Advisory Panel 2006-2008

CANADA

Susan Cantwell, Can-Fit-Pro PTS, PDS, CMS

Susan Cantwell is President of the Lifestyle Coaching Institute and is a personal/corporate Lifestyle Coach, personal trainer, speaker and author with over twenty years experience in empowering people to make successful transitions to healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.

"Learning is the cornerstone of personal and professional development. Your curiosity is your biggest strength. Be curious about what's possible for you and your clients. Hold yourself and your clients capable of reaching new goals. Don't let fear of failure or what others might think stand in your way. When you can do this you'll have learned your most valuable lesson; you are capable of wonderful things when you are open to learning."

Marla Ericksen, B.Sc., ACE, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PDS

Marla is a versatile, motivating and energetic presenter who thrives on entertaining and educating through fitness and yoga. She combines a solid academic background, a practical attitude, creative flair and enthusiasm with a warm, approachable manner to command the respect she has earned as an international fitness professional. Her specialties include recreation and facility management, program development, instructor training, athletic performance, corporate wellness and spiritual fitness. Marla is a professional member of IDEA, a member of the Nike Elite Fitness Training team and manages her career through Empower M.E. Lifestyles based in Ottawa, Canada. In 2002, Can-Fit-Pro honoured Marla by naming her Canadian Fitness Presenter of the Year.

"Live in the precious present... one moment, one breath, one heartbeat at a time."

Terry Kane, B.Sc. (PT), BPHE, Can-Fit-Pro PTS, MBS

Terry is the former physical therapist for the Calgary Flames and Canadian Olympic Ice Hockey Team, where he was responsible for the acute care and rehabilitation of all player injuries. He has presented internationally at Can-Fit-Pro and IDEA, as well as for the American College of Sports Medicine and Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine. He now consults to the National Hockey League and operates a private sports injury practice in Calgary.

"As important as passion is, it's the pursuit of competency and projecting professionalism at every opportunity that will fuel the evolution and recognition of the fitness industry."

Charlene Kopansky, Hons B.Sc. (HK), B.Ed., PHE Sc, CALA, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, OFC, BCRPA

Charlene is the founder and president of the Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance Inc. (CALA), a dynamic organization committed to enhancing the quality of aquafitness leadership worldwide. She is a popular presenter in fitness who shares the joy of movement through thoughtful integration of the mind, body and spirit. Internationally recognized as a world expert in aquafitness and aquatic post rehabilitation, Charlene's awards include the following: 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. Leading-edge development of specialties in water including: Aqua Cycling, Core Aqua Abdominal Training, Water Running Athletic Training in Water, Aqua Kick Box, Aqua Natal, Aqua for Older Adults, Aquatic Resistance Training, Brazilian Calypso and Aqua Africana, Aqua Arthritis and Joint Replacement.

"As fitness professionals we have the wonderful opportunity to offer an expansive diversity of movement experiences for all sizes, shapes and cultures, regardless of age or gender. Our gratification is implicit in the contribution we are able to make to the enhanced status of health and well being of the communities in which we live. Promoting the joy of movement involves leadership that encourages the mind to discover, the body to move and the spirit to soar."

Colin Milner, Can-Fit-Pro PDS

In the past 24 years, Colin Milner, chief executive officer of the International Council on Active Aging™, has emerged as one of the nation's foremost visionaries and original thinkers regarding the health and well-being of the older adult. An award-winning writer, Milner has authored more than 160 articles on aging-related issues. He has delivered speeches to thousands of business leaders throughout North America, including presentations for J. Walter Thompson's Mature Market Group, the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Kennedy Center and IHRSA. Canadian Fitness Business magazine has equated Milner's visionary abilities to those of David Foot, best-selling author of Boom, Bust and Echo, while Bodylife magazine has compared Milner's tireless dedication to Changing the Way We Age™ to another best-selling author, Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D. Milner's efforts have inspired a broad spectrum of industry leaders and leading-edge publications to seek his advice. Included among these are Time, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Seattle Times, National Post, Montreal Gazette and Parade Magazine. He has also served as an advisor to the U.S. Administration on Aging, The National Institute on Aging and the prestigious National Blueprint on Aging. Milner was also invited to write a vision paper for the White House Conference on Aging.

"The aging of the population is changing the way virtually every industry does business; the fitness industry is no exception. The question is, 'are we ready to embrace this change?'"

