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By Marlissa Collier

Picture this. It’s an April spring day. On this day in particular, Dallas seems extra welcoming to the good things, putting its own spin on what spring can bring. Blooming vibrant colors mesh with a perfect 75 degrees and moderate pollen levels, so that, as an unintended consequence, a collective good-temperament sits on and spreads among the city’s inhabitants. On this day, Lee Greer, standing all of 5’5” would step into the bright Bishop Art restaurant, small in frame, yet taking up more space than physically possible for her slight frame. Similar to that spring day, Lee Greer seems balanced. Her presence would be as light and as tempered as the day itself, yet her gaze would hold a certain intention as she stood planted, scanning the length of Tribal All Day Cafe, looking for a stranger who’d invited her to lunch to discuss her work. 

The 2023 Best of Black Dallas winner for Best Dallas Trainer didn’t become this way overnight, though. This balance and intention took work. According to Lee, 35, life broke her and rebuilt her this way. “I was dragged kicking and screaming into health and wellness”, says Lee about her initiation into the fitness world. “I studied biology at the University of Central Arkansas and was initially going into medicine.” Things would soon change though, as the young Greer, fresh out of undergrad, would soon be plunged into a fight she’d never seen coming. A major illness would mean a change of plans and path. “I got really sick and ended up with an infection after a procedure.” Lee would go on to fight through six chest irrigation surgeries and would be left unable to walk for a time. Lee said this experience was what taught her what a privilege it was to have good health. 

The Duncanville native would crawl her way through a long recovery, back to a semblance of good health. Now on the other side of the worst, Lee was ready to take the health and wellness she’d regained seriously. “Before the doctors even cleared me to do any activity, I started focusing on the things that made me feel good. I wasn’t cleared, but I would go walking anyway. It felt good, and I needed to feel good.” 

Finally and with her doctor’s clearance, Lee was able to hit the gym. “People saw me in the gym consistently and after a while, a few started asking if they could join me.” A particular request would come from a man with a goal of becoming a police officer, but who was struggling to reach the required conditioning to pass the police officer physical resilience assessment. “I worked with him. His workouts and his diet”, Lee explained. “I was able to help him lose 60 pounds and months later, he met up with me in his police uniform and told me to keep going.” Lee notes that his encouraging words made her tune into that “little voice” that said “this is your calling”. 

More Than Just Workouts

Today, Lee isn’t your average fitness expert. Sure, she’s paid her dues – transforming her own body and aiding in the transformation of countless others. Indeed, she offers top-notch strength and conditioning programs. But what truly sets the founder of Body by Lee apart is the same balance and intention that has become the cornerstone of who she is. A self-proclaimed “transformHER”, Lee says her goal is to help women discover the best version of themselves. “I help my ladies discover the lost parts, whether lost in motherhood or marriage.” 

Lee’s dedication to her clients shines through in their achievements. Countless testimonials highlight not just the physical transformation but also a newfound confidence and a supportive community she’s fostered. “I hadn’t worked out in years. I was dog-tired the first time, but at the end of the workout she prayed.  It got me and I knew this was where I was supposed to be”, says Laurie Davis, member of the Body Gang. Six years later, Davis says she considers Lee to be more than a trainer, but a friend and sister. 

The founder of the Body Gang, a cohort that she describes as “a group of women ganging up on heart disease, diabetes, loneliness, financial struggle, and all the things that have impacted the community”, Lee says that her goal is to have women look at her life and say “she saw something in me and she pulled it out”. Constantly fortifying her community, Body by Lee has become a resting place for women seeking empowerment through mental, physical and spiritual kinship. 

“When she started out she had one client, and it was me. But, she said she wanted a strong community of women, and I’ve watched it happen. It happened”, says Rose Greer, Lee’s mother and self-proclaimed “worst client.” “I think this is what our Blackness has always been about. There was a time when you could go to your next door neighbor and get a cup or sugar or go and talk about your kids. We lost that, but Lee is bringing it back.” 

A Focus on Inclusivity

A nod to her upbringing, Lee is particularly passionate about combating health disparities in minority communities, where access to quality fitness programs and guidance can be limited. Body by Lee offers a welcoming space for all women, regardless of background or fitness level. “She allows women, especially women of color, to be our authentic selves and to show up as we are”, says Cicely Jackson, who’s been a member of the Body Gang since 2019. “She gives us the space to surround ourselves with positive Black women – from community service to a 5 am Friday workout, Saturday outings and Sunday church – it’s always love.” 

