Presenters

Dr. Jody Anderson
Dr. Anderson is an integrative medical expert, with an emphasis on health and wellness clinical practice, trends and treatment protocols for the active individual. His clinical focus and expertise is on human musculoskeletal systems, conditions and nutritional approaches for the treatment and prevention of bone related diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, aging-well and living to an optimal performance level. Dr. Anderson regularly works with professional, elite, weekend warrior and “occasional” athletes. He strongly encourages young and active mature adults to utilize a combination of regular safe exercise and balanced dietary nutrition to promote overall health and wellness.

Mike Bates, BHK, MBA, PTS PRO Trainer
Mike is the owner of Refine Fitness Studio in Windsor, Ontario. He has been recognized for excellence in both sales and member retention during his career. Mike is a certified Exercise Physiologist and is a regular speaker at Can-Fit-Pro, IHRSA, and Club Industry. In his spare time, he teaches part-time in the Kinesiology Department at the University of Windsor and is the co-author of Health Fitness Management and Can-Fit-Pro’s Foundations of Professional Personal Training.

Benjamin Black, MBA
Benjamin Black has lived and worked on four continents and 25 countries in strategy consulting, professional sports, fitness and music. He studied languages, music, business, psychology and comparative mythology at Haverford College, Stanford University, and on his own, concentrating on the works of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung and many others. He has presented “What Makes You Tick?” all over the world, most recently on the 2007 SHAPE/Men’s Fitness Magazine Mind/Body Cruise.

Lynne Brick
Lynne is the star of several videos, an author, local television and radio personality and the owner of the Brick Bodies chain of clubs in Baltimore. Lynne has taught at conferences around the world and was awarded BodyLife Instructor of the Year (1994) and IDEA Instructor of the Year (1990).

Victor Brick, M.Ed.
Victor is the co-founder and co-owner, with his wife, Lynne, of five co-ed health clubs, Brick Bodies and two women-only clubs, under Lynne Brick’s brand. He is the owner of the largest Planet Fitness exclusive area in the US and is opening up 34 Planet Fitness clubs in the next 10 years. An international business consultant, author and motivational speaker, Victor is a former IDEA Business Person of the Year.

Douglas Brooks, MS
Douglas is the consulting exercise physiologist of product research and development for several fitness companies. He is the author of six major texts and numerous manuals and articles relating to personal training, exercise physiology and strength training. He coaches high school baseball and shares his conditioning expertise with motocross racers and downhill skiers, to name a few.

Paul Brown
Paul is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on member retention and growth. He is the creator of Face2Face Retention System and was selected as IHRSA’s Official 120m x 2010 Retention Program. A health operator since 1986, Brown is the President and owner of Crossroads Fitness Club in Utah, USA. He is a former Australian Sport Aerobics Champion, author, and educator. Paul has presented around the world and consistently delivers in his fun and friendly Australian style.

Rick Caro
A 30-year veteran of the club industry, Rick was Founder, past President and Director of IHRSA. He was the previous owner of an eight-club organization of multi-sport clubs in the USA and the previous Chairman of the Spectrum Clubs, Inc., a leading club ownership company that became the 10th largest company in the U.S. after only six months--with $60 million+ revenue. Caro has consulted to over 1,300 clubs and is author of Financial Management, targeted to the club industry.

Mike Chaet, MS (Exercise Physiology), PhD (Business)
Mike is a highly accomplished athlete and has 30 years of fitness industry experience. He is the winner of the National Industry Service Award, member of the Club Industry Hall of Fame and BodyLife Europe’s Man of the Year. Known as the Club Doc, he is founder and president of Club Marketing and Management Services Inc. and a featured presenter at every major convention worldwide.

Joe Cirulli
Joe is the owner and founder of Gainesville Health & Fitness Centers, now in its third decade. At his three Alachua County, Florida health clubs, membership tops 26,000. His clubs rank globally in the top percentile for sales, management and community service. An accomplished writer, Cirulli contributes to various national and international publications. He’s also a featured presenter for organizations including IHRSA, IDEA, Club Industry, Fitness Network (Australia), BodyLife (Germany) and European Fitness Convention (England). His health clubs have served as the model for others around the world. Additionally, Cirulli shares ownership of four rehabilitation centers in Alachua County.

