L.E.A.P. CERTIFICATION
Leadership - Entrepreneurship - Applications - Practicum [Certification for Leaders in Movement]
Saturday April 4 + Sunday April 5 (2026), 1 - 6pm
SOUL FUEL STUDIO, TORONTO
L.E.A.P. is a leadership certification is for anyone who wants to build a career in the fitness and wellness industry.
Are you ready to take the L.E.A.P.? That next step in your professional development? Hone in on your unique strengths? Use your passion and energy to improve the lives of others?
L.E.A.P. Leadership Training is for anyone who wants to build a career in the fitness and wellness industry. Whether you're new and curious, or already a certified instructor, this weekend will meet you where you're at, give you a wide lens on the opportunities available, where you fit in, and how you'll get there.
- Leadership: Principals, roles and your strengths.
- Entrepreneurship: Business models, tips and tools.
- Applications: What are the needs and opportunities.
- Practicum: Studio Mentorship and Apprenticeship.
You will be coached by Studio Owner MJ Shaw, an entrepreneur and career coach with almost 30 years of varied experience in the fitness and wellness industry.
MJ has taught tens of thousands of hours and certified, mentored and hired hundreds of instructors. She's grown other fitness studios and companies through her programming and business development, as well as her own previous businesses. MJ will meet you where you're at and share her wide lens to help strategize your success.
You'll also choose a Mentor from our diverse faculty, each with unique education and experience to share with you. They are examples of fitness professionals who improve people's lives every day and make a real living doing it - and so can you.
By the end of this info-packed weekend you will have explored Leadership skills and guidance; Entrepreneurial and business knowledge; practices to Apply within the fitness and wellness industry; a Practicum component to bring your knowledge to the floor - LEAPing you forward.
COURSE CURRICULUM
Module 1: Leadership
- Explore what qualities, actions and behaviours make for effective and empathetic leadership, and how these apply to fitness and wellness settings?
- Learn expert tips and tools that will help you lead with clarity, authenticity, compassion and presence.
- Get clear on your strengths and the power of your voice, clarifying where to direct your efforts and energy.
Module 2: Entrepreneurship
- Understand employment options and business models, their pros and cons, and how they can evolve and grow.
- Understand the current industry trends and opportunities available: online models, boutique studios, franchises, private clubs, corporations etc.
- Dig into small business resources to assist with accounting, insurance, budgeting, competitive analysis and more ('Take Home Tool Kit').
Module 3: Applications
- Clarify various movement practices and modalities, who they serve, which interest you, and the pathways to lead them.
- Break down the process of getting (or creating) work in this industry and how to best prepare, perform, retain and acquire.
- Learn how to develop meaningful connections and communications that will grow your clientele and community.
Module 4: Practicum
- Create a step-by-step Career Plan to implement over the next 3 to 6 months.
- Determine gaps in your goals: education, experience, expertise?
- Practical Hours are earned by:
- 1:1 Coaching with your chosen Soul Fuel Mentor
- Community Class instruction with guidance and feedback
- A combination of these, up to you based on your needs
DETAILS:
Schedule:
- Saturday + Sunday 1:00 - 6:00pm (10 hours)
- Mentorship + Apprenticeship (5 hours, later on)
Take-aways:
- 15 hours of training, education, development
- Clear plan with next professional steps
- Receive 4.0 Continued Education Credits (CECs)
Cost: $700+hst
- Early bird $600+hst until January 31.
- Studio Members receive a 10% discount
- Non-members receive 3 free classes
- Max 12 participants per training
Is there a prerequisite to take this program?
No, this course is for anyone interested in leading people in movement. If you're curious about taking the next step, then you're ready to take the LEAP!
I'm interested in this profession, but not sure where to start. Is this program for me?
YES. If you're feeling the nudge, but asking some of these questions: Which certifications should I get and why? What is the difference between class types and what do I need to know? How and where do I apply for jobs? What should I expect to be paid? What are industry rules and regulations? How can I fit this into my current life and build my career? We will cover all of this and much more.
I'm already a certified instructor. Would this program be useful?
YES, specifically if you feel you need to LEAP forward in your career and are looking for expert guidance. Maybe you're also asking: I did XYZ certifications, now what? I need experience to get hired, but how do I get that experience? I'm teaching, but how do I make a real living in this business? I'm now officially a 'small business', so what are the insurance, tax, labour implications? We will cover this and more.
Will we be learning about the body or how to teach certain classes?
No, we will not be covering elements of anatomy, kinesiology or certifying you to teach X kind of class. There are so many great certifications for this, locally and online, but ours is unique for its focus on career development that you can apply to anywhere and anything you lead.
What certifications would be helpful to have or work on alongside this one?
For fitness-based Group Classes and Personal Training: Canfitpro, ACE, NASM, ISSA. For yoga, a 200 to 500 hour Yoga Alliance approved certification. For Pilates there's STOTT, PAI, BASI and a few local studio-based certifications that are terrific. We are happy to advise and direct you towards certifications that would suit your goals and strengths.
Will the be a final test to pass this certification?
No. This career will present enough tests. This time together aims to be low pressure and high learning.
Will I get Continued Education Credits (CECs) for taking this program?
YES. You will receive CECs, we have applied to canfitpro and Yoga Alliance. We will help you apply for CECs for any other certification that requires them. The course is CEC worthy and we are good at bureaucracy;)
