Abbie Appel
Abbie Appel is the owner and CEO of Abbiefit Consulting, Appel Programming Solutions and the Program Director at Fitspace Studios. As an award-winning fitness educator, Abbie develops and delivers programs for Power Systems, Schwinn Cycling, and many other organizations. She created the SCW Pilates and SCW Barre Certifications and received SCW’s “Best Presenter” award. Abbie has produced and starred in over 30 fitness videos and contributes to fitness publications such as Self, Shape, and Prevention.
Dr. Aaron Aslakson, Phd
Aaron Aslakson is the Director of Fitness Centers for Walker Methodist in Minneapolis, MN, a position he has held since 2009. In this role, he provides support to 11 fitness centers dedicated to older adult fitness, including location design, staff development, and program development. He is an adjunct professor in the Kinesiology and Health Sciences department for Concordia University St. Paul.
Debra Atkinson, MS, CSCS
Debra is a wellness coach, hormone balancing fitness expert, and bestselling author with over three decades of full time fitness experience. As the founder of Flipping 50, she has helped over 200,00 women “flip” their second half, achieving desired vitality and energy. She is a podcast host, TEDx speaker, and international presenter at prominent industry conventions. As a recognized contributor for outlets such as HuffPost, ShareCare, and Medfit.org, Debra continues to share her wealth of knowledge to inspire people to live their best and healthiest lives.
Dr. Gregory Charlop, MD
Featured on ABC, CBS, and FOX, Dr. Gregory Charlop is one of the leading experts in health & wellness. He is a physician, author, and anti-aging coach for retired athletes and middle-aged professionals.
He is the author of Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep.
Christine Conti, MEd
Christine Conti is an international fitness educator, consultant, and CEO of Conti Fitness & Wellness, LLC. She is a former investment banker, English teacher, coach, and 20-year veteran in the industry. Christine co-hosts Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and owns TFC Productions. She is the author of the Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course, co-author of the Eating Disorder Fitness Course, and serves on the advisory board for the MedFit Education Foundation. Christine is the creator of Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Exercise and Rehabilitation and co-founder of FallPROOF, Fall Prevention. She is also an autoimmune disease fighter, ultra endurance athlete and 2x IRONMAN.
Sohailla Digsby, RDN, LD
Sohailla Digsby is a registered dietitian, author, and the developer of the life-changing 52-day Best Body Countdown program for gyms to use to provide the missing piece of the fitness puzzle: nutrition with accountability. With over 20 years of experience as a fitness pro and RD, Sohailla provides nutrition coaching, and runs an online membership-based group that’s not just about the weight you lose, but the life you gain! She has authored three books to help fitness professionals guide their clients to their goals and maintain their Best Bodies.
MaryBeth Dziubinski
MaryBeth is a highly respected, global fitness industry leader with over 30 years experience in group exercise programming. She is a Senior Fitness Specialist, a former National Trainer with the SilverSneakers Fitness Program for over 20 years, was honored by AEA as a Global Aquatic Fitness Professional of the Year & has advanced training in older adult exercise. MaryBeth is an R.Y.T. and the co-creator of YOQUA(tm). As a skilled health and wellness professional, she inspires others to commit to long-term health and fitness goals.
Chris Gellert, MPT
Chris Gellert has been a practicing physical therapist for 20 years with a strong clinical background in orthopedics, sports injuries and spinal dysfunctions. He has been a personal trainer for 20 years, an international fitness presenter for 15 years, and is the founder and owner of PinnacleTraining Consulting Systems, which teaches the foundation science, assessments and application science behind human movement.
Ann Gilbert
Ann Gilbert is an owner of two Shapes Fitness for Women franchises. She oversees the operations of as many as 15 certified Personal Trainers, 30 Group Fitness professionals, and coordinates fee-based group personal training programs. Ann promotes the popular Aging Fit series and is the choreographer for S.E.A.T., an innovative chair fitness program. She was awarded ACE / IHRSA Personal Trainer of the Year in 2001 and has been a popular speaker at Club Industry, SCW MANIA, IAFC and IHRSA Conventions since 2002. Ann writes for Fitness magazines and can be seen on local TV.
