Leslie Perez

Hi, I’m Coach Leslie! I’m a Cuban-American, born and raised in Miami, Florida, and my journey to becoming a fitness coach wasn’t exactly a straight line. I attended the University of Florida, earning a master’s degree in International Business, and found my calling in helping others achieve their best health.I began my career in tech sales, but I quickly realized my passion was elsewhere. 

I’m known for my high-energy, upbeat personality and a commitment to making everyone feel included and respected. In my training, I balance empathy with a “tough love” approach: I’m here to support you, be real with you, and push you toward your best self—without it feeling like boot camp. I started coaching online during COVID, building a supportive community to stay active and resilient during those challenging times. Since then, I’ve coached both online and in-person, ran my own business, and worked with Orangetheory, as well as taught at local fitness events like MindBody Social. 

I believe fitness should be a lifestyle, not a phase, and my philosophy emphasizes creating sustainable habits that allow you to stay active while enjoying life. I reject the “all or nothing” mentality, as real progress happens in small steps. Life will throw us curveballs, and my goal is to help my clients adapt and make fitness a consistent part of their lives. I’m equally passionate about nutrition and aim to educate people, especially mothers, on building healthy, balanced habits that set a foundation for the next generation.

I primarily work with women of all ages, from young professionals balancing careers to new mothers adjusting post-pregnancy and women approaching later stages in life who want to stay strong and independent. I do work with men as well, but my niche is women’s health. I’m dedicated to making a lasting impact on our health culture, lesson by lesson, to help create a healthier future for us all.

Even before my official coaching career began, I was coaching in some form. My journey started in middle and high school as a cheerleading captain, where I led my teammates not only in cheer routines but also in fitness training. My passion for coaching was always there, but it wasn’t until COVID that it became my career. During lockdown, I began hosting daily Zoom workouts for a small group of women, creating a tight-knit community where we could stay active, clear our minds, and find comfort during uncertain times.

This online community grew, and before long, we were meeting in person. I quickly realized how much I loved the energy of in-person coaching. My business, which began online during the pandemic, has continued to thrive online, yet in-person classes hold a special place in my heart. I now lead small group classes, host my own fitness events, and coach at large-scale fitness events with hundreds of attendees. I’ve also worked at Orangetheory, leading back-to-back classes of 30+ participants, and had the opportunity to coach two high school cheerleading teams. I am also the owner of a community event Social Group in which I host "Dancefit Social" events, where I combine dance, fitness and making friends!

I’ve coached women of all ages, from 18 to 70, through their fitness journeys. My passion for in-person connection runs deep—it energizes me and makes every class special. There’s something truly powerful about a group of people coming together with a shared goal of becoming healthier, and I’m grateful to be part of that journey.