Sandy Coffman
Sandy is president of Programming For Profit, a speaking and consulting firm based in Bradenton, Florida. She specializes in customer service, retention and dynamite programming. With 30 years experience, Sandy is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a featured presenter at IHRSA, Club Industry, Athletic Business, ICAA, and Can-Fit-Pro. Sandy has authored many articles and spoken at several universities. Internationally, Sandy has been recognized as Educator of the Year at the European Bodylife Conference, named the 2001 International Fitness Speaker of the year at the Italian Fitness Federation and voted the Can-Fit-Pro 2000 Delegates Choice Award. Her sessions are guaranteed to be educational, motivational and inspirational.

Stéphane Cova, B.Sc. (Kinesiology), MBA, PFLC, Can-Fit-Pro PTS
Stéphane is Can-Fit-Pro’s Certification Director. His professional resume includes managing the University of Ottawa’s fitness and instructional programs, working with Health Canada’s Physical Activity Unit, personal training all types of clients, and independent consulting. Stéphane is a former varsity football player, and currently enjoys cycling and weight training.

Mark Davis
A continuously successful CMS consultant, Mark brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his presentations. Skilled in multiple roles within the industry, including at club level, Mark is a talented presenter, always in demand.

Don Di Giuseppe, R.M.T
Don graduated from Fanshawe College with a Fitness Instructor Diploma and then graduated from the D’Arcy Lane Institute for Massage Therapy in 1993. As a Massage Therapist Don has worked in multiple clinical settings including chiropractic, fitness clubs, physiotherapy clinics and private practice. As an established massage therapist Don is able to provide his clients with remedial exercises and home care instruction to enhance their well being.

Geoff Dyer
Geoffrey is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lifestyle Family Fitness, a Florida-based club chain with 48 facilities and more than 180,000 members. Dyer is a native of Melbourne, Australia and has 35 years of experience in the fitness industry. During his career he served as President of the International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association (IHRSA) 2002-2003, the largest association of health clubs with more than 7,000 member clubs worldwide. Geoff was recognized by Ernst & Young as a Florida winner of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 2005 and named the 2007 Gulf Coast Business Review “Tampa Bay Area Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Farhan Dhalla, B.Sc. PT, Can-Fit-Pro PTS,YMCA, Reebok Master Trainer
Known for his versatility, Farhan’s all-encompassing approach to fitness includes postural assessment, power yoga, step workouts, and indoor cycling. He has presented throughout Canada, the United States, and Australia. Farhan has been a guest on numerous television shows nationwide as a fitness expert and can be seen daily on In Shape with Sharon Mann on the W Network in Canada. As owner of Commitment to Optimal Health, Farhan offers instructor workshops, community seminars and personal training services.

Kevin Elsey, Med.BSC, B.Phys.Ed
Kevin works in Phoenix, Arizona where he designs and implements performance training programs for professional athletes of all sports as well as elite youth through college athletes. He serves as Curriculum Manager for Athletes’ Performance and Core Performance, developing educational content, methodologies, systems and progressions for the use in athlete training initiatives, integrating performance and technology. Kevin’s education degrees have a focus in Motivation and Transformative Learning in Sport, Fitness and Health education from Queen’s University in Canada.

Alana Free
Alana first had the unique experience of joining a high energy performance group called “Up with People.” Since then, her career in the fitness industry has been fast and vigorous! Alana is the Director of the People Department responsible for the “Get, Keep, and Grow” of GoodLife Fitness Clubs; a growing organization of over 6,000 associates. She is also a prominent presenter and facilitator who loves to engage and energize her audience.

Tracy Glennon, Can-Fit-Pro FIS
Tracy has been involved in the fitness industry for over 15 years and is a Senior Divisional Manager for Goodlife Fitness Clubs. She is a founding PRO Trainer with Can-Fit-Pro’s Fitness Instructor Specialist program, a certified ashtanga yoga instructor, Mad Dogg and Les Mills certified. She is a regular guest lecturer at University of Ottawa.

Maureen Hagan, B.Sc. PT, BA (PE), Can-Fit-Pro FIS, ACE, CALA, LMI
Maureen is Director of Education for Can-Fit-Pro and Vice-President of Operations for GoodLife Fitness Clubs. She is a Canadian 3-stripe Adidas athlete, Educator of the Year for BodyLife (1996), Canadian Presenter’s Choice Award winner (1997), IDEA International Director of the Year (1998), BodyWise International Personal Achievement award (2001), and IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year (2006). Maureen is author of FIT-iology - The Study of Fitness in Action Volumes I, II and III.

