Meet Danna Gadalla

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danna Gadalla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danna, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons my career in teaching Pilates has taught me is the value of relationships. When I went through the sales program at the University of Houston, my professors always emphasized that ‘our network is our net worth.’ Being naturally sociable, I learned not only to leverage my existing relationships but also how to make lasting impressions on my clients and community. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be where I am today. Many of my clients show up for nearly every event, supporting and sharing in my successes, while also standing by me during tough times or moments of self-doubt. If it weren’t for the relationships I’ve built, I wouldn’t be where I am today—and I certainly wouldn’t be enjoying it as much.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started teaching Pilates in 2020 during a time when I was seeking a major change. I was unsure of myself and didn’t really know what I liked, disliked, or what I wanted to do long-term. I’ve always been a social person, and I would describe myself as a people pleaser—always wanting to make others proud of me and defining my worth by my accomplishments. Pilates provided me with a platform to build my confidence. It allowed me to not only thrive in a social environment but also develop meaningful relationships with others. These relationships are incredibly precious to me, and I’m constantly learning from them.

I’m proud of how much I’ve thrown myself into this life. When I started teaching, many didn’t think I could succeed or replace a corporate income, but through my passion and the love I have for my community, I’ve built an incredible group of women who care about their health and want to empower others.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to be resilient through personal challenges and paid my way through college while working full-time jobs. I graduated with a double major in marketing and management, which has helped me tremendously in running my own business. The marketing side has always clicked for me, and I love managing the business aspects like financials and social media. It wasn’t easy, but I was fortunate to have support from people like my boss at Defy Pilates, Christa Taormina, and my family.

I constantly remind myself that we have one life, and I don’t want to spend mine not pursuing what I love. A key lesson I’ve learned is to truly listen to people, not just wait for my turn to talk. I strive to make a positive impact on others’ lives without compromising my values. I wake up every day grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. It doesn’t feel like work—it feels like I’m sharing a part of myself with the world, and there’s nothing more satisfying than that. Plus, it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to support myself financially.

For anyone hesitant to take a leap, my message is this: go for it. It’s not failure unless you stop trying. Every setback is simply a lesson on how to succeed better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d take them to my favorite natural spots, starting with a long walk around Buffalo Bayou along Allen Parkway. It’s such a beautiful area to soak in nature. For a great lunch meal, we’d head to Local Foods. The service is always top-notch, and the food is even better—you’ve got to try the crunchy chicken sandwich with a side of chicken posole soup.

On weekends, we’d definitely explore the Heights. Moonshine Deck is my go-to bar—the vibes are unbeatable. For a great nighttime view of the city, I love driving along 288 South at exit 245 for a stunning view of the Houston skyline, or from I-10 heading to 45. The city looks incredible from there.

I’m also a big fan of Houston’s museums. I visit a few times a year to check out the latest exhibits, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science is my favorite by far. As someone who loves community events, you can always count me in for a local farmer’s market or neighborhood event.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout to my incredible ‘Pilates Hotties’ community. This includes my amazing team at Defy Pilates, my fiercely loyal clients, and the friends and family who never let me give up. To my best friend, Camryn, for always stepping up in any role to ensure my success. To my mother, Sandra, who showed me what it means to be a hardworking woman. And to Tasnim and Rasheed, the sister and brother I couldn’t be luckier to have.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilateswithdanna/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm0MsglOAJ4lX090ymQpxOg?themeRefresh=1