In today's episode we are joined by Dr. Dan D'Egidio, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and graduate of Temple University, to discuss the benefits of blending strength training with running. Dan is an advanced clinician in the coaching & management of musculoskeletal pain in runners. Hope you enjoy!
Dr. Jon Herting and special guest Alisa Rose discussed Alisa's 11-year-long journey of entrepreneurship in the fitness industry. She began Art Fitness in North Wilmington eleven years ago with the aim of creating a unique, intimate experience for its members that focused on both physical and mental health. Alisa believes that she has created something special over these years and is looking forward to the new horizons her business is taking on. Success is not something that happens overnight, it is a journey that takes time, dedication, and consistency. For Alisa Rose, the founder of Art Fitness in North Wilmington, Pennsylvania, success was a journey that has taken 11 years to build. Alisa comes from a corporate background, and she noticed that people in the corporate world often gain weight and their weight fluctuates. She wanted to create a fitness studio that focused on the personal touch and cared more about the overall health of its members. Alisa did her research and found that what was missing in the fitness industry was a boutique-style fitness studio that was not crowded and had a community atmosphere. Alisa wanted to target individuals who felt out of place in a normal gym, who hated the crowds, and who wanted to go somewhere where they felt comfortable and could relate to other individuals like themselves. Her mission and goal were to meet people right where they are and help them live fuller, more active life. At Art Fitness, Alisa focuses on one-on-one training, post-rehab, and video. She creates connections for clients so they can come out of the rehab process in the most optimized way possible.
Cory Walts was hired as the Director of Strength & Conditioning at the University of Pennsylvania in April 2019. Walts came to Penn from nearby Haverford College, where he spent 12 years as the head strength and conditioning coach and fitness center director. During that time, he designed and implemented year-round sports performance programs for a majority of Haverford's 23 varsity sports and several club sports teams. He utilized a holistic approach to create robust individuals and teams, focusing on physiological qualities (movement skill, strength, power, speed, agility, and energy systems); psychological qualities (growth mindset, grit, and internal motivation through the use of education, autonomy and accountability); and lifestyle qualities (positive habit formation in sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mindfulness). During Walts’ tenure, a number of Haverford teams reached unprecedented heights. The volleyball program won three consecutive Centennial Conference titles under Walts' guidance and reached the NCAA Regional semifinals in 2014, while men's soccer advanced to the 2015 NCAA Elite Eight. From the spring season, baseball won three conference titles, advanced to the NCAA Regionals and had two student-athletes drafted in the eighth round of the MLB Draft, while softball advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in 2016. Haverford also had 12 student-athletes selected as National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and EAS Sports All-Americans during his last five years on campus. In addition to his work with Haverford student-athletes, Walts served as director of the Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk, which raised more than $75,000 for ALS research and had more than 2,000 participants from the campus community. He taught multiple classes within Haverford's Physical Education program and co-created the Healthy Mind/Healthy Body and Employee Wellness Committees, multi-department initiatives aimed at enhancing student and employee wellness respectively. Walts is co-Head of the Philadelphia Area Strength & Conditioning Association, which fosters relationships and develops knowledge specific to the profession of Strength & Conditioning for those in and around the Philadelphia area. He also is a member of West Chester University’s Exercise Science Advisory Board and oversees the Strength and Conditioning program for the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philadelphia. In 2013, Walts was a finalist for the NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award. Walts graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College in 2005 with a major in clinical exercise science and played four years for the football program. Following internships with the strength and conditioning departments at Cornell University and the Buffalo Bills, he earned his master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland in 2007. Walts also worked with the Terps' strength and conditioning department during his two years in College Park, serving as the strength and conditioning coach for men's tennis and assisted with football, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's swimming. Walts is a Certified (with Distinction) Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a Certified Level 1 Sports Performance Coach with USA Weightlifting. He also is Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified and certified in CPR/First Aid and AED by the American Red Cross.
