MEET THE MISFITS
My favorite misfits:
Bob Marley, Dolly Parton, Joan Rivers, Betty White, Greta Thunberg
Brenda Blair
Owner & Founder
Brenda is a Balanced Body® trained and certified instructor and a former film producer who traded 17 years in Hollywood chaos for reformers, playlists, and community. (Think less craft services table, more core strength and sweaty hugs.) She first discovered Pilates in the early 2000s chasing vanity abs, but instead found something much deeper: strength, alignment, and mental clarity. After years of long production days, little sleep, an alcohol problem, and way too many snacks (iykyk), Brenda reached a breaking point. She quit drinking, lost 30 pounds, and returned to Pilates to feel at home in her body again. It didn’t just reshape her physique, it gave her her life back.
In 2017, her instructor encouraged her to pursue teacher training, and by 2018 Brenda was teaching part-time while producing full-time. When the double strike hit in 2023, her body and mind finally said enough. Burned out from pouring herself into work that didn’t light her up, she decided to make her happy place her full-time career.
That decision became Misfit Pilates — a woman-owned studio built on rebellion, sweat, and community. Brenda’s mission is simple: to help others feel as strong, free, and at home in their bodies as she does in hers. You can catch Brenda in the studio six days a week teaching private sessions and subbing group classes when needed. Outside the studio, she’s all about Caturdays (lounging in PJs with her two cats, Gorilla and Barry), cozy movie nights, and spoiling her fur babies. Her husband, affectionately nicknamed “Misterfit”, is a cinematographer in the film business who shoots all of Misfit’s polished content, making the studio look as gorgeous as it feels. With no kids, they pour their hearts (and wallets) into traveling, eating great food, spending time with family in Arizona, and living it up with their four-legged family.
Kristine
Lead Instructor • Client Relations Manager
Kristine brings over 25 years of Pilates expertise to the Misfit family, guiding clients toward strength, clarity, and holistic wellness. As a PhysicalMind Institute Certified Pilates Instructor, she leads with love, light, and supportive energy. Every class leaves you feeling stronger, refreshed, and like you just got a warm hug wrapped in a workout.
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Beyond Pilates, Kristine offers Reiki sessions at Misfit, helping you deepen your self-care practice no matter where you are in your journey.
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When she’s not in the studio, Kristine is mom to two college kids and a spunky pup named Lola. She loves recharging over good food with family and friends, taking hot yoga, enjoying a foot zone, or indulging in a little online shopping. You’ll find her smiling face at Misfit most weekday mornings, ready to help you feel your absolute best.
My favorite misfits:
Gwen Stefani, Marilyn Monroe, Neil Patrick Harris, Goldie Hawn
My favorite misfits:
Jesus, Betty White, Robin Williams, Maya Angelou, Jacques Cousteau
Melina O'Brien
Studio Manager
She’s the organizational ninja helping keep everything flowing—from schedules and studio systems to events, merch, and beyond. Basically, she’s here to keep the chaos cute and the studio running like a dream. You might see her milling around behind the scenes, rearranging merch, or fine-tuning the schedule — she’s not taking over (well, maybe a little). With a heart rooted in family and community, Melina brings over 20 years of leadership and organizational experience to her role as Studio Operations Manager.
Her Pilates journey began in 2000 as a way to manage chronic back pain, and it quickly became a lifelong practice. Melina believes deeply in the power of Pilates to heal and transform, just as it did for her. Born and raised in Ventura, she finds her peace at the ocean and loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends—whether traveling, catching a concert, or curling up with a good book. After raising three sons and dedicating countless hours to volunteering, she’s excited to be leading operations at
Misfit Pilates with purpose and passion.
Carrie Silva
Instructor
Carrie is an Australian-trained, Breathe®-Certified Pilates Instructor, Elite Trainer & Health Coach, and Functional Nutritionist.
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A mountain girl at heart, she grew up in Southern California’s Angeles Forest with a deep love for nature, animals, and all four seasons. Her path into health wasn’t linear, years of battling a severe thyroid condition left her exhausted and searching for answers. With a background in human and veterinary medicine, she turned her curiosity into action, earning certifications in Personal Training, Yoga, and Functional Nutrition to understand how the body can truly thrive.
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Pilates found her during recovery from a torn glute (courtesy of a giant Saint Bernard) and became life-changing. What began as rehab evolved into medicine for both mind and body, restoring her strength, resilience, and alignment from the inside out.
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Today, she teaches full-time at Misfit Pilates, creating space for people who are ready to ditch diet culture, reject perfection, and rebuild themselves from a place of strength and self-acceptance. Her mission is simple: to help others feel more at home in their bodies, one pulse at a time.
My favorite misfits:
Carroll Holmes Pratt, Princess Diana, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
My favorite misfits:
Dolly Parton, Lucille Ball, My Gramz Lucy
Lisa Feeley
Instructor
Lisa has been passionate about fitness for over 30 years, dedicating her career to helping others move and feel their best. She has been teaching Pilates since 2016 and has instructed a variety of fitness formats throughout her extensive career. As a Physical Therapist specializing in women’s health, Lisa brings a deep understanding of the body’s mechanics and wellness needs to her teaching.
Born in Minnesota and raised in Simi Valley, Lisa is thrilled to have a Pilates studio in her town, where she can share her expertise and love for movement with the community. She is married and has 2 daughters. When she isn’t teaching, Lisa enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling with her family.
Elizabeth Hanson
Instructor
Elizabeth Hanson is a nationally recognized Pilates instructor with a deep passion for mindful movement and its transformative power. Certified through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York City, she completed her training with Michael Wright of the Body College in Washington, D.C. and Potomac, Maryland. Her extensive continuing education includes specialized programs such as Pilates with Resist-A-Ball, Ndeita Pilates Mat, Yamuna® Body Rolling, Stott Band and Toning Ball, and advanced work through the PhysicalMind Institute.
Since 2004, Elizabeth has been teaching EQUESTRIAN PILATES clinics and private sessions nationwide, helping riders dramatically
My favorite misfits:
Joan of Arc, Mary Cassatt, Athena, Freyia, Ixchel
enhance their posture, core strength, body awareness, and overall performance. Clients consistently report improved use of the aids, a better ability to sit the trot, relief from chronic back pain, and greater enjoyment in the saddle.
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While Pilates is at the heart of her work, Elizabeth’s lifelong passion for horses enriches her teaching. Growing up in rural Illinois, she began riding Western as a child, later explored Hunter disciplines in college, and now enjoys Dressage. This unique combination of deep equestrian experience and Pilates expertise allows her to help riders of all levels unlock their full potential—both on and off the horse.
