Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Mitchell.
Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m an African American woman born and raised in Miami, and fitness was never a big part of my upbringing. No one in my family talked about it or modeled it. Growing up, my dream was simply to be “hood famous”… known in my community as someone who genuinely helped people and advocated for women, no matter their background.
I became a mom at a young age and spent 10 years working overnight shifts at USPS, prioritizing work above everything else. While it provided stability, it came at a cost… missed important moments with my daughter, and my mental health suffered deeply. Looking for balance, I found yoga, and that’s when everything shifted.
Through yoga, I began spending quality time with myself and getting to know the real Andrea. That journey sparked my self-love and wellness path and taught me how foundational self-connection truly is. As I grew, I realized I deserved more. With no backup plan and very little support, I made the bold decision to resign from USPS.
Around that time, I had started taking Pilates classes and was offered a front desk position at the studio I attended. Although it meant a pay cut, it gave me something priceless, the ability to pick my daughter up from school and be present in the evenings. My passion for Pilates grew, and I eventually became the studio manager.
After two years, I received a Diversity Scholarship through Club Pilates to earn my teaching certification, a moment that changed everything. Once certified, I knew I wanted to create classes that were inclusive, accessible, and deeply affirming for women in my community. That vision became The Sultry Core…a blend of Pilates and self-love, designed as a safe space where women don’t just move, but feel… reconnecting with their bodies, their sensuality, and themselves
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to get here has definitely been a mix of pleasure and pain. When most people think of Pilates, they picture a very specific “look”…super skinny bodies, Alo or Lululemon matching sets, and a lack of real diversity. I didn’t fit that image, neither as a student nor as an instructor.
That forced me to confront my own insecurities and learn how to love myself in a deeper, more intentional way. During my teacher training, I was the only Black and “oversized” student in my cohort. I had to constantly remind myself that I was just as worthy of being there and give myself permission to take up space. Even then, my confidence stood out so much that I was offered a Teaching Apprentice position before I had even completed my certification.
The biggest challenge came when I officially launched The Sultry Core. My imposter syndrome was at an all-time high. I had only been teaching for about four months, and I found myself questioning my skills, my voice, and how I would be perceived. I was introducing a new style of Pilates, rooted in sensuality, self-love, and inclusion and I had to learn how to market myself while still trusting my vision.
Pushing through those fears and doubts showed me just how resilient I am. What once felt like obstacles became proof that I belonged…not just in this space, but as someone redefining it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Miami-based Pilates instructor with a Comprehensive Pilates Certification, trained across multiple apparatuses including Mat, Reformer, Springboard, Cadillac, and Chair. While I have a strong technical foundation, what I’m truly known for is Sensual Pilates.
Sensual Pilates is where movement meets embodiment. Through my mat-based classes, Sultry Sessions, I guide clients to move slowly, intentionally, and with full presence. The lights are dimmed, the pace is slow, and clients are encouraged to engage all of their senses. We focus on breath, self-touch, and expressive release…yes, even moaning…because pleasure is a valid and powerful response to movement. Pleasure is not something reserved only for sexual encounters; it’s a vital part of feeling alive and connected to your body.
What sets me apart is that my work goes beyond form and repetition. I’m not just asking, “What are you doing?” but “How does this feel in your body?” I create a safe, inclusive space where people can explore strength, softness, and self-trust at the same time.
What I’m most proud of is building The Sultry Core — a movement practice that allows people, especially women who’ve never felt represented in traditional Pilates spaces, to feel seen, empowered, and fully embodied through movement.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t see myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe in intentional risk. For me, risk has always come down to choosing alignment over comfort.
One of the biggest risks I took was walking away from a stable, 10-year career at USPS with no backup plan. On paper, it didn’t make sense because the pay was consistent, the benefits were solid but I was exhausted, disconnected, and missing out on my life and my daughter’s childhood. Staying felt riskier than leaving.
Another major risk was launching The Sultry Core early in my teaching career. I had only been instructing for a few months and was still finding my voice, yet I chose to trust my vision instead of waiting for “perfect.” I was introducing a style of Pilates that challenged industry norms by centering pleasure, sensuality, and embodiment… concepts that aren’t always welcomed in traditional wellness spaces. That vulnerability was scary, but it was necessary.
My perspective on risk is this: growth usually lives on the other side of discomfort. I’ve learned that fear often shows up when you’re about to expand, not when you’re doing something wrong. I don’t wait until I feel fully ready…I move when something feels deeply aligned, and I trust myself to figure out the rest along the way.
Taking risks has taught me resilience, self-trust, and the power of betting on yourself, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @TheSultryCore
- Facebook: The Sultry Core
Image Credits
Guil Dormeus
