Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Datz.
Hi Samantha , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, I’m Samantha Datz — a Tampa native, third-generation Classical Pilates instructor, and lifelong advocate for movement and wellness. I earned my B.S. in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from the University of Tampa and have spent the last 13+ years helping people build strength, confidence, and a healthier relationship with their bodies.
My Pilates journey began with a certification through Peak Pilates here in Florida. Fueled by a desire to grow and challenge myself, I packed my bags, sold my car, and moved to New York City to deepen my education and advance my career. There, I completed an advanced certification at Alycea Ungaro’s world-renowned Real Pilates Studio. I went on to become a Lead Teacher Trainer for Real Pilates — mentoring new instructors, leading national workshops, and sharing my love for Classical Pilates with communities across the country.
At the height of my Pilates career, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and turned everything upside down. With the fitness industry in New York indefinitely shut down, I flew back to Tampa with just a carry-on suitcase and temporarily moved in with my parents. I started teaching virtual sessions from my bright pink childhood bedroom — not realizing that this would be the launchpad for my online Pilates business. Eventually, I made the tough decision to leave New York and return to Tampa for good. Since then, I’ve rebuilt my client base locally while continuing to teach my virtual clients from across the country.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with everyone from professional athletes to celebrity clients. My work has been featured in Shape.com, Market Watch, and South Tampa Magazine. I’ve also appeared as a co-host for fitness segments on WFLA’s Daytime and ABC’s Suncoast View. Currently, I teach both in-home and virtual sessions, and offer in-person classes at Wave Pilates in South Tampa.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: living well starts with moving well. Whether you’re brand new to Pilates or a seasoned pro, my goal is to deliver a personalized, empowering, and inspiring experience every time we move together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to success has been anything but smooth. When I graduated from highschool, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I am not academically driven, in fact my ADHD made it extremely difficult for me to concentrate in school. Some of my best earliest memories are of me doing well in any physical activity I undertook; gymnastics, tennis, swimming. Not having great academic success no doubt hurt my self image. However, I was determined to go to college. Like many other college freshman I had no particular goal. Then at the University of Tampa I discovered the Exercise Science and Sports department. It changed my life. I found my passion. Fitness is something I have an extraordinary interest in. I have a capability and stamina that many others lack. My passion for fitness changed my image of myself mentally and physically. I have struggled with body image because I am not a petite naturally thin person. Getting my B.S. in Exercise Science and devoting the last 13 years of my life to learning, teaching and practicing Classical Pilates has given me confidence, knowledge , and skills that I would like to impart to others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a well-rounded, seasoned fitness professional specializing in Pilates. While the physical practice is at the core of what I do, my mission extends beyond the movements — I’m here to educate, motivate, and guide. Every session is carefully designed to strengthen the core, improve posture, and enhance flexibility, all while emphasizing proper body mechanics to maximize results and minimize the risk of injury.
Great Pilates instruction goes beyond choreography. It’s about understanding the human body — anatomy, alignment, limitations, and potential. With over 1900 hours of certification and training, I bring that depth of knowledge into every session, offering individualized attention and modifications for injuries, skill levels, and personal goals. From elite athletes to seniors rehabbing from surgery, I work with a wide range of clients and take pride in pushing them to unlock strength they didn’t know they had.
I’m often known (affectionately!) as a hard-ass — someone who won’t let you off easy because I see your potential even when you can’t. I’ve sacrificed a lot to get to where I am — leaving Tampa with no money and no plan to train with the industry’s best in NYC. That leap shaped my career, and I carry that same level of grit, passion, and dedication into my teaching.
Today, I’m proud to have built my own virtual Pilates business, host national seminars, and continue mentoring the next generation of instructors. For me, Pilates isn’t just a workout — it’s a lifelong method for moving well, living fully, and becoming stronger in every sense of the word.
How do you think about luck?
Turning tragedy into triumph has been a defining theme in both my life and my career. I never imagined I’d move back to my hometown — I truly believed I was a lifelong New Yorker. But when COVID-19 turned the world upside down, the universe had other plans. I had to recalibrate, pivot fast, and pick myself up by the bootstraps.
It wasn’t easy, but it was powerful. That moment of uncertainty forced me to adapt, and ultimately led to the growth of my virtual Pilates business and the rebuilding of my practice in Tampa. The experience reminded me that strength doesn’t just come from physical movement — it comes from resilience, flexibility, and the courage to begin again.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.datzfitness.com
- Instagram: @datzfitness
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadatz
- Youtube: @samanthadatz9010
