Building Community Through Connection: How Life Time's Jenn Bodnar Champions Inclusive Wellness Leadership
In the rapidly evolving wellness industry, authentic leadership isn't just about expertise—it's about connection, community, and the courage to create meaningful change. Jenn Bodnar, Studio Leader and Yoga Teacher Training Faculty at Life Time Frisco, embodies this philosophy in everything she does.
At one of Life Time's busiest locations within their network of 175+ athletic country clubs serving 1.4 million members, Jenn has discovered that exceptional wellness experiences stem from a simple yet powerful truth: it all comes down to the people. As both an Inclusion Council Ambassador and board member for W.E.L.L. (Women Empowering Leadership at Life Time), she's not only delivering transformative wellness programs but actively reshaping what inclusive leadership looks like in the $1.9 billion wellness company.
From her early days with Life Time in 2006 to her current role developing the next generation of yoga teachers and wellness leaders, Jenn has witnessed firsthand how the company has evolved from traditional fitness centers into comprehensive lifestyle destinations. Her unique perspective bridges the gap between ancient yoga wisdom and modern wellness innovation, while her commitment to empowering women in leadership positions reflects a broader industry shift toward more equitable representation.
In this candid conversation, Jenn shares insights on maintaining quality at scale, measuring meaningful inclusion, and how yoga's core principle of self-study continues to guide both personal growth and organizational transformation in today's fast-paced wellness landscape.
Life Time operates 175+ athletic country clubs serving 1.4 million members. As a Studio Leader, YTT Faculty and committee member for the Women's Leadership board at Life Time Frisco, one of the busiest locations, how do you maintain consistent, high-quality wellness experiences while still personalizing the journey?
It All Comes Down to the People
At the heart of everything we do is community. When there is true connection, success naturally follows — and it all starts with the team.Every coach, instructor, and teacher — whether leading yoga, cycle, small group training, active aging, or dance — brings not only deep expertise but also a genuine passion for creating meaningful experiences. They are not only highly skilled in their craft, but they also embody the art of connection. That’s what makes our community feel welcoming, friendly, and inclusive — values that are central to our mission.For both our members and our team, this journey is about more than exercise or physical fitness. It's a way of life. In every interview, we ask potential team members how they live a healthy way of life. Their answers speak volumes — it's in what they eat and drink, how they rest, how they move, and the ways they care for their minds and hearts.When you live it yourself, you naturally inspire others to do the same. And that's the true strength of our community.
As an Inclusion Council and W.E.L.L. (Women Empowering Leadership at Life Time) ambassador at a $1.9 billion wellness company, what does meaningful inclusion look like? ? How are you measuring success in creating equitable wellness opportunities for women?
Empowering Women, Elevating Leadership
A few years ago, we noticed a disconnect: while a high percentage of our team members were women, that representation wasn’t reflected in leadership roles. We knew that had to change.Today, we’re proud to share that a significant shift is happening. More women are stepping into leadership positions across the company — and it’s not by accident.Our W.E.L.L. initiative (Women Empowering Leadership at Life Time) was created inn 2014 with one clear mission: to empower women within our organization. Every month, we host live-streamed meetings open to all female team members across the country. Each Life Time athletic country club has its own W.E.L.L. ambassador who hosts a local watch party to bring the experience into each community.These sessions feature inspiring guest speakers and discussions on topics like building strength and resilience — both in the workplace and in life. This year, we’re expanding our focus to include recovery, flexibility, and power — all essential aspects of sustainable performance and well-being.The growing number of women in leadership roles at Life Time is a clear sign: the work W.E.L.L. is doing is making a real and lasting impact.
Life Time has evolved from fitness centers to lifestyle destinations with residential, coworking, and dining components. What role do you see yoga and mindfulness playing in this expanded wellness ecosystem, and how are you preparing the next generation of female wellness leaders through your teacher training programs?
Yoga is, at its core, a practice of self-study — a journey of curiosity, discovery, and growth. That same spirit has guided Life Time over the years, and I’ve been fortunate to witness it firsthand since I started with the company in 2006.The adaptability I’ve seen within our teams and across our programs has been nothing short of exhilarating. Just like in yoga, growth at Life Time comes through exploration, reflection, and a willingness to evolve.Education is central to our mission. Our team members — and our members — are deeply intelligent and inquisitive. They want to understand not just what we do, but why we do it. That’s especially evident in our Yoga Teacher Training program, where the focus goes far beyond postures and sequencing.We teach life skills. We explore the 8 limbs of yoga and how they can be applied in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. Our trainees don’t just learn how to lead a class — they learn how to lead with authenticity, how to reflect on their personal challenges, and how to grow through adversity.In yoga, we practice the hard things. We ask difficult questions. And in doing so, we emerge more grounded, more resilient, and more connected — to ourselves and to others.That’s the real power of yoga. And that’s the kind of transformation we strive for every day at Life Time.
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