Lea Genders NBC-HWC shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Lea, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m not one of those morning people who jumps out of bed with a green juice and a perfectly optimized routine. But I do have a rhythm that keeps me grounded, and it makes all the difference.
My alarm goes off at 5:45, and I meet a neighbor for a walk with my dog. That early connection, fresh air, and movement give me just enough momentum to start the day with intention. When I get home, I eat breakfast and usually spend a few minutes negotiating with myself about whether I’m going to do my workout. I almost always do it anyway. That little internal back-and-forth is part of the routine too.
None of it is fancy, but it’s what anchors me before I start my work day. I have to take care of myself first if I want to help others take care of themselves.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lea Genders, a board certified health coach and personal trainer with a background in corporate marketing. These days I bring both sides of that experience together to help companies support employee well-being in ways that are realistic and sustainable. I focus on movement, stress, nutrition, and mindset, always with an approach that respects time and autonomy. Most people don’t need more pressure. They need support that fits into their real lives.
I’m working with companies to lead wellness challenges centered around habits people can actually stick with. I also offer wellness audits to help leaders understand what’s getting in the way of employee health and how to take meaningful action.
I help people build strength, consistency, and confidence, skills that carry over into every area of life and work. That’s the kind of change I care most about.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was called “shy.” That felt accurate. I didn’t like talking to people I didn’t know. I had one or two close friends, not a big circle. I preferred reading and writing to being in large groups.
As I got older, that shy label turned into something else: Introvert. Introverts aren’t shy necessarily. I liked deep conversations, not surface-level chatter. I needed time to recharge after being around people. I never wanted to be the one starting small talk with strangers. And that label stuck for a long time because it felt true for a long time.
But lately, I’ve noticed myself doing things that don’t quite line up with that identity. I’ve been reaching out to people for coffee meetings. Starting conversations at events. Pitching myself for interviews. And enjoying it.
What stood out to me was how long I’d been carrying a version of myself that didn’t reflect how I actually live now. The label didn’t reflect the growth.
Letting go of it has felt quiet and gradual, but freeing. It didn’t happen all at once, but over time I’ve stopped putting myself in that box. And I’ve realized I like who I’ve grown into.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In my early thirties, I went from working in retail, where I was on my feet all day, to a desk job where I sat for hours. In a couple of years I gained over thirty-five pounds, and suddenly none of my clothes fit. I didn’t feel like myself. I was uncomfortable in my body and frustrated that I didn’t know how to fix it. At the time, it felt like punishment.
Now I see it was a turning point. That weight gain pushed me to figure out how to live healthier, get stronger, and take better care of myself. It set me on the path that led to becoming a coach. I’m more fit and healthy at fifty than I ever was at thirty, and I’m more connected to my body than I’ve ever been.
That experience taught me about resilience and how capable I really am. It wasn’t only about the weight. That discomfort forced me to stop avoiding the hard parts, which is a valuable lesson in all parts of life.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
In my work, I see smart, professional, high-achieving people fall into the trap of thinking that if it’s not hard, it doesn’t count. That their inner critic is what keeps them disciplined, when really it’s what’s draining their energy and confidence. That their best effort isn’t enough unless it’s perfect.
I see people constantly downplay small wins, thinking they’re not worth celebrating. But those are the exact moments that build consistency.
It’s easy to believe that struggle equals value or that being hard on yourself is the same as being committed. But those patterns don’t lead to better results, they usually lead to burnout and frustration.
Letting go of that pressure creates space for consistency, patience, and self-respect, which leads to real change.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I grew up in retail management and moved into corporate product development and marketing because that what was I supposed to do. But I never had a “job” where I felt lit up. I could do the work, but there was no personal satisfaction or joy. Sure, I made a lot of great friends and connections, and built skills that turned out to be essential, but deep down, I always felt like this wasn’t what I was meant for. Like there was something more for me.
Through the personal transformation I experienced in my thirties, the seed was planted. I started by blogging and growing my voice, and found my true passion in helping others with those same struggles.
That personal work became professional. I got certified. I started coaching. I leaned into strength training, mindset, and sustainable habits. And for the first time, my work felt like an extension of who I am.
Now, as a board certified health coach, personal trainer, and workplace wellness consultant I feel connected to my work in a way I never did before. It’s an extension of who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leagendersfitness.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fortworth_trainer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-genders-fitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leagenders/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fortworthtrainer
