Anna Sarol is a former gymnast and spinal cord injury survivor who is redefining what inclusive fitness looks like through Pilates.

After becoming paralyzed from the waist down in 2015, Anna searched for a way to reconnect with movement. She recently began practicing Pilates and sharing her journey through social media.

“Pilates has given me strength and control in ways I didn’t think were possible after my injury,” she says. “It’s helped me feel like an athlete again.”

Anna’s instructor, Kaitlyn Unland, had never worked with a wheelchair user before but embraced the opportunity with openness. Together, they created a space built on trust, communication, and adaptability.

“We figure things out as a team,” Anna explains. “Kaitlyn listens to my body as much as I do. That’s what makes it work.”

Now, Anna is taking her mission even further — she recently became a certified Pilates instructor herself, teaching classes for people of all abilities.

“There’s no one way to move,” she says. “You just need the right mindset and a willingness to try.”

Anna continues her passion for Pilates, hoping more people with disabilities feel empowered to move their bodies and encouraging fitness spaces to become more inclusive.

To follow her journey, check out her Instagram: @annasarol.

This article has information from the KCTV and The Pilates Journal.