Meet Dr. Jodi Blinco | Founder of ZenLeader and The U School, Author, Speaker & Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jodi Blinco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jodi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
ZenLeader was born out of a deep realization that leadership development was missing something essential, the human being at the center of it all. I had spent years coaching, leading, and consulting in high-pressure environments, and what I saw over and over again was that traditional leadership models often skipped over the very things that make us thrive: Inner clarity, emotional resilience, and sustainable energy.

I started asking, “What if leadership didn’t require burnout? What if we taught people how to lead from a place of grounded strength instead of constant urgency?”

ZenLeader was my answer to that question. It’s a space where leaders, especially those climbing the corporate ladder or managing multiple roles can pause, realign, and lead with intention. The name itself reflects the balance I believe we all crave: Zen for inner peace, and Leader for the drive to make an impact. I didn’t want to create another checklist-style program. I wanted to create a movement that honors the whole person, and that’s what ZenLeader has become.

What should our readers know about your business?
ZenLeader is more than a name, it’s our philosophy. We uniquely blend inner wellness with leadership development. A lot of coaching programs focus on either business performance or personal well-being, but we believe you can’t separate the two. What sets ZenLeader apart is this holistic approach, we give people the tools to calm the chaos within so they can thrive in their careers and lives.

When your mind and spirit are centered, you become a stronger leader, you see problems more clearly and get better results. In fact, our signature leadership program for women nurtures the mind, body, and spirit while also increasing an organization’s bottom line. It’s a win-win; you grow as a person and your work benefits too.

We don’t shy away from the truth: leadership can be especially complex for women. The pressure to perform, to prove, to juggle, it’s real. Women often face unique pressures and expectations, and ZenLeader creates a space that acknowledges and addresses that. We equip women (and men too, our services are open to everyone) with the skills, knowledge, and tools to lead with clarity and confidence. As I often remind my clients, “with the right skills and support, women can lead themselves and their teams to peak performance”.

I know this firsthand. After more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder, I made the leap. I bought a yoga studio, tuned into my intuition, and committed to building something more meaningful. It wasn’t easy. In the early days, there were doubts, detours, and days I had to coach myself through it all. People hear “Zen” and picture peace and flow, but behind the scenes, I was refining offers, signing clients, and whispering to myself, “You’ve got this,” again and again.

I learned that Inner clarity is key, purpose was my compass, when everything didn’t go as planned, I found the lesson in it. Self-care and yoga were kept as my non-negotiable, if I were running on fumes, I knew it was time to take a step back. I couldn’t show up fully in my work or my relationships if I was emotionally bankrupt. It was a vivid reminder that I can’t pour from an empty cup.

The ZenLeader story is ultimately about possibility and change, the possibility for each one of us to rewrite how we live and lead. My book, “Inner Alchemy” reminds us, you can be the CEO of your life. I often say we’re bridging two worlds that were once far apart, the corporate boardroom and the yoga studio. I want others to know that this story is so much bigger than just me. Yes, it started from my personal journey, but ZenLeader now carries the experiences of every person who has walked through our program. It’s about community and shared growth. Every time someone finds their voice, discovers clarity, stands up with confidence because of ZenLeader, that becomes part of our story.

At its core, ZenLeader is empowerment: empowering individuals to realize they can be both strong leaders and a whole human being. You can be driven and grounded, strategic and soulful, successful and deeply centered.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I could take my friends anywhere, it would hands down be to one of Seane Corn’s yoga retreats or classes. There’s something powerful about being in a space where healing, movement, and heart-centered leadership all come together.

For me, that’s the kind of experience I would want to share. Where we’re not just relaxing, but growing and recharging ourselves. Plus, the beautiful space, grounding energy, and time to just be, it’s the perfect reset for friends who want to reconnect and become their best selves.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every journey needs a spark, and for me, that spark was Seane Corn. Her powerful presence, raw honesty, and unapologetic truth-telling gave me permission to do the same, to lead, to feel, and to heal.
Watching Seane speak her truth on and off the mat inspired me to stop chasing balance and start living it. She showed me that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. About showing up in your power, even when it’s messy.
Seane’s work reminded me that I could be both, a grounded woman and a fierce, ambitious leader. ZenLeader was born from that space of integration.

Thank you, Seane, for helping me find my balance, and for helping so many others do the same. 🙏

Website: https://www.zenleader.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjodiblinco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjodiblinco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodiashbrook

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFd21wQHJhCb5WhoYPv9-IFdcnOW9FXYB