CONVENTIONS - FLORIDA '07 - presenter bios Abbie Appel is ACE, AFAA, NASM certified, a PIA Pilates Master Trainer, and a Reebok University Master Trainer. Trained in dance and vocal performance, she has moved those skills in her work within various television programs, including Kiana's Flex Appeal on ESPN. Terri Arends is a Master Instructor for the Spinning program, an ACE and NASM certified personal trainer, IFTA certified kickboxing instructor and holds a BA in Physical Education. As Athletic Director for the Premier Club in Dallas, Terri's objective is fun and fitness for people of all ages. Gail Bannister has her finger on the pulse of fitness enthusiasts and the club industry because of her widely varied fitness background. She is the regional area group fitness manager with XSport Fitness. She presents both workshops and lectures at internationally attended conferences, and is an instructor with East Coast Instructor Training School teaching aerobic choreography. She is a team leader supervisor with ECA's conventions where she staffs and oversees the group exercise, personal training and lectures rooms. Leslee Bender is the founder of The Pilates Coach with over 25 years in the fitness industry presenting internationally. Leslee is ACSM, AFAA, ACE and NASM certified and is the creator of the Pilates mini ball program. Lawrence Biscontini, M.A, won Instructor of the Year Awards from ACE, IDEA, Can Fit Pro, and ECA Best Mind-Body Presenter. He works as Wellness Consultant for Golden Door Spas and is a Global Master Trainer for Reebok, AFAA, Resistaball®, Gliding, and Smart Bells, and is the creator of Yo-Chi®. His fitness book with June Kahn "Early Morning Cardiovascular Workouts was recently released. To inspire future professionals, he has created the Biscontini Scholarship and directs his company, Fitness Group 2000. Marti Boutin was awarded AEA's Fitness Professional of the Year in 1995, and is a training specialist for AEA and ISCA and is a member of TEAM SPRI. She has also trained as a WATSU Practitioner and has produced several aquatic training videos. She is certified with ACE, AFAA, and AAAI. Myrna Brady has more than 15 years of combined Human Resources Management and fitness experience. She has a B.S. in Music Performance & Education K-12, is certified by ACE, NASM, Spinning, PowerHouse Pilates, ECITS and the YMCA to name a few. She is a licensed teacher for the East Coast Instructor Training School, and currently owns and runs her own company Qameliyan Fitness & LifeStyle Consulting, LLC. Lynne Brick, BSN, is an internationally acclaimed fitness expert and is considered one of the leading group exercise instructors in the world,having presented in more than 25 countries. A former nurse, Lynne is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and the American Council on Exercise. Lynne is the founder and owner of "Brick Bodies Fitness Services, Inc. in the Greater Baltimore area. She also is co-owner of Les Mills Mid-Atlantic. Lynne is the international technical advisor for the new Les Mills program, BodyVive TM, designed for beginners and baby boomers. A winner of the prestigious IDEA Health and Fitness Association's "Fitness Instructor of the Year," Lynne has three times been named "Top 100 Women in Maryland" and has also won the "Mrs. Maryland Business 2002" award by the Daily Record. She has received numerous other awards, including the "European International Presenter of the Year" and the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2004. Sherry Catlin has presented in 25 countries and 23 states. She's a Continuing Education Specialist for ACE, the Director of Program Development for Body Bar Systems and a member of the Elite National Training Team for Systematic Touch Training. Paul Chek MSS, HHP, NMT, an internationally respected speaker and consultant in corrective and high performance exercise kinesiology, has produced over 60 videos, books, seminars and educational courses. Matthew Comer, MS is a fully certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor Trainer and co-owner of Pilates South Beach. Matthew holds certifications with the NASM and ACE. His education includes a BS in Dance from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a MS in Dance Therapy from Hunter College, CUNY. Matthew's style mixes information and a great amount of enthusiasm. The STOTT PILATES method allows him to share his love of movement, physical rehabilitation, movement analysis, dance, as well as challenge clients and students mentally and physically. Dalien is an adjunct professor of yoga and meditation in Montclair State Universities' Exercise Science department. His background in yoga, health, music/sound healing, shamanism and therapeutics spans 20 years and his passion is innovating and integrating the powerful health aspects of music into his classes/teachings. He