Kimberly Spreen-Glick
Kimberly has over 25 years of experience teaching and presenting internationally on fitness and yoga as well as leadership and personal development. She served as the senior director of group fitness at LifeTime for over 10 years and was an IDEA Program Director of the Year. Through her online platform, The Inspired Life, her primary focus is helping fitness professionals expand their role to become wellness leaders so they can live their best lives while being the Difference Makers they came here to be!!
Sue Grant
Sue is one of the first — since 2003 — experts in older adult fitness. Her wide experience includes the creation of the Older Wiser Workout exercise DVD series and Fit Tips for Pros, an online library for instructors in older adult fitness. She has presented live workshops and webinars for IDEA, ICAA,
the Functional Aging Institute, Gray Institute, and the Center for Successful Aging, among others including the YWCA and Rancho La Puerta. Sue is a Fellow of Applied Functional Science through Gray Institute and a Certified Master Instructor for FallProof™ Balance and Mobility.
Maureen (Mo) Hagan
Maureen (Mo) Hagan is chief operating officer for Canfitpro – Canada’s leading fitness authority. She is a global fitness ambassador and has been recognized for her work in fitness that spans over three decades. Mo is one of Canada’s 2020 Top 10 power women, a #1 best-selling author, member of the Board of Directors for Prescription to Get Active, and a Reebok sponsored athlete.
Sue Hitzmann, MS, CST, NMT
Sue Hitzmann, MS, CST, NMT, is a nationally recognized neurofascial science & research educator, manual therapist, exercise physiologist, and founding member of the Fascia Research Society. She’s the founder and creator of The MELT Method, a simple self-care technique that addresses the missing link to pain-free living – hydrated, supple fascia and a stable, balanced nervous system. She’s authored two bestselling books, and is the CEO of Longevity Fitness Inc., an online consumer and professional education business.
Jeff Howard
Jeff Howard is an international fitness presenter, SCW Faculty Member, and successful entrepreneur. As a highly-sought fitness consultant, Jeff has traveled extensively, living abroad to elevate fitness standards for Virgin Active in South Africa and Puerto Rico where he founded the Golden Door Spa, as well as managing facilities in the U.S., such as Equinox in Chicago. He has been featured in numerous fitness videos and is a world-renowned celebrity trainer, appearing on several national TV shows, including Bravo’s popular Real HouseWives franchise in Salt Lake City. During the pandemic, Jeff launched “Jeff Howard’s Athlete’s Club”, a successful fitness streaming channel, as well as “Jeff Howard Fitness”, a fitness studio in Louisville, KY. Passionate about education and inspiring fitness professionals to reach their fullest potential, he has spent the last decade as a premier educator at industry conventions, including IDEA World, and a proud, long-standing SCW Faculty Member leading the GX Certification and Aqua Certification.
Sara Kooperman, JD
Sara, CEO of SCW Fitness Education and WATERinMOTION®, is a visionary leader that has transformed the fitness education community. A successful business owner and advisor, she is a keynote speaker, published author, podcast presenter and sought-after industry trail-blazer. Sara has a unique ability to share her passion and devotion towards fitness education through her humor, enthusiasm and her effervescent no-nonsense personality. She serves on the Gold’s Gym Think Tank, was on the Women in Fitness Association Board of Directors and is a proud inductee into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. Sara currently serves on IHRSA’s Headlight Committees for Facility Standards and has left an indelible mark on the fitness industry as a whole.
Cheri Kulp
Cheri Kulp has been a certified instructor for over 30 years. She holds a degree in special education and has previously taught for 18 years. Cheri has been a WATERinMOTION® champion for a decade and is the choreographer for the new aqua dumbbell program, WATERinMOTION® Strength. Her areas of expertise include presenting at SCW MANIA® conferences for 4 years, personal trainer, ARC lifeguard, swim instructor and Les Mills instructor. She has appeared in over 25 videos.
