Welcome to the March 2026 Community Spotlight!
If you’ve spent time at the Center, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Jessica Lott around. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and one of our beloved Pilates instructors, Jessica brings both expertise and warmth to every class she leads.
Pilates has become one of the Center’s most popular offerings, helping our community stay active, build strength, and care for their bodies in a supportive environment. Through her work, Jessica embodies the Center’s mission of supporting wellbeing and helping people live healthier, more balanced lives. 💪✨
About Jessica Lott
Hi, my name is Jessica Lott. I am a Pilates Instructor and Doctor of Physical Therapy from the USA. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Miami, Florida. I went to college and graduate school in South Carolina, where I met my husband Caleb. We moved to Shanghai, China in 2014 where we started our international life journey. In Shanghai, I worked as a physical therapist at an international hospital and then later at a small private clinic. Both of our children, Cullum age 9 and Coral age 5, were born in Shanghai.
While living in Shanghai, we traveled to Taiwan for vacation and quickly realized this was a very special and unique place. We moved to Taiwan in 2021 and have loved living here and getting to explore the island over the past few years.
I am passionate about living a healthy lifestyle that is balanced around staying active and I strive to help my clients be at their best so they can do the same.
What’s one restaurant in Taipei you’d recommend that everyone should experience at least once?
As an avid seafood eater and sushi lover, my favorite place in Taipei is Addiction Aquatic Development. I always order raw oysters and assorted sashimi and nigiri with a bottle of Sake from the market. Their seafood is always fresh and locally sourced and I am always satisfied when I leave.
What’s an authentic restaurant that serves food from your home country?
Hands down, Baba Kevin’s American Barbecue Co. has the best American style Southern food in Taipei. Whether you are craving ribs, pulled pork, or brisket, they don’t disappoint. They even have all the fixins’ (sides) to really give you that home cooked feel of being back at a barbeque restaurant in SC. Don’t forget to try the cornbread!
Do you have a go-to comfort food spot in Taipei that you absolutely love?
Charming Couple Chinese Noodle Restaurant has my absolute favorite noodle soup dish in Taiwan. It’s located at the end of Tamsui Old Street. I like to bike there along the river and always order the pork meat with pickled cabbage noodle soup. The broth is a rich pork broth that has a picked flavor. The combination of the broth with the pork, pickled cabbage, fresh handmade noodles, and goji berries is truly delicious. This soup reminds me of a dish I ate growing up called corned beef and cabbage, which is a traditional Irish-American dish with cured beef brisket and cabbage that is cooked in a pickled broth until it’s tender.
What’s a hidden gem in Taiwan—a place or activity—that you think foreigners should know about?
I’m a beach and sunset lover and have explored many of Taiwan’s beaches. I tend to prefer the “wild” beaches as they aren’t too crowded. I especially love searching for hidden gems in the same with my kids. Over the years, we have collected a lot of amazing shells, driftwood, and sea glass from all over the Island. Some of our favorite beaches are in Kenting, Sanzhi District in New Taipei City, and Yilan.
How did you find out about the Center? What keeps you coming back?
I was introduced to the Center by a friend who used to work there as a counselor. I started offering education and movement workshops for the community at the Center. Currently, I teach Pilates Matwork classes every week at the Center. I really enjoy teaching classes at the Center because there is a great sense of community and fun every time I’m there. It’s a place where foreigners can come together and enjoy various activities and events.
What’s one book, movie, or piece of media you think everyone should experience at least once—and why?
Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc Brackett. This book gives strategies and tools for building emotional intelligence skills for both adults and kids. These are skills that are not inherent to human nature and in fact need to be learned. Everyone can benefit from this book!
What piece of advice would you give to someone new to living in Taiwan?
Explore the Island! Taiwan has a wide array of beautiful scenery, delicious food, and amazing people. Every time we travel somewhere new on the island, I am always amazed at the things we find to see, do, and eat. Taiwan is definitely the hidden gem of Asia!
🗺 Locations Mentioned:
- Addiction Aquatic Development: No. 18號, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10491
- Baba Kevin’s American Barbecue Co.: No. 5號, Alley 8, Lane 303, Section 3, Nanjing E Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105
- Charming Couple Chinese Noodle Restaurant: No. 210號, Section 1, Zhongshan N Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251
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