-- Conference & Retreat 2012

Amy Bomar,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

Amy Bomar is an accomplished fitness presenter who has worked as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and fitness program director for more than 18 years. Through her company, FIT Launch, Amy presents a full series of ACE CEC-approved courses at in-house workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest, and at international fitness conventions. She has presented at World Fitness IDEA, FACT Fest, CAN-FIT-PRO, HAFP (Hawaiian Association of Fitness Professionals), and Fit Beach, Jamaica.

Amy is also an ACE Faculty Master Practical Trainer for both Group Fitness and Personal Trainer. As a Master Trainer for Resist-A-Ball she teaches all of the Resist-A-Ball certification courses, including Yoga on the Resist-A-Ball. Amy is trained in Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga, certified by YogaFit, and a graduate of the University of Washington’s certificate program for Sports Medicine and Human Performance. She holds certifications from both ACE and AFAA, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Holistic Nutrition. Through her company FIT Launch, Inc. Amy provides Education and Business Services to trainers and instructors throughout North America.

Doug Briggs,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

Doug Briggs, Ph.D., is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS, *D), and a professional Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach (RSCC,*D) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a NSCA Fly Solo Mentor. Doug has been involved in strength and conditioning for over 30 years. He is a competitive Olympic weightlifter who won the 2002 and 2005 Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships, setting a new Pan American Masters Snatch record in 2002. Doug has also won the 2005 and 2007 USA Weightlifting Masters National Championships. He was named male “Athlete of the Year” for the 2002 New Mexico State Games and “Athlete of the Month” for his participation in a 36-week International Natural Weightlifting Case Study sponsored by Flora Health. He has held over 120 state records in Olympic weightlifting.

Currently Doug is the Director of Human Performance for the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he has been for eight years. He is also a faculty member in the Department of Human Performance at New Mexico State University. Subjects that he teaches, or has taught, include anatomy, motor development, principles of strength & conditioning, personal training, test & measurements, as well as beginning, intermediate, and advanced women’s and Olympic weightlifting. Doug has also written for numerous magazines including Pure Power Magazine, Bliss Now, Sidelines and the Army Times, to name a few and has two published books; “Sixteen Weeks to Weight Training Success” and “Built for Strength: A Basic Approach to Weight Training Success for Men and Women.”

Previously Doug owned a Powerhouse Gym for 12 years and a personal training studio that became an Olympic-style weight training facility that produced numerous collegiate national champions and national level athletes. Doug has acted as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams of USA Weightlifting (USAW) at the World University and College Championships and the Young Louis Cyr Competition in Canada in 2000. He is a USA Weightlifting Regional Coach and has previously served as President for three terms, and as Secretary for the New Mexico Local Weightlifting Committee (LWC) of USA Weightlifting.

Fort Bliss hosted the 2006 and 2009 USA Weightlifting Masters National Championships and the 2007 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships.

Doug has one son, Alexander Maximus, who was the world’s youngest registered weightlifter that did his first sanctioned competition at the age of 11 months Alexander currently trains with weights, plays basketball, football, USSSA baseball and tournament select baseball.

Kelly is a Zumba® Education Specialist (Instructor Trainer) and International Fitness Presenter.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, and later with a Masters Degree in Sport Administration from the University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse.  After 9 years as a Physical Education/Health Education teacher, she recently retired from Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI to pursue her career in the fitness industry.  Her K-12 teaching experiences and fitness background led her to her passion for sharing fitness with the world.  At the high school level, she taught a variety of PE courses including Team Sports, Individual Sports, Fitness Trends, and Outdoor Adventure courses. Aside from teaching, she kept busy as the Head Girls Golf Coach, Head Dance Coach, Adventure Club Advisor, and running the community Education fitness classes after school for staff, parents, and students.  As an Adjunct Instructor for Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, Kelly taught several college courses including Physical Education and Dance courses to the university students.  Kelly maintains several fitness certifications as a Personal Trainer (AFAA certified), Group Fitness Instructor (ACE certified), AEA certified (Aquatic Exercise Association), and several others through AAAI/ISMA, YMCA, and Schwinn, and teaches a variety of fitness classes in the Southeastern WI area.  As a Fitbodies, Inc. instructor, Kelly teaches fitness classes internationally in countries such as Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Curacao, and Australia.  Currently as an International Zumba Education Specialist (ZES) for Zumba® Fitness, LLC, she organizes and conducts Zumba® Instructor Trainings across the United States and Internationally for the Zumba® Basic 1, Zumba® Toning, and Aqua Zumba® programs.  She specializes in fitness for people of all ages, and recently just choreographed and starred in the latest Aqua Zumba Instructor DVD (Vol 6), filmed in Miami in September 2011.  Aside from the Zumba ® Instructor Trainings, she teaches Zumba® Masterclasses and organizes Zumbathon® charity events and party events across the world, including in the UK, Israel, Finland, Hungary, Denmark, Australia, and Jamaica.

