2023 Presenters

	Ricardo Alas has been a Master Group/Personal Fitness Trainer for over 10 years. His credentials are as follows: AFAA Certified as Group Fitness/ Kickboxing Instructor, NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), STRONG by Zumba Master Trainer. He is also a Firefighter/EMT and has been recognized as a true leader in the field of fitness and his core belief is “with sweat and determination you will succeed”!
	Staci Alden is a seasoned Group Fitness Manager, presenter, writer, strategic planner (both digital and in-person offerings) and entrepreneur. Staci is committed to helping group fitness managers and club operators elevate their programs, talent and leadership skills. Her clients range from large luxury health clubs and international companies to small studios. She has designed world class studios, launched signature formats and built turnkey solutions for enhancing systems, leaders and talent. Staci is also a master Balanced Body® barre and MOTR® instructor.
	Elizabeth Andrews has been a group fitness instructor and coach for 35 years, teaching and developing exciting classes and programming, from the southeast to the Pacific NorthWest. Elizabeth is a Master Trainer for the best companies in the movement arena, BOSU, TRX and DVRT Ultimate Sandbag, also using her gifts as a motivational speaker for companies such as Amazon, as well as writing for ACE. She has presented several times at IDEA World, IDEA West, TRX Summits, Western States Chiropractic College, and for the YMCA Summits. Her diverse experience working and teaching in the rehab field, general fitness, as well as yoga, provide a broad perspective and knowledge, in movement.
	Abbie Appel is the owner of APS Appel Programming Solutions and AbbieFit Consulting. As an award-winning fitness educator and group fitness programming expert, Abbie develops and delivers programs for Schwinn Cycling, TRX Training and many other organizations. She developed the SCW Pilates and SCW Barre Certifications and has produced and starred in over 50 fitness videos. Abbie contributes to fitness publications such as Self, Shape, Prevention and IDEA Journal and is certified by ACE, AFAA and NASM.
	Gail Bannister Munn is the Group Exercise Classic Coordinator for Crunch Fitness Rochdale, NY. Gail currently works as the Flexibility, FST, Thai Body Therapist, and Yoga coach with the NY Jets Football Team, Pro Hoops Basketball, and various NFL/NBA athletes that focuses on skill sets that can help players improve in all areas of defense, and offense. She currently holds National Certifications in several different disciplines, including NASM, Fascial Stretch Therapist L3, AFFA, and is an NASM/AFAA Continuing Education Provider, which enhances her coaching abilities to her athletes, staff and her classes. She is the owner of The Bannister Method, located in Greenvale NY. Gail presents The Bannister Method™ at national conferences and is a Fitness Consultant for professional athletes. Feel free to check out her website at www.GBMFLEX.COM and you can follow her on Instagram @GBMGLEX
	Lawrence Biscontini, M.A., has made fitness history as a Mindful Movement Specialist, winning awards from ACE, IDEA & Inner IDEA, Can Fit Pro, and ECA. Lawrence is an industry-recognized Author, Presenter, Keynoter, Conultant, and Course Development Specialist for various companies, serving on the Advisory Board for the ICAA, Power Music®, and People of iSPA. Lawrence (RYT 500) works using multiple certification and experience. His most recent book is MIR: Planet of Fitness Business Possibilities. Find Lawrence at www.findlawrence.com.
	Katina Brock, MSEd, is the creator of Wet Barre™- a unique, aquatic format that skillfully adapts Barre, Pilates, Ballet and Corrective Exercise to the water, featuring mostly original exercises. She is an international aquatic fitness presenter and continuing education provider for AEA, AFAA & NASM with three decades of teaching experience. A frequent contributor to AKWA Magazine, she has also been a featured fitness expert on Shape.com, the LA Times, VH-1 Couples Therapy, and was an original trainer at the Biggest Loser Resort in Malibu. She lives in New York City.
	Kelly Bullard is an International fitness educator and a Zumba® Education Specialist (ZES) since 2009. She holds degrees in Exercise and Sports Science (Health and Physical Education) and a Master’s degree in Sport Administration. Her passion, enthusiasm, and experience is for fitness/dance for people of all ages. Kelly specializes in many of the Zumba Fitness programs and has presented in over 36 countries. She is in several Zumba DVD’s, including being featured in the Aqua Zumba® Vol. 6. Kelly holds a variety of certifications in many areas of fitness, and is a continuing education provider for AEA, AAAI/ISMA, AFAA & ACE.
