Leading with Purpose, Advocacy, and Inclusion in Fitness with Leslee Bender

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show continues the Meet the Authors series with Leslee Bender, 2020 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, internationally recognized educator, innovator, presenter, and creator of the Bender Ball® and The Pilates Coach®. Host Amy Boone Thompson welcomes Leslee back to the IDEAfit Pro Show for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about resilience, reinvention, movement education, and what it truly means to lead with purpose in the fitness industry. In her chapter of Inspire the World to Fitness®, Leslee reflects on a career shaped by perseverance, curiosity, advocacy, and an unwavering passion for helping people move better and live healthier lives. From teaching aerobics inspired by Jane Fonda to building internationally recognized fitness education programs, Leslee’s journey is a reminder that success is built through courage, consistency, and staying true to your mission. This episode explores the evolution of movement education, inclusive coaching, the importance of curiosity, and why fitness professionals must prioritize people over performance. In This Episode, You’ll Learn • How Leslee’s early experiences in dance, skiing, and fitness shaped her career • Why moving to Germany with $100 changed the course of her life • How she developed The Pilates Coach® and Bender Ball® • Why movement education should prioritize safety and accessibility • The importance of inclusivity and meeting clients where they are • Why fitness professionals must focus on teaching—not performing • How curiosity and lifelong learning fuel long-term success • Why representation, empathy, and connection matter in fitness • How movement can improve quality of life at every age • Why resilience and persistence are essential for building a lasting career Featured Guest Leslee Bender 2020 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year Creator of Bender Ball® and The Pilates Coach® International presenter, educator, and movement specialist Leslee has spent decades helping fitness professionals and clients better understand functional movement, corrective exercise, Pilates-inspired training, and mindful coaching practices. From Jane Fonda Aerobics to International Presenter Leslee shares how her journey into fitness began after attending a Jane Fonda aerobics class in Los Angeles. The energy, music, and sense of movement instantly inspired her to pursue a career in fitness. After exploring dance and ski instruction, she eventually took a leap of faith—moving to Germany with only $100 in her pocket to pursue new opportunities. That decision ultimately launched her international presenting career and introduced her to large-scale fitness education conferences where she discovered her passion for teaching on stage. Horses, Healing & Finding Joy A deeply personal part of Leslee’s story centers around horses and the role they played throughout her life. Growing up, horses became both a passion and a source of healing during difficult personal experiences. From saving money to buy her first horse at age 10 to caring for her current horse, Leo, Leslee explains how being around animals helped ground her emotionally and mentally throughout her career. Her message: Fitness professionals must also prioritize their own well-being and find activities that restore and inspire them outside of work. Innovation Through Education Leslee discusses how her own low back injuries during traditional Pilates training inspired her to rethink movement and accessibility. After discovering a small inflatable ball at a conference, she began experimenting with ways to use it to support spinal alignment, reduce strain, and make Pilates-inspired movement safer and more accessible for the general population. That innovation eventually became: • The Pilates Coach® • The Bender Ball® • International educational programs and certifications • A globally recognized movement tool used in clubs and studios worldwide She also shares the remarkable story of how the Bender Ball® p