Meet Melissa Thompson
Offering Expert, Personalized Pilates Sessions to Stanislaus County, CA
Movement should do more than just change how you look — It should be the foundation of how you feel.
I’m Melissa, and for over 15 years I’ve been guiding individuals through the transformative power of Pilates. When I first started practicing, I chased “peak fitness”.
But I quickly discovered the real magic of Pilates happens when curiosity meets consistency.
At EverMove Pilates, we don’t just exercise, we cultivate the kind of inner strength that supports you through every part of your life.
After years of living with chronic hip and back pain, and subsequently navigating the complex layers of pain resulting from endometriosis, my relationship with movement changed forever. I realized that fitness isn’t just looking a certain way;
It’s about survival. It’s about resilience. It’s about learning how to feel safe in your own body again.
Pilates was the first thing that helped me feel strong and aligned. It taught me how to move through flares with intelligence and compassion and how to rebuild trust in my body instead of fighting it.
This personal journey is the heartbeat of my connection with clients and the reason I started EverMove Pilates.
With over 15 years of experience, including my time owning and directing North County Pilates on the Central Coast, I now bring this expertise to Oakdale (and you!) in a highly personalized setting.
My approach is grounded in movement science but it’s led by empathy. I believe movement is meant to support your real life. While big fitness goals are exciting, the victories I celebrate most are the small ones: loading the dishwasher without a back twinge, climbing stairs with ease or simply having energy to get through the day.
I specialize in clear, relatable cueing with a dash of humor, meeting you exactly where you are, helping you build the kind of strength that makes life feel smoother and maybe even lighter.
When I’m not teaching, you can find me in the mountains of Northern California with my husband Scott and our dog Strawberry. I love uncovering new hiking trails, prowling antique stores for treasures and the unequivocal joy of finding a really good gluten-free bakery or plant shop (yes, I’m also obsessed with coffee, shocker I know)
And while I take movement and your needs seriously, I love a good laugh and am always open to funny memes and talking all things plants.
Certifications & Experience
Rooted in Science, Led by Empathy
I have always been fascinated by the human body — how it moves, how it heals, and what it needs to thrive. That curiosity led me to my Bachelors degree in Kinesiology at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo but it’s also what drives me to keep learning every single day. I actively participate in trainings and conferences to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and your lived experience.
Beyond my certifications in BASI and Polestar Pilates, I look at the body as a connected whole.
My own practice is a blend of classical discipline and modern rehabilitation. Whether you’re navigating the shifts of menopause, managing chronic fatigue or seeking relief from joint pain, I’m here to help. Together in sessions we’ll blend evidence-based techniques to help you build a resilient, pain free life where you feel safe and at home in your body.