Black women have historically had a complex relationship with physical fitness. Because societal beauty standards often focus on unrealistic body types, Black women have historically been excluded from mainstream fitness spaces. Racial stereotypes and a lack of culturally relevant programming created a barrier to entry. If the atmosphere itself just happened to be welcoming, there was the longstanding barrier to fitness by way of the cost of entry, with premium membership fees and club dues being considered more of a luxury than a necessity.  In a society that can politicize anything, even hair, Black women have also had to consider hair care and what a sweaty workout would mean for the styles that often took far too much time, effort and money to obtain, only to be ruined by one visit to the gym. 

Lee, though, seeks to close the gap leading to long-standing inequalities in accessibility. “My entire business is meant to combat health disparities in minority communities through education and an environment that welcomes everyone, but especially women of color.”  Lee’s philosophy goes beyond physical transformation. “Body by Lee is a place where everyone can come & feel welcome,” she says. “[It’s] a fitness family.” Her programs are designed to address not just the body, but also the mind and spirit. Lee emphasizes self-love and building confidence, urging clients to “fall in love with yourself now” rather than waiting for some future ideal.

The Future is Bright

More and more, Black women are changing the game. Fitness instructors and trainers like Greer are creating inclusive spaces that celebrate Black bodies and promote overall well-being. Social media communities like #BlackGirlsRun! provide encouragement and a sense of belonging. This movement reframes fitness as a form of self-care, a way to honor the strength and resilience inherent in Black womanhood. It’s about celebrating Black joy and prioritizing health in a community that has historically been underserved.

Black women are finding activities they enjoy – from high-energy dance fitness classes to serene yoga sessions. The focus is on feeling good, not achieving a specific look. It’s about building strength, improving mental health, and creating a sense of accomplishment. This movement extends beyond physical fitness. It’s about dismantling stereotypes and promoting positive self-image within the Black community. It’s about advocating for better healthcare access and culturally competent fitness programs.

The future of fitness for Black women is bright. With passionate leaders like Lee, supportive communities like the Body Gang, and a focus on well-being, Black women are redefining what it means to be healthy and strong. Lee says that knowing she’s aiding in the shift in health equity and accessibility keeps her going. “I’m a business-owner, gym-owner, aunt, and proof of what’s possible when you believe in striving for what’s best. I get up every morning and do my best because women are counting on me. I’m the little engine that could.” 

It’s Bigger Than Lee

Lee knows that her calling is bigger than her. From sweat to service, she has become a household name in the health community. Partnering with the likes of Methodist Hospital and DART to put together outreach programs that have brought blood pressure clinics to South Dallas residents and wound care for those experiencing homelessness, her work balances the tangible with theory. Not only does Lee implement what she calls “flexible nutrition” with clients, teaching them to choose “this instead of that”, but she also educates those in her sphere of influence about how food marketing and offerings can directly impact food choices in communities of color. 

A disciple spreading the message of balance, Lee also teaches the importance of giving what you can, but keeping a little for yourself. “I try to keep my cup full because if I’m empty I have nothing to give.” “I tell my clients all the time to listen to that little voice. If you feel like you have to take a moment, take it.” In the present, Lee’s cup-filling means keeping a promise she made to herself to learn Spanish while keeping up with her meditation practice, yoga and church. “We’re always so worried about being everything for everyone else.” 

She also takes it upon herself to remind clients and friends to control what they can. After losing her brother to a stroke at just 36 years old, Lee says it’s important to recognize just how detrimental stress can be and how much additional damage it can cause to those who are already under systemic pressures. “If you can get to a gym, do it. If the neighborhood is safe, go outside and walk or jog.” 

Beyond the Gym

A testament of her hard work, Lee went from running outside boot camps to accepting an invitation from a former classmate to train at Elite Sports University gym. Soon, Lee would be offered a partnership and would become part-owner of the gym, where her expertise ranges from skills and agility training to general population fitness. Body by Lee extends its reach beyond the physical gym though. Lee is active on social media, particularly TikTok, where she shares motivational messages and workout tips. Her website offers additional resources and allows potential clients to learn more about Lee’s approach to fitness.

Set to release her first mindfulness journal “Dear Me: I’m Done Playing with You”, Greer’s place in the wellness world is only expanding.  Named one of the Top 50 Women to Watch by Empowerment Magazine, when asked why she chose this work, Lee replied, “I want to be mentioned when people talk about who made a difference.” “I’ve been able to help so many people. I’ve literally saved lives. I mean, humans literally exist because of me, and I don’t have any kids.”

The post It’s Bigger Than Lee: How Lee Greer is Transforming Lives with Leg Lifts and Love appeared first on Dallas Weekly.