	Katy Coffey is an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor, an AEA Aquatic Training Specialist, Master Trainer with Aqua Body Strong & S’WET and holds a collective of 15 additional fitness certifications for both land and aquatic fitness training Teaching aquatic fitness in and around Boston, Massachusetts. She’s been working in aquatics management since 2002. She currently holds Instructor Training certifications for the American Red Cross, ASHI and YUSA

	Ellen de Werd is a 23-year fitness industry leader with extensive experience developing innovative programs. She is the creator of WARRIOR Rhythm™, WARRIOR Strength™, and WARRIOR Combat™. Her unique programs are taught in 12 countries. Since the launch of the WARRIOR Instructor Academy, Ellen has garnered international attention as a featured, favorite presenter and educator for IDEA, CANFITPRO, SCW, Fitness Fest, and Fitness Conventions Inc. Ellen is the Fitness Director at the Downtown Athletic Club and a Lululemon Legacy Ambassador. She is also a certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist and 200 Hour EYRT.

	Ashley FitzSimmons-Olsen, M.S., CCC-SLP worked professionally as a performer and taught theater and dance, and is now a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist, having worked in a variety of settings as a speech-language pathologist treating communication disorders across the lifespan.
	Sonja Friend-Uhl has trained people of all ages and abilities for over 22 years. A skilled fitness programmer, Sonja holds Fitness Training Certifications with ACSM and AFAA as well as AFAA specialty certifications in Youth, Senior, and Pre-Natal Fitness. Sonja is a certified ACE Health Coach which gives her the ability to work with those in the allied health field in regards to high risk or specialized clientele. She is a registered Nutrition & Weight Loss Counselor. Following her passion for running, Sonja is USATF Coaching Certified. She has served as a high school, collegiate, club and private running coach. From 2012-2015 Sonja served as an assistant Cross-Country and Track coach at Vanderbilt University. Since August of 2016 Sonja has a served as a volunteer Track and cross country coach for FAU in Boca Raton and operates her own coaching & running education platform, www.TheRunningWarrior.com. Sonja developed and coached fitness and personal training education programs for The Athletic Club at Weston and The Athletic Club Boca Raton while serving as their Athletic Director from 1998-2003. She received the Athletic Director of the Year Award twice during this time period. Sonja founded and operated FIT Studio – a personal training and Pilates studio in Wellington, Florida from 2004-2009. For the last 14 years Sonja has traveled the world consulting as the Lead Master Trainer for Core Health & Fitness, which includes the brands of Stairmaster, Nautilus, Schwinn, and Star Trac. Sonja’s personal athletic achievements continue as she still competes at the national and world level. A State Champion in High School and a scholarship, record-setting runner at the College of William and Mary, she has also been a member of six (6) U.S. world teams, a 2000 Olympic Trials Competitor in the 1500m, and has launched a successful Masters Running career. She is the reigning World Record Holder in the Women’s Masters Indoor Mile (4:44.8) and the American Record Holder in the Women’s Masters 1500m (4:16.9), the Women’s Masters Outdoor Mile (4:45.68), and the Women’s Masters Indoor 3000m (9:48.23). Sonja is also a repeat National & World Masters Champion in the 800m, 1500m, & 5000m, & Cross Country.
	Teri Gentes
	Alicia Jerome, Group Fitness instructor and Pilates Trainer born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alicia passion for fitness started with running Track at a young age and where she was a 100- and 200-meter Junior Olympic Champion. She holds Comprehensive Pilates Apparatus certifications through Balanced Body, Power Pilates, and currently is a Master Trainer with Club Pilates and Peak Pilates FITCORE. Alicia also holds numerous other certifications.
	Chris LaCour is a New York City based NASM-CPT, AEA Aquatic Trainer and Master Trainer for HydroRevolution and S’WET™. Chris has been bringing Aquatic Fitness to NYC pools for 12 years after he was able to recover from his back surgery using the help of the water. He has been on a mission to help change the perception of aquatic fitness and “level up” exercises in order to bring a fresh perspective and more dynamic movement to the pool.
	Jenice Mattek works each day helping clients improve their breathing and experience the benefits of optimal breathing throughout their daily lives. She is also the Director of the Integrative Movement Institute and Chicago Integrative Movement Specialists and co-author of What Lies Beneath: The Under-realized Effects of Breast Abdominal and Pelvic Surgeries. She co-created the Integrative Movement System ™ which is taught to professionals around the world.
