Explosive feud between founders of buzzy Pilates school heads to court: We reveal the cryptic posts and legal demands just months after they boasted of being 'sidekicks forever'
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Two Pilates gurus who once described themselves as a 'dynamic duo' are embroiled in a court battle after a bitter falling-out prompted one of them to quit their business.
Anthea Counsel and Kira-Leigh Rule launched a Pilates teacher-training business in late 2024 to help other instructors 'rise above the rest'.
TrainMe Education hosts in-person courses across Australia and New Zealand, with full certification pathways costing upwards of $6,300.
The company appeared to be going from strength to strength, racking up thousands of followers on social media as the two founders shared empowering tributes on each other's Instagram accounts and spoke of how they'd be 'sidekicks 4EVA'.
'Every time we chat, it's one of those pinch-me moments. We really created this. And some days, I still can't believe we did. But we did,' Ms Counsel wrote in a post dated August 7, to which Ms Rule replied: 'We love our little business.'
Until 49 days later, when Sydney-based Ms Rule suddenly announced to her followers that she was leaving the business and would be focusing on her own.
'I am sad to announce that I have decided to step away from TME and will no longer be affiliated or involved in its future operations,' Ms Rule wrote.
'All future communications in relation to TME should be directed to Anthea.'
Kira-Leigh Rule (left) and Anthea Counsel (centre) co-founded the Pilates teacher-training business TrainMe Education in late 2024. They abruptly parted ways late last year
Ms Counsel (pictured) has taken her former business director to court over concerns about advertising material posted on Ms Rule's website
Just 49 days before their abrupt professional split, Ms Counsel posted about how the pair would video chat each other while on separate holidays
Ms Counsel, who lives in Melbourne, followed with her own similar statement.
'TrainMe Education is sad to announce that one of its founders, Kira-Leigh Rule, has decided to step away from its business... We want to take this opportunity to thank Kira-Leigh... We wish her all the success in her future works within the industry.'
The pair made no delay in finalising their professional split.
Just a day later, on November 26, the business requested a change to its company details and its list of members' shareholdings on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website.
Ms Counsel went on to share a series of inspiring messages to her followers, and called for a 'new era of positivity' as the end of the year drew near.
'Not that anyone asked, but here's my two cents on things I'd like to see stay in 2025 when it comes to the Pilates Space,' she mused.
'I don't know, I just feel like the core reason why so many of us started doing this in the first place was passion. And somewhere along the way, this industry, and probably mainly this platform, has started to chew that up and spit it out.'
What caused the rift remains unknown; however, what is clear is that Ms Counsel heeded her own advice in starting anew in 2026: she launched proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court against Ms Rule on New Year's Day.
The duo's business relationship and apparent friendship came to a sudden end in November
Ms Rule is now focused on her business Body Form Pilates, which promises to deliver mat and reformer teacher-training programs - a key issue in the court dispute
Ms Counsel has continued with her TrainMe courses that run across Australia
In court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Ms Counsel is demanding that Ms Rule delete specific pages from the business website for her Body Form Pilates program relating to its teacher training program.
In addition to concerns over the advertising Ms Rule has published for mat and reformer Pilates training programs on her site's home page, FAQ tab and 'Teacher Training' tab, Ms Counsel is also asking the court to order Ms Rule to take down an Instagram post dated November 25.
She has asked the court to order Ms Rule to cover legal costs and any further relief that the court deems 'appropriate'.
The Body Form's website currently states: 'Body Form Education delivers physiotherapy-led Pilates teacher training for instructors and studios internationally.
'We provide internationally recognised certifications across the full spectrum from mat *and reformer* Pilates, to full studio equipment and barre training.'
However the website reaffirms in small print: 'Please note Mat & Reformer teacher training provided by Body Form is only available in locations outside of Australia, New Zealand and Bali. Studio Equipment Training and other services offered by Body Form are available worldwide.'
It would appear from the disclaimer that a key aspect of the case is whether Body Form was offering mat and reformer teacher training services within Australia, which Ms Counsel seems to be arguing raises issues under an agreement reached on November 14 last year.
Justice Peter Gray has ordered a hearing on the matter for January 28.
The Daily Mail has contacted Ms Counsel and Ms Rule for comment.
