It is my pleasure to introduce you to Justin. Justin discovered Pilates and never looked back, he has practiced daily with no days off for over 4 years now. If that isn’t inspiration enough, Justin tells us more about his daily Spanish lessons; he shares the most wholesome coconut miso chickpea recipe plus discover what he is reading and listening to! We are so honoured to have Justin as part of our community and it’s been wonderful to get to know him more.

Where are you based?

I live in Roxbury, Connecticut, USA with my wife, Logan and two children–Peyton and Wyatt.

*and his gorgeous dogs Ebby and Beezie.

How did you discover Pilates?

About ten years ago, I had a bad back injury that required surgery. To recover, I tried yoga and aqua therapy – while those were helpful, I just didn’t connect with the movements. Then I took a few Pilates classes at a local gym. I loved it, but I realized that I don’t like exercising with other people in a crowded room. In the fall of 2020, I stumbled across your YouTube channel where I found this class. I think I did it every morning for a month. By the time the first 24 Days of Pilates rolled around, I was hooked.

*What’s your favourite class on the LMP platform?*

Can I pick three? Days 3 and 12 of the Summer Challenge 2022 and Connection Mat - Day 1 Total Pilates Challenge #236

OUR TOTAL PILATES CHALLENGE

Do you have a daily non-negotiable or self-care habit?

My morning routine: espresso, staring out the window, and of course, Pilates.

And for the important stuff - what is your favourite food or do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share with us?

I found this recipe somewhere on Facebook – everyone in my family loved it, so I made it once a week this past winter.

Coconut Miso Chickpea Soup

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

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2 cups vegetable broth 
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1 cup coconut milk
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2 tbsp white miso paste
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1 onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
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2 cups fresh spinach
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Sauté for approximately 2 minutes until the onion turns translucent and releases its fragrance.

Combine Ingredients: Pour the vegetable broth, coconut milk, and drained chickpeas into the pot, stirring gently to incorporate all the components seamlessly.

Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the soup to cook for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to become tender.

Prepare Miso Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the white miso paste with a small amount of the soup until a smooth mixture forms.

Incorporate Miso: Stir the miso mixture back into the pot of soup, ensuring it blends evenly with the rest of the ingredients. Let the soup simmer for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

Add Spinach: Gently add the fresh spinach to the pot, allowing it to wilt slightly in the warm broth for about 1 minute.

Season to Perfection: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper according to your preference, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and savor the comforting aroma and robust flavors. Serve alongside crusty bread or atop a mound of rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Are you working on anything at the moment, personally or professionally?

Relearning Spanish. By age 18 I was able to read and write Spanish almost fluently, but I lost most of it. Over the years, I have had a lot of students whose first language is Spanish and it bothers me that I can’t communicate effectively with them. I have been using Duo Lingo and reading basic Spanish stories over the last year. Like Pilates, I have been doing this every day. I’m still not sure where the line between obsessive and routine-oriented is!

“It’s nice to think that there is a world beyond what we see and live everyday. ”

— Justin Ongley

*Are you reading anything at the moment?*

I have spent the last twenty plus years teaching American Literature to 16-18 year olds. American Literature is great, but it’s a bit too heavy on realism. I am drawn to writers who invent fantastical worlds and somehow make them believable and recognizable. It’s nice to think that there is a world beyond what we see and live everyday. At the moment, I am reading *Pedro Paramo,* by Juan Rulfo. It’s fascinating to explore how much we are haunted by the past and by those who came before us. Plus the writing is amazing.

Do you have any advice that has impacted you and wish to share?

Listen to John Coltrane.

Thank you so much to Justin for taking the time to chat with us. We are so honoured and grateful to have you as a LMP member and know you will inspire many of us. Check out previous Member Spotlights here…

January LMP member spotlight: Dhruvisha Patel

February LMP member spotlight: Patrícia Arsénio

March LMP member spotlight: Lydia Roolvink

April LMP member spotlight: Sally Engelfried