Wellness isn’t just about taking care of yourself—it’s an impactful, science-backed way to feel happier and more fulfilled. We are all living in a world where stress and burnout are common, and finding true balance can feel almost impossible. But when research and personal growth come together, real transformation happens. Dr. Lisa Leit, the Founder of Happy Whole Human (HWH), has spent 18 years helping people thrive in both their personal and professional lives. She has supported more than 2,000 clients to overcome challenges with assurance along with emotional adaptability and personal strength. Believing in the tagline “There is a ‘WE’ in ‘WELLNESS,’” the foundation of her wellness coaching is built on her dedication to complete growth, ensuring that people achieve more than mere survival—they develop lasting success and truly thrive.
The expertise of Dr. Leit manifests through both her extensive research during her doctoral program combined with her years of coaching clients one-on-one. Her transformative approach is exemplified through HWH, a science-backed, holistic coaching program designed to foster sustainable well-being for individuals, families, teams, and organizations. Recognized as a Top Visionary in Wellness and the Global 100 Winner of Executive Coach of the Year 2025, Dr. Leit’s innovative approach has made a profound impact in the wellness coaching space.
Let’s dive deeper into her journey and the philosophy behind HWH!
A Holistic Foundation for Change
Having more than 18 years of experience as a coach, Dr. Leit’s professional journey has been one of constant evolution. “I have dedicated my career to helping individuals navigate their personal and professional lives with confidence, resilience, and agility,” she explains.
Dr. Leit’s career culminated in the creation of the HWH program, a groundbreaking methodology that seamlessly blends science-based coaching with inclusive wellness principles. The roots of this program trace back to her doctoral research at The University of Texas at Austin, where she collaborated with Dr. Deborah Jacobvitz and Dr. Nancy Hazen-Swann to study narcissism. “This foundational research, combined with years of hands-on coaching, led to the development of HWH—a science-based, integrated, and scalable coaching methodology that empowers individuals, couples, families, and teams to achieve sustainable well-being,” she reflects.
What Inspired the Focus on Holistic Wellness?
Dr. Leit’s dedication to wellness and transformational coaching stems from her passion for integrating personal well-being with systemic health. “My passion lies in helping people find elegant ways to be true to themselves while effectively collaborating with others for optimal results in their personal lives, families, organizations, and communities,” she says. This perspective emerged from her realization that traditional coaching models often overlooked the interdependence between individual wellness and the systems in which they operate.
She believes that the gap in conventional coaching models was a barrier to true transformation. As she shares, “I recognized a gap in traditional coaching models that often overlooked the interdependence between individual well-being and systemic health. The program bridges this gap by integrating scientific methodologies with empowered healing practices, fostering transformational growth that benefits both individuals and the systems they operate within.”
Through HWH, Dr. Leit strives to create a framework where personal development is not siloed but understood in the broader context of collective well-being. Her approach provides a comprehensive model for sustainable change, impacting not just the individual but also the communities they are part of.
The Role of Education and Background in Shaping Leadership
Dr. Leit’s academic background and hands-on experience have played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to leadership and personal development. With expertise in psychology, conflict resolution, and leadership development, she is uniquely equipped to understand the complex nature of human behavior and its impact on organizational dynamics. “My background in psychology, conflict resolution, and leadership development deeply influences the HWH methodology,” she notes.
Having worked with leaders across various industries, Dr. Leit emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in achieving sustainable success. She highlights the role of balanced health in leadership, stating, “The whole-person and whole-system approach of HWH ensures that the health of the individual impacts the system, and the health of the system impacts the individuals within it.” This interconnected philosophy underpins her work, ensuring that her clients experience growth not just in their professional lives but in their personal journeys as well.
The Core Philosophy
Central to the program is a unique philosophy that distinguishes it from other wellness programs. She explains, “HWH is built on the principle of interdependent win/win/win thinking, feeling, and acting. When individuals thrive, their relationships and communities benefit as well.” This philosophy emphasizes that personal well-being is not just about self-care or achieving external milestones, but about fostering growth that ripples outward, benefiting the broader community.
The program offers a comprehensive, science-backed methodology that includes AI-powered assessments and an iterative Agile Wellness approach. “Unlike many wellness programs that focus solely on self-care or external achievements, HWH equips individuals with science-backed coaching tools, AI-powered assessments, and an iterative Agile Wellness approach that is both measurable and deeply personal,” Dr. Leit explains.
This methodology is designed to empower individuals to create lasting transformation in their lives by fostering self-awareness and providing practical tools for navigating personal challenges. With the support of skilled HWH Certified Coaches, the impact of the program continues to grow, creating lasting, meaningful change in the lives of countless clients.
Aligning Science with Balanced Wellness Practices
Dr. Leit has developed a three-step iterative cycle known as the HWH Agile Wellness Program: Inspect, Adapt, and Improve.
“Inspect: Coaches and clients begin with the HWH Holistic Wellness Assessment, an evidence-based tool that measures 28 dimensions of well-being,” she explains. This thorough assessment forms the basis of the client’s journey, allowing coaches to tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of each individual.
