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

Hi Brenda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had always been in the creative world with teaching dance, choreographing, creating. I Put all that on hold to start a family. I was living the life, talented husband, baby girl and me focusing on happy family.
Then tragedy struck and my husband died suddenly from anaphylaxis. I was left with a 3 year old to raise and a beautiful 5 acre yard and house to look after! I took some time to heal and regroup then wanted and needed to get involved in something again.

That’s when I discovered Pilates…I had never heard of it and took a few classes….loved it, so I delved into it intensely. Went through a two year program and became certified. It was very cathartic for me. I was hired right away by the certifying studio however I live in Rockwall and the studio was in Dallas and being a single mom, I couldn’t invest many hours of work so that led me to open Milner Pilates here in Rockwall.
It started very slow, teaching only mat classes and my first mat class was on 9/11 in a fitness club. Over the next 5 years I gradually built up clientele and began purchasing Pilates equipment. One reformer first then a year lady a wunda chair etc… 25 years later I am the most equipped, longest running certifying Pilates studio in Rockwall with a staff of 3 other teachers. Remarried to a wonderful man for the last 20 years and will soon have my 10th grandchild

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our Studio was established in 2001 and is the longest running studio here in Rockwall, TX. We are a small private, fully equipped boutique studio in Ridge Rd. Center. We offer private, semi private, small group Pilates classes both on equipment and mat, and comprehensive and mat Teacher Training for certification.
We focus on small groups and private sessions catering to each individuals personal needs.
My philosophy and motto:

“Don’t Let Age Change You
Change The Way You Age”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We are surrounded by some big beautiful lakes here in Texas and my home is a beautiful sanctuary of lush woods on 5 acres. I’d hang here at the house mostly, prepare a wonderful charcuterie board and perhaps take a day trip to Lake Fork.
There are some wonderful 5 star restaurants right here in our booming town of Rockwall like Zanatas, Ramen Head, Basil Cafe (for sushi), Incognito to name just a few so we’d venture into town for that.
And I would definitely prepare some home cooking, something I love to do too. It’s part of my artistic side as well as Pilates

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom, Norma who is no longer with us but in spirit she introduced me into the art of Pilates and my daughter who is soon to start her own family for her patience as I went through the certification process!

Website: https://www.milnerpilates.com/

Instagram: Milnerpilates

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-cornelius-a2132143

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Milnerpilates?

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.