Sally Andersen is a highly respected personal trainer, group X instructor, and Burn Boot Camp manager who has been transforming lives for over 15 years. She is passionate about helping others find the power of fitness and believes in the power of consistency to achieve excellent results. Sally Andersen was not athletic in college, relying on beer pong and medication to get her through. After struggling to climb two flights of stairs without taking a break, she was emotionally overcome and determined to make a change. She set a goal of running to the movie store in her pajamas every day and slowly her fitness improved. She got off all her medication and started lifting weights. She found her passion through hard work and dedication and began helping others do the same. She now manages two Burn Athletic Gyms and encourages everyone to find their fitness passion and never give up. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How Sally Transformed Her Life by Redefining Her Relationship with Fitness 2. How She Overcame Struggling Financially to Build a Career in Fitness 3. How She Utilizes Focus Meetings to Help Clients Reach their Goals. Links: Follow Sally here: https://www.instagram.com/gymgirlsally/
When George Zirkel, Director of Pitching at Ascent Athlete, combines his professional baseball background and newly acquired Master's Degree in Motor Learning and Control to craft individualized training programs for athletes of all ages, a unique and electrifying culture is created that allows for optimal results. He has used his formal education to create individualized throwing programs to help athletes improve their velocity. In this episode, you will learn the following: George Zirkel's Unique Approach to Creating Individualized Programs for Athletes of All Ages and Skill Levels The Benefits of Group Dynamics and Community Building in Ascent Athlete's Training Model George Zirkel's Master's Degree in Motor Learning and Control and How It Benefits His Coaching Links: https://ascentathlete.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gzirkel/
When Matt April, the dynamic owner of Bent on Better gym, seeks to build a welcoming community in West Chester, PA to serve an underserved population, he discovers a compelling central conflict that tests his commitment to his goal. Matt April is the owner of Bent on Better, a gym in Westchester that specializes in weight loss, boss building and creating a safe fitness space. He has a passion for fitness and has been an athlete his entire life, inspiring him to help underserved members of the community reach their fitness goals. Matt focuses on prehab approaches to fitness, providing a safe and welcoming space for people who need an extra touch, have been scared of other gyms, or have been hurt in other gyms. He celebrates the little wins, focusing on shoulder and hip mobility, and setting a fitness foundation. With his background in marketing, Matt has the skills and insight to build a successful gym. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. Building a Community-Focused Gym: How to create a safe and welcoming space that supports members in achieving their fitness goals. 2. Prehab Approach to Fitness: Understand the importance of setting a strong foundation to build on for long-term success. 3. Finding the Right Fit: Who is the ideal person to join a gym in West Chester and how do they benefit from the programs offered? Connect with Matt https://www.bentonbetter.com/connect/
Dr. Erin Farmer is a physical therapist who also has a significant background in fitness – she has coached Olympic weightlifters in national competitions, she has competed at Crossfit Regionals, and she owned CrossFit Center City in Philadelphia for nearly a decade. She has been a respected member of the fitness community for many years. She was the co-owner of the first CrossFit gym in Philadelphia, and has since gone on to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Erin has always been drawn to people who were unable to access fitness due to their background or injury and has used her knowledge to help them. She believes that CrossFit has changed what women in the city expect of themselves in terms of fitness and has encouraged them to pursue goals with purpose. In this episode, you will learn the following: How a small pickup truck and thousand pounds of sand led to the creation of a CrossFit culture in Center City Philadelphia. The power of empowered womanhood in early CrossFit and the importance of championing function and capability over an idealized version of oneself. The importance of understanding the "why" behind a goal in order to create meaningful relationships and help clients reach their goals. Connect with Erin
Dr. Boyd has become the most trained and highest credentialed sports physical therapist in the entire state of New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region. Less than 1% of physical therapists nationwide are double board certified in both orthopedics and sports physical therapy. Dr. Boyd is the only residency-trained therapist in South Jersey to have earned this distinction. In 2021, Dr. Boyd became the first and currently only physical therapist in NJ to complete an Orthopedic and Sports Manual Therapy Fellowship program at the Institute For Athlete Regeneration (IAR). Fellowship training is reserved for the most advanced clinicians in the field of physical therapy and is considered the highest clinical training in the PT profession. A firm believer in mentorship, Dr. Boyd had spent his earlier years as a clinician working and learning from some of the greatest clinicians in NJ. During his time at BSR Physical Therapy, he worked alongside a team of clinicians that was internationally recognized for effectively treating musculoskeletal conditions. Prior to that, Dr. Boyd was personally mentored under Dr. Sharon Wentworth of Elite Sports Physical Therapy in Tinton Falls, NJ. Dr. Wentworth is regarded as the best ACL rehab specialist in all of NJ and a leader in sports rehabilitation. Now the mentor, Dr. Boyd is commonly seen teaching sports rehabilitation, manual therapy and evidence-based practice at local universities. He also teaches in continuing education nationwide to licensed PTs, Athletic Trainers and Chiropractors on manual therapy, treatment of the spine, and athletes. Dr. Boyd has been trusted to rehabilitate professional athletes from every major professional league, however he most passionate about returning adolescent, collegiate and weekend warrior athletes to sport!
