IDEAfit Pro Show

IDEAfit Pro Show — Season 8, Episode 1

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show kicks off with a powerful new series—Meet the Authors—spotlighting the voices behind the book Inspire the World to Fitness.

Host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Ellen De Werd, 2026 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year, global educator, program creator, and founder of the Warrior Instructor Academy.

In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Ellen shares her journey from struggle and self-doubt to purpose-driven leadership. From overcoming an eating disorder to discovering the life-changing power of group fitness, Ellen reflects on how movement, community, and mentorship helped her rebuild her life—and ultimately shape a global fitness brand.

Her chapter, From Mantra to Manifestation to Metamorphosis, explores how ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary impact through belief, action, and authenticity.

This episode is a powerful reminder that fitness is more than physical transformation—it’s about connection, purpose, and the courage to step into who you’re meant to become.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• How Ellen’s early struggles shaped her purpose and career in fitness

• Why group fitness can be a powerful tool for both mental and physical healing

• How to grow from instructor to leader, presenter, and program creator

• The importance of mentorship, community, and continuous education

• Why authenticity attracts connection—and builds strong culture

• How to lead even when you feel fear and self-doubt

• The power of creating inclusive, supportive fitness communities

• Why “ordinary people” are capable of extraordinary impact

Featured Guest

Ellen De Werd

2026 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year

Founder & CEO, Warrior Instructor Academy

Global Educator, Presenter & Program Creator

Ellen leads a global network of 800+ instructors across 14 countries and has developed multiple group fitness formats designed to build connection, confidence, and community.

Key Takeaways from Ellen’s Chapter

Mantra → Manifestation → Make It Happen

Ellen’s framework for transformation includes:

• Mantra: Create a belief statement (e.g., “Why not me?”)

• Manifestation: Visualize your success in vivid detail

• Make It Happen: Take consistent, courageous action

This process becomes the foundation for true metamorphosis—evolving into the person you’re meant to be.

About the Book: Inspire the World to Fitness

This season of the IDEAfit Pro Show is designed to be experienced alongside the book.

Inspire the World to Fitness brings together industry leaders who share real stories, lessons, and strategies to help fitness professionals grow their careers, expand their impact, and lead with purpose.

Each chapter offers actionable insights and inspiration to help you:

• Build confidence and leadership skills

• Navigate challenges and career growth

• Create meaningful impact in your community

• Turn passion into purpose

What’s Ahead in Season 8

Throughout Season 8, the IDEAfit Pro Show will continue highlighting the authors of Inspire the World to Fitness, diving deeper into their stories, lessons, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness.

Subscribe and follow along as we connect you to the people and perspectives driving the industry forward.

Explore the Book

Learn more about Inspire the World to Fitness and connect with the IDEA community:

https://www.ideafit.com/inspire-the-world-to-fitness/

Credits

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson, executive produced by Kent Lejarso, and engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for more than 44 years. Through the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal, global events, and hundreds of digital courses on ideafit.com, IDEA delivers world-class education to fitness professionals, business owners, and allied health professionals.

For more information:

www.ideafit.com

[email protected]

The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved.

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show begins with a special kickoff episode introducing the new Meet the Authors series, built around IDEA’s book, Inspire the World to Fitness.

Host Amy Boone Thompson, CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, shares the purpose behind this season: connecting listeners to the stories, lessons, and leaders featured in the book.

This season highlights fitness professionals who have shaped the industry, overcome challenges, found purpose in movement, and used IDEA as a platform for growth, leadership, and community.

Inspire the World to Fitness is more than a book—it is a relay. Each author passes forward wisdom, perspective, and a call to action, inviting listeners and readers to reflect on their own purpose and impact.

• Why Season 8 is centered around Inspire the World to Fitness

• How IDEA’s 40+ year legacy grew from education into a global fitness community

• Why this season focuses on connection, purpose, leadership, and action

• How each author’s story reflects a different path through the fitness industry

• Why the book is meant to activate—not just inspire—fitness professionals

• How listeners can apply each author’s call to action in their own careers

• Why the baton is now being passed to the next generation of leaders

Inspire the World to Fitness features leaders who have helped shape the fitness industry and continue to change lives every day.

Through personal stories, professional lessons, and practical calls to action, the book invites fitness professionals to reflect on:

• Their purpose

• The communities they serve

• The impact they want to create

• The legacy they hope to leave

The book is available through IDEA and on Amazon, where it is an Amazon bestseller in two categories.

Throughout Season 8, the IDEAfit Pro Show will spotlight the authors of Inspire the World to Fitness, bringing their stories to life beyond the page.

Each episode will explore the author’s journey, lessons learned, and call to action for fitness professionals ready to grow, lead, and inspire.

As you listen and read along, ask yourself:

• What is my purpose?

• Who am I here to serve?

• What impact do I want to create?

• What one action can I take today to move forward?

This movement grows through all of us—together.

Learn more about Inspire the World to Fitness and connect with the IDEA community:

https://www.inspiretheworldtofitness.com

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson.

The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.

On this special bonus episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Dr. Judi Brown Clarke—Olympian, educator, national leader, and the 2026 IDEA Jack & Elaine LaLanne Award recipient.

A silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympic Games, Dr. Brown Clarke has built a remarkable career beyond sport. She currently serves as Vice President of Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer at Stony Brook University, while also playing a key leadership role with the National Fitness Foundation.

