- Insiders Profile -

Vanessa Motte

Founder
Prescription Pilates Studio

With a background in marketing and a passion for wellness, Vanessa Motte created Prescription Pilates as a refined, intentional space where dynamic movement becomes a form of medicine. The founder brings together expertise, community, and design to create a universe where wellness is practiced with purpose and always in style. We sat down with Vanessa to know more about Prescription's future, but also to discover her favorite places in Lisbon, and more!


◆ What inspired you to create Prescription, and how did your vision take shape?

I created Prescription from a personal search for balance – a place where movement felt like a form of medicine, and where every detail supported that experience. I was inspired by a passion for dynamic movement – and by a clear gap I saw in the market. I wanted to develop a method of Reformer Pilates that delivers a truly high-intensity workout while still honoring the principles of traditional Pilates: precision, control, breath, and alignment. Prescription brings those worlds together so people can train hard without compromising technique. The studio’s design reinforces that ethos—minimal, warm, and intentional – so that light, materials, and sound create an atmosphere that invites presence and inspires people to move.

◆ If you had to describe the Prescription philosophy in just three words, what would they be?

Movement, empowering, community.

◆ The Prescription Mix has become a signature part of the studio. Can you tell us what it is and how you curate it?

The Prescription Mix is where we let our playful side shine. It’s a class that blends movement, music, and social energy – live DJ, post-class drinks, and a room full of good vibes.

Music is truly part of our DNA at Prescription; it’s fully integrated into our classes and method. It gives rhythm, sharpness, and focus, and creates that unique flow people feel when they move with us. Music has always been a personal passion of mine, so being able to reconcile both passions – mindful movement and sound – in one experience is incredibly fulfilling. The Mix celebrates that fusion: it’s Pilates with the heartbeat of a party, a space where discipline meets joy.

◆ How do you curate your team and ensure the practice stays aligned with your values and long-term vision?

At Prescription, curating our team is deliberate and non-negotiable. Every trainer must speak the same language — our Method — because consistency and precision are the foundation of a truly transformative practice. Pilates alone is not enough; we seek leaders who combine technical mastery with cardio, strength, choreography, musicality, and an innate understanding of group dynamics.

We do not consider applicants who have never experienced the studio firsthand. From there, the journey varies: experienced trainers may audition externally, while certified mat instructors may join the Prescription Academy to deepen their practice and grow into leadership roles. In every path, growth is personalized but rigorous, with mentorship, practical exams, auditions, and a defined progression from Trainer to Method Ambassador, Senior, and Lead.

Our trainers are the heartbeat of our studios and brand. We value them deeply and strive tirelessly to help each rise to their fullest potential. We ignore trends and gossip; we focus on being unapologetically ourselves, raising the bar, and protecting the culture we’ve built. Above all, we invest in people who embody our values, inspire our community, and sustain a practice that transforms – far beyond the studio.

◆ What’s next for Prescription, and how do you envision its growth over the coming years?

We’re at an exciting moment: preparing to open new studios in Cascais, Parque das Nações, and Porto. Our growth will stay thoughtful: the same dynamic, high-intensity Reformer method, the same warm, minimal atmosphere, and the same commitment to community.

We’re scaling through rigor – strong instructor training, consistent design standards, and programming that brings people together (from workshops to the Prescription Mix). Expansion isn’t scale for its own sake; it’s creating more places where movement feels like medicine—each studio precise, welcoming, and true to our DNA.

◆  Could you walk us through your ideal day in Lisbon, from a mindful morning to a favorite restaurant?

My ideal day starts at home with a cooked breakfast with my boys – simple, grounding, and noisy in the best way. Then I head to the office for a few deep-focus hours with the team. For lunch, I slip over to Tiffin for something delicious and nutritious that keeps my energy steady. In the afternoon, I visit our studios under construction; watching the spaces take shape is one of my favorite parts of the job. I close the day with a training session to reset, and lately I’ve been unwinding with friends over dinner at Barbela. Elevated, delicious, and vibey, with some of the best cocktails in town.

◆ What are Lisboners craving more of when it comes to wellness, and how do you meet that need?

Lisboners want wellness that’s thoughtful and elevated: intelligent training that delivers results, spaces that feel considered, and a community that keeps them coming back. They’re asking for accountability without pressure and experiences that fit a busy city rhythm. At Prescription, we meet that with a dynamic, high-intensity Reformer method rooted in classical principles; small groups and hands-on coaching; design that invites presence; and music that sharpens focus. We turn consistency into community through calibrated programs, progress tracking, and events like the Prescription Mix – so people feel seen, get stronger, and actually enjoy the process.

◆ How has living in Lisbon influenced your personal rhythm, habits, or creative process?

Living here has taught me to embrace a slower rhythm. The light, the ocean, the café culture – they remind me to pause, to look around, and to let creativity come naturally instead of forcing it. It has also inspired me to dream bigger for Prescription: preparing to open three new studios is a direct reflection of how this city fuels both calm and ambition.

◆ What’s one daily ritual you never skip, no matter how busy you are?

Most mornings it’s heat and cold: a few minutes in the sauna, then an ice bath. That contrast flips the switch: endorphins up, nervous system reset. On school mornings with my two energetic boys, if time is too tight, the 3-minute cold plunge is non-negotiable. I train every day in some form, with at least three Prescription classes a week!

◆ What’s your favorite local hangout in Lisbon?

My everyday hangout is La Boulangerie, right by my office. I spend most of the day at work, so it’s where I slip out for breakfast and/or lunch – some days a perfectly flaky French croissant, other days something healthy – always on the sunny terrace with that beautiful view over Largo Dr. José de Figueiredo. And sometimes, I will turn it into a fun after-hours moment with friends or my Prescription team.

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