Bridget Mornings- Talking all things pilates, life on the northern beaches, substack & more
This week we are joined by the lovely Bridget Mornings. Bridget has a side hustle that consists of being a Pilates teacher, collaborative events and is also basically a professional at seeking out the best cosy corners in cafes and wine bars. Bridget also has a beautiful substack blog that is definitely worth the read.
Thanks for joining us Bridget! So, please, tell us about yourself. Where do you live, what does a week in the life of look like?
Thank you so much for this feature! What an honour. I live in Freshwater with my boyfriend Ben, we absolutely love it there. I work full time in Marketing & Communications, I’m in the office everyday but am super lucky to have a short commute. I teach Pilates every Thursday morning and try to do a weekly Friday swim in the ocean before work. Every Saturday morning my friends and I have a standing coffee date in Manly where we do the good weekend quiz - so that’s always in the calendar. Apart from that it’s a mix of going out for meals, reading, cooking, seeing my friends, trying to stop scrolling - and I’m also trying to go to the cinema more!
You're a Pilates teacher and teach at the beautiful Mode studios as well as running collaborative events. Where did you do your training and what inspired you to become a pilates teacher?
I love working and teaching at Mode - I’m biased but I think they are the best Pilates studios on the Northern Beaches. Pilates was the first type of exercise that I truly enjoyed. I started doing classes when I was around 23 at my local gym when I lived at home. The instructor was a gorgeous woman called Dana in her 50’s. She could do a full push up on her toes and I found out she was also an artist - I just remember thinking I wanted that lifestyle when I was older and to have a mix of skills, so I got qualified. That was 8 years ago!
What do you love about Pilates?
I love that Pilates is low impact but still such a strong workout. I really don’t enjoy circuit or HIIT training or anything involving jumping around - Pilates is all I need.
I feel your class playlists would be absolutely perfect! What are your go to class songs at the moment?
This is the ultimate compliment! I honestly spend just as long planning my playlists as I do the class. Some favourites at the moment would be:
Re: Stacks - FLORES for breathwork into a warm up
Lovers Walk - Sickluv for getting you through another round of pulses
Wired - Sonny Fedora for a finisher
Skin - Dijon for the cool down
You also have your beautiful substack page. Have you always loved writing? And what keeps you motivated to keep this up?
Thank you! Writing was definitely something I loved and did a lot when I was younger and then sadly I didn’t keep it up. I always used to write stories or create fake magazines - I found one the other day where I had a cut-out photo of Lindsay Lohan on the cover. I started my substack to try and get back into a habit of writing and to try and improve. I’m definitely not as consistent as I’d like to be but I do have a recurring event in my calendar for every third Sunday called “substack due” - that helps a bit!
To keep on the theme of substack, you often write a post of '10 things I've loved lately.' So, on that theme, what are 4 things you've loved lately? (I will be nice and won't make you name 10, we can save that for your substack)
Let’s see if I can narrow it down to just four!
I’m loving the three gorgeous little side plates that I bought in Greece on a recent solo trip. I went to an island called Sifnos where they are known for their ceramics. I have been loving using them everyday and being reminded of my trip.
I went to The Orpheum Cinema last Saturday night and watched The Invite - it was hilarious! The whole cinema was laughing. We watched a 5.30pm screening and then went for dumplings after - a dream night.
The Davines MELU Anti-Breakage Serum which I have been using in place of conditioner and it is making my hair feel lush, lush lush.
I’m currently borrowing the cutest mint-coloured Dutch eBike and I’m obsessed with her!
Ok I always finish on this question and it feels very fitting for you. What is your fav spot for a coffee and fav spot for an afternoon drink on the Northern Beaches? (you can name a few if you need to because I know this is right up your alley)
I’d have to choose La Loca in Queenscliff for a morning coffee. I love sitting in the sun there with their odd cups & they load up on the cappuccino chocolate flakes which I appreciate. In terms of being a coffee snob though - definitely Skittle Lane. For an afternoon drink I love Skiff Club, the Hilton or the Beach Eatery in Curl Curl - anywhere with a view.
Thank you so much for joining us!Where can we follow you? How do we find your pilates classes? And please link us your substack!
Thank YOU for having me! I teach every Thursday morning at Mode in Brookvale, my instagram is @bridgetdejong and my substack is substack.com/@bridgetmornings :)
