Inspiring Conversations with Tami Lysher of Studio T Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Lysher.

Hi Tami, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into this work began with a deep commitment to children and families. I earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have spent over two decades serving in various roles—childcare center owner, mentor, college professor, and Early Head Start Coordinator. I’ve been fortunate to support children and families from many different backgrounds, always guided by a belief in the power of connection and development during those early years.

At the same time, I was raising two daughters of my own, now grown, and I found myself personally and professionally drawn to movement. I began teaching fitness classes, including spinning, yoga, Pilates, and children’s yoga. One of the most rewarding parts of that period was training early childhood educators through the I Am Moving, I Am Learning program, which emphasized the importance of physical activity and intentional movement for children under five.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road wasn’t always smooth. In 2002, I went through a divorce that marked a major turning point in my life. Just a few years later, I experienced the devastating loss of close family members in 2005, followed by a breast cancer diagnosis in 2006. Those years tested me deeply—but they also reshaped me. I remarried in 2007 and slowly began rebuilding, bringing with me a stronger sense of purpose and resilience.

As you know, we’re big fans of Studio T Pilates. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In 2018, I took another leap and opened Studio T Pilates, planting the seeds of a business that had been in my heart for years. While still working full-time in early childhood education, I began to build the studio, client by client. Then in February 2020, I made the bold decision to leave my full-time job and devote myself entirely to the studio—and just weeks later, the world shut down.
March 2020 forced me to pivot quickly, taking everything online. But in that stillness, a new chapter unfolded. I began writing Trauma-Informed Movement, a curriculum for movement educators to understand how trauma lives in the body and how movement can support healing. I immersed myself in nervous system education, completing a 10-month certification as a Nervous System Integration Facilitator, which became a core part of both my curriculum and my work.
In 2023, I created and began teaching Beginning Pilates at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. What started as a single course quickly gained momentum—by fall and winter semesters, it was fully enrolled. In fall 2024, I expanded my studio offerings even further, launching virtual and in-person services for children and families and collaborating with local school districts. This brought my work full circle—integrating movement, trauma-informed care, early childhood development, and family connection.
At the heart of it all, my mission is simple and profound:
To empower both children and adults with safety, choice, and movement—to build confidence, regulation, and resilience.
I saw a gap in services for families navigating trauma, stress, and sensory needs—and I stepped into that space with compassion, knowledge, and a deeply personal understanding.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the success of Studio T Pilates, but the way I’ve been able to pivot and adapt to meet the needs of my clients. What sets me apart is my unique blend of skills—early childhood expertise, movement education, nervous system regulation, and lived experience. Each session is personalized and intentional, meeting each client exactly where they are.
This work is personal. It’s purposeful. And it continues to evolve, just like I have.

Who else deserves credit in your story?

I wouldn’t be here without my incredible support system. My husband, Mike, believed in this vision from the start and gave me the financial support I needed to get Studio T Pilates off the ground. His steady encouragement allowed me to take the leap and fully commit.
I’m also endlessly grateful to the clients who trusted me in the early days—and who continue to show up, move, breathe, and grow with me. Their dedication and openness have shaped not only the evolution of my work but the heart of this entire practice.
This journey has been built on community, trust, and the power of healing through movement—and I carry that forward in everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiotpilates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiotpilatesmi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.lysher
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiotpilates157
• Other: Email [email protected]