Elevate Yourself

Terri West is an ISSA Certified Elite Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor, and Nutrition Coach in Los Angeles with several years' experience developing results-oriented workout and nutrition programs.

Having served as the Assistant Director of Recreation & Operations in the Sports, Recreation & Wellness department at Mount Saint Mary's University, she is constantly broadening her knowledge of the ever-changing world of health and fitness through continued education programs, as well as real world application.

A UCLA lecturer in Sports Management, Terri is a true fitness enthusiast who walks the walk, in addition to talking the talk! Terri combines old-school techniques and innovative methodology to create an extremely well-balanced training philosophy. Her approach incorporates periodized training, resistance, plyometrics and cardiovascular activity to ensure that her clients reach their goals. Her commitment to her clients' fitness and life ambitions make training with Terri a fun, safe and refreshing experience.

Having worked in the media for more than a decade, Terri is a published fitness writer, former producer for ABC Radio Networks/ABC News, and KCRW radio announcer. Her articles on fitness as well as guest speaking events are highly respected amongst her peers in and around Southern California. Terri has also been featured in television commercials that featured her “Success Story” clients.

Terri believes that healthy causes yield lifelong effects.

Terri & Rob Discuss:

-Why passion is her stimulus and how her Grandmother's story inspires her to this day.

-Why you should TURN OFF YOUR PHONE to quiet your mind.

-The importance of focusing on positive possibilities to start the day.

-How to tone your arms at home with minimal weights.

-Why Cardio is important for long-term health.

-“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Dawn Suskin, CCAM, PCAM is a General Manager for First Service Residential and is the Executive Director for the homeowner’s association of Playa Vista Parks and Landscape (PVPAL) and has held numerous roles in the Playa Vista, CA community for the past 20 years. She received degrees in Hospitality Management from CSU Bakersfield and San Francisco State University.

Dawn & Rob Discuss:

-Her childhood in Oxnard and how she became a competitive swimmer.

-Lessons learned as one of the first collegiate female athletes on a scholarship.

-How a sociology professor discovered her learning disability and how the discovery empowered her future learning.

-Different types of leadership styles: what works and what doesn't.

-How being micromanaged taught her confidence

-How Covid brought out empathy in leadership.

-The steps she took to ensure her team was taken care of during the pandemic.

-Why a good leader should be able to "fix the bathroom sink"

-How she helps employees find what they were meant to do

-Her favorite Quotes from the Dalai Lama on "optimism..." and Einstein on “success…”

Jessica Garay is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University. Jessica has a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Cornell University, a Masters degree in Exercise Science from George Washington University, and a PhD in Science Education from Syracuse University. She has been a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for over 15 years, and maintains a private practice, Major League Wellness. Her main professional interests are in sports nutrition, women's health, and weight management.

Check out Major League Wellness @ www.Majorleaguewellness.com

Follow her on Instagram & Twitter @cuserd

Jessica and Rob Discuss:

-Her background, education and training.

-Her current research

-Components of metabolism

-Metabolic Syndrome

-Metabolic Flexibility

-How she balances work, research and her family

-Her company Major League Wellness https://majorleaguewellness.com/

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Christa Giasson moved to Colorado Springs, CO from Omaha, NE over 6 years ago to follow her passion for the outdoors and fitness. After deciding she was ready for a radical change over 10 years ago, Christa lost over 130 lbs through diligent diet and exercise. Through her experience, she developed a passion for meeting people where they are in their journey, and helping them dig deeper into their why.

Today, Christa is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise, TRX Qualified, and working currently on her Precision Nutrition 1 Certification. She loves group fitness, TRX, kettlebells, and HIIT.

Christa believes fitness needs to be fun and lives for theme days, and high quality playlists to match. She believes a strong community makes all the difference in how successful people are on their wellness journey and loves being a big part of creating a warm welcoming, inclusive environment!

Christa and Rob Discuss:

-Her 130lb weight loss journey!

-Why you have to say, "RIP" to your former self to become the new you.

-How she motivates her team at Elevation Health.