Known as the trainers' trainer, CarolAnn, has become one of the country's leading fitness educators.  Combining a Master's degree in Exercise Science with fitness certifications/memberships such as ACSM, ACE, AFAA, ESA and AEA, she has held positions as an adjunct university professor, researcher, fitness director, Fitour's head trainer, presenter and more. CarolAnn has applied her knowledge base and her enthusiasm in training and motivating clients and fitness instructors for over 17 years.  She has also hosted her own television segment, written for several fitness publications, written exam questions for several certifying bodies, contributed to muscle dysmorphia research, and started Jr. Fitness Camp designed to teach children ages 6-12 sound nutrition, health, and fitness.   

Denise Cox,

Denise is Vice President of Fit Bodies, Inc., has been with Fit Bodies since it’s inception, 1988. Her realm of duties include world wide sales and marketing functions. An ACE certified personal trainer, member of NSCA, ACE and IFAA specializing in training “Baby Boomers” and “Weekend Athletes”. A water fitness specialist working in the water to rehab injuries and to motivate the “non compliant”.

Denise’s methods of training encompass Pilates, Boot Camp, BOSU, Kickboxing, Speed - Agility and Aquasize to get clients moving and have fun doing it! An ACE Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach, has recently just moderated the Atlanta Journal Constitution/Olde Towne Athletic Club Biggest Loser contest with over 100 participants losing an aggregate of over 2,867 pounds!

When she is not training she can be found on her road bike, swimming, running trails or on the tennis court. Her daily motto “Life is meant to be fun, live it!”

Missy Hawthorne,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

Melissa Hawthorne RN, BSN CSCS has been a Registered Nurse for 27 years with emphasis in critical care and cardiology as well as spent 6 years in medical sales for a major medical and cardiology device corporation. With 21 years experience in the fitness industry, some of her certifications in both group fitness and personal training include, ACE, AFAA, ISCA, Johnny G. SPINNING, Mat Pilates and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) for the NSCA. Missy is a skin care specialist and fitness consultant for The Plastic Surgery Group Inc. Cincinnati, and is owner of Priority Fitness Personal Training and Wellness. She served as group fitness director for Bally Total Fitness for 17 years but is presently training clients at Living Longer Proactive Health Strategies, Cincinnati. Missy is an international workshop presenter and is currently a Master Trainer for Resist-A-Ball Inc., ISCA personal training, and Promise Enterprises for Kickboxing. Missy has also played and an active role in the development of the strength and conditioning program for the Cincinnati Reds minor league teams, spring training 2002. Missy is often asked to share exercise and fitness tips for FOX 19 TV or "Stretch on the Square" Channel 12 TV. Missy served as chairperson for the City of Hope’s Workout for hope 1989-2000,and continues to serve on the national wellness board for the City of Hope Research Hospital in California.

"Approach those ‘impossible’ goals by breaking them into workable daily
activities. Think of it this way: How do you create a garden where there wasn’t
one before? You start today by removing one rock at a time!"

