Erin Witt Fleifel

March 2026 Issue

by Mary Hope Roseneau
Photography by
Cassidy Dunn Photography

 

Erin Witt Fleifel is a strong young woman. She is a certified Pilates Master Trainer, who, after extensive training in California and Miami, has become both physically and mentally strong. But she is equally strong inside, and aside from the physical alignment she teaches others, she works just as hard to stay spiritually aligned with who she really is.

On Highway 21 coming into Beaufort from Charleston, you will see a large billboard with a beautiful picture of Erin from a few years ago, advertising C. T. Lowndes and Company, recognized as the state’s oldest insurance company, founded in 1850. Erin was a successful agent with this prestigious firm for about ten years, but she had dreams of working for herself in a totally different direction. In October of 2024, she took the leap and opened her own Pilates studio.

After graduating from Clemson University, she chose the insurance industry because she enjoys people and liked helping them protect themselves for the future and being there for them if catastrophe strikes. (Lowcountry hurricanes provided much of her experience there) Pilates was a natural transition for her because it too allows her to work with people and help them protect the future of their health by staying strong, flexible and balanced.

Dancing since age 2, Erin has always been involved with learning to be physically fit and staying active. Now, it’s her job to help others attain those goals, to become “centered” and “feel more like themselves.” But meanwhile, her own life had relationship challenges that she shares, hopefully, to help other young women.

After college, she moved to Savannah and began dating a young man who at first, seemed to be a perfect fit. They bought a house together, and he asked Erin to marry him. She was sure he was “the one” and they began planning a big wedding. As time went by though, she noticed things that felt somewhat “off”. Being raised in a Christian home, she prayed a lot about her relationship and began to wonder if this was who God wanted her to spend her life with. Finally, she mustered all the courage she had within her, and with God’s help, she confided to her mother, Teresa Witt, shortly before the wedding that the marriage was not going to work. Her mother, who Erin calls her “best friend”, knew her daughter well and agreed completely. Teresa helped Erin to weather the storm. Everything had been paid for, but it was all cancelled, and she admits it was a very expensive lesson to learn indeed.

Vastly relieved by this life-changing, difficult decision, Erin wants to strongly encourage young women to be fully who they are, not what some young man wants them to be. “Many women are “people pleasers” and feel they need to fit someone else’s expectations, particularly if they think they’re in love. But looking deep inside and asking God for His direction will answer all of life’s questions and get you on the right path,” Erin explained.

Understandably, most brides (and grooms) don’t have the moxie to call it all off in the eleventh hour, even if they know they are making a mistake. Calling it off is extreme and feels devastating at the time, but Erin assures us it’s far better in the long run. She is a living example of how truly listening to your inner wisdom will ultimately lead you in the right direction.

But now, just entering her 30’s, Erin’s life has flourished, which is directly related to her bravery and willingness to take risks. Last summer she married the true love of her life, Victor Fleifel, in a small family-only ceremony in Mexico. He is “The One”—her partner in marriage, business, and soon parenthood— their baby girl is due in a few months!

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Up Close:

Erin’s Thoughts on Being Who You Are:

• If something isn’t an immediate yes, I take it as a no. Alignment rarely needs convincing, and hesitation is often good information.

• Women have such strong intuition. When something feels off, it usually is. I don’t think we should be afraid of that feeling; it’s there to guide us toward what’s actually meant for us.

• Women who are fulfilled and secure in their own lives tend to be supportive and encouraging. When someone criticizes or tears their partner down, it is often a reflection of his/her own unhappiness than anything else.

• I try not to take things personally. Most people are focused on their own experiences, not yours. When you release the need for approval, it becomes much easier to make bold, aligned choices — even if they go against the grain.

Erin’s Healthy Habit Tip:
Start your day with gratitude first! Create a daily movement ritual, even if it is just 10 minutes!  Choose a form of movement that brings you joy rather than something you dread or feel obligated to do. When movement becomes a thing you return to consistently, it supports you physically, mentally, and emotionally in every season of life.