Watch · 049 — Amanda Mecsey + Kiel Jared: Building a Neighborhood Pilates Studio
Featuring Amanda Mecsey & Kiel Jared
On this episode of the Hidden City Podcast, the hosts sit down with Amanda Mecsey and Kiel Jared, the duo behind Oak Cliff Pilates, to talk about how it all began — and how it continues to grow without losing its neighborhood roots.
Amanda shares how she first started teaching Pilates on the grass at Kidd Springs Park, building a loyal following of neighbors who simply loved how good movement could feel. Joined by her husband and creative partner, Kiel, those early park sessions evolved into the first Oak Cliff Pilates studio — a cozy second-story space overlooking Davis Street where the lights sometimes flickered, and a gas generator kept classes running during power outages.
From those scrappy beginnings came something special: a studio built on community, consistency, and care. In the episode, Amanda and Kiel talk about:
- Turning an idea into a neighborhood institution
- Creating a teacher certification program from the ground up
- Expanding into Uptown and Lower Greenville while keeping prices fair and the vibe authentic
- The philosophy behind growing with your community — not outgrowing it
Whether you’ve taken a class, trained as a teacher, or just love a good story about passion meeting purpose, this episode captures what makes Oak Cliff Pilates more than a fitness studio — it’s a movement built on belonging.
