A coffee with Steph

Hi Steph, welcome to the club! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself? 

Hi, I’m Steph — and definitely don’t call me Stephanie (unless you’re my grandpa)! I’m the founder of Luna Nuova Pilates Club and a group Reformer + Mat Pilates instructor based here in Amsterdam. Fun fact: I used to be in social strategy/brand advertising for almost 10 years but I ditched the corporate world to follow my passions back in May 2023 and I haven’t looked back since! I’m obsessed with movement in all its forms — whether that’s Pilates, strength training, or trying new classes wherever I go. I love traveling, experiencing new cultures, connecting with people, helping others feel good in their bodies, and spending time with my dogs, family, and friends. 

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? 

I grew up in New York, and part of me will always be a New Yorker at heart. In 2017, I took a trip to Amsterdam with my (now) husband, and we fell completely in love — with the city and with the idea of building a life here. Two years later, when he was offered an internal transfer to London, we packed up and made the move. After three incredible years there, we finally found our way back to Amsterdam in early 2022. Almost four years later, I still can’t imagine living anywhere else — this little village truly feels like home. 

Can you share with us what Luna Nuova Pilates Club is all about? 

Luna Nuova Pilates Club is a community-driven wellness social club that blends movement, connection, and really good food. Each event combines Pilates — both mat and Reformer — with something extra, whether that’s a nourishing meal, a themed activity, or a creative activation of some sort (crafts, sauna/cold plunge, guest speakers, etc). 

It’s all about movement that feels good, energy that feels real, and a community that feels like home. We bring people together to slow down, move with intention, and share experiences that leave you feeling stronger, lighter, and more connected to yourself and to the people around you. 

Think: doing what you love, surrounded by people you wish you’d met sooner. 

What was your journey into LNPC like?

I wish I could say this was my lifelong dream, or even something I had planned, but that wouldn’t be true. Luna Nuova Pilates Club came to life in April 2024 after one of the most transformative years I’ve had to date. The 12 months leading up to it were a total rollercoaster: plenty of amazing highs and a lot of heavy lows along the way. (Leaving a toxic workplace that left me extremely burnt out, and losing my pup Cody in March 2025.) All of which, in hindsight, motivated me to do something great and gave me the strength to build LNPC. 

It all started from a simple question I couldn’t get out of my head: where are the social wellness spaces that aren’t bootcamps, run clubs, or competitive training zones? (No shade, run clubs) I wanted something different. 

So, I decided to create it. Combining my love of Pilates with my background in event planning and my passion for hosting + bringing people together, LNPC was born. There was no grand business plan at the start — just a BYO mat class in Vondelpark followed by coffees and croissants at a nearby café. From that one casual morning, it’s grown into something so much bigger... and it’s only getting started. 

What are your current Pilates obsessions (type of workout, outfits, etc.)? 

Oh wow where do I even start?! I’m obsessed with heated mat classes. You still get that low-impact, mindful burn that Pilates is known for, but with all the endorphins of a sweaty cardio session. As for outfits — Alo, always! (And not just because I’m a proud ambassador.) Their sets move with me through every class, and honestly, my Alo mat and towels have basically become extensions of me at this point. 

We know you’re the queen of hosting! If you could put together your dream Lepelclub tablescape for your next dinner party, what would it look like? 

Every year, I host a Galentine’s dinner for all my girlfriends around Valentine’s Day. It’s one of my favorite traditions, so naturally, my dream tablescape would be built around Lepelclub’s Heart collection. It’s all perfectly romantic without being over the top. 

I’d layer the table with soft pink and red accents, scattered roses, flickering candles, and, of course, a few bottles of chilled champagne + non-alc for the coupes. Dreamy and feminine!

If you could plan your perfect Amsterdam day, what would it be? 

It would definitely be a sunny summer day! I’d start with a slow morning — breakfast on the back balcony with my husband, followed by a long walk with Wrensy. Then I’d sneak in a strength or Pilates session before spending the afternoon exploring little markets, wandering along the canals, and stopping by a few bakkerijen for treats. I’d end the day with a cosy dinner at home on our roof terrace, watching the sun drop below the chimneys across us. 

In true Lepelclub Journal fashion, how do you like your coffee? 

Actually... I haven’t had coffee since Cody passed away. (Trying to make small changes to avoid cortisol spikes). Trust me, I still miss the smell and taste, but I’ve fully embraced my matcha era. My go-to is matcha over iced coconut water (so refreshing!) or a traditional hot Japanese-style matcha tea — no milk, just simple and pure.