Robert Linkul, MS, CSCS
Robert Linkul is the owner of TOA (TrainingTheOlderAdult.com) a personal training studio and online continued education provider for fitness professionals in Shingle Springs, California. Robert is an internationally known continued education provider for fitness professionals with his area of expertise being in resistance training strategies for the Older Adult with physical limitations and/or decreased quality of life. Linkul has his master’s degree in personal training, is the NSCAs 2012 Personal Trainer of the Year award winner and a 2017 NSCA Fellowship inductee.
Rosie Malaghan, MS, ERYT-200
Rosie Malaghan, has over 15 years of experience teaching and counseling, virtually and live, fitness, yoga, leadership, and organizational development. Rosie holds a Masters of Science Degree and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. She is an ERYT and C-RYT, ACE CPT and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and holds several SCW certifications. Rosie currently serves on the Fitness Team at Active Aging Community at Trilogy Orlando.
Tricia Murphy Madden
Tricia is a 29-year fitness industry veteran and the 2020 Fitness Leader of the Year for IDEA. As the National Education Director for Savvier Fitness she oversees programming and the master trainer team of just over 100 fitness superstars. She’s also the co-creator of Barre Above, Co-Founder of Homeroom Fit and numerous other programs. She is the co-author and creator of a children’s book and fitness program called, The ABC’s of Exercise sold worldwide. Additionally, Tricia sits on the IDEA Group Fitness Committee, presents at events all over the world and is a sought-after speaker outside of the fitness industry as well.
Margot McKinnon, MEd, NCPT
Margot McKinnon, M.Ed., NCPT, is founder and CEO of Body Harmonics Inc., a full-service health and fitness company dedicated to helping people teach well, move well and be well— in person and online. She is the creator of a respected Pilates & Movement teacher training program, 55-plus continuing education courses, hundreds of streaming videos, and is a published author. Science-driven content, adult education practices, and a passion for making movement a multisensory, engaging and empowering experience underpin Margot’s approach.
Andrea Metcalf
Andrea Metcalf is a best-selling author and celebrity fitness expert with over 35 years of experience in the fitness industry. With hundreds of media appearances including NBC Today and Oprah.com, Andrea brings her passion for helping others achieve peak performance to the FLX Team. She is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, founder of StudiosFUSE and owner of Hang 5 Fitness in Chicago.
Kevin Mullins, CSCS
Kevin Mullins, CSCS, is a fitness professional, educator, and author who has coached over twenty-thousand personal training sessions and group fitness classes in the last decade. He is the author of best-selling Personal Training book – Day by Day: The Personal Trainer’s Blueprint. The creator of SCW’s Functional Training Certification, Kevin leverages his degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland as well as accreditation through the PPSC, USAW, Precision Nutrition, Equinox, NSCA, Trigger Point Therapy, ISSA, and Schwinn Cycle.
Gail Bannister-Munn
Gail Bannister-Munn is the Flexibility Specialist, Core, Yoga, Pilates Coach with the New York Jets football team. Gail is the owner of The Bannister Method Studio out of Long Island, West Babylon, New York. She is also the Regional Group Ex Manager for Crunch Fitness Locations in Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn. Gail teaches several different class formats at national conferences and is a Fitness Consultant for professional athletes – NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. She holds numerous certifications in several disciplines, including NASM, AFAA, FST L3, Thai Massage Specialist, Yoga Fit 500+ hrs., and is an NASM & AFAA Continuing Education Provider.
Dr. Evan Osar, DC
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. He developed the Integrative Movement System™, an evidence-based approach to improving clinical outcomes and helping patients perform at their highest level. Dr. Osar is currently in private practice in Chicago, IL and is an adjunct faculty member at Rocky Mountain University of Health Sciences. Dr. Osar teaches his proprietary approach to health and fitness professionals who specialize in rehabilitation and corrective exercise, medical fitness, as well as posture and movement education. His mission is to empower Fitness Professionals to be part of the solution to the health care crisis and inspire their communities towards the collective good of all humans.