	A.J. Meyers is a published writer, editor, content creator and podcast producer with decades experience in creative marketing and narrative storytelling. Through his workshops and consultations, he educates clients on how to create fresh, engaging copy and appealing visual/audible content to market and promote branded communications and to attract new customers or clients. With experience as a social media manager developing advertising strategies and campaigns, AJ’s client’s have seen an increase of online following and engagements with their audience by over 500%.
	Kelly Morgan, Ph.D., M.B.A. owns Tsirona, where she is a health coach for busy, high-achieving women. She helps these women gain control of their health and use it as a tool for continuing to lead their crazy lives and achieve their big dreams. She has recovered from anorexia, gained too much weight in a time of stress, and finally discovered how to make her health much easier. Kelly’s best-selling books, online coaching, and courses help her clients set their goals and reach success – painlessly. She has been featured in media outlets such as Self, Yoga Journal, Popsugar, and Elite Daily, and she is a regular speaker and contributor on a variety of health topics. Kelly has a unique mix of formal education in writing, health communication, and business that is supplemented by her experience as a certified personal trainer, health coach, fitness nutrition specialist, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. She is also an adjunct professor in the Health and Sport Management departments at the largest university in Virginia, where she has had a near-100% success rate with guiding her hundreds of students through health behavior change projects to reach their goals.
	Tricia Murphy Madden is a 29-year industry veteran and 2021 IDEA Fitness Leader Of The Year. Tricia is the National Education Director for Savvier Fitness and the co-creator of Barre Above with over 85 master trainers and over 5600 trained instructors worldwide. She is the co-author and creator of a children’s book and fitness program called, The ABC’s of Exercise sold worldwide. Tricia sits on the IDEA Group Fitness Committee and is known for her numerous programs developed over the past 29 years.
	Bruce Mylrea/ BA in Economics / ECornell certified in Plant Based Nutrition / AFPA certified Holistic Nutritional Councilor. He spends hours each day reviewing the latest in unbiased nutritional research. Bruce is focused and passionate in educating others on the life enhancing and life extending benefits of whole food plant based nutrition. Bruce is the SCW male presenter of the year for 2017 and also 2017 Life Time Achievement Award for CanFitPro. Bruce and Mindy have worked together for 11 years in the fitness and wellness industry and present both fitness programming and nutritional education together.
	Mindy Mylrea – Mindy Mylrea is the 2017 Life Time achievement Award Winner for CanFitPro , 2016 Empower Instructor of the Year, 2015 PFP Trainer of the Year. 2015 International Presenter of the Year, 2013 CanFitPro Specialty Presenter of the Year, 2008 ECA OBOW Fitness Presenter of the Year, the 2004 Can Fit Pro International Presenter of the Year, the 1999 International IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year, a National and World Aerobic Champion, a 361 sponsored athlete, and a five star presenter for IDEA. Mindy is an advisory board member for Oxygen Magazine, an international presenter, author, motivational speaker, video personality, and CEC provider for both ACE and AFAA. Mindy is the creator and lead talent behind Gliding , the Gliding discs exercise program. She is a master trainer and on the pro development team for Schwinn Cycling, Body Bar, and Bosu. Mindy is the creator of Tabata Bootcamp that earned Most Impactful Program of 2013, and owner of FitFlix Productions DVD production services. . She has authored numerous articles and stars in over 400 instructional videos. Mindy is currently the host of Orbitrek Elite and 6 minutes to slim it infomercials. Mindy donates her time and talents regularly to numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. Mindy is the mother of three boys, been married for 32 years, and lives in Santa Cruz, California. Bruce and Mindy have worked together for 11 years in the fitness and wellness industry and present both fitness programming and nutritional education together.
	Aimee Nicotera is an international presenter and Virtual Studio Owner. Aimee holds a BS in Nutrition Science, a Masters in Health Education and certifications from ACSM, ACE and AFAA. Aimee is the creator of the format E5 COLLECTIVE.
Nocciolo, Noël
	Dr. Evan Osar – Audiences around the world have heard Dr. Osar’s dynamic presentations. Dr. Evan Osar is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert on assessment, corrective exercise, and functional movement. He has authored Corrective Exercise Solutions to Common Hip and Shoulder Dysfunction and Amazon #1 Best Seller, The Psoas Solution. Dr. Osar developed the Integrative Movement System™, an evidence-based approach to improving clinical outcomes and helping patients perform at their highest level. Dr. Osar is in private practice in Chicago, IL and teaches his proprietary approach, the Integrative Movement System™ to health and fitness professionals that specialize in corrective exercise, medical fitness, and training the older adult population.
	Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour is an AEA ATS, NSCA- CPT, CEC Provider, an International Aquatic Fitness Presenter and creator of S’WET™. She has been working one on one with clients and teaching aquatic fitness classes in New York City for over a decade. Jenni’s S’WET™ structure takes H.I.I.T. and strength training to a new level in the pool! She believes the perception of water fitness is transforming the way people cross train and soon ALL ages, abilities and genders will be making waves in the pool together! For more information, contact her at www.jennilynnfitness.com or jennilynn@jennilynnfitness.com.
	Irene PluimMentz, PT became a licensed physical therapist in the Netherlands before immigrating to the United States. She is the co-owner of One Step Beyond, Inc. Physical Therapy. Irene’s passion for anything “water” led to becoming an AEA certified instructor. She integrates her knowledge of hydro-dynamics with physical therapy into all her sessions. Irene is the inventor and developer of the Aqua-Ω adjustable drag resistance water exercise equipment.
	Diva Richards is the co-creator of WARRIOR Combat and the Format Lead. She is a motivational life coach with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is the Founder and President of Hard Work No Excuses, LLC. Her 10,000+ sq. foot boutique fitness studio is located in Marlton, NJ. Diva is a professional public speaker, owns the DO WORK podcast, and has an apparel line. She lives in Philadelphia, PA where she studied music and dance.
	Dr. Dan Ritchie is the president and co-founder of the Functional Aging Institute and a best selling author of Never Grow Old! With over 20 years experience in the field and having trained over 2,000 clients over age 55. Dan received his PhD at Purdue University in Kinesiology with a minor in Gerontology. In addition Dan leads a team of 7 trainers at Miracles Fitness a personal training studio with an average age clientele over 62. In addition to being an international speaker on the topic of aging and fitness Dan has also been involved in research on Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
	Keli Roberts is the recipient of the 2003 IDEA International Fitness Instructor of the Year award, 2005 for Best Female Presenter and 2008 Lifetime Achievement OBOW Award and in 2007 Keli was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. Additionally, in 2012, Keli was also honored as Presenter of the Year as well as the 2016 Inspiration Award for Empower! Conventions. Keli is an ACSM CEP and holds certifications through, ACE as a GFI, HC and CPT. Furthermore Keli is an SCW Faculty Member, a BOSU Elite Presenter and Schwinn Senior Master Trainer and a Ryka, WIFA and Athleta Ambassador.
	Dane Robinson is a Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has held almost every job in the fitness industry from mopping floors at Bally Total Fitness, to personal and group training, all the way to regional department management. Dane impacts HUNDREDS of people in private and group training classes in Atlanta, GA and THOUSANDS of people across the country as a TV fitness coach on Daily Burn’s episodic on-demand show “Daily Burn 365” in New York City. Dane also serves as a fitness coach with Total Gym as a part of their “Total Gym TV” series and can be routinely found as a Total Gym Master Coach on the QVC network.
	Melinda Rocha is master personal trainer and award-winning wellness director. She has spent the last 30 years coaching human performance and behavioral change in multiple demographics, from professional athletes to overweight and obese populations. She completed her premedical studies at the University of Michigan and graduate studies in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Melinda currently serves as Wellness Director for Metropolitan Washington DC YMCA and mentors fitness professionals on how to grow successful in-person and online business. She is a former semipro beach volleyball player, fitness and commercial model, and pro-level bodybuilding coach.
	SGT Ken® is an award-winning international speaker, Master Fitness Trainer, Master Resilience Trainer, and a fitness specialist for the American Council on Exercise. Ken is a CSP® (Certified Speaking Professional™), a member of the National Speakers Association, and a graduate of the John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker Course. Ken has trained over one million Service Members and civilians through Operation Fit to Fight, has written over 100 articles for GX®, Backpacker®, Outside®, Health®, and created the Operation Family Fit video series and family fitness kits for the Air National Guard Yellow Ribbon division. Ken has served as the host for the Fit for Duty show on the Pentagon Channel. Ken was awarded his tenth Army Commendation Medal for creating the Warrior Fit Camp program for the Tennessee Army National Guard Suicide Prevention Task Force, helping thousands of Armed Service Members turn stress into strength and obstacles into opportunities through physical and emotional resiliency coaching and leadership training. Ken serves as the Director of Programming and Education for WaterRower®.