-"Be stubborn about your goals, and flexible about your methods"

Justin Verlinden is a Cognitive Neuroscience PhD Student in the Psychology Department at the University of Kentucky. His mentor is Dr. Jessica Weafer, whose research focuses on identifying neurobiological factors underlying sex differences in risk for alcohol and drug abuse. Justin’s area of focus is on the relationship between sleeping and drinking behaviors, particularly amongst heavy drinkers. Justin is also an avid runner and health nut, although he admittedly has weaknesses for pizza and beer. You can follow his research, learn more about neuroscience, and read his bad jokes by following him on Twitter @NeurdTalk and Instagram @_veezy13

Justin & Rob Discuss:

-Clinical Vs. Population Stress

-His Research

-The Sympathetic Nervous System

-The “Good” of Acute Stress

-The “Bad” of Chronic Stress

-How stress impacts sleep

-How exercise can help with stress

Lorin Harik is the Food for Life Program Manager. You can check out the Food For Life 21 Day Kickstart mobile app (free! 21 days of recipes, grocery lists and nutrition and cooking tips; available in English & Spanish) She holds a M.S. in Health and Exercise Science with a Specialization in Nutrition.

Lorin and Rob Discuss

-How she got involved with Food For Life and the work they do.

-Diet Quality and why it matters

-Easy ways to Elevate Diet Quality

-Challenges see she sees with clients

-Her daily routine and how she stays grounded

-A great quote - “Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you..I loved you so- ’twas Heaven here with you.”– Isla Paschal Richardson

Sara Lynn Baker, MS, CSCS is the Director of Training and Education for Elevation Corporate Health and has worked in the fitness industry for nineteen years. Sara earned her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from Oregon State University and her Masters of Science from High Point University. Her passions include nutrition, pre- and post-natal fitness and healthy living for families. Sara’s expertise is in education for both fitness professionals and the general population. She teaches group exercise, trains private clients, speaks to corporations on various health topics and is an exam committee member with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Sara lives in Colorado and enjoys reading, cooking and coaching her kids' soccer teams.

Sara and Rob Discuss:

-What is VO2Max and how is it measured?

-How a person can improve VO2Max - Aerobic vs. Anaerobic training

-Why VO2Max Matters

Annie Koempel is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is a program manager and occasional lecturer in the department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at theUniversity of Kentucky (UK), where she works with communities throughout Kentucky to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. She is also a PhD candidate in UK’s anthropology department. Her dissertation research explores disordered eating, metabolic health, and the food culture and environment in eastern Kentucky.

Annie and Rob Discuss:

- Annie’s PhD and work with the Kentucky Superfund

-Intuitive Eating Principles (what they are and how they can help)

-The struggles of New Year's Resolutions

-How kindness can help you reach your goals

-Questions for Annie? Email her [email protected]

-Learn more about intuitive eating at www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles…itive-eating/

Annie Koempel is a Registered Dietitianand Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is a program manager and occasional lecturer in the department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at theUniversity of Kentucky (UK), where she works with communities throughout Kentucky to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. She is also a PhD candidate in UK’s anthropology department. Her dissertation research explores disordered eating, metabolic health, and the food culture and environment in eastern Kentucky.

Annie and Rob Discuss:

- Annie’s PhD and work with the Kentucky Superfund

-Intuitive Eating Principles (what they are and how they can help)

-The struggles of New Year's Resolutions

-How kindness can help you reach your goals

-Questions for Annie? Email her [email protected]

-Learn more about intuitive eating at https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/

Jessica Griffith is a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and mental health nutrition with a focus in eating disorders. Currently, she is a dietitian for Sierra Tucson Treatment Center’s secondary eating disorder program and red white and blue program, a dedicated group for military members and first responders. Jessica also operates a virtual private practice and is a member of My Sports Dietitian, an organization that caters to all athletes from elite to recreational. Jessica is a graduate from the University of Delaware with a B.S in dietetics and a minor in dance and a graduate from Bowling Green State University’s dietetic internship. She has been working in the health and nutrition field for over 6 years and has experience in multiple areas of nutrition. Jessica has served as a sports dietitian for EXOS human performance company, an eating disorder dietitian for a primary eating disorder facility, a clinical dietitian for a level one psychiatric hospital and a community dietitian for the WIC program. Jessica believes food is fuel and so much more. She is passionate about challenging diet culture and helping her clients create a healthy relationship with food and their body.

Jess and Rob Discuss:

-Where she works and who she helps

-The difference between disordered eating and eating disorders

-How to be the person you needed when you were younger

-Tips for navigating Holiday stress

-How to have compassion for your body image

-Her non-morning, morning routine

-Love of fried chicken

-You can follow Jess on Instagram @jessgriffith.rd