Keli Roberts
Keli Roberts was named IDEA International Fitness Instructor of the Year, awarded the SCW Best Female Presenter title, and was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. Keli leads the SCW Personal Trainer Certification, and the SCW Active Aging Certification and has starred in countless Educational Videos. She is an ACSM EP and a BOSU Elite instructor and a Schwinn Senior Master Trainer.
David-Dorian Ross
David-Dorian Ross has introduced more students to Tai Chi than any other teacher in America. He has been studying Tai Chi since 1979 from some of the top masters in the world. He’s also a US and world record holder in Tai Chi forms and competitions. He is the founder and CEO of TaijiFit, the creator of the TaijiFit method, and is the #1 best-selling author and creator of 150 Tai Chi educational DVDs and television programs. He is also the National Coordinator for the VA’s Tai Chi for Veterans program.
Summer Sides, MS, CSCS, RYT-200
Summer is a bit of an exercise science and group fitness geek! In fact, she’s a professor of Exercise Science, Founder of GXunited, and Creator of CounterFlow Yoga. Over the past 20-years she’s taught almost all forms of group fitness, owned a Yoga Studio, and worked with companies such as NETA, Les Mills, IGNITE360, and ACE. She’s on a mission to empower the next generation of fitness professionals with solid movement pattern techniques and sport psychology principles.
Tricia Silverman, RD, LDN, MBA
Tricia is a registered dietitian, fitness instructor, and wellness coach. She is an international virtual and live presenter, and the author of the award-winning international Amazon Bestseller, Healthy Dividends: Investments in Nutrition, Movement, and Healthy Habits that Pay Off. She developed and leads the SCW Nutrition for Active Aging Certification. Tricia teaches Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Healthy Aging for Northeastern University, and serves as the Faculty Lead, where she helps oversee the Applied Nutrition Program and the Certificate in Integrative Health and Wellness.
Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, MS
Dr Emily Splichal, Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of the Evidence Based Fitness Academy, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist®, BarefootRx® and BARE® Workout Certifications and Inventor of Naboso Barefoot Technology. With over 16 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 from the ground up training.
Amber Toole
Amber is passionate about spreading the truth about health and fitness. It is her life goal to share how self-care, through safe and effective exercise, proper nutrition, stress management techniques, recovery and rest, can lead to a better life through overall wellness. She loves to watch people break through their beliefs to reach their toughest goals and make amazing transformations along the way.
Patricia VanGalen, MS
Pat brings 40+years of experience across the movement disciplines, from training-teaching-coaching, lecturing, writing, and conducting workshops and certification courses in the U.S.and abroad, to corporate/industrial health promotion, injury risk-reduction and fitness programming, rehabilitation, physical education and sport coaching, all of which fueled her mission of changing the way and the pace at which we age, and most importantly, our mindset towards aging. Pat’s rehab-to-performance experience and ‘down-to-earth’ demeanor make her a dynamic, informative and very provocative speaker.
Manuel Velasquez
Manuel is a WATERinMOTION® Platinum program choreographer and the Faculty Leader of the SCW Yoga 1 & 2 Certifications as well as the SCW T’ai Chi Certification. With over two decades of fitness industry experience, Manuel has been recognized as “All Around International Presenter of the Year”. He is also a RYT-200 Yoga certified instructor and is the Head Instructor at Rancho La Puerta Resort & Spa in Tecate, Mexico (outside of San Diego).
Billie Wartenberg
Billie has over 28 years of experience in the fitness industry. She was awarded SCW Fitness Idol in 2016 and holds personal training and group exercise instructor certifications through SCW. She earned a BA from Grand Canyon University and is a master trainer for Barre Above™, Tabata Bootcamp™. Billie draws on her experience as a former competitive cheerleader to bring high-energy, enthusiasm, and encouragement to her classes. She is also a U-Jam Instructor and the Fitness/Wellness Manager at Trilogy Orlando.