What do you do when your format disappears overnight? If you're Ellen de Werd, you build your own. In this vulnerable and motivating episode, Ellen shares how she turned a pivotal career moment into a thriving global fitness brand—and why authenticity, grit, and representation are at the core of her mission.
With more than 25 years of experience, Ellen de Werd has worn nearly every hat in group fitness—from instructor and manager to presenter and now CEO of her own format brand. In this episode, Ellen opens up about overcoming personal struggles, building WARRIOR formats from the ground up, and creating an inclusive community for instructors around the world. She also shares her framework for long-term fulfillment and success in the industry, and gives us a sneak peek at what she’s bringing to IDEA World 2025.
Ellen de Werd is a renowned fitness industry leader with over 25 years of experience in group fitness. A 2024 IDEA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year Award nominee, she is the visionary creator behind the WARRIOR formats—dynamic, license-free programs now taught in 14 countries. Through her company, Ellen empowers group fitness professionals with smart, fun, and original content designed to inspire and elevate their classes. She’s also the host of the Confessions of a GroupX Instructor podcast, a Legacy Lululemon Ambassador, and an active instructor based in Eugene, Oregon.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
✅ How Ellen went from backup dancer to brand founder
✅ What it really takes to start your own format from scratch
✅ The 5 ingredients in Ellen’s personal framework for fulfillment and success
✅ How the WARRIOR formats create inclusive, license-free opportunities for instructors
✅ Why IDEA World 2025 is a full-circle moment in her journey
Sign up for Ellen’s sessions live at IDEA World 2025—register now at https://www.ideafit.com/world/
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Learn more about WARRIOR formats: warriorinstructors.com
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IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Rominna Rufin; engineered by Michael Hilding.
About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association
IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 43 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.
For further information contact:
IDEA® Health & Fitness Association
www.ideafit.com
Email: contact@ideafit.com
If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at content@ideafit.com. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2025 by IDEAfit, Inc.. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
