Since donning a pair of leg warmers in 1981, Denise Druce has been inspiring people to live healthier, happier lives. Her journey through the fitness industry over four decades has included teaching high impact aerobics, step (on wooden benches!), group resistance training, indoor cycling, and her current passion, yoga. Denise has a Masters Degree in Public Health, is a certified yoga therapist, a Schwinn Master Trainer, and yoga teacher trainer.
In 2017, Denise and her best friend formed Yoga Forward, a non profit that “takes yoga where it isn’t”. With an army of volunteers, they offer yoga classes, and 200-Hour yoga teacher training inside the Utah State Correctional Facility. She inspires her students to find purpose in their pain as a place to serve, and to stand at the “Soft Edge of the Hard Place”…in fitness and in life. Her most recent hard place is thriving amidst a recurrence of Stage 4 cancer, which she lovingly calls her best teacher.
Her students will tell you Denise is The Elevator…when you’re around her, you’re going to the next floor!
Denise was recently honored with the prestigious “IDEA World Inspiration Award”, honoring her 40 years in fitness, and her work in the criminal justice system. Denise and her husband, Michael are empty nesters, living in Salt Lake City with their chocolate lab Bella.
Education and Certifications:
- BS in Health Education from Utah State University
- Masters of Public Health, (MPH) University of Utah School of Medicine
- Yoga Alliance E-RYT500 and YACEP
Wellness Industry Experience:
- Owner/Director Yoga Assets Teacher Training (over 900 teachers trained)
- Co-Founder of Yoga Forward, a non-profit that “takes yoga where it isn’t”
- Master Trainer for Schwinn Cycling
- Master Trainer for YogaFit International 2011-2013
- University of Utah Yoga Teacher Training, Program Director
- Lululemon Legacy Ambassador
- Featured trainer in SELF Magazine
- Owner/Operator of Anatomy Academy Fitness Centers
- Owner/Operator She and Company Fitness Centers for Women
- Worked on the design team for iFIT.com/ ICON Health and Fitness
Presenter/ Guest Speaker:
- Speaker at TedX Salt Lake City 2019
- IHRSA
- Club Industry
- IDEA
- Development team of HealthRider EARN program
- Sears Associate Nationwide Training Meetings
- IHC nursing managers retreat Keynote Speaker
- IHC regional nurses convention Keynote Speaker
- American Heart Association Women’s Conference Keynote Speaker
- Harmons Food Stores Wellness Specialist
- Developer and Presenter of Evolution – a weight management program
Media Experience:
- Fitness Expert on ‘Fresh Living’ local daily news program
- Host of the Home Team, KJZZ TV
- Cable Health Club Lead Instructor
- Frequent QVC Guest
- Fitness Expert for FOX 13 television
- Local Fitness expert for KUTV, KSL, KISN, KBZN, KODJ, KDYL Radio
- New York Today Show
- CBS Morning Show
- Hosted the ’12 Noon Workout’ on KZHT Radio
- Fitness spokesperson for ICON Health and Fitness
Community Involvement:
- Lead Trainer/Director Utah State Prison Yoga Teacher Training Program
- Lead Trainer/Director BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training Program
- Presenter for Public School Teachers Retreats (live and virtual)
- Utah MS Society Board of Directors
- Chair-Elect for the Fitness Institute at LDS Hospital Community Board
- Chair for the Community Physical Fitness Advocacy Committee
- State Chairperson for the City of Hope’s Workout for Hope
- Board of Directors for the Utah State Alliance for Cardiovascular Health
- Consultant to the Fit Kids program