Chris Leib is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with vast experience in treating movement dysfunctions and enhancing human performance. Dr. Leib has a versatile movement background with a variety of certifications as both a physical therapist and fitness professional. Combining the worlds of therapy and fitness, Chris is uniquely qualified to help you get the most out of your body, while allowing you to sustain optimal physical health and longevity. Chris considers physical activity a vital process to being a complete human being and is passionate about helping others maximize their movement potential.
Master Somnath Sikdar is the Head Instructor at the Dragon Gym and has been training in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for over 30 years under Grandmaster Chae Teok Goh. He is currently a sixth-degree black belt and is certified by the World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon). His training has covered a broad spectrum of martial arts including a variety of weapons, self-defense, traditional and sport Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Hapkido under Grandmaster Han Jae Ji. In conjunction with martial arts, he instructs training with the Russian Kettlebell, and holds the Level 1 RKC and Level 1 SFG Certifications. While the focus of kettlebell and barbell training is strength, the other side of the same coin is function and quality of movement. For this reason, Master Sikdar uses the functional movement screen with his students and is a Level 1 and Level 2 certified FMS expert. Master Sikdar has competed successfully in local, state, and collegiate tournaments. In addition, he continues to study western boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has attained a BSE in Electrical Engineering, along with minors in Systems Science and Economics, from the University of Pennsylvania. While completing this degree he was the President, Head Instructor, and Coach of the University of Pennsylvania WTF Tae Kwon Do Team. Master Sikdar still coaches competitive Taekwondo athletes and is an active advisor to the UPENN WTFTKD Team and the West Chester University Taekwondo Team. https://www.dragongym.com/ Connect with Som
Justin McClintock is passionate about helping people achieve their goals on their terms. Hundreds of satisfied clients speak about how his attention, empathy, and deep technical know-how allow him to craft programs that meet people exactly where they are, and get them where they want to go. Do you want to achieve your fitness goals, but feel like you're stuck in a rut? Maybe you've been told to just push through the pain, but that isn't working. If you're looking for a better way to get fit, this episode is for you. In this episode, you will learn: How Justin got into fitness coaching, and how his unique background has helped him develop a successful business model What type of people does Justin work with, and how does he help them overcome significant setbacks How he approaches movement and exercise with his clients, and how he helps them find the right fit consistently Visit https://www.feelstrong.me/ Follow https://www.instagram.com/feelstrongfit/
Dr. Arianne Missimer is an award-winning Doctor of Physical Therapy, Registered Dietitian, Registered Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Educator, author, and cancer survivor regularly featured on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS. As the Founder of the Movement Paradigm, she has been making her mark in the health field for over 22 years. Starting off in personal training, becoming a licensed dietitian, pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy, and completing additional graduate work in Applied Mindfulness has allowed her to bring her diverse professional and personal experiences to help her patients best. She is trained in functional medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine and holds numerous movement-based certifications. She continues to strive for excellence and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the health field including: National Strength and Conditioning Association Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Specialist of the Year, American Dietetic Association Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year, University of Delaware Outstanding Alumni, Neumann University Physical Therapy Alumni award, Mainline Today Health Care Hero, and Mainline Today Power Women. Dr. Missimer is a TEDX and keynote speaker, where she has addressed universities, conferences, Chambers of Commerce, colleges, summits, and more. She also presents nationally and internationally in the areas of movement science, nutrition, and mindfulness. She is a Master Instructor for Evidence Based Fitness Academy (EBFA) Global. As a cancer survivor, mover, athlete, and America Ninja Warrior competitor herself, she is dedicated to educating professionals and the community, presenting high-quality keynote speeches and helping you lead your best life through powerful dietary interventions, movement, sleep, and mindset reframing techniques to empower you to heal your body, alleviate inflammation, and live with vitality. https://themovementparadigm.com/
