Matt Marney Podcast
Matt Marney has been working in the well-being space for over 20 years. He is a personal trainer, group exercise/Pilates instructor and meditation teacher. This unique blend and experience gives Matt an appreciation and understanding of the mind body connection and its role in promoting optimal health, wellbeing and performance.
Over the last decade Matt has also worked as a teacher trainer where he shares his experience with movement teachers and fitness professionals. This role ensures Matt is up to date with the latest research and developments in the industry and he delivers this knowledge with passion and enthusiasm.
After training hundreds of clients over the years he realised the same misconceptions about health and wellbeing came up time and again therefore he decided to start a corporate wellbeing company Wellness Education Dubai in the hope he could educate and motivate more people. He realised taking the right information and motivation to groups at the workplace could be more impactful and he enjoys educating and inspiring groups to become empowered and create agency (for individuals) to make real change.
This podcast is another vehicle Matt uses to educate and motivate people more people.
Matt Marney Podcast
Episode 145: Pilates is the Project — Classical and Contemporary Can Still be friends Guest: Heba Abdel Gawad, Olympian, Pilates Educator & Functional Neurology Specialist
Pilates has stood the test of time — but in our distracted, hyper-stimulated modern world, do its core principles hold new relevance?
In this episode, Matt is joined by Heba Abdel Gawad, a leading international Pilates educator, co-owner of Dubai-based Bodyhack Fitness Education, and former Olympic synchronised swimmer. Heba brings a unique blend of movement mastery and neuroscience insight, drawing from her background in functional neurology and elite athletic performance.
Together, they unpack the six original Pilates principles — concentration, control, precision, flow, centering, and breathing — and explore why these may be more essential now than ever.
In this conversation, they explore:
- Why concentration and precision are crucial attention-building tools in a distracted world
- The role of control in managing pain and perceived threat through the nervous system
- How breath helps calm a chronically “always on” state
- The role of flow in movement learning, emotional regulation, and overall enjoyment
- Why these principles are not rigid rules — and how overemphasising one can disrupt balance
- How to honour both classical and contemporary Pilates to meet the needs of real people
Whether you're a teacher, a mover, or someone curious about how Pilates can support mind-body health in the modern era — this one’s for you.
If you want to know more about Heba and the training she provides in this area, details below
instagram @bodyhackuae @neuropilates
faecebook @bodyhackuae
whatsapp enquires +971 56 296 3541
If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:
- Email: info@wellnesseducationdubai.com
- Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
- Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
- Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
- LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)