Tish Columbus is a devoted mom, passionate advocate within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community, and certified instructor who brings both heart and intention to everything she does. Her son Brady is on the autism spectrum and he is also Alex Bregman’s godson. Alex and Brady’s deep, personal bond is one of the reasons why Bregman Cares was founded: to support families navigating the complex, beautiful, and often challenging world of IDD.

Tish’s journey with Pilates began six years ago, shortly after she moved to Texas. At the time, she was simply looking for a way to connect with others, reclaim her identity outside of motherhood, and focus on her mental health. What started as a personal practice attending lagree and pilates classes quickly became a lifeline as it granted her a quiet, restorative outlet which afforded her the chance to recharge and recenter mentally and emotionally. As a mom, especially one in constant “fight or flight” mode, she recognized the importance of having something that was just for her.

Inspired by how transformative the classes had been for her own mental health, Tish decided to get certified and start teaching at her local Houston studio, Ignite Pilates. It was a way to create a purpose and identity for herself while helping others discover the same renewal and grounding she had experienced firsthand.

Now, Tish teaches with the same guiding principle that drew her to it in the first place: self-care. Through her work with Bregman Cares, she’s continued to create spaces for families, particularly moms with children who have IDD, to take a moment for themselves through movement. She began organizing and teaching community-driven sessions in Houston and now brings that same spirit of connection to the inaugural Boston A Moment for Moms event at Fenway Park this June where she will also lead the class.

Tish believes that showing up for yourself is just as important as showing up for your family. Her classes are more than just movement, it’s a moment of pause, a celebration of resilience and a moment dedicated just for you.