	Robert Sherman is GM and CFO of TRUEBODY Bethesda and owner of Robert Sherman Fitness LLC. He is a Master Instructor for Schwinn and ActivMotion Bar. With 35 years in health, he is a much sought after speaker, trainer and program consultant and serves on the Industry Advisory Panel for ACE. He holds a BA degree in business from the University of Maryland, and is a Gold Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor by ACE, AFAA and ACSM. Robert’s Professional Highlights include: • Schwinn Master trainer • Owner of FIT Inc. • Master trainer for Reebok International Ltd.
	Dr Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of EBFA Global , Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong and Inventor of Naboso Barefoot Technology. With over 20 years in the fitness industry, Dr Splichal has dedicated her medical career towards studying postural alignment and human movement as it relates to barefoot science, foot to core integration and sensory integration.
	Emily St. Amand started her dance journey at the young age of 5 at a competitive dance studio in Northern New York. Throughout her childhood, she became trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and modern dance. After high school, Emily went to college in NY state where she led the Collegiate Dance Club with choreography, and also began teaching at a local dance studio. After completing my schooling, she started to explore the world of Group Fitness. Dancing is a part of her soul and she needed to keep it in her life, while also starting a family. Emily has two beautiful boys and a husband who supports her to pursue my passion. She currently teaches two formats of dance fitness including Hip Hop and two different formats of Barre. She truly believes that dance is for every “body” and strives to encourage and support members to find their style, love their bodies, and leave it ALL on the dance floor.
Kristen Townsend
	Tara Turner began her journey in the fitness industry over 20 years ago. She has dedicated her life to helping people achieve their fitness goals. Tara holds several national certifications including Group Exercise, Personal Training, Spinning, Zumba. She is also a master trainer for ISCA, teaching boxing, kickboxing and kettlebell workshops. Tara encourages people to embrace the beauty, power and wisdom within their spirit, soul and body no matter what shape or size!
	After graduating from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Tyler Valencia turned an undergraduate internship with the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) into a full-time position. Throughout his time at NESTA, he excelled at several positions, developed his skill set with online instructional design, and eventually accepted an executive position with the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) & Smart Fitness. After working for NCCPT, Tyler decided to start his own online health and fitness company and founded the Kinesiology Institute for Performance Specialists (KIPS). Since 2016, KIPS has been selling and developing online and live education for health and fitness professionals. In 2020, Tyler decided to re-start his first-ever entrepreneurial quest and relaunched Time 2 Train Fitness, an online exercise platform which specializes in live and on demand workouts for those wanting to workout at-home. Tyler holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Kinesiology and will be completing his PhD in Health and Human Performance later this year.
	Helen Vanderburg, BPE, Exercise Physiology, co-owner of The ACADEMY, fitness, yoga and spin studio, author of Fusion Workouts and Commercial Fitness Education Manager for Balanced Body. Canada’s Presenter of the Year and CanFitPro 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for her dedication, leadership and innovation worldwide. IDEA Program Director, Presenter of the Year and the 2018 Top Industry Contributor. Recognized as a Women of Vision and one of Canada’s most influential people. An elite athlete as a World Champion synchronized swimmer and inductee to the Canadian and International Sports Hall of Fame.
	Andrea Velazquez has been immersed in the Aquatics Industry for over 25 years. She is a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Yonkers and Creator of AVAQUATICS. She is Master Trainer for many aquatic specialties, representing Acquapole, SAF Aqua Drums Vibes and HydroRevolution. She holds numerous certifications including AEA Fitness Professional, Aqua Vida Floating Yoga, Tsunami Fitness Boards, and RM Medically Based Aquatics. She is a StarGuard Instructor and Starfish Aquatics Institute Swim School Instructor Trainer. She is a Presenter at the NYS Parks and Recreation Conferences, SUNY Cortland (her alma mater) Recreation Conference, DCAC Fitness Convention, Aquatic Therapy Rehab Institute (ATRI), Association of Aquatic Professional Conference (AOAP), and SCW Fitness Mania Fitness Conferences.
	Rebecca Voelpel is a Program Director, Presenter, Master Trainer, and Assessor at SoulBody Fitness. Rebecca is also ACE Group Fitness Pilates Mat, LIIT, and HIIT certified. She thrives on creating innovative choreography and dynamic classes that class participants and instructors love! Rebecca believes in continually refining her skills as an instructor and prioritizes building relationships with her class participants to ensure participants have a memorable experience in every class. Through this method of instruction, Rebecca’s classes are consistently waitlisted and now she helps other instructors to build that same experience so they to can have packed classes too. She also holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and continues to #inspirethroughmovement nationally.
Chris Washington