Hilary Santana: Building Community, Healing, and Strength Through Pilates

Hilary Santana is the Studio Director and Owner of Little Apple Pilates Co. in Manhattan, Kansas, a boutique studio redefining wellness in the Midwest through inclusive and innovative movement. She holds a degree in Kinesiology with a Public Health focus from Kansas State University and is a Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner, NPCP-Certified Instructor, and Kansas’s first certified Bungee Fitness Instructor, with additional certifications in Barre, Yoga, and TRX and foundational rehab-based training under Dr. Noelle Dowma, DPT. Hilary’s background includes advanced training in New York City under celebrity coach Jeff Halevy, which broadened her expertise working with diverse populations ranging from first responders and military personnel to dancers and everyday movers. Deeply committed to community health, she has contributed to initiatives such as Get Fit Topeka Style and partners with organizations supporting trafficking survivors, Kansas State University, and Fort Riley. In 2025, she expanded her impact by launching her own Pilates Certification Program, continuing her mission to make therapeutic, accessible movement available to all through education, retreats, and community-centered programming. In this episode, Dante and Hilary discuss: The key differences between Pilates and yoga, and who each practice serves best How Pilates improves posture, ergonomics, and daily movement beyond workouts Common misconceptions about Pilates, especially for men and athletes How Pilates supports athletic performance, injury prevention, and longevity The role of community outreach and why wellness thrives through connection Key Takeaways: Pilates goes beyond traditional workouts by teaching body awareness, posture, and ergonomics that carry into everyday life. These movement patterns help people reduce pain, prevent injury, and move with greater confidence outside the studio. A community-centered approach to fitness creates deeper, longer-lasting results than exercise alone. When people feel supported and understood, they are more likely to stay consistent and committed to their wellness journey. Pilates serves as a bridge between the gym and physical therapy, offering both strengthening and restorative benefits. It supports clients who aren’t injured enough for rehab but need more than conventional fitness routines. Many men and athletes discover improved mobility, balance, and performance through Pilates. It strengthens underused muscles and corrects imbalances that traditional training often overlooks. Effective wellness does not have to be painful to be transformative. Feeling better, moving better, and gaining awareness are powerful indicators of progress. “And so community is important, because what we have to tap into is we have to tap into people that are interested in longevity, honestly, right? Well, it's less about Pilates, it's more caring.” - Hilary Santana Connect with Hilary Santana: Website: https://www.littleapplepilates.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-santana-3a912646/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryks9/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/hilary.k.santana/ Connect with Dante Royster: Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/ Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086 Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086 Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/ “The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKTRWLRP LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster YouTube: Epic Spotlight Email: dante@epic.mortgage The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.