sculpt and Soul owner Jess Darr in the Toowoomba pilates and fitness studio. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Darr said the secret to her success was her vision to empower women in a safe, supportive space.

It took eight weeks to renovate the old warehouse but Ms Darr said it was important to her to keep the building’s imperfections.

“She’s (the building) got soul – she’s not perfect, she’s lived a life and she’s got personality,” Ms Darr said.

“I used to work out to look a certain way but now I just do it to feel good.

“Society puts this pressure on women to look perfect all the time but we’re all about ‘messy pilates hair, don’t care’ here and I love that the space reflects that too.”

Sculpt and Soul at 3 Keefe St, offers 35 weekly classes including a mix of reformer pilates, hot yoga, high intensity sweat, bar and boxing workouts among more.

For more information visit sculptandsoul.com.au