Leading with Heart: Lisa Charles Of Embrace Your Fitness On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
An Interview With Pirie Jones Grossman
When you live your mission, you leave a mark — but when you lead with it, you leave a legacy.
Living in alignment with your mission isn’t just about personal success — it’s about generational impact. It’s about building something that lasts long after the applause fades and the stage lights dim. Legacy is what remains when the programs are over, the clients move on, and your presence still echoes in the lives you’ve touched.
Your mission becomes your fingerprint on the world.
It shapes how people remember you, how communities transform, and how future leaders rise because you dared to show up fully.
“Freedom is not about doing more. It’s about releasing what no longer serves who you’ve become.”
In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Charles.
Lisa Charles — Inspiring a Global Movement of Truth, Health, and Legacy
Lisa Charles is a transformational force — a former Federal Prosecutor turned award-winning author, international keynote speaker, elite wellness coach, and the visionary behind the Yes! Commit. Do. Live. method. As the CEO of Embrace Your Fitness and the creator of the groundbreaking program Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, Lisa empowers purpose-driven professionals to reclaim their voice, align their biology with their belief, and build legacy from the inside out.
Whether on stage, in the studio, or through her signature Truth on Trial™ coaching system, Lisa activates audiences to lead with love, live in freedom, and walk in purpose. Her clients include CEOs, creatives, nonprofit directors, and emerging entrepreneurs who are ready to excavate their origin story, amplify their impact, and monetize their truth with soul-aligned visibility.
Lisa’s work has sparked a new era of leadership — one that is heart-led, science-backed, and legacy-driven. Through her global retreats, elite interviews, and immersive programs, she is leading a revolution of women who no longer ask for permission to be whole.
“Say YES to the truth in your soul. Commit to living it fully. Do the work with joy. And Live — fully, freely, and on fire.”
— Lisa Charles, www.yescoachlisa.com
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we discuss authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Before I became a Brain-Body Business Alignment Strategist, I was a federal prosecutor. On the outside, I had it all together — but internally, I was disconnected from my body, operating in survival mode, and chasing someone else’s definition of success. The transformation began when I shed 77 pounds without dieting and reconnected with my truth. That awakening became the foundation of my Yes! Commit. Do. Live. method. I now help purpose-driven leaders realign with their mission, monetize their message, and build legacy from the inside out.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most meaningful and lasting experiences of my career came through a program I designed in partnership with Beth Israel Hospital in New Jersey. The challenge was both urgent and complex: How do you keep health and fitness alive in nine underserved church communities after a state grant ends?
Many would have walked away once the funding dried up — but I saw an opportunity to build something deeper, something sustainable.
I proposed a bold solution: forge a relationship with a national fitness certification body and train local church members to become certified fitness instructors. These weren’t career trainers — they were women and men already deeply rooted in their congregations, many of them unsure if they could lead a fitness class, let alone sustain one. But they said “Yes.”
Each church selected leaders who made a two-year commitment to continue running classes long after the grant was gone. That was over 10 years ago — and to this day, several of those original instructors are still running vibrant wellness programs in their churches and communities.
Some have gone on to build their own wellness ministries. Others have become leaders at my international health and leadership retreats. One even shared recently, “I never knew I could be a leader until that day you handed me the microphone and believed in me.”
That moment reminded me that sustainable change doesn’t come from outside solutions — it comes from empowering people to lead from within. When we stop giving people tools for survival and start teaching them to thrive, we change not just their health — but their identity and their future.
That is why I do this work.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Through my signature program Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, we don’t just coach — we create seismic shifts. We excavate the truth that’s been buried beneath years of overachievement, burnout, and external expectations. We help high-performing leaders reconnect with their origin story, rewire limiting beliefs using neuroscience and mindset science, and build biology-backed businesses that thrive from the inside out.
This isn’t surface-level strategy. It’s deep, cellular transformation. Our framework weaves together the latest in brain-body wellness — like breathwork, sleep optimization, and hormone balancing — with elite storytelling, brand development, and visibility strategies rooted in authenticity. Because real success doesn’t come from hustling harder — it comes from leading in alignment. It’s not just building a business –- it’s about changing lives.
That’s what happens when you do the real work. Not just launching a brand — but embodying your mission. Not just crafting offers — but living your purpose. The ripple effect of aligned leadership is undeniable: better health, deeper impact, magnetic confidence, and legacy that lasts.
This is business transformation, reimagined. And it begins with one decision:
Say YES to your truth. Commit to your calling. Do the work. And live in full expression.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Resilience:
As a prosecutor, I learned to stand in high-stakes situations with strength. That same resilience helped me pivot careers and launch my global coaching platform after leaving the courtroom.
Curiosity:
Rather than staying stuck, I questioned everything — my beliefs, habits, even how I defined success. That curiosity became the birthplace of innovation in my coaching programs.
Empathy:
When I started leading with my heart — truly listening to clients, creating safe spaces, and honoring their pace — transformation deepened. One client told me, “You saw me before I could see myself.” That’s empathy in motion.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
One of the most difficult — and defining — decisions I’ve made as a leader was walking away from a prestigious and lucrative legal career as a Federal Prosecutor. The path ahead in law was clear, secure, and well-respected. But deep within, I carried a greater vision for my life — one that couldn’t be contained by titles or tradition.
