“Every woman deserves to understand her body, not struggle to keep up with it.”
For many women, life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause bring physical and emotional changes that often go unexplained. Without the right guidance, these transitions can lead to confusion, stress, and declining confidence, making it harder to maintain long-term health and well-being.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Desiree (Desi) Bartlett, Creator of the BodyMind Workout®, has helped women navigate these changes with confidence. Through a unique blend of strength training, yoga, mindfulness, and wellness education, she has built a platform that supports women at every stage of life.
Under her leadership, the BodyMind Workout® continues to expand through online programs, mentorship, professional education, and international retreats, making holistic wellness accessible to women worldwide. Her work earned national recognition in 2025 when she was named IDEA Health & Fitness Association® Fitness Leader of the Year, reflecting her lasting impact on women’s health and wellness.
Creation of BodyMind Workout®
Dr. Desiree Bartlett began her journey in yoga and fitness, driven by a deep interest in how movement supports mental well-being and overall health. Over the years, she has served the wellness industry as a personal trainer, yoga teacher, fitness director, product developer, educator, author, researcher, and on-camera expert.
While teaching on global platforms and working with leading wellness organizations, Dr. Bartlett found her greatest purpose in supporting women through life’s major transitions. From pregnancy and motherhood to perimenopause and menopause, she saw that many women needed more than fitness programs. They needed education, emotional support, confidence, and a sense of community.
These experiences inspired her to create the BodyMind Workout®, an evidence-based approach that combines yoga, meditation, strength training, mindfulness, and wellness education into practical programs that fit everyday life. Her doctoral research further strengthened this approach, showing that education, movement, and community can significantly improve women’s physical and emotional well-being.
Today, Dr. Desiree Bartlett shares her work through online fitness programs, professional courses, speaking engagements, mentorship, and international wellness retreats. Designed to be accessible for women with different goals, budgets, and lifestyles, the BodyMind Workout® continues to expand through its new platform, TheBodyMindWorkout.com, making holistic wellness and lifelong health more accessible than ever.
Setbacks Are Not Always Failures
One of the biggest lessons in Dr. Bartlett’s career came from designing what she believes was the first round yoga mat. Although the idea attracted a major manufacturing partner and reached a well-known fitness company, the final product did not meet her quality standards. Instead of compromising the experience she wanted for customers, she made the difficult decision to step away.
Years later, after regaining the rights to the design, she found a partner who shared her commitment to quality and innovation. The redesigned round yoga mat stayed true to her original vision and went on to achieve global success.
The experience taught Dr. Desiree Bartlett that setbacks are not always failures. Sometimes success comes from waiting for the right opportunity, working with the right people, and staying committed to your vision. That lesson continues to guide her work today, from developing wellness programs and writing books to creating products and leading international retreats.
Education Is the Missing Link in Women’s Health
Dr. Bartlett believes one of the biggest gaps in women’s health is the lack of education. Many women enter life stages such as perimenopause and menopause without understanding the physical and emotional changes taking place in their bodies. At the same time, fitness is often promoted mainly for weight loss instead of long-term health, strength, mobility, and overall well-being.
This understanding has shaped the BodyMind Workout® approach. Every program combines movement with education, giving women the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health. By helping women understand the changes they experience, Dr. Bartlett empowers them to feel more confident, take charge of their well-being, and build healthier lives with greater clarity and confidence.
Future of Women’s Wellness Lies in Simplicity
Dr. Bartlett believes the future of women’s wellness lies in returning to the fundamentals instead of constantly chasing the latest trends. While new technologies, supplements, and wellness tools can be helpful, she sees them as optional rather than essential.
She believes more women are looking for practical, sustainable ways to improve their health without adding unnecessary complexity to their lives. In her view, long-term well-being comes from consistent habits such as strength training, restorative movement, quality sleep, nutritious food, stress management, time in nature, and meaningful relationships.
Dr. Bartlett also believes wellness programs should better reflect the different stages of a woman’s life, including pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. As awareness and research continue to grow, she sees increasing demand for clear, evidence-based guidance that helps women navigate these transitions with confidence.
For Dr. Desiree Bartlett, the future of wellness is not about doing more. It is about focusing on what truly works, keeping wellness simple, and practicing healthy habits consistently for lasting health and well-being.
Anette’s Story of Strength and Resilience
When asked about one of her most impactful clients, Dr. Desiree Bartlett shared the story of an incredible woman named Anette. Anette faced many changes during perimenopause, especially during the global pandemic. She experienced physical, emotional, and hormonal challenges all while navigating her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Anette began practicing movement, yoga, mindfulness, and learning more about her body. With support from education and a personalized health & wellness program designed by Dr. Bartlett, Anette was able to reset her nervous system while gaining strength and flexibility.
Later, Dr. Bartlett had the joy of working with Anette’s adult daughter during her pregnancy. This demonstrates how the joy of movement can be passed on from one generation to another, and how each woman can benefit from support during major transitions in life.
Today, Anette is a proud grandmother, and her husband is healthy and thriving. Anette’s journey shows how movement, education, and community can help women feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of their health.
