Desi Bartlett MS CPT E-RYT is an internationally published author, exercise product creator, and on-camera fitness and yoga talent. With over 25 years of experience in the field of health and wellness, her unique approach is to tap into an inner state of joy, and allow movement to become an expression of that joy. Desi is known for her work with celebrities, expecting moms, and new moms all over the world. Based on the island of Oahu, she is a passionate advocate for women’s health and she recently returned to school to pursue her doctoral degree in exercise science.
She is a dynamic motivator and widely sought-after international presenter and spokesperson. Originally from Chicago, she has earned a degree in Kinesiology, a minor in dance, her Master’s degree in Corporate Fitness. Desi holds advanced certifications in Yoga, Personal Training, Pre & Post Natal Fitness, and Group Fitness. She is also a continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Council for Personal Trainers. Desi has worked with several large companies, including Manduka, Gaiam, Equinox, Yogaworks, the US Navy, Mattel, and Frenshe.
Desi’s inspiring and unique classes have been featured on networks such as ABC, NBC, FOX, Univision, Hallmark, and Lifetime. Desi is passionate about communicating her message of the joy of movement with people all over the world, and her DVDs are distributed in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She currently stars in 10 Yoga, Fitness, and Dance DVDs, including Better Belly Yoga, Latin Groove and Prenatal Yoga. She is a loving and empowering guide for women on Beachbody on Demand, with a full offering of pre and post-natal yoga practices. In addition to video work, she has a diverse background in many areas of Fitness & Yoga and has worked as a product director for Gaiam, the group fitness manager for Equinox Santa Monica, and most recently worked in a dual role as executive and global ambassador for Manduka yoga.
In 2019 Desi co-created a round yoga mat that is safe for mothers, babies, and families and had a wonderful endorsement by actress/activist/author, Alicia Silverstone. Desi is an internationally published author and in 2019 wrote a book with Human Kinetics titled, “Your Strong Sexy Pregnancy,” an informative and inspiring guide for pregnancy and beyond, which features a sweet quote from actress/author/entrepreneur Kate Hudson. Most recently, Desi teamed up with celebrity fitness trainer Andrea Orbeck, and award winning screenwriter and Pilates expert Nicole Stuart to write, “Total Body Beautiful: Secrets to Looking and Feeling Your Best After Age 35,” for which Kate Hudson wrote the foreword.
There is much more to come from Desi and her dedication to empowering women to cultivate strength from the inside out! Desi has co-authored a second book with an amazingly talented dream team Andrea Orbeck, and Nicole Stuart to bring you an amazing new book with Human Kinetics called Total Body Beautiful: Secrets to Looking and Feeling Your Best After Age 35.
Namita Nayyar:
Where were you born and had your early education? You now live on the beautiful island of O’ahu, Hawaii US. You hold a master’s degree in corporate fitness and have done MS CPT E-RYT. You have been teaching health and wellness for over 25 years now. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as an expert fitness trainer and teacher. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.
Desi Bartlett:
I was born and raised in Chicago and have my undergraduate and master’s degrees from UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago). One week after I finished my master’s degree, I moved to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In Mexico, I was able to learn about my culture (I am Mexican on my father’s side, but grew up with my mother and did not know this part of myself yet). In Mexico I learned Spanish and owned and operated my first studio, Cabo Health and Fitness.
In September 2001, while living in Mexico, I travelled back to Chicago for a visit. Unfortunately, upon trying to return to Mexico, I was on a plane on September 11, 2001 the day of the attacks on the United States. I went into deep meditation and knew that it was time to move back to the US and to share the healing power of movement. I sold everything and moved to LA 2 months later. I chose LA because I knew that it was the right place for me to pursue my career in fitness and yoga, as well as to realize my dreamsof teaching on camera to share health with more people through DVD’s (back when DVD’s were popular). LA was very good to me and I had the opportunity to work as the group fitness director for Equinox, the product director for Gaiam, the community director for Manduka, and worked with a lot of amazing individuals, including several celebrities. This path has led me to realize my dreams of empowering women with health and wellness through every transition in life, including pregnancy, new motherhood, perimenopause, and menopause to name a few.
Namita Nayyar:
It is an honor as a Fitness Expert for Manduka yoga. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours.
Desi Bartlett:
In 2019 I was hired to create the community program for Manduka yoga. It was an absolute dream to connect with teachers all over the world, and I also worked in a dual role, and was one of the global ambassadors. I think that it is important for all entrepreneurs to think on a global level. As a Mom, I have experienced the deep joy of motherhood that is a universal experience. I enjoy connecting with Moms from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia, and dream of someday going to Africa as well. I am so pleased that the round yoga mat that I created with Manduka has been sold on four continents. This makes me very happy because the mat is made of natural rubber and is super safe for moms and babies to enjoy yoga and playtime together.
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