is a National Yoga Alliance certified, E-RYT 500 hr level yoga instructor trained at the Starseed Center for Yoga and Wellness and received two 2007 Grammy nominations for his latest album. Fred DeVito is the vice-President of Movement Classes + training. He co-founded the company's proprietary Core Fusion® class program and teacher training program. Fred directs the Core Fusion® program, teacher training strategy and certification program, and teaching academy infrastructure to support a multi site roll out. He also personally teaches many weekly classes. Bianca Diaz has 17 years teaching experience and served for 9 years as an International World Judge for the WAC (World Aerobic Championship). She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a BS in Recreation and Fitness. Marcelo Ehrhardt is ACE and AFAA certified and hold a B.A. in Psychology and Theatre. He has been seen on many news and entertainment shows, with his own created coMMotion class voted "Best New Class" by "New York Magazine". Lauren Eirk is a continuing education provider for ACE, AFAA, AEA, AAAI/ISMA, NASM, ACSM, NSCF, CanFit PRO and NDEITA. She is a certified yoga instructor and a Circle of Excellence Master Trainer for Resist-a-Ball. Lauren has written two instructor manuals and starred in several yoga videos. Bob Esquerre, MA, MES, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, ACE-CES Bob, known in the fitness industry as the "Green Thumb", "the Trainer-of-Trainers" and "the Trainer-of-Managers", because of his successes in making money for both club owners and personal trainers, is recognized as a business planner, a leading educator and a personal trainer. John Garey has studied pilates for more than 10 years. The owner of two pilates studios in California, he is a STOTT PILATESŪ Certified Instructor and holds a Masters degree in Adult Fitness from NYU. Renowned in the fitness industry, John was named one of the three most popular instructors in Chicago by The Chicago Tribune, and American Fitness Magazine chose him as one of the top six most notable instructors in the United States. He has also presented workshops at some of the most prestigious conferences and health clubs around the globe. Lisa Gaylord works as an instructor at Crunch in Miami Beach, is AFAA certified and a fifth degree black belt in karate. She is a weapons expert, a Women's National Kickboxing Champion, and a spokesperson for Hitman. She has appeared in and choreographed numerous videos and movies as a featured performer and stunt fighter. Jim Giacinto is owner of Cento's Fitness and creator of "The Club Workout". Jim is a fitness consultant, personal trainer and author with over 15 years experience. He started his dance training in New York City, continued his education at Manhattan College and The New School for Social Research, and is certified through A.F.A.A. New York Newsday quotes "instructors like Giacinto" are "bringing the oomph back into the gym", as he is committed to his goal to keep dance alive in the fitness industry. As a movement specialist, he recently got certified in Myofascial Energy Length Technique (the M.E.L.T Method) to continue his passion for combining fitness, movement and healing energy for the body and spirit. Edwige Gilbert is the founder of New Life Direction, which specializes in fitness/ wellness programs for corporations, health clubs and individuals. She is the creator of "Nouvelle Yoga", "Zen Workout", and "Fresh Start program." She holds a degree from the American College of Sports Medicine, a BA in counseling psychology as well as certifications in personal training, Sivananda Yoga, Qigong, NLP, and hypnotherapy. Rob Glick was named the 2006 International Presenter of the Year by CanFit Pro and the 2005 Best Male Presenter by ECA. He holds a B.S. in exercise science and continues to bring cutting-edge education, programming and choreography to the fitness industry as a member of the creative team for EFI Sports Medicine's GRAVITYSystem and continuing education provider for both ACE and AFAA. He is a master trainer on the Schwinn Cycling, BOSU and Body Bar teams as well as co-creator of the 5 Star Instructor Development program alongside Kimberly Spreen. If you'd like to enjoy a workout with Rob, try one of the many fitness videos he has starred in, including newly released 'Good to Go Hi/Lo' and 'Step Gone Wild'; tune into Exercise TV where you'll find him as one of the 'Star Trainers' or join Rob live as he teaches classes weekly at Equinox in Newport Beach. Patrick Goudeau is a former U.S. National Aerobic Champion and the recipient of four ECA OBOW Awards. He has recently released 7 highly acclaimed workout videos through the Patrick Video Series, and has been in numerous publications including "Fitness", "Health" and "Real Simple" and is one of the featured instructors on "All-Star Workouts" on