If your body and mind are the engine of your leadership, what fuel are you putting into it? In this episode of The Fitness Business Podcast, Justin Tamsett sits down with Heather Wise Soubra, founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. Heather shares powerful, practical insights on self-leadership—exploring how clarity, presence, values, habits, and alignment shape not just how we lead others, but how we lead ourselves first.
This conversation is especially relevant for fitness business owners and leaders navigating pressure, chaos, and constant decision-making. Heather offers grounded strategies for responding instead of reacting, setting boundaries with integrity, and building daily practices that support sustainable leadership performance.
Key highlights from the episode:
✔ Why self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership
✔ How to build the "well" so you're resourced before pressure hits
✔ The importance of identifying and living by your personal leadership values
✔ How morning routines shape decision-making, communication, and energy
✔ Practical tools for boundary setting without guilt or conflict
✔ Why alignment—not hustle—is the key to long-term leadership impact
Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter!
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Resources:
✔ Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
✔ Fitness Business Podcast's LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/
✔ Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/
Recommended Books:
✔ Walk the Talk by Carolyn Taylor
✔ The 4‑Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
✔ The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
✔ PDF of Brene Brown's value exercises - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/prod/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22_0120-Values-Document-BBbrandedUU.pdf
Our Guest:
Heather Wiser Soubra, Founder, Wiser Way Coaching and Director, George Washington Leadership Institute, Leadership Coach and Executive Facilitator
✔ Website: https://wiserwaycoaching.com/
✔ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwisersoubra/
✔ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathersoubra/
Merch Sponsor:
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses (Australia exclusive)
Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/
REX Roundtables:
Website: www.REXRoundtables.com
Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com
A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast:
✔ BeBalanced Centers: Provides natural hormone balancing for weight loss and symptom relief. https://www.bebalancedcenters.com/
✔ Instinctive Insights: Provides profit-driven marketing and data science services to increase customer acquisition. https://www.instinctiveinsights.com/
✔ Eleiko: Manufactures and sells premium strength and weightlifting equipment. https://eleiko.com/en-us
✔ NetGym: Provides automated staff operations and sub-request management for fitness studios. https://www.netgym.com
✔ EGYM: Provides smart, connected fitness technology and equipment for gyms. https://egym.com/us
About Our Guest: Heather Wiser Soubra is Founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of The George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), she empowers leaders and teams to reach their fullest potential by tapping into inner wisdom and building on strengths. Previously Senior Vice President at the International Dairy Foods Association, Heather holds degrees from George Mason University in intercultural communication and coaching, plus an Executive Certificate in Facilitation from Georgetown University.
About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
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