KW: When did you start your Pilates venture?

IM: I’ve been running Warsaw Pilates for over five years now. In the summer of 2019, on a whim, I started organizing Pilates classes in some pretty unconventional locations. That’s how Warsaw Pilates was born. For the first three and a half years, I was doing this alongside my full-time job. I worked in the tech industry, but after the pandemic and the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, things in went into a serious slump. In 2022, I was laid off, and I decided not to look for another desk job. Instead, I decided to focus on my own business, my own “startup.” Since then, the scale of the events I organize has grown exponentially. It started with just 30 people — friends and their friends — and then word of mouth took over. Now, we have hundreds of participants in our classes every month. I also built an online training platform, so the knowledge I gained from my tech days hasn’t gone to waste.

KW: Why did you choose such crazy locations, like rooftops?

IM: A friend of mine, who lived near Plac Grzybowski, once sneaked me onto the roof of his building. I knew the place well from the ground, but suddenly, I saw it from a completely different perspective. It was like seeing Warsaw on a postcard. I’ve spent years working in marketing and PR, and I’ve been to many exclusive events designed for media and influencers, held in beautiful places that were inaccessible to the public. I wanted to open those places up. Rooftops were perfect. They satisfied my need for space and a connection to the sky. I wanted to see the horizon during my workout, hear the birds singing, and feel completely free — without any onlookers. To be above the city, but still right in its heart.

KW: How do your passions influence the way you dress?

IM: In my wardrobe, just like in Pilates, everything has its purpose. I don’t buy anything on a whim; it’s all very intentional. For example, if I’m looking for a long-sleeve top in a certain color and fabric, I know exactly what I want. I prefer solid, high-quality pieces, like my purple set from Fluff. My clothes need to feel soft, stretchy and durable, holding their shape. My belly always needs to have room. I test things out through trial and error, and I often rely on recommendations from others. When I find something I like, I stick with it. Loyalty really pays off.