Fitness Profile: Pierrette B. Van Cleve

The Beauty of Art and Body: A businesswomen and artist takes a moment to discuss fitness, demonstrate pilates and tell us her tips on wellbeing.

Van Cleve is the founder and President of the Art Cellar Exchange, Inc. Ms. Van Cleve has multiple degrees in art, art history and art education, as well as a designation in Art Historical Criticism from Warnborough House College at Oxford University. Full bio...

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Q: Tell us about your background. At what age did you start participating in sports and/or fitness activities.

Pierrette Van Cleve: As an overactive child and voracious eater, my mother put me in ballet, tap and dance at the age of 4 so I could expend energy and burn calories. From there, I was a competitive swimmer and gymnast in high school. I primarily focused on solitary sports never being one to join a team or do anything with a ball. In college, my sports activity was seriously curtailed and at that point, I was more interested in academics and parties then aerobics. In my twenties, I was into water-skiing, organized exercise classes and disco. In my thirties it was running and I ran and won many a 5 and 10K race -- my type A took ahold. In my forties, I took up running again, added in all kinds of gym activites and became a rollerblade enthusiast. Now, on the eve of my fifties, I have surrendered to the more serene activites-first it was Astanga yoga and now pilities and spin.

Q: How are sports/fitness currently a part of your life routine?

Van Cleve: I take pilates from a private instructor 2 days a week, spin on Saturdays and walk and rollerblade inbetween. I still exercise for the same purposes as when I was 4 -- Mother was right -- exercise reduces stress and burns calories, not to mention makes me a nicer person to live with.

Q: Do you feel that having sports/fitness in your life is important? Why?

Van Cleve: As a person with a high stress job, a type A personality, an over-active mind and an under-active metabolism- exercise is a mandatory part of my life. I crave the release and the feeling of personal accomplishment, not to mention, I still love to eat and can do so with less consequences when I exercise regularly.

Q: With kids at home (now or formerly) how did you incorporate your activities and balance having a child or children to also take care of?

Van Cleve: My daughter is now 22 and has fitness as a regular part of her life. When she was little, I exercised with her and this promoted her current life-style and gave us time together - a valuable commodity back when I was building a company and she was growing up. Now, when Brooke comes home, we rollerblade together or go the the gym or I kick her #$% in spin class!! Mostly we laugh and talk as we run on the treadmill.

Q: Do you have a favorite spa or retreat that you get away to?

Van Cleve: No, I have yet to reach this stage in my life but there is always the 60's!

Q: What are your words of advice or experience in life, fitness and/or fun?

Van Cleve: Most people think that you have to work real hard at being fit- I did for years. But really all you have to do is participate in an activity that you like. Mix it up- do lots of things. The definition of being alive is movement and if you are not moving - chance are you are on your way to the big D. With that thought in mind-doesn't it make sense to get up and take a walk!

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Pierrette B. Van Cleve is the President of The Art Cellar Exchange, an international fine art service, has assisted private & public collectors, museums and foundations since 1988.