Get to Know Fitness Pioneer Duangporn "Ink" Tapanya

Ink’s path to becoming a fitness pioneer stemmed from a personal journey of overcoming injury. With dedication, perseverance, and a deep passion for understanding the body, Ink has emerged as a motivated entrepreneur managing multiple Pilates studios under the Figure 8 Pilates brand, alongside a sought-after supplements line, PPlus Protein.

Ink’s early life was shaped by familial ties and personal challenges. Born and raised in Saraburi, she pursued an education in in her hometown before venturing to Bangkok for higher studies, opting to study a degree marketing, a decision that was driven by an innate talent for communication.

Before delving into Pilates, Ink’s fitness journey revolved around high-intensity exercises and sports, driven by the rush of adrenaline and the belief that vigorous workouts equated to optimal fitness. “I liked the adrenaline that workouts  such as HIIT gave me. I loved being able to jump, run, and move my body,” she reminisces. However, this intense regimen took its toll, leading to a serious knee injury, which became a turning point that led her to explore alternative forms of exercise.

As a result, Ink’s discovery of Pilates was actually born out of necessity rather than curiosity. “I stumbled upon Pilates because it was a recommendation from my doctor when I was trying to heal my knee. I’d worn it down because of improper form and despite initially underestimating the severity and attempting to push through with medication, the pain persisted, and I eventually had to seek medical advice,” she recalls.

After a visit to the doctor, her fears were confirmed via an x-ray that demonstrated that her knee required a long route of rehabilitation. Determined to get back into exercising, Ink explored several different types of low-impact exercise. “My doctor initially recommended yoga, but it didn’t resonate with me. I also found stationary cycling too boring!”

It wasn’t until her doctor recommended Pilates that she found her calling. “Pilates turned out to be the perfect fit,” Ink reveals, reflecting on how this recommendation transformed her approach to fitness. Having started her Pilates journey over 15 years ago , Ink’s passion for the practice actually began during a time when group classes remained very expensive due to the scarcity of studios.

Despite the cost, she was drawn to Pilates, though she initially struggled in larger class settings where individual attention was limited. “It took more than 30 classes before I could really understand the importance of breathing, posture, and muscle targeting, which ended up really helping me to recover my knee as I was able to strengthen it properly,” says Ink.

After some time, she made a pivotal decision to leave her marketing career behind and pursue becoming a Pilates instructor full-time, going on to establish her own studios. “I wanted to help people achieve the same benefits I had experienced over the years,” she explains, describing her pivot in career as answering a higher calling to empower others through fitness. She shares her future goals with Prestige.

You founded Figure 8 Pilates, which now has multiple branches across the city. What are the things that set your studios apart?

I believe the primary thing that sets my studios apart is the quality of teaching. I’ve spent so many years refining techniques and I really enjoy working closely with my students. To me, they’re more than clients, I see them very much as my friends. Whether it’s teaching them the basics or guiding them through more advanced exercises, seeing their progress is very fulfilling and what I love most about being an instructor.

Secondly, my studios focus on one-on-one teaching and small group sessions. When it comes to Pilates, I believe nothing beats having personalised attention and working closely with an instructor to perfect form and posture. At my studios, we really ensure that everyone receives the attention they need to maximise the benefits of the workout while also preventing injuries. And despite the growing popularity of my studios, my priorities will always remain the same.

I will continue to teach for as long as I can, and I plan to remain very actively involved in the running of my studios. I want my work to reflect the fact that my journey with Pilates has been about more than just exercise. It’s also about building a community and helping people discover their strength and potential.

In your opinion, why do you think Pilates is becoming more popular than ever?

I think Pilates has seen a surge in popularity because of its exposure on social media. Celebrities, both local and international, especially Korean pop stars, now frequently showcase their Pilates workouts across their online platforms. So, I think this exposure has sparked curiosity among many people.

Moreover, people are joining classes because their friends are exploring Pilates, so I expect interest to continue to grow in the months to come. I’ve also seen a lot of diversity in my classes. Pilates is not just popular amongst women anymore; we’re seeing men showing interest as well. Pilates is a very inclusive practice, and I really like how it brings together people with different fitness levels, and from different backgrounds.

What are the benefits of doing Pilates?

Pilates is very versatile because it integrates elements of resistance, strength, and balance into one workout. The biggest benefit of a Pilates workout in my opinion is adaptability as you can customise routines around individual goals and needs. Pilates also helps develop a strong physique by targeting muscles that traditional exercises often overlook, which contributes to a desirable lean and toned physique. Many newcomers, especially those who actively do other sports, often initially underestimate Pilates. It only takes one session to discover that is very challenging! It truly engages the entire body.

Are you planning to expand the Figure 8 Pilates brand further?

Currently we operate two branches, one on Ratchapruek and another on Sukhumvit, but I’m eager to establish more studios. I’ve recently initiated plans for franchising, and the response has been very positive. This opportunity allows potential partners to leverage the brand that I’ve built, take advantage of my expertise, and I can help them find a skilled team of instructors too. I welcome anyone interested in joining me in this venture to reach out.

Does the level of Pilates training in Thailand measure up to other places?

I think the growing popularity of Pilates has attracted very skilled instructors, and you can now find all types of practices ranging from reformer to Cadillac and mat Pilates. So yes, I think the diversity and quality of offerings here are definitely on par with global standards.

Why did you decide to launch PPlus Protein?

In a similar vein to my discovery of Pilates, establishing PPlus Protein stemmed from my allergy to milk. As someone deeply involved in exercise and with an irregular meal schedule, milk was a key source of protein for me. So, when I was diagnosed with a milk allergy, I had to find alternatives. After trying many plant-based options available in the market and finding them disappointing in taste, I decided to go ahead and make my own.

I happened to have a student who knew a manufacturing specialist who helped me create my protein supplement, and because I had to order them in bulk, I began distributing them amongst my inner circle and my students. I received great feedback, and this encouraged me to begin selling PPlus Protein to a wider audience.

I opted to sell my supplements online via Shopee and Lazada and this then attracted the attention of Tops Supermarket, which now stocks PPlus Protein in over 20 branches. I’m currently exploring opportunities to possibly export PPlus Protein abroad and while there’s no set timeline for these plans, I’m excited about the potential and eager to see where it goes!

What are your long-term goals for your ventures?

I’m ultimately striving to create a holistic wellness brand that integrates my Pilates studios, PPlus Protein, and potentially a clinic in the future. At the moment, I’m focusing franchising my Pilates studios, expanding my supplement line, and exporting PPlus Protein internationally. Each of these achievements will be a step forward and part of a broader strategy to make an impact on the fitness and wellness industries on a global scale.

What does success mean to you?

I see my success as deeply rooted in my resilience. Starting this entire business on my own, I faced many challenges early on, including losing both my parents—one to illness and the other to an accident. This experience instilled in me a sense of responsibility, as I took on the role of raising my siblings. The led me to become very independent, a trait that has always been something I’m very proud of. Success to me is not just about reaching milestones, but about sustaining continuous growth. I’ve never allowed myself to stagnate, I’m constantly pushing forward despite the obstacles.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

I try to have interests outside of my entrepreneurial pursuits. One example is that I really enjoy watching TV series, particularly K-dramas. I also love shopping, dining out, and spending time with friends. Balancing these interests with my work was initially challenging. In the early stages, I had to make sacrifices and my workdays were 13 plus hours long. However, now that business has stabilised, I’m grateful that I’ve found a rhythm that allows me to enjoy life beyond work. This balance not only rejuvenates me but also fuels my motivation.

For more information about Figure 8 Pilates, click here.
To learn more about PPlus Protein, follow this link.

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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