The Discovery Channel/FitTV. Clay Grant has been successfully competing, performing, coaching and teaching in the aerobics and fitness industry for almost 20 years. Clay is a Silver and Bronze Medalist in the US National Aerobic Championship. Certifications include: AFAA, ACE, Step Reebok and Pilates Allegro. Elisabeth Halfpapp, exhale vice president of movement programming + workshops Elisabeth, along with Fred DeVito co-founded the Core Fusion® program and Core Energy Flow® classes, directs Exhale's mind body programs inlcuding classes, workshops and retreats and leads national workshops. Ms. Halfpapp is a regularly featured fitness celebrity. She has appeared and written for numerous publications, and has made television appearances on ABC News, Fox 5 News, Extra, Travel Channel, and various other national TV programs. Ms. Halfpapp's professional career includes over 25 years of teaching and studio management as a senior executive at the prestigious Lotte Berk Method exercise studios. With her degree in Dance Education from the Hartford Ballet, she has performed and choreographed ballet and modern dance with several companies at the professional level and holds a board seat with the Dances Patrelle Company. Kelli Hatton is Executive Director of Les Mills South East, whose mission is to deliver World Class Group Fitness systems to facilities in the South Eastern US. She is a national presenter for Les Mills Group Fitness Management Workshop, combining her experience as a former Area Group Fitness Manager for Lifestyle Family Fitness with her 13 years experience as a sales and management trainer. She is also a certified BODYPUMP, BODYSTEP, BODYFLOW & BODYJAM instructor and personal trainer. Sue Hitzmann, MS, CST, NMT founder of the Body Language NYC and creator of The M.E.L.T. Method, is a manual therapist and movement educator. As a national presenter, she brings her philosophy of Body language and methodology "M.E.L.T." to fitness enthusiasts, body workers, personal trainers, and movement instructors to help cultivate a deeper understanding of movement potential and their ability to improve the quality of their life in mind, motion, function, and form. Sarina Jain, America's first cross-cultural fitness star is the creator of the Masala Bhangra Workout. She is an irresistibly energetic fitness innovator, music-video choreographer and international television/radio personality. She is the resident "fitness guru" for the BBC Asian Radio Network, and hosts her own TV segment on Discovery Channel's Fit TV. Her regular appearances on NBC's Today Show and other major media have catapulted her to fame across mainstream America, and solidified her place as "the Indian-American Jane Fonda". Scott Josephson, M.S. is the Director of Fitness and Dietician at Hunters Run in Florida. Scott is an Exercise Physiologist and practicing dietician and specializes in healthy weight achievement and overall wellness. He is a contributing writer for "Fitness Management" magazine and "The ECA News". Paul Katami is currently a Group Fitness Manager for Equinox. His background includes Personal Training, the Katamibar program, and national programs like Band Camp! Paul has been featured in numerous videos, publications, and television shows as a fitness expert. Petra Kolber is a Reebok University Master Trainer and ACSM, NASM (CGT), ACE, AFAA certified. She's winner of 2004 and 2003 ECA Best Female Presenter of the Year, 2001 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year, the 2000 Canadian Fitness Professionals International Instructor Of The Year and awarded 1999 Fitness Crusader of the Year by Health magazine. Petra has numerous videos on the market, and has been a Contributing Editor for many women's health magazines and has appeared on television as a fitness expert. Stacey Lei Krauss is certified with ACE, AFAA and ACSM and has ten years of dance training. She is a NIKE Fitness Athlete, a master trainer for Nautilus, Balletone, Body Bar, BOSU, Core Pole and Body REV. Stacey is a freelance writer specializing in fitness lifestyle integration. Elizabeth Leeds, MSPT is the owner of Seaside Fitness and Wellness in San Diego and has been instrumental in the development of the efi Sports Medicine's GRAVITYPilates™ program. She holds an M.S. in physical therapy, is a STOTT® certified Level II Mat and Reformer Instructor & an ACE certified personal trainer. Christina Leon began her fitness career in 1986 and holds certifications in Spinning, Yoga, Kick boxing and more. She holds certifications from NASM, AFAA, and NCSF as a Certified Personal Trainer. Christina mission to integrate holistic health and fitness led her to become a Color Therapist and Reiki Master. Josef Mathhews is a master trainer in BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT and BODYFLOW. He embodies the charisma and infectious