My Career

I have seen many changes during my long career in the world of health and fitness. When I started in this activity, many years ago (more than I care to remember), what was in fashion was high-impact gym style and choreographies or dance-based fitness. All with extremely loud music, of course. One left the gym exhausted, soaking wet and with a terrible headache! I remember the time of Step and of “Jasercize” by Jane Fonda, whose videos we all watched.

I was lucky and had the great privilege of traveling around the world since I was little so I could see new things all the time … and see them before anyone else! Sometimes, with a little imagination on my part, not only did I see them before, but I adapted and improved before, too, that is, I had the great opportunity to rework storied workouts to develop something completely new.

This is the way the Tamara Di Tella Spa was born (at that time people did not know what I wanted to say the word Spa!). One day I asked myself, “And why can’t I create a Spa that is not in the mountains or on a lake? That was the beginning of the concept “Urban Spa” started and made it fashionable, in Buenos Aires, over twenty years ago!

Ten years later it was Pilates, it happened again. People had no idea what the word Pilates meant in Argentina!. I remember that I had to explain what he meant and laughed at me. They said: “Pontius Pilates, right?”. “Very funny, moron”, I thought. They were the “experts” on fitness who advised me: “do not waste your time and energy, ma’am, Pilates will not be accepted, the public is asking for Step.”

I know one thing: we must innovate, innovate and innovate! He who stands still, is left behind. It was always like that, but now, in this global information age, it is even more evident. For me, the most valuable asset of human beings is their ability to create; and in the fitness business this translates into new methods, new routines, new exercises, new workouts.

So, after many years of participating at international Conventions (first to learn and then to teach), I can say I learned a lot. My advice: Do not do what others do. Do what you like and you will succeed. Do not be afraid of IMAGINATION (yes, with capital letters). IMAGINATION does not bite. Work hard and do not stop. Keep re-working, keep creating. That is the formula for success!