Hey there, I'm Tara De Leon.

Hey! I’m Tara!  A personal trainer, professor of Health, Fitness, and Exercise Studies, podcaster, speaker, and author. For over 22 years, I’ve helped hundreds of women build strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies by teaching them how to lift weights in a way that actually supports their lives.

I work with women who want to feel strong, capable, and healthy without shrinking themselves, obsessing over food, or following fitness rules that don’t fit real life. If diet culture has left you burned out, confused, or feeling like fitness “just isn’t for you,” you’re in the right place.

My approach is evidence-based, weight-neutral, and grounded in the belief that strength training is about so much more than aesthetics. Strength shows up when you carry your kid without pain, walk into the gym without fear, recover from pregnancy feeling supported, or simply feel at home in your body again. We train for life, not punishment.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Human Movement from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sports from Brigham Young University–Hawaii, and maintain 17 advanced certifications across fitness, wellness, and lifestyle coaching. I’m also the co-host of the Wellness Rebranded podcast, where we challenge harmful health narratives and talk honestly about what well-being really looks like.

When I’m not training clients or teaching, you’ll find me eating sushi or tacos, going for walks, baking, or spending time on the Chesapeake Bay with my husband, Marcus, our son, Maverick, and our Aussie pup, Chula.

If you’re curious about working together, I’d love to connect. I offer free consultations so we can talk through your goals, your history with fitness, and whether we’re a good fit. No pressure, no judgment, just a conversation about how strength might support you next.