Areas of Expertise
Fitness, Pain Science, Small Business Management, Customer Insights, Community Engagement
Marylee Bussard has 25 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, bringing a unique blend of practitioner, educator, entrepreneur, and product leader perspectives to her work. As the former founder and director of a thriving yoga and Pilates studio, she knows firsthand the challenges of attracting clients, managing staff, and growing a sustainable business.
Marylee is the coauthor of Functional Anatomy of the Pilates Core (2016) and contributed a chapter on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to Pilates Applications for Health Conditions (2025). She has presented at national conferences, designed and led her own Pilates teacher training program, and supported thousands of clients as a Pilates instructor.
Her personal journey with hypermobility and autoimmune conditions has fueled her passion for helping others find comfort in their bodies—an approach that informs both her writing and her work supporting business owners in the fitness, wellness, and health industries. Today, she serves as Senior Product Marketing Manager at WellnessLiving and maintains a small movement and manual therapy practice.
“Behind every purchase is someone trying to solve a problem or feel like a better version of themselves. Empathy in business means staying curious about what your customers really need, and how you can help move them closer to their goals.”
Marylee’s Wellness Must-Haves
- My regular home Pilates practice – Keeps me grounded, strong, and connected to my body.
- Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku – 森林浴) – Nature walks with my dog, Pitta, clear my mind and refresh my spirit.
- Curiosity and Play – Outdoor games, music, being silly, and attuning to wonder. As an empath, remembering not to take things too seriously helps me stay balanced and joyful.
Education
- Certificate in Product Management, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Graduate
- Massage & Structural Integration Training, Soma Institute, Anatomy Trains
- Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training, Power Pilates
- B.A. Liberal Arts, New College of Florida
The Latest From Marylee
- Altura Golf Lab: A Family’s Vision for High-Tech Golf Fuels 237% Growth
- Inside the 300% Growth of a Sensory-Friendly Swim School in Seattle and Santa Cruz
- Stay Gold Fitness—Revolutionizing Gym Access with an Open Gym Model
- How The Well Studio is Navigating Insurance Partnerships with WellnessLiving
Additional reading recommendations