“Adapt: Based on the assessment results, coaches leverage ICF-aligned coaching frameworks and HWH’s extensive library of interventions to tailor their approach,” she continues. The adaptability of the program allows for individualized interventions that are both evidence-based and aligned with the client’s goals.
Lastly, the “Improve” stage involves providing clients with continuous support and tracking mechanisms to ensure that their transformation remains sustainable and aligned with their unique objectives. As Dr. Leit aptly puts it, “This approach provides a mechanism for all of us to listen to one another and find ways to work better together, fostering a more fulfilling, healthy, productive, and happy way of living and working together.”
Overcoming Challenges in Building HWH
Building and growing Happy Whole Human has not come without its challenges. For Dr. Leit, one of the biggest hurdles has been scaling a deeply personalized coaching approach while maintaining the quality and impact that has defined the program’s success. “One of the main challenges has been scaling a deeply personalized coaching approach while maintaining quality and impact,” she admits. However, this challenge was met with innovation through the integration of AI-powered coaching tools, assessment analytics, and a co-branded platform. These advancements have allowed certified HWH Program Facilitators to offer customized wellness interventions to their clients seamlessly.
Balancing Business Growth and Mission Integrity
Dr. Leit maintains a strong focus on the integrity of her mission while driving business growth. She prioritizes coach education, ongoing mentoring, and professional supervision to ensure that each HWH coach is equipped to deliver high-quality, transformative coaching. “By prioritizing coach education, ongoing mentoring, and professional supervision, we ensure that every HWH coach is equipped to provide high-quality, transformative coaching,” she explains.
To maintain the program’s excellence, Dr. Leit’s team offers ICF-accredited fast-track training programs. “Our self-paced, ICF-accredited fast-track programs (Levels 1, 2, 3, and Team Coach training) empower coaches to hit the ground running with a world-class coaching program, AI-enhanced tools, and weekly HWH Happy Hours for continuous learning and support,” she shares.
Strategies for Scaling and Expanding Impact
The expansion of Happy Whole Human has been driven by a combination of strategic initiatives, including ICF accreditation, AI-powered coaching tools, and a co-branded platform for certified coaches. “ICF Accreditation: Our Level 1, 2, 3, and Team Coach programs set the standard for excellence in the industry,” she states. These accredited programs ensure that the coaches trained under the HWH umbrella uphold the highest standards of quality and professionalism.
Moreover, the integration of AI-powered tools and a global, self-paced training format allows it to scale its impact worldwide while maintaining the quality of the program. “Our validated assessment and eCourse resources offer data-driven insights to personalize client coaching,” she adds.
Personal Mission and Business Growth
As a founder, Dr. Leit’s personal mission is closely tied to the growth and evolution of Happy Whole Human. She remains actively engaged in coaching, mentoring, and research to ensure that the program evolves with integrity. “I stay actively engaged in coaching, mentoring, and continuous research to refine and enhance the HWH curriculum,” she reflects. This commitment to personal growth and authentic transformation ensures that it continues to offer transformative coaching that is both grounded in science and responsive to the needs of clients.
Shifting the Approach to Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Dr. Leit envisions a world where mental and emotional well-being is prioritized proactively rather than reactively. “I want to see a shift from reactive to proactive well-being,” she shares. Her vision includes accessible, personalized wellness tools that empower individuals to thrive in all aspects of life. “Coaches play a crucial role in this transformation, which is why HWH is dedicated to equipping them with the best tools available,” she emphasizes.
Advice for Achieving a Balanced Life
For individuals striving to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life, Dr. Leit offers invaluable advice. “Self-awareness is key. Take time to assess your well-being holistically,” she advises. Additionally, she advocates for an agile approach to life, encouraging individuals to regularly inspect, adapt, and improve. “Embrace an agile approach. Life is dynamic—regularly inspect, adapt, and improve,” she states. Dr. Leit also emphasizes the importance of expert support in navigating personal challenges. “Seek expert support. A skilled coach can help you navigate subconscious blocks and achieve meaningful growth.”
A Message for Those Seeking Transformation
Dr. Leit’s message for those seeking personal transformation is clear: “Transformation is not about fixing yourself—it’s about aligning with your highest potential.” She encourages individuals, coaches, and leaders to embrace the tools and guidance available to achieve lasting, meaningful change. As she eloquently puts it, “Whether you’re a coach, leader, or individual seeking growth, the right tools and guidance can make all the difference. HWH offers an integrated approach to personal, professional, and relationship health that is sustainable, measurable, and profoundly life-changing.”
For those interested in embarking on a coaching career or enhancing their practice, HWH’s ICF-accredited fast-track training offers an innovative, world-class program that equips coaches with AI-powered tools and ongoing support to drive real change. “We invite coaches, individuals, and organizations to explore our HWH ecosystem, where wellness meets science, and transformation becomes a way of life,” concludes Dr. Leit with an invitation.