David Hardy, MBA
David is the president and owner of CLUBFIT, which operates four clubs in Edmonton that range in size from 20,000 to 28,000 square feet each. David has owned and operated a number of businesses in the retail, manufacturing, and consulting industries.

Connie Jaskinskas, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Can-Fit-Pro FIS, OFC, PFLC, CALA
Connie is an international presenter, author, and speaker through her company, For the Love of Fit. She is well-known for her entertaining presentation style and her ability to make complex information practical and easy to understand. Connie shares her enthusiastic approach to active living with a variety of “regular” and special needs exercisers, her personal training clients and aquatic rehabilitation clients in collaboration with the Canadian Back Institute.

Scott Josephson, M.Sc (Exercise Physiology), R.D., ACSM
Scott is the Operations Director and Dietitian at Hunter’s Run in Boynton Beach, Florida where he supervises a variety of spa, fitness, and recreation programs emphasizing healthy weight achievement, nutrition analysis, and overall wellness. Scott also provides consulting services and is a contributing writer for Can-Fit-Pro, Fitness Management, ECA World Fitness, and Club Life magazines.

Dr. Ken Kinakin, DC
A certified strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer, Ken was a professional competitive body builder and power lifter for 20 years. He lectures regularly across North America on weight training, rehabilitation and nutrition. Dr. Kinakin maintains a private practice and has treated Olympic athletes, professional body builders and fitness champions. He is the founder of the Society of Wellness Integrated Specialists (SWIS), an organization dedicated to the application of fitness and wellness principles.

Sara Kooperman, JD
Sara is CEO of SCW Fitness Education, COO of Les Mills Midwest, and is a licensed attorney. She is a Club Industry, IHRSA and IDEA presenter. Sara was selected as a Ronald Reagan Gold Medal winner (2005, 2006) distinguishing her as a business leader in the community. Sara received the state honor as Business Woman of the year (2006). A fitness editor for Oxygen Magazine, Sara has been published in CBI, Club Success, Fitness Edge, SHAPE and Self magazines.

Charlene Kopansky, Hons BSc (HK), BEd, PHESc, CALA, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, OFC, BCRPA.
Charlene is the founder and president of the Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance Inc. (CALA, 1993). Charlene is Internationally recognized as a world expert in aqua fitness and aquatic post-rehabilitation with many awards including Top Specialty Presenter (Bodylife, Germany), Top Presenter (Attack Convention, Munich 2003), Bad Waltsee (Germany 2003), three-time Mal Peepre Award nominee, Leadership Award (OFC), Fitness Leader of the Year (Fitness Institute), and Who’s Who of Canadian Woman in Fitness.

Donna Krech
A successful entrepreneur, speaker, and published author with over 25 years in the weight loss and fitness industries, Donna has shared the stage with motivational speakers like Jim Rohn and Brian Tracy and hosts Fitness Insider on Oprah’s Oxygen network. Donna is changing statistics of weight loss in commercial and her audiences understand the real solution to permanent and profitable weight loss. Through her proven methods, licensees are seeing dreams come true and millions of pounds lost.

Kim Lavender, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PTS, PDS, NWS, AAFP, Reebok, Schwinn, Keiser, Les Mills
Senior Group Ex Regional Supervisor of Eastern Canada for GoodLife Fitness Clubs, Kim’s presentation style is captivating, humourous and inspiring. She is a TWIST Master Trainer for BOSU and a yoga and cycling instructor for Bell Canada’s Making the Cut. She has worked in leadership roles in private and corporate fitness clubs and post-secondary education. Kim was also a host of Flex on Raptors NBA TV and Sports Conditioning coach for both male and female hockey teams.

Ave Lethbridge, M.Sc.
Ave is a vice-president of Organizational Effectiveness. Ave has extensive experience in leadership consulting, organizational performance, and change management strategies and is a MBTI (Myers Briggs) Certified Instructor. Her education started with Business Administration and a designation in Advance Human Resources and Change Management. Her background includes a solid understanding of the fitness industry having been a fitness leader and coordinator for GoodLife Fitness Clubs.

