From musician to movement healer, Amanda Bauman shows us what it looks like to build a career led not by strategy, but by soul, intuition, and a deep commitment to helping people reconnect with themselves.

Amanda is a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose work beautifully weaves together music, fitness, and wellness. As the co-owner and founder of Core Connection, she brings more than 15 years of experience in personal training, Pilates, and dance-based fitness, along with her creative world as a DJ and singer/songwriter. She’s also the creator of Groove Alchemy, a signature class that blends meditation, somatic movement, and live DJ performance into an experience that feels both grounding and electric.

In our conversation, Amanda opens up about the pivotal turning points that shaped her path, from moving to LA after college to chase acting and music, and navigating an autoimmune diagnosis that changed how she related to her body and her work. What started as spontaneous opportunities evolved into a meaningful shift toward fitness when her health required a new kind of presence. Years later, that winding, intuitive journey positioned her to step into entrepreneurship, purchasing the studio that would become Core Connection alongside her co-founder, Akiko Morrison.

Amanda offers profound insight into partnership, purpose, and resilience. She talks about how her diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis informed her compassionate teaching style, why choosing the right co-founder is critical, and how Groove Alchemy emerged as a healing blend of her passions. She also shares her current creative projects, like DJing at LA venues, remixing her original music with AI tools like Kuno, and envisioning a full live set built entirely from her own tracks.

This episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t always begin with a business plan. Sometimes it begins with listening inward, trusting the next step, and allowing creativity to guide the way. Amanda’s story celebrates what’s possible when women build community-centered spaces rooted in authenticity, connection, and joy.

Tune in to hear Amanda’s full journey and the wisdom she brings to anyone navigating purpose, healing, and reinvention.

Chapters

👋 00:59 Meet Amanda Bauman and Her Multi-Passionate Journey

🎵 04:28 Amanda’s Path Through the Music Industry

💪 07:01 Navigating Health Challenges and Growing as a Leader

🏋️‍♀️ 11:47 Founding Core Connection Studio

✨ 13:58 Expanding the Vision for Core Connection

🎧 17:17 Balancing DJ Creativity with Studio Leadership

🤖 24:21 Exploring How AI Supports Modern Music Creation

💬 30:52 Final Reflections and Ways to Connect

Links
Websites:
www.djamabgrooves.com
www.coreconnection-studio.com

Social Media:
@ama.b.music
@core_connection_studio
Check out Amanda’s websites, follow her on social media, and explore her movement and music offerings to experience the soulful fusion of fitness, creativity, and community she’s bringing to Los Angeles and beyond.

Sponsor
Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program.
Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com
Or, Check Out: geniusdiscovery.org

Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com

Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com

Join us at the upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com

"I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!!

— Adrienne

From first-generation employee to visionary CEO, Liza Streiff shares how she grew a small training firm into the gold standard for Wall Street exam preparation while reshaping what leadership can look like for women in finance.

As the youngest and first female CEO of Knopman Marks, Liza has built her career on purpose, resilience, and a belief in what people can achieve with the right support. She joined the company straight out of college planning to stay only a year, yet quickly connected with the mission of helping students pass high stakes exams that unlock life changing careers. Today she is known for a transformative approach to learning and high performance coaching that helped quadruple the company’s size and earned her recognition as Female Executive of the Year at the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

In our conversation, Liza shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, including stepping into the CEO role just before the pandemic. She describes guiding the company through a swift move to digital learning, a shift that expanded their national reach and strengthened their impact. She also reflects on how her own learning disabilities became an advantage in creating training that blends structure, empathy, and innovation.

Liza offers practical insights on leading in fast changing environments, supporting Gen Z professionals, and cultivating entrepreneurial thinkers inside large organizations. She highlights the lasting importance of human connection in education and the mindsets needed to build meaningful careers. We also talk about her work through the Betty Kiernan Foundation, which provides targeted support to women pursuing nursing degrees and families in crisis.

