About Us
Our goal is to help you feel strong, confident, and connected to your body, no matter where you are in your fitness journey. We believe in the power of Pilates to transform not just your body, but also your mindset, and I am here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Founding Story
Founding Story
Founding Story
At MOTIV8 Pilates, we are more than just a Pilates studio – we are a community dedicated to supporting each individual’s personal wellness journey. As the owner and instructor, my goal is to help you feel strong, confident, and connected to your body, no matter where you are in your fitness journey. I believe in the power of Pilates to transform not just your body, but also your mindset, and I am here to guide and support you every step of the way. I take the time to get to know each client and tailor every session to your unique needs, whether you're looking to improve flexibility, build strength, or simply take time for yourself. I’m proud to offer a space where you can grow, challenge yourself, and feel truly at home.
Meet Our Founders
Emily Chen
Emily Chen
Founder & Lead Instructor
Founder & Lead Instructor
Emily’s Pilates journey began with seeking relief from the aches and stiffness of long hours at a desk. What started as a way to heal her body soon became a passion, leading her to become a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor. Trained in the art of mindful movement, she honed her skills at Rhode Island’s beloved Mind 2 Body Fitness studio, learning from incredible mentors and helping clients discover their own strength.
With a warm, encouraging approach, Emily founded MOTIV8 Pilates to create a space where movement feels empowering, not intimidating. Whether you're recovering from an injury, building strength, or simply looking for a workout that leaves you energized, her sessions meet you where you are and help you progress with confidence.
Emily’s Pilates journey began with seeking relief from the aches and stiffness of long hours at a desk. What started as a way to heal her body soon became a passion, leading her to become a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor. Trained in the art of mindful movement, she honed her skills at Rhode Island’s beloved Mind 2 Body Fitness studio, learning from incredible mentors and helping clients discover their own strength.
With a warm, encouraging approach, Emily founded MOTIV8 Pilates to create a space where movement feels empowering, not intimidating. Whether you're recovering from an injury, building strength, or simply looking for a workout that leaves you energized, her sessions meet you where you are and help you progress with confidence.
Emily’s Pilates journey began with seeking relief from the aches and stiffness of long hours at a desk. What started as a way to heal her body soon became a passion, leading her to become a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor. Trained in the art of mindful movement, she honed her skills at Rhode Island’s beloved Mind 2 Body Fitness studio, learning from incredible mentors and helping clients discover their own strength.
With a warm, encouraging approach, Emily founded MOTIV8 Pilates to create a space where movement feels empowering, not intimidating. Whether you're recovering from an injury, building strength, or simply looking for a workout that leaves you energized, her sessions meet you where you are and help you progress with confidence.
Meet the Team
Bernadette Kane
Pilates Instructor
With a graduate degree in exercise science and a distinguished background in the Marine Corps, Bernadette brings a powerful blend of discipline, strength, and deep anatomical knowledge to her Pilates instruction. Her training bridges classical Pilates principles with modern, science-based movement—rooted in biomechanics, injury prevention, and body awareness. Committed to education and mindful movement, Bernadette guides students with precision and control, helping them build strength, refine alignment, and deepen their mind-body connection. Her teaching empowers clients to move with confidence, leaving each session feeling centered, balanced, and resilient.
Bernadette Kane
Pilates Instructor
With a graduate degree in exercise science and a distinguished background in the Marine Corps, Bernadette brings a powerful blend of discipline, strength, and deep anatomical knowledge to her Pilates instruction. Her training bridges classical Pilates principles with modern, science-based movement—rooted in biomechanics, injury prevention, and body awareness. Committed to education and mindful movement, Bernadette guides students with precision and control, helping them build strength, refine alignment, and deepen their mind-body connection. Her teaching empowers clients to move with confidence, leaving each session feeling centered, balanced, and resilient.
Bernadette Kane
Pilates Instructor
With a graduate degree in exercise science and a distinguished background in the Marine Corps, Bernadette brings a powerful blend of discipline, strength, and deep anatomical knowledge to her Pilates instruction. Her training bridges classical Pilates principles with modern, science-based movement—rooted in biomechanics, injury prevention, and body awareness. Committed to education and mindful movement, Bernadette guides students with precision and control, helping them build strength, refine alignment, and deepen their mind-body connection. Her teaching empowers clients to move with confidence, leaving each session feeling centered, balanced, and resilient.
Marisa Donatello
Pilates Instructor
Marisa is a certified Peak Pilates instructor who first came to the Pilates method as a student. What started as curiosity quickly grew into passion. The results were undeniable, and the hype was real. Experiencing firsthand how Pilates built strength, improved posture, and created a sense of balance, Marisa felt inspired to deepen her practice and earn her certification through Peak Pilates. Guided by Joseph Pilates’ words, ‘Change happens through movement, and movement heals,’ she now shares the practice with others in a way that is approachable, supportive, and empowering. Marisa believes Pilates is more than exercise, it’s a pathway to greater confidence, resilience, and well-being
Marisa Donatello
Pilates Instructor
Marisa is a certified Peak Pilates instructor who first came to the Pilates method as a student. What started as curiosity quickly grew into passion. The results were undeniable, and the hype was real. Experiencing firsthand how Pilates built strength, improved posture, and created a sense of balance, Marisa felt inspired to deepen her practice and earn her certification through Peak Pilates. Guided by Joseph Pilates’ words, ‘Change happens through movement, and movement heals,’ she now shares the practice with others in a way that is approachable, supportive, and empowering. Marisa believes Pilates is more than exercise, it’s a pathway to greater confidence, resilience, and well-being
Marisa Donatello
Pilates Instructor
Marisa is a certified Peak Pilates instructor who first came to the Pilates method as a student. What started as curiosity quickly grew into passion. The results were undeniable, and the hype was real. Experiencing firsthand how Pilates built strength, improved posture, and created a sense of balance, Marisa felt inspired to deepen her practice and earn her certification through Peak Pilates. Guided by Joseph Pilates’ words, ‘Change happens through movement, and movement heals,’ she now shares the practice with others in a way that is approachable, supportive, and empowering. Marisa believes Pilates is more than exercise, it’s a pathway to greater confidence, resilience, and well-being
Olivia Powell
Pilates Instructor
Olivia is an ICU nurse who seamlessly integrates her extensive and in-depth healthcare knowledge of the human body with her genuine passion for fitness and Pilates. She is deeply committed to empowering others by helping them build physical strength, boost their self-confidence, and develop mental and physical resilience through mindful, intentional, and purposeful movement.
Olivia Powell
Pilates Instructor
Olivia is an ICU nurse who seamlessly integrates her extensive and in-depth healthcare knowledge of the human body with her genuine passion for fitness and Pilates. She is deeply committed to empowering others by helping them build physical strength, boost their self-confidence, and develop mental and physical resilience through mindful, intentional, and purposeful movement.
Olivia Powell
Pilates Instructor
Olivia is an ICU nurse who seamlessly integrates her extensive and in-depth healthcare knowledge of the human body with her genuine passion for fitness and Pilates. She is deeply committed to empowering others by helping them build physical strength, boost their self-confidence, and develop mental and physical resilience through mindful, intentional, and purposeful movement.
