Caitlin McDonald
Club Pilates Teacher
Caitlin has always led an active life. As a young child she learned to cross-country ski in her backyard and participated in dance and gymnastics for many years. As a teenager, she tried ice skating, but unfortunately tore her MCL. Through PT, she learned the value of keeping her muscles strong to help support her weaker ligaments and tendons. She continued to be active once healed, pursuing horseback riding, downhill skiing, and hiking throughout college and into her adult life. She always wanted to help people, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ithaca College in 2005. Caitlin worked as a laboratory technician at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center for about 5 years until she relocated with her husband, Great Pyrenees, and cat from NY to Arizona. She found another job as a research specialist at ASU’s Bio design Center but was not content with the work she was doing. She was no longer doing any of her previous hobbies, especially once the summer came. That was when she discovered Barre and Pilates. There was a studio very close to her home, and she became hooked on Barre and Pilates Mat. She loved Mat so much that she became certified to teach Mat classes, and started taking Pilates equipment classes. Her passion for the method really began to shine, and motivated her to pursue Pilates as an alternate career. She took on and completed comprehensive training while still working full-time at ASU in 2012-2013. She received her PMA-CPT in December 2013. Soon after, her ASU job dissolved, so she now dedicates her free time to sharing her knowledge and love of Pilates with others. She takes pride in creating workouts that anyone can finish with a sense of accomplishment. Her favorite aspect of Pilates is being able to help people feel better mentally and physically. Caitlin also volunteers at the Phoenix Zoo which allows her to share her passion for animals and conservation with others. Caitlin and her husband love giant breed dogs and added a Tibetan Mastiff to their family after losing their cat in 2012. After losing their Great Pyrenees in 2016, they added a Newfoundland puppy in 2016 shortly followed by a human son, Dmitri, in 2017. Caitlin’s other loves include electronic dance music, country music, crafting projects, traveling, French fries, and more.