If the woman teaching you how to strengthen your body is secretly harboring a life-threatening illness, does it invalidate the method? Pinckney seemed to think it might. She chose to keep the severity of her melanoma relatively quiet. She continued to film, to teach, and to tour.

Pinckney’s life was defined by her ability to overcome significant physical challenges. Long before her passing, she was open about her history of medical issues, which served as the inspiration for her world-famous fitness program.

Callanetics pioneered the use of pulse-like movements to work deep muscle groups without jarring the joints.

Over the years, many fans on social media and fitness forums have wondered about her cause of death, with some speculating about illnesses like cancer.

After spending eleven years backpacking around the world, she suffered from severe knee and back damage that left her nearly immobile.