Meet Our Team

Originally from Brazil, Fernanda Costa moved to San Diego in 2006 to work as a live-in nanny and learn English after earning her degree in Publicity and Advertising. In 2012, she discovered her true passion when she began her Pilates Teacher Training, and since then, she has dedicated her career to helping others improve their health and well-being through the Pilates method. Over the years, Fernanda has worked at several Pilates studios, gaining valuable experience and deepening her love for teaching. Now, as the proud owner of Queen Pilates, she’s excited to create a welcoming space where clients feel strong, confident, and cared for. When she’s not teaching, Fernanda enjoys spending time with her husband, their two boys, and their adorable Shih Tzu. She loves being outdoors, traveling to new places, and cooking (and eating!) her favorite Brazilian dishes.

Crystal Leslie has always had a passion for guiding and inspiring others. She spent 12 years at Atlantic Records and two years at Def Jam, working alongside some of the industry’s most talented artists, including Joe Budden, Jazzy Joyce, and Charlie Baltimore. As a co-manager of Slaughterhouse, she played a key role in shaping careers and building lasting connections. After an exciting career in music, Crystal found a new lovefitness. She joined Orangetheory Fitness in 2017, where she spent eight years coaching, mentoring, and eventually leading as Head Coach and Studio Manager of two studios. In 2024, she discovered Pilates, and it completely changed her perspective on movement and wellness. That passion led her to become a Pilates instructor and co-owner of Queen Pilates, where she now helps others build strength, confidence, and a deeper connection to their bodies. Whether in music or fitness, Crystal’s journey has always been about empowering people to reach their fullest potential.

Erica is a native New Yorker whose journey into Pilates was both personal and transformative. After a decade in the nightlife industry, chronic back pain and thoracic scoliosis led her to discover Pilatesan experience that became a turning point in restoring her posture, strength, and overall well-being. Inspired by the profound impact Pilates had on her body, Erica began her teacher training in New York in 2022 and has since completed over 700 hours of classical and contemporary Pilates education. She brings a deep understanding of body mechanics, breathwork, and intentional sequencing to every class, creating sessions that are both effective and thoughtfully structured. Known for her calm, grounded presence, Erica seamlessly integrates precise movement, mindful breathing, and carefully curated music into a smooth, engaging flow. Her approach is steady, supportive, and empowering helping clients move with confidence, ease, and greater body awareness both inside and outside the studio.

Troy was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he performed in shows on the Las Vegas Strip for over 13 years as a professional dancer. His passion for movement is what led him to Pilates in 2011, but it was the rehabilitative and healing power of Pilates that inspired him to become a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher in 2012. Starting with just one Reformer in a home studio in Las Vegas, Troy began building an amazing Pilates family. In 2017 he opened a commercial studio, Pilates 4 Life, which was consistently voted “Best Pilates Studio” in the yearly “Best of Las Vegas Contest”. Over the last decade, Troy has worked with a range of clients, from first-time movers to professional athletes. Whether he is teaching a group class or a private session, Troy approaches all his classes from a personal trainer perspective, offering creative modifications of the classical Pilates repertoire to keep his clients fully engaged and inspired. After a lifetime in Las Vegas, Troy relocated to Florida with his wife Sandy in July 2022, to escape the desert and be near the beach!

Emma is a passionate Pilates instructor who believes in the transformative power of intentional movement. Drawn to Pilates for its ability to strengthen both body and mind, she quickly developed a deep appreciation for how mindful movement builds core strength, improves mobility, and supports overall well-being. Emma brings a thoughtful, personalized approach to every session, meeting clients where they are and guiding them with care, clarity, and encouragement. She is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to move with confidence, develop body awareness, and progress safely toward their goals. With a genuine love for teaching and continuous learning, Emma is dedicated to helping each client feel stronger, more balanced, and more connected to their body both inside and outside the studio.

Hello, I’m Jimena—born in Colombia, South America, and later moving with my husband and kids to Los Angeles, California, where we spent 20 wonderful years. During that time, I built a strong foundation in mindful movement through teaching Flow Vinyasa Yoga for over 15 years. In 2020, after relocating to the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida, my journey evolved as I discovered my true passion for Pilates. Today, Pilates is the heart of my practice, offering a transformative approach to building strength, balance, and deep body awareness through both mat and equipment training. I am a Comprehensive Certified Pilates Instructor with 500 hours of training from Club Pilates, an E-RYT 500 and YACEP certified yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance, and have a background as a Physical & Sports Therapy Aide. I bring precision, holistic care, and a deep understanding of functional movement into every session. Guided by Joseph Pilates’ philosophy that “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness,” my mission is to help you move smarter, feel stronger, and create lasting confidence in your body. My classes blend thoughtful sequencing, motivating energy, and supportive instruction to help you thrive both on and off the mat or the equipment.

Barbara is a Mat and Reformer Pilates instructor with over 16 years of experience leading group movement. She brings precision, energy, and heartfelt intention to every class, creating thoughtfully designed sessions that build strength, control, and balance. Known for her uplifting and motivating teaching style, Barbara fosters a powerful mind-body connection that leaves students feeling supported, inspired, and energized.

Lisa Chicken is a native local and came upon her name honestly. Married to a Brit and living outside of Florida for 15 years, Lisa and her family of four ”chicks” have made their way back to the heart of Brevard where she teaches kindergarten at a local homeschool co-op. Lisa has been a health enthusiast for 20 years and was first introduced to Pilates back in 2008. She entered the fitness industry in 2019 as a personal trainer and began her Pilates certification journey in 2024. Lisa enjoys sharing her love of Pilates with passion and care for those she teaches. Believing each person has great value, she encourages people to value themselves enough to take good care of their body. “You’ll pay now, or pay a whole lot more later—and not just with money!” is her health mantra. She loves encouraging people toward their health goals so they can live life fully. Her idea of a perfect day is sunning on the beach with her family by her side-chatting and connecting…after a Pilates session, of course.