Wayne Martin,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

Wayne Martin is licensed by the state of New Jersey as both a massage therapist and a bodywork therapist. He is a trained shiatsu practitioner and yoga therapist. For seventeen years, he has maintained his membership in the American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia. Since 1994, Wayne has been a member of, and certified by The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, in both massage and bodywork modalities. He has taught yoga for 20 years and has had his own yoga practice for the past 25 years.

With an (E RYT 500) level of membership in THE YOGA ALLIANCE, he holds their highest professional rating. Wayne also is a professional member of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF YOGA THERAPISTS.

Wayne uses skills developed in his personal yoga practice to deepen and expand his techniques in Thai massage. Using his knowledge of yoga, shiatsu and Thai massage, he is better able to serve his clients.

David Mesirow,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

David Mesirow is the founder of Beamfit™ and creator of Beaming™, his revolutionary NEW program which integrates physical and emotional balance, laying the groundwork for overall health and well-being – a lifestyle of “Complete Fitness.” David used his years of experience as a fitness professional to take a long hard look at fitness and the fitness industry. “Taking classes is not enough,” David says. “Your very being needs to become integrated into the class experience releasing yourself on all levels, allowing the experience to transform you from the inside out.” This “whole” experience then carries through in all aspect of your lifeThis dynamic, multi-faceted approach to reform fitness programming is the culmination of David’s 29 years of experience as a recognized leader and top educator in the fitness industry coupled with his social work education.

Over the course of David’s tenure, he held many prominent positions including National Assistant Director of Group Exercise Programming for Bally Total Fitness, Reebok Master Trainer and Avia Select Athlete. His accomplishments also include program developer and director at a variety of highly respected fitness facilities in the Chicago area for decades, utilizing his skills, in particular, as an aquatic exercise expert and choreography specialist. David holds certifications from ACE and AFAA and has been rewarded numerous fitness accolades, including the 1994 Windy City Instructor of the Year award, and the Chicago’s BEST program award in 1993, 94, 95 and 96.

Given his formal education in Social Work, David has always been active in humanistic causes as exemplified by his commitment to The City of Hope, Workout for Hope as a National Leadership Council member. Continuing on this path in the 21st century, David, through his company Beamfit™, will be donating a percentage of all revenue to the Special Olympics which is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.

Suzelle Snowden,

Fit Pro Travel Profile

Suzelle has been a fitness professional since 1985 and is the owner and founder of Fit Bodies Inc. Her company started as an aerobic studio and instructor training center and now provides travel opportunities to fitness and tennis professionals to exotic resort destinations.  She created Fit Bodies, Inc. traveling program out of her love for travel and desire to spread fitness and wellness throughout the world, one resort guest at a time. She is also ACE certified group fitness and personal trainer, a Beamfit master trainer and  Promise Productions Master Trainer in Kickboxing.  Suzelle is trained in Ashtanga yoga, and a Mad Dogg Spinning instructor and teaches all formats of group fitness.  She also  continues to train and certify professionals through Fit Bodies, Inc. group fitness and aqua primary programming. 

Suzelle also holds the title of program director for the Jeff Galloway Marathon Training program in Cincinnati, where she trains 100s of people throughout the year to complete the goal of successfully finishing a marathon. Her passion for fitness and wellness not only inspired her to create the traveling program but to expand on her own training.  Besides marathons she has completed  and continues to run ultras including a 100 mile endurance race.   

Suzelle founded Fit Bodies, Inc. Fit Beach for fitness pros and fitness enthusiasts to train, collect certifications and cec’s and to enjoy the tropical surroundings at the same time. 

For more than 30 years Marianne Wells has been inspiring and influencing others throughout the world. A leader in the yoga community, Marianne is committed to handing down the lineage of health and happiness through her methodology based on traditional teachings adapted for today's world. Marianne is committed to not brand her "style," preferring to teach the heritage of the tree of yoga in her comprehensive curriculum.

If you are ready to explore the depths and history of yoga, develop skills that will change your life and those you teach, and become certified as a yoga instructor, please register now. Marianne offers comprehensive 200-RYT and 500-RYT Yoga Alliance programs at various times throughout the year. Visit her website for more details .