Rod Macdonald, B.Ed.
Rod is the Vice-President of Can-Fit-Pro, the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry. An international presenter, author, and Ironman competitor, Rod’s experience includes personal training, teaching, and the leadership of Can-Fit-Pro’s 16,000-member organization. With a degree in kinesiology and 20 years of experience in the industry, Rod educates and inspires novice and veteran fitness professionals and consumers by creating an environment of support and challenge based on a philosophy of personal responsibility.

Murray Mackenzie, B. Comm. CIP
Murray has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years and joined Stevenson & Hunt as a Senior Account Executive in the London Commercial Lines Department in 2003. Murray has worked with Marsh, Zurich, CGU and BI&I in various roles including underwriting, marketing, managing and as Vice President. Murray is a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and a graduate of McMaster University where he obtained his Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Susan Marsh, B.Sc

(Human Kinetics)
Sue worked for GoodLife Fitness Clubs for 14 years, more than five years as the Director of Personnel. As Director, Sue was responsible for the recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee relations of over 3000 employees. With experience in the fitness, financial services, and technology industries, Sue continues to build her HR knowledge and expertise. Sue has her certification in Human Resource Management and is a member of the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario.

Georgia Mattheos BA, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PDS, ACE, LMI
A member of the Can-Fit-Pro education department, Georgia assists in developing conference curriculum for the industry’s thousands of fitness professionals. She works closely with the Can-Fit-Pro Advisory Panel, and eagerly seeks out the best in fitness education to share with others. Georgia teaches group exercise classes and enjoys traveling. 

Peggy McColl
Peggy is an internationally-recognized expert in the area of destiny achievement whose purpose is to make a positive contribution to the lives of millions of others. She has been inspiring individuals, experts, professional athletes, and organizations to reach their potential for the past 25 years. She is the president and founder of Dynamic Destinies Inc., an organization committed to delivering sound principles for creating lasting and positive change.

Ken McGill
Ken graduated from the University of Western Ontario and began to practice law in 1978 with a major law firm in London, Ontario. In 1991, Ken left his firm and established his own practice, specializing in business law. Ken has directed his practice almost exclusively towards helping his clients acquire and structure their business. Ken has been involved in the fitness industry for more than eighteen years and has both presented and written for Can-Fit-Pro over the last several years.

Katharine McLarty, BPAS, CSCS, WaterFit, AEA, Can-Fit-Pro PTS
Katherine is a kinesiologist who provides water exercise programs to a variety of clientele in Toronto. As an international presenter, she is a continuing education provider for personal trainers and water instructors. She is the creator of a water fitness DVD, Fluid Yoga-Tai-Lates.

Alex and Sherri McMillan, M.Sc.
Alex and Sherri have been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 30 years collectively and have received numerous industry awards including IDEA Fitness Directors of the Year, IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, Can-Fit-Pro Fitness Presenter of the Year and BBB Business of the Year. As fitness trainers, fitness columnists, authors of five books and manuals, stars in various fitness DVDs, and international fitness presenters, they are spokespersons for Nike, Nautilus, Twist Conditioning and PowerBar.

Phillip Mills
Phillip is the president of Les Mills International and is one of the pioneers of the fitness industry. A driving force behind the popularization of the modern group fitness experience, Phillip developed the exercise-to-music system that evolved into the seven group fitness programs currently distributed by Les Mills International to more than 54 countries. Mills also developed the Les Mills Group Fitness Management system that supports the operation of the Les Mills program in clubs.

Colin Milner
Colin is chief executive officer of the International Council on Active Aging. An award-winning writer, Milner has authored more than 200 articles on aging-related issues and a Vision Paper for the White House Conference on Aging. He has served as an advisor to the U.S. Administration on Aging, The National Institute on Aging, The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Committee, the National Blueprint on Aging and the Canadian Special Senate Committee on Aging.

Julie Milner, BCRPA, ACE
Julie is Chief Operating Officer for the ICAA, National Mall Peepre Award Winner (2002), IDEA Program Director of the Year (1999). This New Balance sponsored athlete was a Reebok Master trainer for Canada for nine years. She was the VP of Marketing at the Fitness Group for 23 years, the director of the Educators Group and is a polished lecturer specializing in customer service, marketing, hiring, training staff, older adults and low impact choreography.

