Pilates & Pamper was created with a simple mission—to help women feel their BEST. Meet the founders behind the vision.
Our Mission
At Pilates and Pamper, we create the ultimate cup-filling experiences and empowering spaces for women to relax, recharge, and reconnect with themselves. Through our thoughtfully curated events and retreats, we blend movement, self-care, and community, offering a sanctuary where women can nourish their bodies, minds, and souls. Our mission is to inspire holistic well-being through Pilates, pampering, and meaningful connection, reminding every woman that she is worthy of rest, renewal, and joy.
Meet the Founders
Emily Finlayson
Co-Founder / the one with the blonde hair
There’s never a dream too big for Em, & she works hard to achieve anything she truly believes in. Her fun & infectious energy is inspiring & contagious, & she’s always there to support your own journey to better health & well-being.
One of her biggest passions is health & movement. Em’s Pilates journey started back when she was 13 yrs old to help compliment her athletics training as a National Race Walker (Fun Fact!). Since then, she has spent years & thousands of hours studying both Myotherapy & various Pilates courses. She’s been lucky enough to work at places such as the AIS Canberra (internship), & the GFC for 11 years, & has been grateful to be able to observe & be mentored by some of Australias best Pilates Teachers & Educators.
Starting Payne Therapies in Mt Duneed whilst growing her little family was her biggest business achievement; creating an inclusive, vibrant & welcoming community for all. A space where you move with purpose, you’re educated & supported by the entire, highly qualified PAYNE team. Seeing clients & friends achieve their own personal goals is one of her favourite things & she’ll be your biggest cheerleader; “keep dreaming, keep believing & keep smiling”.
Fun Facts about Em:
✨What’s your coffee/tea order? - I’m actually allergic to coffee, herbal teas are my go-to
✨What’s your fave Pilates exercise? - I love assisted roll backs, great for deep abdominal connection, but standing splits would be a close second, as it targets muscles which are great for hip strength & stability
✨What’s something on your bucket list? - Would love to spend a Christmas in Canada in the snow with my family, maybe even a 12 month stint there would be nice
✨Something people would never guess about you? - I may have been in a Burlesque stage show back in the day
✨Favourite selfcare practice? - Pilates class or going for a run is what calms my mind & brings balance to my week
Mary Thomas
Co-Founder / the one with the dark hair
Mary is the creative heart and visionary behind Pilates & Pamper - a 35-year-old mum of two (with baby number three on the way), known for her bubbly energy, honest nature and deep passion for helping others feel their best inside and out. She’s always been fascinated by the human body & the power of self-care.
As a Registered Nurse for 12 years, she dedicated her career to understanding health & wellness. Her love for movement began with athletics, where she thrived as a competitive runner & netball player, but after an injury in her early 20s, she was forced to slow down & find a new way to move.
That’s when she discovered Pilates. What started as a personal journey, soon became a passion for helping others do the same. She became a certified Health Coach, completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and Mat & Reformer Pilates Training, and has been teaching since 2017.
Mary is the Pilates hype girl who loves bringing energy and encouragement to every class, and is passionate about teaching strong, purposeful movement. She believes wellness and beauty start within - nourishing both body and mind. Whether she’s teaching a class, sharing health insights, building her businesses, or just being home with the kids - Mary brings warmth, authenticity and a deep desire to help others thrive in any space she goes.
Fun Facts about Mary:
✨What’s your coffee/tea order? Soy Cap!
✨What’s your fave Pilates exercise? I love anything in sidelying - it feels like a lazy girl workout, but also super challenging & fun!
✨What’s something on your bucket list? To take my kids to the Philippines & Germany (where I was born + grew up until I was 6)
✨Something people would never guess about you? Hmm, I’ll come back to this one!
✨Favourite selfcare practice? Pilates class, going for a run/walk, listening to a podcast, getting a facial or massage, or having a hot detox bath!