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I have interviewed coaches at every career stage, and the ones who build something lasting share a quality that is harder to name than credentials or hustle. They have a practice structure that generates feedback. Not just experience — feedback. Lisa Greenbaum is one of the clearest examples I have encountered of what that looks like over a 25-year career.
Greenbaum has been teaching group fitness and yoga in Toronto since 2001. She has completed over 1,000 hours of yoga teacher training and has taught fitness professionals across five countries. She won the canfitpro Delegates’ Choice Award for Canadian Presenter of the Year in 2018, was named to Optimyz Magazine’s 100 Health and Fitness Influencers in Canada five consecutive years, and in October 2026, her first book will be published by Human Kinetics/Lotus Books: Beyond the Pose: Lessons from the Yamas and Niyamas for Mindful, Authentic Living. She is the founder of Sangha Yoga Collective, an online membership and teacher-training platform centered on trauma-informed yoga and mental health.
“From very early on in my career, I knew that I wanted to share education directly with fitness professionals. This meant making sure I had a well-rounded experience beyond simply teaching amazing classes. I acquired admin and business experience in coordinator roles. As a mind/body instructor, I took any complimentary certification I could find, which ultimately led me down the path of Yoga. I also showed up. I attended every instructor meeting, helped out at events, and developed relationships with others who are as passionate about the industry as I am.”
LISA GREENBAUM. FOUNDER. SANGHA YOGA COLLECTIVE
Most fitness careers follow a familiar arc. Greenbaum followed this path before choosing a different direction at a point where most coaches stay the course. Winning the canfitpro Canadian Presenter of the Year award was not the turning point. It confirmed a change she had already made: choosing to build her own infrastructure around her practice instead of relying on platforms she did not control.
“Sangha means community in Sanskrit, so the need to have a central hub for our community was imperative right from the beginning. Having had the opportunity to teach in so many different countries also means that I have students all around the world that I want to stay in touch with. I also recognize that there is a gap between fitness professionals and their educators, and being able to continue to mentor my students has always been important to me.”
LISA GREENBAUM
Sangha Yoga Collective grew out of that decision. A free entry level with a yoga-for-mental-health course, guided meditations, and philosophy content. A paid Sangha Library membership with a broader resource base. At the center is a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, accredited by Yoga Alliance, offered in a mix of in-person and online formats. Every part of the model is intentional — the scope is deliberate. Greenbaum teaches what she has spent 25 years mastering: trauma-informed yoga, mental health, and community.
The fitness industry creates pressure to offer every service. Greenbaum’s career demonstrates a different architecture. Her real depth sits at the intersection of yoga, mental health, and community. The focus is not a limitation — it is the strategy.
“A few times, I’ve found myself at a fork in the road, having to make some hard decisions. In 2018, I walked away from a big role to go out on my own. And while the financial stability was there, my value system was not aligned, and because of that, I have never regretted my decision.”
LISA GREENBAUM
That decision produced measurable results. In one week, Sangha Yoga Collective recorded 17 organic sessions with 94 percent new users — no paid ads, no promotions. Coaches with clear expertise in a defined area attract the right audience without chasing it.
“Staying committed to my own Yoga practice is imperative in my continued growth as a Yoga Teacher. I, like so many others, have experienced a high degree of trauma over the last 10 years, and managing my mental health is key. Studying new somatic techniques, along with ancient Kirya-based Yoga practices, is a big part of this. In this way, I am a forever student, always learning and adapting within the ups and downs of life.”
LISA GREENBAUM
Coaches who build lasting careers are not always the ones who work hardest early. They are the ones who build feedback systems that keep working over time. This means having mentors even after formal mentorship ends, regularly reviewing what works and what does not, and continuing to learn in rooms where they are not the most experienced person.
For coaches at a turning point, Greenbaum’s work raises a question worth sitting with: what are you practicing deliberately, and what are you just doing repeatedly?
The difference between deliberate practice and repetition is not about hours logged or classes taught. It is about whether a real feedback loop exists, whether progress is being measured, and whether the gaps that matter for the career are being closed. Greenbaum’s 25 years of teaching, her upcoming book, her Yoga Alliance-accredited training, and her membership platform did not happen because of time alone. They happened because her practice was designed from the start to produce those outcomes.
FOR COACHES MAPPING THEIR NEXT CAREER MOVE
Coaches who build deep expertise in a defined area — and can demonstrate it — are exactly who operators seek for senior and specialist roles. FitHire by Coach360 connects coaches with facilities looking for that depth.
What is deliberate practice for fitness coaches and why does it matter?
Deliberate practice means practicing with a specific intention to isolate and improve a single variable, then evaluating the result against real feedback. Research on expertise consistently shows that the quality of the feedback loop matters more than the volume of hours alone.
What is scope of practice mastery and how does it apply to coaching careers?
Scope of practice mastery means developing deep competency in a defined area rather than broad familiarity across many. Coaches with a mastered scope attract more specific clients, command stronger positioning, and build careers that compound over time.
How did Lisa Greenbaum build Sangha Yoga Collective?
Sangha Yoga Collective is built on a layered membership model: a free community portal, a paid Sangha Library membership, and a 200-hour Yoga Alliance-accredited teacher training program delivered in a hybrid format, producing certified instructors who carry the methodology into their own communities.
What does trauma-informed yoga training involve for fitness instructors?
Trauma-informed yoga training teaches instructors to recognize how trauma affects physical and emotional responses and to adapt language, pacing, and cueing accordingly. It moves beyond physical instruction to nervous system awareness, teaching coaches to create environments where students feel safe practicing at their own pace.
About Jessica H. Maurer
Jessica is a recognized fitness business consultant and strategist focusing on transforming businesses from overwhelmed to organized. Her international presentations, workshops, certifications, and consultations underscore her commitment to helping fitness professionals and businesses realize their full potential. When Jessica takes the stage, she’s sharing fresh ideas and inspiration that spark positive change. Jessica’s international presentations and consultations are about growth, career transformation, overall wellness, and making fitness a joyful journey. Her expertise spans education, program and instructor development, and brand evolution, making her a key player in elevating the industry. Jessica also played a pivotal role in developing the Mental Well-being Association’s certification for Fitness Professionals., always striving to bring a holistic approach to wellness that’s as uplifting as it is effective.
Jessica has presented at prestigious events like IDEA World, Fitnessfest ACSM Health & Fitness Summit, SCW Mania, AsiaFit, and more. She has worked with brands such as FIT4MOM, SFR, BOSU, Lebert Fitness, Savvier Fitness, SCW Fitness, FitSteps, canfitpro, IDEA, and VIBES music. She also has written content for the IDEA Fitness Journal, canfitpro Magazine, Mental Well-being Association, FIT4MOM, Motherly, and more.
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