If you talk to any Pilates girlie in Sydney, you’ll quickly discover they want to train at one place: Body by Berner. The Bondi studio opened in May last year, but has quickly become Sydney’s go-to workout spot. There’s two main reasons for this: the first is the studio itself, which is less exercise focused and more like walking into your über stylish friend’s house, complete with bright paintings, Assouline coffee table books, and recessed wall with Pilates equipment displayed like art. The other is Body by Berner’s founder Bernadette Sukkar (née Fahey), whose unique approach to pilates and wicked sense of humour will get you through even the toughest of workouts.
Bernadette spent a decade working in fashion PR in New York when she hit burnout. She returned to Queensland, meditated on her next move, and decided to get her Pilates certification. So she moved to Sydney, powered through her training, and just six months later was teaching classes. Not long after that, she began training clients from her Tamarama apartment. Just two years later, she opened her north Bondi studio — and hasn’t looked back.
For this week’s Insider Trading, Bernadette tells us about her journey from PR to Pilates queen, her advice for forging a career in the wellness industry, and what’s next for Body by Berner.
Insider Trading: Bernadette Sukkar
Hi Bernadette! Tell us little bit about yourself and what you do.
I am the founder of Body By Berner, a wellness studio in Bondi Beach. We offer Pilates, breathwork, and sound healing classes designed to help people connect with their bodies, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Our approach blends physical movement with mental and emotional healing, empowering people to feel their best, inside and out. We also offer personalized wellness programs and workshops to integrate mindfulness and self-care into everyday life.
How long have you been a Pilates instructor?
Four years ago I did my training with Polestar Pilates.
Describe your typical day.
I wake up at 5am and start the day with meditation. I arrive at the studio around 5.40am, just before my first client at 6.00am. I usually work for about three hours before having breakfast, then I’ll spend another two to three hours training clients. In the afternoon, I catch up on emails, business development and handle any appointments. I like to have dinner by 6.30pm and aim to be in bed by 9.00pm to wind down for the night.
What’s your favourite part about what you do?
Training my clients is such a personal experience, and it brings me so much joy to play a role in guiding their fitness journey. The most fulfilling part is watching them progress, not just physically, but also in their confidence and mindset.
What was the biggest learning curve so far?
Being in the wellness industry, I’ve learned that in order to help others fill their cup, I first need to fill my own. When I opened Body By Berner, I experienced severe burnout, which taught me the importance of self-care. Since then, I’ve built a toolkit of practices that help me recharge and show up as my best self for both my clients and my team.
When you were starting out in your career, what was your dream job? How did you end up in your current role?
Before Pilates, I was on a completely different career path, but when I made the decision to transition into fitness, I remember attending events and thinking, I can’t wait to be the one hosting these. Since opening Body By Berner, I’ve had the privilege of working with and hosting events for incredible brands like Jo Malone, Maybelline, GHD, Samsung, Reebok, StyleRunner, and more.
After earning my Pilates certification, I started at a small, off-the-grid studio on a dusty highway. It was a humble beginning, but it helped me build the confidence I needed to eventually work at some of the top boutique studios in Sydney. From there, I began training clients out of my home in Tamarama, and that’s when Body By Berner really started to take off. I eventually outgrew my apartment, stopped working at other studios, and opened our first studio in Bondi. Now, just 1.5 years later, I’m proud to have around 30 amazing staff members on board.
Body by Berner has such a distinctive look – how did you pull the interiors together?
Body By Berner was born from my home in Tamarama, inspired by the vibe of my apartment and my travels across Europe. When you step into the studio, it doesn’t feel like a typical fitness space — it feels more like you’re walking into someone’s home. The studio is filled with treasures I’ve collected from my journeys, creating a warm, personal atmosphere. I’ve often been asked who designed the interiors, and the truth is, when I started out, I didn’t have the budget to hire anyone, so I took it on myself and figured it out along the way.
What’s your advice for people who want to work in the fitness industry, or open their own studio?
Make sure you don’t lose sight of what originally inspired you to work in the fitness industry — whether it’s your love for doing Pilates every day or something else that drives you. To get a feel for what it’s like to open your own studio, consider hosting a weekly class, either at your home or in a local park. It’s a great way to test the waters — promote your class, manage bookings, set up the space, and experience the process of teaching. This will help you gain valuable insight before taking the leap into opening a full studio.
If you weren’t working in your current role, what would you be doing?
My role has evolved into business development, personal branding, and managing both the staff and overall operations of the business. If I weren’t focused on these areas, I’d definitely be spending more time teaching. Looking ahead, my next focus will be launching a product and expanding our retreat offerings.
You’ve spoken in the past about finding dating difficult, because you were so focused on your career – and now you’re married! What changed?
Looking back, I wasn’t in the right headspace to attract a love like the one I have with Jordan. I needed to go through life experiences — traveling the world, living abroad, having my heart broken — and finally getting my business in order before I could be ready for this kind of relationship.
Do you have a work uniform?
Yes, activewear — the brighter, the better!
What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve seen at work we can legally publish?
The excuses people come up with for missing a fitness class — dead cats, sick kids, you name it. But the best one? When they tell me they can’t make it, only for me to spot them later that day, perfectly healthy, living their best life.
Who do you admire in your industry?
Melissa Wood Health inspired me to get my Pilates teacher certification. Although I’ve never met her, she comes across as such an authentic and genuine person.
Describe your inbox in three words.
Unread email chaos.
*sorry if you are waiting on me for a response 😉
How did you sign off your emails?
‘Sent on the go.’
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