Gratitude & Grace: A Leadership Journey
A story of success
As I sit down to write this editorial, I’m filled with gratitude to share a deeply personal chapter of my journey with our IDEA® community. My contribution to the newly released Amazon bestseller “Lead Like A Woman – GRATEFUL” isn’t just another fitness industry leadership story – it’s a testament to the transformative power of gratitude in our industry, and I believe it carries special relevance for every fitness professional in our community.
When I began my career as a personal trainer three decades ago, I never imagined I’d one day be writing to you as the Owner & CEO of IDEA® Health & Fitness Association. Yet here I am, and the principles that guided me from the training floor to the boardroom are the very ones I explore in my chapter, “Gratitude & Grace.”
The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership
Let me share a pivotal moment with you. During the pandemic, when our industry was reeling with over 30% of businesses closing their doors, I found myself in a crucial meeting discussing IDEA’s future. In what many might consider an impulsive moment, I literally jumped out of my chair and offered to purchase the company. But it wasn’t impulsiveness – it was purpose. I knew in my heart that IDEA needed more than just a business solution; it needed the love, purpose, and passion that only someone who had lived and breathed this industry could provide.
Gratitude as Our Strategic Advantage
Throughout my chapter, I explore how gratitude has become more than just an emotion in my leadership journey – it’s a transformative skill that has guided me through our industry’s most challenging moments. Whether I’m representing North America as Chair of World Active or making decisions that affect our IDEA community, practicing intentional gratitude has enhanced every aspect of my leadership.
What I Want You to Know
As your colleague who has walked the path from personal trainer to CEO, I want to share several key insights that have shaped my journey:
- The Gratitude-Growth Connection – I’ve discovered that maintaining a daily gratitude practice isn’t just about feeling good – it’s about making better decisions and building resilience. In my chapter, I share specific strategies that you can implement, whether you’re training clients or leading a team.
- Grace Under Pressure – The fitness industry isn’t just about physical transformation – it’s about emotional intelligence and maintaining grace during challenging transitions. I’ve learned this firsthand through every step of my career evolution.
- Authentic Leadership in Action – Our industry doesn’t need more performative leadership; it needs authentic connection. I share how staying true to my fitness roots has become my greatest asset in leading IDEA.
What We’ve Achieved Together
Under this gratitude-based leadership approach, I’m proud that the IDEA Team has been able to introduce:
– IDEA® Fitness Mentor Network, the industry’s first structured mentorship for professionals of every experience level and every career pathway designed to elevate fitness professional developmment
– A suite of low-cost insurance products designed for fitness professionals/small business owners
– Updated and revised IDEA® Code of Ethics for instructors, personal trainers and owners/managers
– IDEA’s equity and inclusion pledge with actionable commitments
– Two educational podcasts, IDEAfit Pro Show and IDEA Listen & Learn
– Digital transformation of the award-winning IDEA® Fitness Journal
– Modern revamped platform delivering 15,000+ articles and over 900 online courses
– Reimagined, innovative world-class events, IDEA World, IDEA & ACSM Health & Fitness Summit, and IDEA Personal Trainer Institute
Global Impact, Personal Connection
We have partnered with fitness industry leaders in China and South Korea to bring IDEA’s gold standard in-person education to thousands of fitness pros and allied health professionals. Through this experience and in my role with World Active, I’ve seen how grateful leadership can unite organizations across continents. But what excites me most is knowing that each of you – our IDEA members – has the power to impact hundreds or thousands of lives through your work.
A Personal Invitation
As I share these insights from my chapter in “Lead Like A Woman – GRATEFUL,” I invite you to consider how gratitude might transform your own leadership journey. Whether you’re leading clients through their fitness goals or aspiring to broader industry influence, the principles I discuss can help amplify your impact.
Looking Forward
Our industry continues to evolve, and I believe that maintaining human connection through gratitude and grace will be more crucial than ever. My chapter in “Lead Like A Woman – GRATEFUL” (launched February 26, 2025) offers you a roadmap for combining professional excellence with personal authenticity.
My Promise to You
As your fellow fitness professional, I commit to continuing this conversation about grateful leadership within our IDEA community. The principles I share in my chapter aren’t just theory – they’re battle-tested strategies that have helped me navigate from personal trainer to industry leader.
I encourage you to explore these concepts further in “Lead Like A Woman – GRATEFUL,” now available on Amazon. More importantly, I invite you to share your own experiences with grateful leadership. How do you incorporate gratitude into your professional practice? Share your experiences in the comments below – I look forward to learning from your insights as we grow together. Send them to membership@ideafit.com.
With gratitude and grace,
Owner & CEO
IDEA® Health & Fitness Association, IDEAfit Pro Show, IDEA® Fitness Journal, IDEA® World
#1 Best Selling Author, Lead Like a Woman – GRATEFUL