I knew that God had planted gifts beyond the courtroom — a voice meant not just to argue cases, but to inspire hearts, shift minds, and unlock potential. I had the extraordinary opportunity to sing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, to speak on large platforms, and to witness the power of using my story to elevate others.
That calling eventually led me to a mission far more expansive: helping others align with their truth, monetize their purpose, and expand their global impact through my program Make Your Mission Your Money Source™.
It is sacred work.
It is soul-led work.
And it’s the most inspiring path I could have chosen.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?
In one workshop, I chose to open with breathwork and journaling instead of traditional icebreakers. Some doubted it — but by the end, participants were crying, connecting, and deeply engaged. That intuitive leadership move set the tone for radical transformation.
In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?
I don’t see them as opposites. During the pandemic, I shared my own fears and wellness struggles with my audience — while still offering tools and solutions. That honesty led to record engagement on my blog and new clients who said, “You showed me strength in softness.”
As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?
I’ve walked into boardrooms where I was expected to “play small.” Instead, I showed up as both the expert and the empath. I used storytelling — not statistics alone — to win hearts and minds. I also train women to use their voice as a power source, not an apology.
How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?”
In my elite group coaching, I host “Truth Circles” — safe spaces where women share without judgment. By listening deeply and reflecting back their strengths, I’ve watched women reclaim their confidence and create collaborations that never would’ve happened otherwise.
What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?
Mentorship changed my life — and I pay it forward. I mentor through mirroring. I don’t give advice I wouldn’t take myself. Through my interviews and coaching intensives, I help women articulate their truth on camera and on stage, turning their voice into their brand.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically As A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”?
1. Creates Deep Connection.
Authentic women leaders build trust at lightning speed — because they lead from truth, not performance. One of my CEO clients, after aligning with her true mission through our work together, shed layers of self-doubt and stepped boldly into her purpose. She is launching a thriving speaking career with newfound confidence and clarity, ready to inspire audiences globally with a message rooted in authenticity and impact. When a woman leads from who she really is, her influence becomes unstoppable.
2. Sparks Innovation.
When you lead from the heart, creativity flows and limitations dissolve. In one session, I replaced a traditional strategy meeting with movement-based brainstorming, allowing my client to tap into her body’s wisdom and release mental blocks. That shift in approach sparked a breakthrough — within weeks, she stepped out of fear-based thinking and confidently purchased her first investment property. Alignment activated her next level.
3. Elevates Wellness.
Authenticity reduces burnout. My Yes! Commit. Do. Live. rituals help leaders align body and business, increasing energy, clarity, and sustainable performance. When leaders stop compartmentalizing who they are and start integrating their wellness into their work, everything shifts. They no longer operate from depletion — they lead from overflow, showing up with purpose, vitality, and presence in every room they enter.
4. Expands Influence.
Following my keynote, “The Truth on Trial™: Uncovering the Origins of Imposter Syndrome,” I’ll be expanding the transformation even further.
This isn’t just a speech — it’s the catalyst.
I’m now preparing to bring my full signature program, Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, to 250 young professionals who are ready to rise beyond imposter syndrome, align with their truth, and build purpose-driven, profit-generating platforms that leave a lasting legacy.
Because once you uncover the lies…
You’re finally free to lead with authenticity, visibility, and unstoppable confidence.
5. Builds Legacy.
When you live your mission, you leave a mark — but when you lead with it, you leave a legacy.
Living in alignment with your mission isn’t just about personal success — it’s about generational impact. It’s about building something that lasts long after the applause fades and the stage lights dim. Legacy is what remains when the programs are over, the clients move on, and your presence still echoes in the lives you’ve touched.
Your mission becomes your fingerprint on the world.
It shapes how people remember you, how communities transform, and how future leaders rise because you dared to show up fully.
“Freedom is not about doing more. It’s about releasing what no longer serves who you’ve become.”
— Lisa Charles, www.yescoachlisa.com
This is the heartbeat of Make Your Mission Your Money Source™ — helping individuals not only live their mission, but build movements from it.
When your truth becomes your platform and your story becomes someone else’s permission slip to rise, you’re no longer just building a business…
You’re building legacy.
Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?
Yes — being deeply empathetic can lead to overgiving or emotional fatigue. That’s why I teach boundaried empathy. You can care deeply without carrying it all. Breathwork, restorative rituals, and clear communication help keep empathy sustainable.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I already have: The Heart-Led Leadership Revolution. It’s about leading with love, living with purpose, and creating businesses that heal, not harm. If every woman aligned her biology with her belief, we’d reshape leadership — and the world.
Through my signature coaching program, Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, I help women leaders put their purpose on center stage — so they can turn their truth into transformation, visibility, and aligned income. I’ve watched women rediscover childhood dreams, launch passion-driven businesses, and reclaim the energy they thought they lost forever.
This wasn’t just a hard decision — it was a sacred one. And it taught me a truth I now teach every client:
“When a woman lives on purpose, she doesn’t need validation — she becomes the evidence.”
That’s the power of authentic, feminine leadership. And that’s the gift that comes when we stop performing and start transforming.
How can readers follow you?
Join the movement at:
🌐 www.yescoachlisa.com
📸 Instagram: @lisaembracefitness
📽️ Watch my story: Vimeo Video
🎁 Claim your free gift: Yes! Gift Kit
🧠 Explore Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, Truth on Trial™, and Origin Excavation™
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!
Leading with Heart: Lisa Charles Of Embrace Your Fitness On The Power of Authentic Women’s… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.