By Jessica Pino, Senior Manager of Audience Engagement & Marketing

An important “tool” of Pilates is the instructor. But choosing a Pilates instructor to train with can feel a little like speed dating—not only do you want a certified and trained professional, you want someone you get along with! We’re making things easy for you with our “Get to Know Your Ballet Austin Pilates Instructor” blog series, and asked each of our certified Pilates Instructors a few questions.

Meet Brittany Harpole! She was introduced to Pilates though her 15 years of classical ballet training. Here’s a little more about her!

1. What do you do on your free time?
   Between working at Ballet Austin, two kids, and owning my own business I don’t get a lot of free time. But my husband and I love to take the kids and animals camping if we get a free weekend.
2. What are you currently reading?
   Idea fit magazine.
3. Do you have any pets?
   I have two dogs and 4 chickens and 2 kids if you count those as animals. My dogs are name Tilly and TJ and they love to hunt and run around our property. My 4 chickens are named Snow White, Ariel, Pocahontas and Jasmine. They lay lots of eggs and love attention.
4. If you had to choose just one, what “health tip” would you want everyone to know?Sustainability is key. Making a lifestyle change that is sustainable is healthier and more beneficial than doing a crash diet or extreme exercise.
5. What’s your guilty pleasure?
   Homemade Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

BONUS Question: What’s one interesting fact about you that you’d like to share?
I’m not afraid to get dirty or try something new. I might at the Ballet one weekend and the dirt bike track the next.