Abbie Appel
Abbie Appel is a recreational therapist and the owner of AbbieFit Consulting. As fitness education specialist she collaborates with organizations including YMCA, Crunch, and Equinox. She is an author and program developer who created the SCW Pilates and SCW Barre Education Certification and contributed to the ACSM Group Exercise Manual and Schwinn Indoor Cycling Certification Manual. Abbie is an acclaimed presenter for ACSM, IDEA, IHRSA and SCW, among others. She delivers fitness education for world-class brands including Nautilus, Schwinn and TRX. Abbie was awarded SCW Fitness Presenter of the Year.
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. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor in the Kinesiology and Health Sciences department for Concordia University St. Paul.
Leslee Bender
Leslee Bender is an IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, FAFS, NASM, ACSM, and ACE certified. She is the Director of Ageless Training Academy, an International presenter and speaker, and the creator of the Bender Ball method of safe core training.
Christine Conti, MEd
Christine is an international fitness educator, speaker, course author, Arthritis and Orthopedic Fitness Specialist, and creator of SCW Chronic Disease & Fitness Specialist Certification and the SCW Fall Prevention Certification. She has worked for over 20 years in the medical fitness industry helping to prevent and battle disease through healthy lifestyles. Christine serves on the MedFIT Network education advisory board, she is an avid podcaster, as well as the creator of FallPROOF Fall Prevention and Let’s FACE It Together Facial Exercise & Rehabilitation. Christine’s signature best-selling book, SPLIT-SECOND COURAGE, was released in January 2022.
Sohailla Digsby, RDN, LD
Sohailla Digsby is a registered dietitian, author, and developer of the life-changing 52-day Best Body Countdown program for gyms to provide the missing piece of the fitness puzzle: nutrition with accountability. With over 25 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. Her programs are not just about the weight you lose, but the life you gain!
MaryBeth Dziubinski
MaryBeth is a highly respected global fitness industry leader with over 30 years of experience in group exercise programming. She is a Senior Fitness Specialist, a former National Trainer with the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, was honored by AEA as Global Aquatic Fitness Professional of the Year and has advanced training in older adult exercise. MaryBeth is an R.Y.T. and the co-creator of YOQUA™. As a skilled health and wellness professional, she inspires others to commit to long-term health and fitness goals.
Ronnie Fulton
Ronnie Fulton is a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, a Certified Personal Trainer, and a Licensed Massage Therapist with a passion for helping people to feel better in their bodies. Ronnie uses massage tools to increase flexibility, minimize pain, and improve performance & has taught thousands to embrace simple self-care strategies. With over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, she regularly hosts sold-out workshops.
Ann Gilbert
Ann Gilbert is the fitness industry’s premiere educator on exercise and aging. A successful owner and operator of Shapes Fitness for Women, she oversees Personal Trainers and Group Fitness professionals, coordinating extremely successful fee-based small group training programs including functional training for the older adult involving strength, balance, coordination and independence. As an ACE / IHRSA Personal Trainer of the Year, Ann is a featured, sought-after and popular speaker at IHRSA, FBA- Succeed, Club Industry, SCW MANIA®, and IAFC Conventions for decades. Ann is an industry leader and education expert teaching the following Certifications: Active Aging, Aquatic Exercise, Group Fitness, WATERinMOTION®, and the co-creator of S.E.A.T. (Supported Exercise for Ageless Training.).
Kimberly Spreen-Glick
Kimberly has been a leader in the fitness industry for over 25 years, presenting workshops on fitness, yoga, wellness, leadership, and personal growth at conferences around the world. She was the group fitness director for Lifetime Fitness for over 10 years and was the IDEA Program Director of the Year. Kimberly stepped away from her corporate role to create The Inspired Life University which she focuses on helping fitness professionals elevate their careers and become wellness leaders.
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, BScPT, BST, BA
Maureen (Mo) Hagan is an international award-winning fitness professional, recognized as Canada’s Top 10 Women of Power and a Top 100 Health Influencer. Mo is Chief Operating Officer for canfitpro – Canada’s leading fitness education authority. Mo’s passion for moving people extends beyond the fitness industry as a licensed physiotherapist and her work on the Canadian National Board of Directors for Prescription To Get Active.
Jill Hewlett
Jill Hewlett is an internationally recognized speaker, author, Brain Fitness Expert and Wellness Authority.
Combining user-friendly neuroscience and inspired common-sense strategies, Jill draws out the natural leadership, resources, and resilience in individuals and organizations to support them in reducing stress and achieving greater levels of productivity, wellness, and success. Leave this presentation with information, motivation, and tools to proactively build your Fit Brain, at every age and stage of life!
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 has a degree in kinesiology, is a beloved international fitness presenter, SCW Faculty Member, and successful entrepreneur. As a highly sought-after fitness consultant, Jeff has managed several facilities in the USA and abroad including 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 of Salt Lake City. Jeff owns and operates “Jeff Howard’s Athlete’s Club”, a successful fitness streaming channel, as well as “Jeff Howard Fitness”, a fitness studio and Personal Training Center in Louisville, KY.
Sara Kooperman, JD
Sara, CEO of SCW Fitness Education, WATERinMOTION® & S.E.A.T., is a visionary leader who 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 trailblazer. 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 a founding board member of the Women in Fitness Association, is on the canfitpro Advisory Council, is a proud inductee into the National Fitness Hall of Fame, and an active member of ACSM. Sara currently served on IHRSA’s Headlight Committees for Facility Standards and is a panelist on the IHRSA’s talk show, Talks & Takes, and has left an indelible mark on the fitness industry.