This episode is a powerful reminder of what is possible when women lead with clarity, heart, and conviction. Tune in to hear Liza’s full story and the lessons she hopes will inspire the next generation of leaders.

Chapters
👋 00:56 Meet Liza Streiff the Transformative Leader

🚀 02:29 Liza’s Path to Becoming CEO

🌱 06:34 Navigating Challenges and Leading Growth

🔭 21:20 Liza’s Future Vision and Personal Impact

💛 26:02 Honoring Legacy with High Impact Grants

🌟 27:14 Empowering Early Career Professionals

🧭 29:01 Guiding Gen Z Through Today’s Workforce

💡 33:37 Building Proactivity and Entrepreneurial Thinking

📈 43:36 Advancing and Retaining Women in Finance

Links
Website: https://www.lizastreiff.com/
Social Media: https://knopman.com/performance-training
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-streiff/
Explore Liza Streiff’s work, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her leadership resources to support your own growth and impact.

Sponsor
Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program.
Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com
Or, Check Out: geniusdiscovery.org

Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com

Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com

Join us at the upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com

"I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!!

— Adrienne

From graphic designer to multi-passionate CEO, Liz Garcia shows us what it looks like to build a life and business rooted in courage, clarity, and bold reinvention.

During our conversation, I sit down with Liz, the dynamic CEO of Storage Theory and co-founder of G.W. Spice Co., whose journey into entrepreneurship began not with a business plan, but with a life-altering wake-up call. Known for her contagious energy, heartfelt storytelling, and practical approach to product-based growth, Liz also hosts The Liz Garcia Show, where she champions purpose-driven action for busy go-getters.

Liz opens up about the pivotal moment in 2021 when her husband’s cancer diagnosis forced them to re-evaluate everything. That season became the catalyst for pursuing the dreams they had long postponed. After his remission in early 2022, they moved quickly to launching their first company, starting her podcast, and embracing entrepreneurship with a renewed sense of urgency. Liz also shares the unconventional, creatively structured deal that allowed them to acquire Storage Theory in 2024, proving that resourcefulness can open doors even without deep capital.

Throughout our conversation, Liz breaks down the practical systems that keep her thriving while running multiple ventures, from activity stacking and time blocking, to ditching multitasking in favor of focused energy. She shares grounded wisdom on conquering perfectionism, building momentum through “messy consistency,” and understanding the real complexities of scaling on Amazon. Her insights on delegation, SEO, branding, and leveraging PR firms like Chic Execs offer a roadmap for product founders ready to level up.

At its heart, Liz’s story is a reminder that reinvention is possible at any moment, especially when we lead with courage, creativity, and intention. This episode is packed with mindset shifts, tactical gems, and permission to start before you feel ready.

Tune in to hear Liz’s inspiring journey and the strategies she uses to help women build the million-dollar businesses they dream of.

Chapters

👋 00:55 Meet Liz Garcia and Her Entrepreneurial Rise

💫 02:31 Liz’s Journey from Health Crisis to Purposeful Entrepreneurship

🎨 05:23 How Liz Shifted from Graphic Design to People-Centered Sales

🏠 08:18 How Storage Theory Entered Liz’s Life

🤝 10:06 Navigating the Storage Theory Acquisition with Creativity

🛍️ 16:38 New Product Innovations at Storage Theory

⚡ 19:19 How Liz Balances Multiple Ventures with Intention

✨ 36:28 Final Reflections and Closing Inspiration

Links
Website: Storage Theory
Instagram: @lizgarcia.me
Instagram: @storagetheory
Check out Liz’s website and connect with her on Instagram to follow her journey, explore her products, and dive deeper into the bold, simplified approach to entrepreneurship she champions.

Sponsor
Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program.
Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com
Or, Check Out: geniusdiscovery.org

Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com

Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com

Join us at the upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com

"I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!!

— Adrienne