About Sam Horton – A Life in Movement & Wellbeing
From early back pain to discovering Pilates and building a lifelong career in fitness, Sam helps people move better, feel stronger, and live well through midlife and beyond.
Her journey began in 1993, teaching exercise classes of all kinds, and in 1998 she discovered Pilates after experiencing early-onset arthritis and chronic lumbar back pain. Pilates soon became a daily practice, helping her build core strength, mobility, flexibility and ease of movement — benefits she continues to maintain today.
In 2004 Sam founded Fitness Dynamics, which has since supported more than a thousand women and men through classes, courses, workshops, group coaching and one-to-one sessions. Her work focuses on Pilates, fascial fitness, functional movement, breathwork for nervous system regulation, and helping people feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies. She also values connection and community, creating spaces where clients can learn, chat, move and support their own wellbeing together.
In 2020 Sam received a diagnosis of Hypermobility Syndrome, which explained many years of unpredictable joint pain, muscle fatigue and minor recurring injuries. This personal experience shaped her teaching style — emphasising joint stability, supportive strength, posture, mindful pacing, and a nervous-system-friendly approach to movement. She understands first-hand the ups and downs of managing fatigue, pain and flare-ups, and adapts exercises to help clients feel safe, capable and encouraged instead of overwhelmed.
In recent years, her work has evolved into more complete mind–body wellness. Sam now incorporates simple, research-based lifestyle strategies including fascial training, functional breathwork (trained and certified with Oxygen Advantage®), stress physiology, sleep and recovery support, and wearable technology insights. She has a particular interest in women’s health, pelvic health, menopause transition, and how hypermobility and energy levels can change with hormones and age.
Sam’s mission is to make fitness welcoming, down to earth and sustainable — no intensity pressure, no comparison culture. Her goal is to help people move well, breathe well, feel strong, reduce pain, manage stress, and build resilience for everyday life, especially through midlife and beyond.
Here are a few of my favourite
inspirational quotes and self-care mantras, I hope that some of these resonate with you:
"Speak kindly to yourself as if you were talking to your best friend. Remember to treat yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and understanding that you would offer to a close friend." - Sam Horton.
This statement is a powerful reminder to be gentle with ourselves and to practice self-compassion, especially when facing challenges or setbacks. Positive self-talk can cultivate a more supportive inner dialogue and build a foundation of self-love and resilience.
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."
- Joseph Pilates
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible."
"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped."
- Tony Robbins
"Wellness encompasses a healthy body, a sound mind, and a tranquil spirit. Enjoy the journey as you strive for wellness."
- Laurette Gagnon Beaulieu
“Screw it, let’s do it.”
“You miss 100% of the times you don’t swing.”
“Isn’t life wonderful?”
- Richard Branson
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
- Walt Disney
"Only light love, and peace can be in my body, mind and soul.
All negative energy must leave."
- Unknown
"Success is a few simple disciplines practised every day."
- Jim Rohn
"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
- Sir Edmund Hillary
"You can't always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside."
- Wayne Dyer
"It is up to YOU to control your focus."
"You can decide to be frustrated, angry or scared.
Or you can decide to be grateful, joyful and blessed."
"Every day, stand guard at the door of your mind."
- Taught to Tony Robins by his mentor Jim Rohn
"Feel the fear and do it anyway!"
- Susan Jeffers
"The secret to winning the day is waking up and taking control of your mind first."
"You are one decision away from a completely different life."
"It's not about motivation; it's about learning how to manage our minds and take action."
- Mel Robbins
"More smiling, less worrying.
More compassion, less judgment.
More blessed, less stressed.
More love, less hate."
- Roy T. Bennett
"The mind is everything; what you think, you become."
- Buddha
Remember to speak kindly to yourself - Sam x
Training, Qualifications & Professional Development
A summary of Sam’s specialist training across Pilates, breathwork, biomechanics, fascia, women’s health, pain science and ongoing wellness education.
Since falling in love with the Pilates method more than two decades ago, Sam has undertaken extensive Pilates training, primarily in the contemporary style. She has also studied the classical repertoire to ensure a complete understanding of the original method and the strength, flexibility, mobility, flow and alignment required to perform at this level.
With a Certificate in Education, plus Assessor and Verifier awards, Sam spent 10 years developing, delivering and assessing fitness and gym programmes at South Kent College (now Folkestone College). She later taught and assessed Level 3 Pilates courses and advanced workshops for Future Fit Training for 7 years.
Sam has trained with many leading education providers, including:
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Michael King’s Pilates Institute
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Stott Pilates
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Future Fit Training
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Cherry Baker Education
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Lydia Campbell
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Biomechanics Education
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Fascia Training Academy
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Dr Julia Jones
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Jenny Burrell Education
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Michelle Lyons – Muliebrity Education
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Her specialist training includes:
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Diamond Pilates Teacher – Pelvic Dysfunction (Cherry Baker Education)
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Trigger Point Pilates Teacher– Fascia Release (Lydia Campbell)
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I Move Freely Instructor (Biomechanics Education)
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Fascial Fitness Trainer (Fascia Training Academy)
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Smart Wellness Pro (Dr Julia Jones)
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Trauma-Informed Exercise Provision
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Hypermobility, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia (Cherry Baker)
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Certified Back Pain in Women Pelvic Health & More (Michelle Lyons)
Most recently, Sam qualified as an Oxygen Advantage® Functional Breathing Instructor, adding evidence-based breathwork coaching to support stress, sleep, recovery, energy, respiratory efficiency and functional movement. She now integrates breath education into group classes, 1:1 sessions and her Mind Body Wellness programmes to help clients reduce tension, improve focus and move with greater ease.
To further support whole-person health, Sam is continuing her professional development with additional training in:
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3rd Age Women & Menopause Transition (Jenny Burrell)
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Exercise Referral (Level 3)
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Practical Pain Science
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Trauma-Informed Care in Pelvic Physiotherapy
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Coaching Skills for Behaviour Change
Her ongoing commitment to learning reflects a deep passion for supporting clients physically and mentally, helping them build strength, resilience, confidence and long-term wellness.
Memberships:
CIMSPA
Trigger Point Pilates (TPP) Instructor Groups
The Fascia Research Society
UK Coaching
EMD UK The National Governing Body For Group Exercise
Fit Pro
Pure Energy Go (Licence Free Music)