Cheri Kulp
Cheri Kulp has been a certified fitness professional for over three decades. She holds a degree in Special Education from Wester Chester University and is the Co-Founder of the successful aqua dumbbell program, WATERinMOTION® Strength. Cheri is currently the choreographer for WATERinMOTION® Original and the founder & choreographer of WATERinMOTION® Strength, a marathoner, triathlete, and winner of two national bodybuilding competitions. Cheri has starred in over 100 Fit Pro videos and shares her vast experience and passion for teaching by presenting at SCW MANIA® conferences nationwide. She holds certifications in numerous land-based and aqua programs, including AEA, NASM, WATERinMOTION®, ARC, and Les Mills.
Melissa Layne, MEd
Melissa is a Kinesiology Department Faculty Member at the University of North Georgia. She has 35 years of experience in the fitness industry and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. Melissa is the author of WATER EXERCISE (Human Kinetics 2015), a member of the SCW educational faculty, and wrote the SCW Nutrition Coaching for Fitness Professionals Certification, the SCW Nutrition, Hormones & Metabolism Certification, and contributed to the SCW Active Aging Certification.
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, a 2017 NSCA Fellowship inductee
and was voted on to the 2021 NSCA Board of Directors (Personal Trainer Position).
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 and Co-Founder of Homeroom Fit. Tricia sits on the IDEA Group Fitness Committee and presents at events all over the world.
Rosie Malaghan, MS, ERYT-200
Rosie Malaghan, MS, ERYT-200, 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 in Human Development and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. She is an ERYT and C-RYT, ACE CPT, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and holds several SCW certifications. Rosie currently serves on the Fitness Team at Trilogy Orlando, an active aging community in central Florida.
Irene McCormick, MS, CSCS
Irene McCormick, MS, CSCS is an award-winning fitness professional, a published author, a keynote speaker, and a university lecturer. Currently the Regional Director of Group Exercise for Genesis Health Clubs in Iowa, Irene is a Master Trainer for Savvier Fitness, and a former TRX Master trainer, and focusing her virtual Fit Workouts w/Irene where she exclusively trains women over 40.
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.
Patrick Mummy
Patrick earned a baseball scholarship to San Diego State University & graduated with a B.S. in Athletic Training. He founded Symmetry for Health & was awarded a patent on a measurable system for postural assessment and corrective exercise: AlignSmart Technology. Patrick has written three books, the latest – “The Physics of Pain; becoming Pain-Free” and is a featured presenter on the subject of postural assessment at multiple conferences & corporations.
Gail Bannister-Munn
Gail Bannister-Munn is the Flexibility Specialist and Core, Yoga, & Pilates Coach with the New York Jets football team. She is the owner of The Bannister Method Studio out of Long Island, West Babylon, New York & is the Regional Group Ex Manager of Crunch Fitness Locations (Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn). Gail teaches several different class formats at national conferences and is a Fitness Consultant for professional athletes in the 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 a NASM & AFAA Continuing Education Provider.
Dr. Erin Nitschke
Dr. Erin Nitschke is an industry writer, presenter, and tenured Exercise Science Professor. She holds certifications including NFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, ACE Health Coach, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, and Pn1. Erin is an editorial author for IDEA, NFPT, and ACE where she writes and speaks regularly on topics related to personal training and health coach skill building, behavior change, and career success.
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.
Keli Roberts
Keli Roberts was named IDEA International Fitness Instructor of the Year award, awarded the SCW Best Female Presenter, Lifetime Achievement OBOW Award, and was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. Keli was also honored as Presenter of the Year, as well as the Inspiration Award winner for Empower! Conventions. Keli is an ACSM EP and holds certifications through ACE as a GFI, HC, and CPT. Keli is an SCW Faculty Member, a Schwinn® Senior Master Trainer, and a Ryka Ambassador.
Deborah Rothschild
Deborah Rothchild, MS began her career as Certified Personal Trainer and has worked as a Group Fitness Instructor, Pilates Instructor, Lead Trainer, Group Fitness and Pilates Manager, Fitness Director, and Sports and Wellness Director. She holds an MS in Exercise Science. Her Personal Training Certifications are from NASM and ACE with specializations in Senior Fitness and Cancer Exercise. Deborah holds a Fitness Instructor Certification AFAA along with numerous specialty certifications and is the owner of Tough Agers, LLC.
Summer Sides, MS, CSCS, RYT-200
Summer is 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.
Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, MS
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 CEO/Founder of Naboso 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.
Amber Toole
Amber Toole is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from Georgia Southern University. She has 30 years of experience in the Fitness Industry and loves to share her expertise with other Fitness Professionals. It is her life’s mission to spread the truth about fitness and nutrition through education. She is the owner of The Training Toole – a Fitness and Nutrition Studio in Ocala, Florida, an SCW Educator and Fit Pro Mentor.
Peter Twist
Peter Twist’s research and writing focuses on the brain-body connection, 3D movement skills, mindset motivation and holistic health. Peter coached in the National Hockey League for 11 years and modernized China’s national team training for the Olympics. As a lifelong educator, Peter authored 1,200 papers, 20 books, 44 DVDs and 22 certification courses. After defeating Stage 4 cancer he stays fit in the mountains of Vancouver Canada.
Billie Wartenberg
Billie has over 28 years of experience in the fitness industry and is currently the Fitness and Wellness Director at the Trilogy Resort 55+ Community and Resort in Orlando, FL. Managing almost 100 sessions per week focused on healthy active aging, Billie has authored the SCW Aqua Barre certification and is also a master trainer for SCW’s WATERinMOTION(r) and S.E.A.T. (Supported Exercise for Ageless Training) programs. Drawing on her experience as a former competitive cheerleader, Billie brings high energy, enthusiasm, and encouragement to everything she does.