How Pilates Pro Jill Harris Became an Inventor and Built a Brand
Jill Harris
Pilates Instructor, Studio Owner, and Inventor of Fit Springs
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Ever had a brilliant idea for a product but no clue how to make it real?
Whether you are a visionary with a dream, or just love a story of resilience and midlife woman badassery, this episode is for you.
Jill Harris is a longtime Pilates instructor with a thriving studio and Instagram following. But when she couldn’t find a piece of equipment that did what her clients actually needed, she decided to invent her own.
That’s how Fit Springs was born: a spring-resistance workout system that’s now being used by everyone from professional athletes to clients in their 70s.
Jill shares the real story behind building her product—from sketching prototypes with a Burning Man engineer to navigating business setbacks, a violent personal attack, and the long, messy middle of turning a brilliant idea into a brand.
We talk about:
✔️ How she went from “I have an idea” to “I built a brand”
✔️ The technical and physical challenges of product development
✔️ The assault that could have set her back, but didn’t—and how she rehabbed herself using the very product she created
✔️ How she built a brand without outside funding—and the challenges this presented
✔️ Her best advice for anyone sitting on a brilliant idea
About Jill Harris:
Jill Harris is a Pilates and fitness innovator, international Pilates presenter, and educator. As the Founder and Creator of FitSprings, she has developed a groundbreaking spring resistance system that is reshaping the way we think about movement and strength training. Jill is one of the few women who have made significant strides in fitness equipment design. She offers Pilates workshops and FitSprings teacher trainings worldwide, sharing her expertise with instructors and movement professionals. Jill also brings her passion for health and wellness to her work at the FitSprings studio and as a Pilates influencer on Instagram with over 108,000 followers.
Resources & Links:
➡️ Follow Jill on Instagram
➡️ Follow Fitsprings on Instagram
Other Episodes You Might Enjoy 🎧:
Advice for Taking the Career Leap from 2x Pivoter Petra Langer
From Passion to Profession: Starting a Business in Midlife with Catherine Ziegler
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Disclaimer:
Belong Wellness and its members, managers, employees, contractors, and other agents or representatives are not licensed medical care providers and do not provide medical services or advice, including without limitation diagnosing, examining, preventing, treating, or curing any medical conditions. The information shared in this podcast is meant to be educational, not prescriptive. Please consult your medical doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Further, the opinions of guests on this show do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jessica or anyone affiliated with Belong Wellness.