Frank Napolitano, Jr.
Frank joined GlobalFit in 2006 as President and CEO. Prior to that, he was Senior VP, Strategic Planning & Special Projects for Town Sports International, Inc. (TSI). Frank is past president of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), having served on its Board of Directors from 1993 to1997, and currently serving a second term on that Board. He also previously practiced accounting and law with two nationally recognized firms.

David Patchell-Evans
Recognized as Canada’s most successful fitness entrepreneur, David Patchell-Evans (Patch) continues to forecast, with insight, the future direction of the industry. Patch is founder and CEO of over one hundred GoodLife Fitness Clubs. Patch is a respected international speaker, having lectured in Germany, England, Australia and extensively in North America. He is also a five-time Canadian rowing champion and sits on several editorial boards for the health and fitness industry.

Haley Perlus, PhD
A former Junior World Champion Alpine Ski Racer, Haley is an International Peak Performance Consultant, adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado, and has earned her PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology. She is also an accredited group fitness instructor, coach, and personal trainer.

Pam Rigden, MA, B.Sc. (Hons Sports Sciences)
An innovative and creative presenter, Pam is a former personal trainer. Currently an NLP Master Practitioner, Coach and Trainer she has pioneered the application of NLP and Coaching within the fitness industry. She operates her training company, Fitness Unlimited, a social networking site for fitness professionals; presents around the world and writes regularly for the industry. Pam lives and works in the Greek Islands running a retreat, Wellbeing Holidays and owns and manages an online weight management program.

Mary Sanders, Ph.D., FACSM
Dr. Sanders is the Director of WaterFit/Golden Waves; Associate Editor of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal and a Fellow member of the American College of Sports Medicine; Advisory board member for International Council on Active Aging; columnist The Journal of Active Aging; Research member. Mary is certified as a Health and Fitness Instructor by ACE and ACSM and a continuing education provider for a number of certification organizations.

Anthony Slater
Anthony works with Athletes’ Performance and Core Performance. He has helped individual athletes from all major professional sports (NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, EPL, MLS, PGA, LPGA) along with organizations such as the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Everton FC, Germany (DFB), LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, and David Beckham Academy to develop effective programs for training their athletes. Anthony earned his degrees in Psychology and Physical and Health Education at Queen’s University in Canada.

Bill Sonnemaker, BSc, NASM-PES, NASM-CES, NASM-CPT, NSCA-CSCS, ACE-CPT, ACSM-CPT
Bill is an internationally sought after Performance Enhancement Specialist and Fitness Educator. He is a spokesperson for IDEA and the IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year (2007). He is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Fitness, Georgia’s only fully accredited and medically recognized personal training and performance enhancement facility.

Dr. Marc Sorenson
Dr. Sorenson and his wife, Vicki, founded one of the top health resorts, National Institute of Fitness and helped their clients lose over 100 tonnes of weight; eliminating many from diabetic medication. From weightlifting achievements to cycling expeditions, Dr. Sorenson’s commitment to health and weight issues earned him the honour of having a flag flown over the U.S. Senate. An author, TV, and radio personality Dr. Sorenson is paving the link between health care and fitness.

Mark Stone, B.Sc. Chemistry and Biology
Mark 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

Beth Sutherland
Beth Sutherland is a certified Empowerment Coach, who helps individuals and business teams throughout North America achieve their goals and true potential.

Carol Tricoche, AFAA, Spinning
Carol is STOTT PILATES® Global Sales Director, Full Solutions and is a certified STOTT PILATES instructor. Prior to joining STOTT PILATES, Carol was the Group Exercise/Pilates Director at the Claremont Club in California for eight years where she pioneered a successful pilates program which continues to thrive today. Carol sits on the Board of Directors for FISA Fitness Industry Suppliers Association and is a sought-after presenter at top fitness events around the globe.

Laura Warf, B.Ed. (Fitness), Can-Fit-Pro FIS
With 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, Laura is the recipient of the Can-Fit-Pro Presenter of the Year award (2005), and she brings a wealth of knowledge into all her presentations. Her dynamic personal presentation style has made her popular as an international presenter and as a leader in mind-body conditioning within the fitness industry. She is also the creator and author of the latest Can-Fit-Pro Mind Body Specialist (MBS) certification program.