On this episode of Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone Thompson welcomes Ingrid Knight-Cohee, the 2024 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year and author of Chapter 7 in Inspire the World to Fitness®.

Ingrid is a fitness leader, educator, program creator, and changemaker whose work centers on confidence, resilience, health equity, and community through movement. Her chapter, “Inner Voice and Global Vision: Listening, Leading, and Lifting Others Through Movement and Meaning,” explores authenticity, purpose, and how fitness can transform lives.

In this conversation, Ingrid shares her journey from rhythmic gymnastics and fitness instruction to leadership in group fitness, YMCA programming, healthy aging, chronic disease management, and the creation of Misingi Movement—an Afrocentric, foundational movement practice designed to bring people together through rhythm, culture, and accessible functional movement.

This episode also highlights Ingrid’s first appearance on the IDEA Podcast Network:

https://www.ideafit.com/podcast-episode/whats-in-the-sauce-featuring-ingrid-knight-cohee/

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• How Ingrid’s athletic background led her into fitness

• Why group fitness is often the heart of a fitness facility

• How Ingrid created Misingi Movement and why representation matters

• Why movement can be medicine, meditation, and message

• How to listen to your inner voice and turn ideas into action

• Why health equity matters in fitness programming

• How to identify who your facility is not yet serving

• Why mentorship is essential for career growth

Featured Guest

Ingrid Knight-Cohee

2024 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year

Fitness leader, educator, presenter, and program creator

Creator of Misingi Movement

IDEA Fitness Mentor Network Mentor

Healthy aging and chronic disease management leader, YMCABC

About Misingi Movement

Misingi is a Swahili word meaning base, foundational, and to bring together.

Misingi Movement is an Afrocentric, rhythm-based functional movement practice built around 11 foundational movements. It is taught in a circular format inspired by community and connection, with intensity levels represented by earth, wind, and fire.

The six-step Misingi inner voice framework includes:

• Move

• Share

• Integrate

• Navigate

• Grow

• Inspire

About Inspire the World to Fitness®

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show is designed to be experienced alongside the book Inspire the World to Fitness®, featuring stories from leaders who have shaped—and continue to shape—the fitness industry.

Order the book and learn more:

https://www.ideafit.com/inspire-the-world-to-fitness/

Listen & Connect

Explore IDEAfit Pro Show episodes:

https://www.ideafit.com/idea-podcasts/

Learn more about IDEA:

https://www.ideafit.com/

The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson, executive produced by Kent Lejarso, and engineered by Michael Hilding.