We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Desi Bartlett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Desi, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I have taken was returning to school to pursue my Doctor of Education degree after being out of academia for more than 25 years.

At the time, I had already built a successful career in health and wellness, authored books, taught internationally, and worked with major brands. Going back to school wasn’t a necessity, it was a choice driven by my desire to deepen my knowledge and better serve the women I work with.

My biggest concern was whether I could successfully balance a doctoral program with running a business, raising two children, and maintaining my existing professional commitments. Pursuing a doctorate requires a significant investment of time, energy, and focus, and I knew it would demand sacrifices from both me and my family.

The risk paid off in ways I never expected. I earned my EdD in Kinesiology and conducted research on the integration of yoga and menopausal education to support women during the menopausal transition. More importantly, the experience strengthened my belief that growth doesn’t stop at any age. Taking that leap expanded my knowledge, strengthened my confidence, and allowed me to contribute to the field in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Dr. Desi Bartlett, and I am a women’s health expert, fitness leader, best-selling author, international retreat leader, and educator. I hold a Doctor of Education in Kinesiology and have spent more than 30 years helping people improve their health and well-being through movement, mindfulness, and evidence-based education.

While there have been several pivotal moments throughout my career, one of the most impactful occurred on September 11, 2001. I was on an airplane that morning when the attacks took place. Like so many people, the experience profoundly shifted my perspective. It forced me to ask a deeper question: How can I be of service to this world? That question became a guiding force in my life and inspired me to share my gifts on a much larger scale. From that point forward, my work became about more than fitness, it became about helping people create healthier, stronger, and more meaningful lives.

Over the years, I have authored books, appeared on national television, worked with leading wellness brands, and taught internationally. While I am grateful for those accomplishments, I am most proud of the lives I have been able to impact and the communities I have helped create.

Today, my primary focus is the BodyMind Workout®, a method I developed that blends meditation, yoga, and strength training into a comprehensive approach to well-being. Rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science, The BodyMind Workout® helps people cultivate strength from the inside out. We begin by calming the mind, move into purposeful movement and strength training, and finish with restoration and recovery. The goal is not simply exercise, it’s creating sustainable physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Much of my work is focused on supporting women through major life transitions, including pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. Through retreats, courses, workshops, continuing education programs, and online content, I help women better understand their bodies and navigate these transitions with greater strength, knowledge, and confidence.

What sets my work apart is the intersection of the ancient technology of yoga and the modern science of exercise. With a background in kinesiology and more than three decades of experience in the wellness industry, I have developed a deep understanding of how movement influences both the body and the mind. I am particularly passionate about helping people understand that exercise is not one-size-fits-all. Just as medication requires the proper dose, exercise does as well. The type, intensity, duration, and frequency of movement can either support or challenge the nervous system. By translating both scientific research and ancient wisdom into practical, accessible tools, I help people choose the right practices at the right time to support their health, resilience, and overall well-being.

My doctoral research examined how yoga and menopausal education can help women manage symptoms during the menopausal transition, reinforcing my commitment to evidence-based approaches that create meaningful change. I believe wellness should be both accessible and sustainable, and I am passionate about translating research into practical tools that people can use in their daily lives.

Whether someone joins me for a BodyMind Workout® class, attends a retreat, participates in a continuing education course, or follows my work online, my goal is always the same: to help people feel empowered, informed, and connected to their own inner strength.

If there is one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it is that true wellness is not about perfection. It is about creating a strong foundation that allows you to thrive in every stage of life. My mission is to help people build that foundation and discover their own strength from the inside out.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Without hesitation, yes. I would choose this profession again all day, every day.

My career in health and wellness has been a lifelong love affair. For more than 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping people improve their lives through movement, mindfulness, and education, and I still wake up excited about the work I do.

One of the things I love most about this profession is that it continues to evolve. When I started teaching group fitness, we were using cassette tapes. Since then, I’ve witnessed the emergence of online fitness, streaming platforms, wearable technology, virtual learning, and now artificial intelligence. Today, I can incorporate AI into program design and educational content in ways that would have been unimaginable when I began my career.

At the same time, the heart of the work remains unchanged. People still want to feel healthy, strong, connected, and empowered. I have simply gained more tools to help them get there.

The combination of the ancient technology of yoga, the modern science of kinesiology, and emerging technologies continues to inspire me. I am still learning, still growing, and still discovering new ways to serve. Looking back, I cannot imagine a more meaningful career, and if given the choice, I would choose this path again in a heartbeat.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, I believe one of the most important factors in my success has been my willingness to remain a student. No matter how much experience I gain, I never want to reach a point where I think I have all the answers.

I love teaching. I teach annually at USC, serve as a doctoral dissertation chair for Concordia University, St. Paul, am a continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance, and mentor fitness professionals through IDEA Health & Fitness Association. These roles allow me to share what I have learned with others, which is incredibly rewarding.

At the same time, I love learning just as much as I love teaching. The health and wellness industry is constantly evolving, and staying curious allows me to continue growing alongside it. Whether I am studying new research, exploring emerging technologies, learning from colleagues, or listening to the experiences of my students and clients, I believe there is always something new to discover.

I often say that the best teachers are lifelong students. My willingness to keep learning has helped me stay relevant, continue evolving, and better serve the people who trust me with their health and well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://desibartlett.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothersintolivingfit/?hl=enl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDesireeBartlett/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-desiree-bartlett-cpt-eryt-a4457b6/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesiBartlett

Image Credits

All pics on that second page are by Mariah Standal except the one with the trees outside, s well as the one in the kitchen holding the salad bowls are by Donix Rodriguez.