Alexandre Paré, M.Sc., CSCS, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PTS

Alexandre holds a Masters degree in Exercise Science with a specialty in exercise physiology. A previous aerobics instructor for many years, and still to this day, a personal trainer; Alexandre now focuses his energy on his growing career of guest speaker and television consultant in kinesiology. An associate professor at Laval University, National Reebok Master Trainer, and presenter in fitness and sports conferences, Alexandre still finds time to run a private business specializing in personal training certification. Friendly, sincere and dynamic, this amazing speaker will find ways to make you understand difficult theoretical notions, as he possesses an exceptional talent in communicating his knowledge to all types of audiences.

"Over the years, here is what I get from science: Doubt comes with knowledge because the more I learn, greater is the confusion about what I know."

Jennifer Pelletier, Can-Fit-Pro PDS, YMCA, FIDA

Jennifer Pelletier brings energy and dynamism to every presentation. As a student of kinesiology with five years of dance training and 10 years of gymnastics, Jennifer is known for creative choreography featuring Latin, reggae and hip hop moves. She has presented classes, workshops and training programs in Canada and various places in the Caribbean. She also writes fitness and health articles for Sports Mag and Energie Magazine and has participated in numerous TV shows. Jennifer is a trainer for various certification programs including FIDA and Mouvement Pilates. Jennifer is certified by Can-Fit-Pro, YMCA and FIDA. As Group Fitness Director at Energie Cardio in Canada, Jennifer is responsible for the elaboration of new programs and training new fitness staff for 75 clubs. She is the proud winner of the "Hip Hop 4 Ever Festival" with the elite hip hop troupe "Da Angelo Dance Productions". She is also instructor for the Montreal Culture shock dance troupe.

"Educate your passion!"

Krista Popowych, BHK, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PTD, PDS, BCRPA - TFL

Krista is the recipient of the 2003 Can-Fit-Pro Canadian Presenter of the Year award. Krista is an accomplished fitness professional, international presenter and new co-host of the widely televised health and fitness show, The Caribbean Workout. She is an Adidas-sponsored, three-stripe athlete and master trainer for Keiser Cycling and MIO heart rate monitors. She is a freelance fitness writer and Associate Editor for Fitness Business Canada magazine. Krista is also an IDEA Master Trainer, who holds certifications from Can-Fit-Pro as a FIS, PTS and PDS and the BCRPA as a TFL. She's the Canadian representative for IDEA's International Group Fitness Committee and an Advisory Panel member for the University of British Columbia's School of Human Kinetics Alumni.

"Motivate those around you daily and inspire them for a lifetime."

Peter Twist, M.Sc., BPE, CSCS, Can-Fit-Pro PTS

Peter Twist has coached in the NHL for 11 years and is currently a consultant for several NHL players and agents. An exercise physiologist with an M.Sc. and specialization in Coaching Science, Twist has published over 200 papers, authored four books and 11 DVDs on athlete development and delivered lectures to thousands of trainers and coaches internationally. Recognized as a leader in his industry, Twist was honoured with the National Strength & Conditioning Association's 1998 President's Award and Can-Fit-Pro 2003 Specialty Presenter of the Year Award. On a practical level, Twist has trained over 700 professional athletes, including Mark Messier, Pavel Bure, Mike Peca, Alexander Mogilny, Bryan McCabe, Markus Naslund, Trevor Linden, Mattias Ohlund and basketball's Hakeem Olajuwon. Twist is the President and CEO of Twist Conditioning Inc. operating three main divisions: Training and Consulting, Education and Product Wholesale. Twist also has a line of sport conditioning certifications which are delivered by Twist Master Coaches throughout North America. Twist makes his home in North Vancouver, the location of his athlete conditioning centre.

"There are no limits to what you can achieve."

Helen Vanderburg, BPE, Can-Fit-Pro FIS, PTD, CMS, PDS, MBS, AFLCA, ACE, Pilates Mat, Yoga

Helen Vanderburg, BPE, has 20 years of fitness experience, is a respected international presenter and owner of Heavens Fitness Club and Fountain Park Health Club in Calgary. Helen has been inducted into the International Aquatic Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame as a world champion synchronized swimmer. Helen was named Canada's Outstanding Female Athlete of the year for three consecutive years, was awarded IDEA Program Director of the Year (1996), Can-Fit-Pro Presenter of the Year (1996) and the Mal Peepre Award (2001).

"Each day begins with a blank canvas and we have the power to paint our own masterpiece."

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