Industry Contributions & Academic Expertise
Beyond creating courses and leading retreats,Dr. Desiree Bartlett has made meaningful contributions to the wellness industry through research, public speaking, product development, mentorship, media appearances, and professional education. She earned a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Kinesiology, with research focused on yoga and menopause education, and regularly speaks at leading conferences, universities, and leadership events.
She has also held leadership roles with respected wellness brands such as Manduka and Gaiam and has authored books on pregnancy fitness and women’s health. Through mentorship, she continues to support and inspire the next generation of wellness professionals as they build successful and meaningful careers.
A Philosophy Centered on Individual Strengths
Dr. Desiree Bartlett believes that every person has unique strengths, goals, and life experiences. Rather than promoting a single approach to fitness or wellness, she encourages individuals to understand their own bodies and choose practices that meet their personal needs. This philosophy has shaped her work throughout her career and is reflected in her books, Your Strong Sexy Pregnancy: A Yoga and Fitness Guide, Total Body Beautiful: Secrets to Looking and Feeling Your Best After Age 35, and Inspire the World to Fitness®.
Her approach begins with awareness. She believes that lasting wellness comes from paying attention to the body’s signals instead of trying to force results. By helping women better understand movement, nutrition, recovery, and self-care, she empowers them to make informed decisions that support long-term health.
Honesty, education, and respect are the foundation of her work. Rather than presenting herself as someone with every answer, Dr. Desiree Bartlett serves as a guide, providing practical, evidence-based support while encouraging women to trust their own instincts. She also values feedback from clients, students, readers, and colleagues, using it to strengthen her programs and better meet the changing needs of the women she serves.
Notable Milestones
Although Dr. Desiree Bartlett has earned numerous certifications, media recognition, and industry partnerships, the achievements she values most are those centered on service, education, and lasting impact. Earning her Doctor of Education in Kinesiology allowed her to combine more than 30 years of practical experience with research, particularly in yoga and menopause education, which continues to shape her teaching, writing, and wellness programs.
In 2025, she was named IDEA Health & Fitness Association® Fitness Leader of the Year and contributed to Inspire the World to Fitness® as one of ten industry experts. She was also recognized as one of MSN’s Top 10 Inspiring Women Leaders for her dedication to advancing women’s health through education and compassionate guidance.
Over the years, Dr. Bartlett has earned the trust of celebrities, professional athletes, executives, mothers, and women from all walks of life. Through her books and wellness programs, she continues to inspire healthier living while encouraging people to create positive change by prioritizing their well-being.
More than any award, Dr. Bartlett considers the relationships she has built with the women and families she has supported to be her greatest achievement. Helping women navigate pregnancy, motherhood, perimenopause, menopause, and other important life stages with greater confidence and strength remains the most rewarding part of her journey.
Life Before vs. After Stepping Into Entrepreneurial Role
Before Your Leadership Journey:
- Fitness instructor
- Learning my craft
- Building confidence
- Following opportunities
- Strengthening my voice
- Focused on teaching
- Developing expertise
After Your Leadership Journey:
- Creator of the BodyMind Workout®
- Doctoral researcher
- International retreat leader
- Industry educator
- Speaker and author
- Mentor
- Global perspective
- Product designer
Snapshot of Daily Routine
Early Morning (5:30 AM)
Meditation, a beach walk with her dog, and getting ready for the day.
6:15 AM
Enjoys a light breakfast followed by exercise.
Start of the Workday (8:00 AM)
Reviews priorities, responds to important communications, and plans the day. She also spends this time working with individual clients, mentoring wellness professionals, and collaborating on strategic partnerships.
Midday (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Lunch followed by course development, meetings, interviews, and planning for upcoming wellness retreats.
Evening (5:00 PM)
Spends quality time with her family, enjoys dinner, and attends her children’s sports activities.
Night / Wind Down (9:00 PM)
Reflects on the day with a gratitude list and prepares for bed.
10:00 PM
Sleep.
Open Letter To Women Seeking Healthier
To every woman seeking a healthier and more fulfilling life,
I want you to know that your well-being is worth prioritizing. You do not need to wait for a crisis, a diagnosis, or a major life event to begin caring for yourself more deeply.
Strength is not measured solely by what your body can do. It is also reflected in your willingness to learn, adapt, ask for support, and continue growing through life’s transitions. You have a deep reservoir of strength that we can tap into.
To the next generation of wellness leaders, remember that expertise matters, but so does compassion. The most impactful leaders are not those with all the answers; they are those who remain curious, continue learning, and create spaces where others feel seen and supported.
The greatest lesson my journey has taught me is that transformation happens when knowledge, movement, and community come together. When we empower people with all three, lasting change becomes possible.
Dr. Desiree (Desi) Bartlett
Creator, BodyMind Workout®
Quick Takes
One quote that motivates you the most:
“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories… water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
One piece of advice you would offer to upcoming entrepreneurs or future business leaders:
“Build a mission, not just a business. When your purpose is clear, decisions become easier.”
One movie or book you recommend everyone in business or leadership should experience:
The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Dr. Desiree (Desi) Bartlett’s 5 Powerful Business Mantras
- Build a mission that creates lasting impact, not just short-term success.
- Stay true to your vision and never compromise on quality.
- Keep learning, because knowledge is the foundation of meaningful leadership.
- Simple, consistent actions create stronger results than chasing every new trend.
- Real transformation happens when education, action, and community come together.
