We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Desiree “Desi” Bartlett and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Dr. Desiree “Desi”, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes! I recently completed my doctoral dissertation on yoga & menopause. My 16 year old helped me to prep for the defense and learned the material with me. At his school in sex ed., the teacher asked all of the teens if they knew what menopause was. No one raised their hand except for my son who said, “do you mean menopause or perimenopause?” When he shared the story with me, I giggled as my heart swelled with pride.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Desiree “Desi” Bartlett, EdD, founder of The BodyMind Workout™, a platform that blends yoga, fitness, and meditation into one integrated system. For over 30 years, I’ve dedicated my career to helping women find strength from the inside out, guiding them through life’s most impactful transitions—from pregnancy to perimenopause and beyond.
What makes my work unique is the way I bridge ancient technology and modern science. My academic background in kinesiology and doctoral research on yoga and menopausal education inform everything I create, while my deep roots in yoga and meditation add soul and accessibility. My brand extends across books, CEU courses, online platforms, and international retreats, all with the mission of making evidence-based wellness tools available to women everywhere.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding The BodyMind Workout™ into a household name, with upcoming online courses, retreats in Cabo and Palm Springs, and a future product line designed to empower women in every stage of life.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A defining moment for me was being on a plane on September 11, 2001. I was flying from Chicago, where I am originally from, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where I was living at the time. My flight was grounded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I spent three days alone in a hotel room waiting for transport to reopen. In that solitude, I turned to deep meditation and prayer. It was in those quiet, uncertain days that I made a vow: to dedicate my life to sharing my gifts and being of service in any way I can. That commitment guides me every day, and each September 11th I renew that vow.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: keep going—it gets so much better than this. I left home at 16, and my younger years were not always happy or easy. But every challenge helped shape who I am today. It has been my greatest joy to create a life filled with love and stability, one where my children can truly thrive.
That experience also fuels my work. The feeling of cultivating strength from the inside out is what drives me every day. I know that we all have the power to do this, and it is my privilege to share this work with women around the world through all of life’s impactful stages and transitions—whether that is pregnancy, new motherhood, perimenopause, or beyond.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
For me, an important truth that very few people seem to agree with is this: if someone tells you that their way is the only way—whether in health, wellness, or even a way of being—it’s time to run. We are all individuals, and we’re constantly changing and evolving. What works for us at one stage of life might not serve us in the next. The real work is looking inward—asking ourselves what’s happening in our bodies, minds, and hearts. It’s through that deep self-reflection that we find the true answers for ourselves, not through blanket statements from so-called experts on social media.
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 100% know that I am doing what I was born to do. In yoga and the Eastern traditions, we talk about Dharma—our life’s purpose—and I am living my Dharma. One of my greatest joys is sharing the joy of movement with others, especially with women as they step into their power through delicate transitions in life.
Today, that calling has expanded into leading international retreats with my best friend, Dr. Natiya Guin. Our shared dedication to women’s health and fitness allows us to guide women all over the world. Dr. Guin is a naturopathic doctor who provides blood panels and helps women understand their results during retreat, while also supporting them through her skincare line that inspires women to glow from the inside out. I lead yoga, meditation, and sacred circles, creating space for transformation and connection. This year, we’re adding a powerful new element with a shamanic guide named Resi Pio, who will be speaking on spirituality and AI—bridging ancient wisdom with modern innovation. My path is unique, and I am grateful to live it fully every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://desibartlett.com
- Instagram: mothersintolivingfit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-desiree-bartlett-cpt-eryt-a4457b6/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesiBartlett
Image Credits
The picture in the yellow on the beach and the picture in the black on the beach are both by Dr. Natiya Guin
Headshot in pink by Maro Hagopian