energy which are at the heart of the Les Mills group fitness experience. Katharine McLarty is a kinesiologist and WaterFit Trainer. She's also a strength and conditioning service provider for the Olympic High Performance Centre & the Canadian Sport Centre - Ontario. Katharine was inducted into the Alberta Sport Hall of Fame in 2002 as part of the CIS Volleyball National Champions, University of Alberta. She's certified through NSCA, SAFS & CSEP and co-authored a book, "Aqua Yoga." Mindy Mylrea is the 2004 CanFit PRO International Presenter of the Year, and the 1999 International IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a National and World Aerobic Champion and is the creator and lead talent behind Gliding. Mindy is also a master trainer for Schwinn Cycling and is on the pro development team for Bosu, CorePole and Body Bar. Suzanne Nottingham is a spokesperson and continuing education provider for ACE and is on the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She was IDEA's 2000 Fitness Instructor of the Year, and has been credited with spearheading popular fitness programming trends including Outdoor Cross Training, Winter Sport Training, Adult Play Fitness and Balance Awareness & Conditioning. Presently, she is North American Director of Nordic Walking Education for LEKI USA. Wendy O'Lenic has been studying and teaching yoga since 1985. Her unique power vinyasa teaching style reflects her years as a Modern/Jazz dancer, an athlete and practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga. She specializes in anatomy and asana mechanics showing unique modifications for special needs individuals recovering from injury or surgery. Having studied extensively with many known yoga masters, Wendy also holds numerous certifications from AFAA, AAAI/ISMA Stott, Physical Mind and Polstar in, Yoga, Pilates, weight and aerobic fitness training. Wendy has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. Wendy is the Founder of Wendy Fit Yoga, Pilates & Personal Training Studio in Tampa Florida She hosts a daily Yoga show "Yoga for the Healthy Mind and Body" on Brighthouse network TV and has produced and stars in her own line of yoga videos and DVD's as well as music CD's available in local stores and online at www.wendyfit.com. Christiane Reiter - For more than a decade Christiane Reiters name stands for ground breaking development in the international fitness-and dance scene. She has been "Presenter of the year" 4 times. Being a popular instructor at several European academies, Christiane also teaches at numerous sports organizations and works as a choreographer for shows and TV performances. Christiane is a passionate dancer and more importantly, a passionate teacher! Keli Roberts is the 2003 IDEA International Fitness Instructor of the Year and an ACE Continuing Education Specialist. Keli holds certifications from ACSM, HFI, AFAA, and ACE and is a BOSU Developmental Team Member, a member of the Nautilus Institute Advisory Board and presenter for the Schwinn Cycling program. Annick Robinson is a popular Canadian fitness instructor, workshop presenter, columnist, budokon sensei, and host of a French fitness television show. With over 17 years of experience in the fitness industry, she has also studied classical, modern, ballroom, and belly dance, as well as martial arts, and has a D.E.C. in Performance Arts and a B.A. in Ancient Greek Philosophy. Annick is renowned for an exuberant teaching style that appeals to the most hard core of fitness enthusiasts. Find out more at www.annickarts.com. Carlos Santana, M.Ed., C.S.C.S. serves as NSCA Florida State Director and is a member of the NSCA Conference Committee. He is ACSM certified and a Senior Coach and Club Coach Course Instructor with USA Weightlifting, and a Level I coach with the USA Track and Field Association. Carlos is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Miami's Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences. Julie Sieben with her joyful approach to exercise successfully inspires students, clients and trainee's to embrace fitness for all its benefits. Julie has been professionally involved in the fitness industry in a variety of capacities for over 9 years. "Different, effective, fun, safe, tough-yet-doable," are all words that describe her approach to fitness. Julie holds several certifications including personal training, kickboxing, group exercise with AFAA, NASM, F.I.G.H.T (Israeli combat training) and is trained in yoga by YogaFit and is working toward her RYT. Her bachelor's degree is in Human Performance and Fitness/Exercise Physiology track and is currently a doctoral student of Chiropractic Medicine. Rebecca Small has a background in Sports Science and is a qualified Naturopath. She left her home in Sydney 8 years ago to pursue a career in International Presenting. Having presented in more than 