Emily Pappas holds a M.S. in Exercise Physiology from Temple University and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Drexel University. Through this education, Emily values her ability to coach athletes with a perspective that is grounded in biochemistry and human physiology. Outside of the classroom, Emily has experience coaching and programming at the Division I Collegiate Level working as the assistant strength coach for Temple University’s Women’s Rugby team. In addition, Emily holds her USAW Sport Performance certification and values her ability to coach athletes using “Olympic” Weightlifting. Emily is extremely passionate about the sport of Weightlifting, not only for the competitive nature of the sport, but also for the application of the lifts as a tool in the strength & conditioning field. Through these lifts, Emily has been able to develop athletes that range from grade school to nationally ranked athletes in sports such as lacrosse, softball, and field hockey. During her years in the class and weight room, Emily came to realize that most female athletes never get exposed to strength training until much later in their athletic careers compared to their male counterparts. She realized most females strayed away from the weight room due to intimidation of a predominately male environment as well as fearing that lifting will get them too “big” (a misconception that has been around for WAY too long). Emily developed the idea of Relentless Athletics as a means to educate female athletes, parents and coaches on the necessity of strength training and sports nutrition education to optimize sports performance and reduce injury risks in the female athlete population. Emily is also an Adjunct at Temple University, instructing a course on the current research behind female athlete development. Additionally, Emily works as a consultant in developing health education curriculums at the high school level. Visit https://www.relentlessathleticsllc.com/
CJ Appenzeller is the head strength coach and owner at Appenzeller Training Systems in West Berlin, New Jersey, The Blue-Collar strength and speed facility for athletes to transform their mindset and athletic performance. He specializes in baseball and softball training for youth, high school, college and pro athletes. Links: Follow: @atsstrength https://www.youtube.com/user/appenzellertraining Follow us on TIKTOK! https://www.tiktok.com/@phitnessphiladelphia
Jim Rutter has competed in weightlifting since 2000 and coached since 2010, achieving the rank of International Coach for USA Weightlifting. He owns and serves as head coach for Philadelphia Barbell Club, which has produced over 20 National or International medalists since 2017. Links: Jim Rutter on Instagram https://www.thesportissteroids.com/ https://www.instagram.com/philadelphiabarbellclub
Nick is the founder of Effort Rx to best serve others as they work towards the healthiest, happiest version of themselves. While some people may be focused on athletic performance, others may be driven to follow a path of general good health. Whatever the goal, Nick believes progress is ultimately the result of quality effort. The mission of Effort Rx is to help with that journey, making the process efficient and sustainable. His formal education, including a bachelor's in exercise science and a doctorate in physiotherapy, enables him to apply current scientific principles to improve health and performance. Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bracciante-pt-4938b2134/ Visit: https://www.effortrx.com/
Mark grew up with an “out of the box mentality”, a passion for entrepreneurship at a very young age, and a huge desire to help others. Since the age of 12 Mark has had a background in sponsored skateboarding, extreme sports, competitive running, later years molding into the world of Calisthenics, Obstacle Racing and Ninja Warrior. After college Mark was driven to start a business and fueled by the passion in the fitness industry with a vision to create a place that he always dreamed of training in. After years of determination and pure grit to prove a concept that had never been tried, tested or proven iCORE Fitness was born. The end result is a lifestyle brand of the best and most unique fitness trainers and enthusiasts that use calisthenics, movement, and camaraderie to create a driven, all-encompassing atmosphere unmatched in the industry of fitness. Mark has since expanded the growth in the niche industry of Ninja Warrior and Calisthenics training and is on the board of directors for the National Ninja League (a nationwide competition hosted in facilities around the country) as well as the start of the National Bar League (a series of calisthenic freestyle competitions). Visit: https://icore.ninja/
Wylie Belasik is the owner of Subversus Fitness has been the home of inclusive strength training and culture building and offers instruction in weightlifting, gymnastics, nutrition and CrossFit classes through group training. He is also the Founder of Philly-based non-profit, UliftU, which trains incarcerated and returned citizens for careers as fitness coaches. Connect with Wylie https://subversusfitness.com/ Follow @blamewylie
Dana Watson is a Nutrition Coach, Owner and Founder of ThreeSixty Nutrition. It is an online, 1:1 coaching program committed to helping beginners to the avid gym-goers quit the on-and-off diets and transition to a lifestyle of healthier choices. Follow Dana https://www.threesixtynutrition.com/ https://www.instagram.com/threesixty_nutrition/
Rob Robena is an Experienced Human Performance Director with a demonstrated history of working with baseball players from the youth ages to professional players. He is skilled in shoulder assessments, coaching, fitness training, athletics, and program design. Also an adjunct professor in undergraduate Exercise Science and DPT students in strength and conditioning. There are over 60 MLB and MILB players that train with Rob and his team in the baseball offseason. Links: https://ascentathlete.com/ Connect with Rob