Vanessa Motte, originally from France moved to Lisbon in 2018. She is the founder of Prescription Pilates, the first Dynamic Reformer Pilates studio in Lisbon, which has rapidly expanded to include studios all over Lisbon and Cascais.

What inspired you to pursue a career in wellness?

Sport and movement have always been part of my life. However, my relationship with wellness changed significantly during my first pregnancy, which was both physically and emotionally challenging. It made me realise that wellness is not about intensity or achievement, but about understanding the body, adapting to its needs, and supporting it through change. That shift in perspective transformed a lifelong passion into a purpose and led me to turn my relationship with movement into a profession.

Tell us about the story behind Prescription?

Prescription Pilates started from a simple observation: in Portugal, Pilates was traditionally taught almost exclusively through a physiotherapeutic or medical lens. While this approach is essential, I saw an opportunity to expand it by introducing a more dynamic, inspiring, and community-driven experience. The goal was to maintain rigor and method, while making the practice more accessible, energising, and integrated into everyday life.

What is Wellness to you?

Wellness is the ability to sustain a demanding life, physically, mentally, and emotionally, over time. While physical movement is central to my work, true wellness goes beyond the body and includes mental health as a fundamental pillar. Wellness is about alignment, between physical intensity, mental balance, and emotional awareness, so that both the body and the mind are supported, challenged, and respected.

“True wellness goes beyond the body and includes mental health as a fundamental pillar.”

Top wellness trend for 2026?

A growing awareness around longevity. People are starting to look beyond short-term results and aesthetic goals and are becoming more conscious of how their daily habits, especially movement, affect their long-term health and quality of life. Wellness is evolving toward practices that support the body over time, improving mobility, strength, posture, and resilience, while also protecting the nervous system. Longevity is no longer a niche concept; it’s becoming central to how people define true well-being.

Life motto?

Discipline creates freedom. In movement, in business, and in life, structure and rigor allow you to grow safely and sustainably.

E: hello@prescription.pt 
W: www.prescription.pt
IG: @prescription.pilates