35 countries all over the world, Rebecca is well known for her memorable sessions. A Step specialist, Rebecca is highly saught after because she consistently delivers cutting edge choreography, showcased within seamless learning teaching progressions. Combine this with her power and charisma and you have one top Presenter, not to be missed at any convention. Kimberly Spreen is the National Group Fitness Director for Life Time Fitness, a premier 'healthy way of life' company that operates over 60 centers across the country. She has starred in several popular exercise videos and travels the country as a National Presenter, Motivational Speaker, SPRI Elite Fitness Pro, GRAVITY Trainer and Continuing Education Provider for ACE, AFAA and IFTA. Known for her passion, enthusiasm and humor, Kimberly has been educating and motivating instructors, students and clients for over 14 years. Kimberly's philosophy: Do what you love - LOVE what you do! Robert Steinbacher is a former gymnast and started his career as a dancer and choreographer at one of the most popular dance academies in New York City. Since then he has gained over 15 years of experience internationally as an educator, presenter and choreographer. As a movement therapist, he created the body art training system 15 years ago and is the owner of one of Europe's biggest movement and mind-center schools which educates over 3000 instructors and body-workers worldwide (www.bodyartschool.com). Robert creates unique and professional knowledge and movements which transforms creativity and charisma. He touches people with his way of educating and teaching through a spirit of knowledge and experience. Mark Stone is one of the teaching faculty for the C.H.E.K Institute as well as a presenter with Team CHEK. For six years, he also lectured as an instructor with the Nike Personal Training Education Program. Mark is co-owner of North Shore Smart Bodies, a specialized training clinic in Northbrook, IL. He holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry and was close to completing medical school before he decided his passion lay with the fitness industry. Tony Tamules is the Fitness Manager of the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando, Florida. He oversees 36 full-time personal trainers and 35 part-time group exercise instructors. For 15 years, he has balanced between personal training, group exercise and management. He is certified through NCSA-CPT, NASM-CPT, ACE, Yogafit and ACSM HFI. He recently earned his MS in Strategic Leadership. In 2007 he was selected by IHRSA as one of the "26 fresh faces" in the fitness industry. Joshua Taylor is a Master Instructor for the Spinning® program & a professional cyclist with over 15 years experience. He's a two-time PA state road race champion and is currently the team manager/rider for Rite Aid presenter by Snow Valley Pro Cycling Team. Shaun Thompson started his dance/fitness training at Rowan University where he received a degree in Sports Science. He has danced and choreographed for artists such as Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox, Val Kilmer and Angie Stone. Misty Tripoli, creator of Tribal Fitness, is a Nike Elite Instructor and one of the worlds most innovative and engaging fitness instructors, dance choreographers and personal trainers. Misty is well-known for her many revolutionary fitness classes that explode with her passion for dance, yoga, martial arts, Pilates, self expression and meditation. Manuel Velazquez is the Group Fitness Lead Instructor Mind & Body Personal Trainer for the Golden Door Spa in Puerto Rico. He is a presenter and educator for major international fitness continuing educatin events. Currently a master trainer for BOSU and Gliding among others, Manuel serves on faculty for ACE, AFAA, and AEA, and is also an AFAA Examiner and Hydro Fit Academy Team Leader. Manuel appears in many internationally-selling fitness DVDs available at www.scwfitness.com and is part of FG2000. Certifications: SCW-EDU, ACE, AFAA, AEA and ISAT. Specialties: Bilateral Latin dance and mind & body fusion matwork classes. Calvin Wiley is an award winning aerobic competitor including the Reebok National Aerobic Championship, the Pan American Fitness Championship and the Sundance National Aerobic Championship. He has fifteen years in the fitness industry and his dynamic, evocative choreography is known and respected worldwide. Calvin has been voted "Best Diva" by his peers several years in a row at the ECA OBOW Awards. Lisa Wheeler: Reebok University, Body Bar and Smart Bells Master Trainer, Assistant Director for Fit Vid Productions, Contributing Editor for Shape Magazine, professional dancer in NYC and veteran of over 20 videos and numerous TV programs. Certifications: NASM, ACSM, ACE, AFAA, The Physical Mind Institute. |
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