In this conversation, Dr. Brown Clarke shares her journey from elite athlete to national changemaker, exploring how education, policy, and wellness intersect to create meaningful impact. She discusses health equity, access to fitness, and the importance of building inclusive systems that support communities at every level.

This episode is a powerful reflection on leadership, purpose, and using your platform to create lasting change.

• How Dr. Brown Clarke transitioned from Olympic athlete to national leader in health equity

• Why education, policy, and wellness must work together to drive change

• The role of equity and access in improving community health outcomes

• How the National Fitness Foundation supports underserved populations

• Why fitness should focus on inclusion, not just performance

• How small, community-based solutions can create large-scale impact

• The importance of mentorship, leadership, and serving on boards

• Why “fitness is empowerment” and key to lifelong well-being

Dr. Judy Brown Clarke

1984 Olympic Silver Medalist (400m hurdles)

Vice President of Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer, Stony Brook University

Leader, National Fitness Foundation

Chair, U.S. Anti-Doping (All Sport)

2026 IDEA Jack & Elaine LaLanne Award Recipient

This prestigious award honors individuals who use their platform to inspire, educate, and create meaningful impact through fitness and wellness. Dr. Brown Clarke’s work exemplifies leadership, advocacy, and a lifelong commitment to improving lives.

The National Fitness Foundation works alongside government, communities, and organizations to improve health outcomes—especially for youth and underserved populations.

Key focus areas include:

• Expanding access to physical activity

• Improving health equity

• Supporting community-based wellness initiatives

• Developing scalable, data-driven solutions

Fitness professionals are encouraged to get involved by sharing best practices and contributing to community-driven initiatives.

• Daily Habit: Stretching every morning and night

• Book: Getting There and Staying There by Priscilla Douglas

• Fitness Means: Empowerment

• Personal Mission: Catalytic leadership and creating meaningful impact

April 2026 | National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

• Campus recreation professionals

• Fitness and wellness leaders

• Students and emerging professionals

• Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

• Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, immersive education, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates transformative experiences for professionals at every stage.

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show highlights 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, exploring their journeys, expertise, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and community health.

Subscribe and stay connected as we build toward the 2026 event.

Program:

https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers:

https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities:

https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops:

https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson, executive produced by Kent Lejarso, and engineered by Michael Hilding.

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for more than 44 years. Through the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal, global conferences including IDEA WORLD, and hundreds of digital courses on ideafit.com, IDEA delivers world-class education to fitness professionals, business owners, and allied health professionals.

For more information:

www.ideafit.com

[email protected]

The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved.

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Greg Johnson, the 2025 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, owner and head trainer of VeraMax Fitness Personal Training Studio and the FitGolf Performance Center in Sacramento, California.

With more than 20 years in the fitness industry and more than a decade as a successful studio owner, Greg has built a reputation for practical coaching, thoughtful programming, and high-level athletic performance training. From golf fitness and rotational athletes to fat loss coaching, active aging, and youth development, Greg brings a grounded, experience-based approach to helping clients move better, perform better, and build sustainable strength.

In this conversation, Greg shares how an originally unintended career in personal training evolved into business ownership, presenting, and industry leadership. He also discusses the value of physical therapy experience for trainers, why building a referral network matters, how data improves coaching decisions, and why the best programming often comes back to the basics.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Greg’s path from kinesiology graduate to studio owner developed through unexpected opportunities

Why a physical therapy background can strengthen a personal trainer’s skill set

How referral relationships with golf pros, physical therapists, and allied professionals help grow a business

Why personal training remains such a powerful and personalized coaching model

How Greg uses data and assessment tools to guide programming for fat loss, performance, and active aging

Why trainers need to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss

How to approach training for rotational athletes like golfers, tennis players, baseball players, and pickleball players

Why the best programs are often rooted in foundational strength and conditioning—not flashy social media exercises

Why aspiring presenters should apply before they feel fully ready

Featured Guest

Greg Johnson

2025 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year

Owner & Head Trainer, VeraMax Fitness Personal Training Studio

Owner, FitGolf Performance Center

Greg specializes in personal training, golf fitness, rotational athlete development, active aging, fat loss coaching, and practical strength programming. He is also an international presenter and educator committed to helping fitness professionals grow their coaching skills and confidence.

Greg at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Back to Basics: Uncomplicating Your Programming

A workshop focused on foundational strength and conditioning principles, progressive overload, periodization, and why simple, effective programming still drives the best long-term results.

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

A lecture exploring the important differences between weight loss and fat loss, how to program appropriately for each goal, and what trainers need to understand about evolving topics like GLP-1 medications and muscle preservation.

Training Rotational Athletes

A lecture on how to coach golfers, tennis players, pickleball players, baseball players, and other rotational athletes by developing strength, preventing injury, and collaborating effectively with sport-specific coaches.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show continues spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, diving into their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Episode Title: Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Dane Robinson, one of IDEA’s top-rated presenters and a dynamic leader in the fitness industry. A former professional athlete turned coach, presenter, host, and keynote speaker, Dane is known for helping fitness professionals transform workouts into immersive, high-energy experiences that captivate, inspire, and keep participants coming back.

From personal training and group fitness to national television, brand partnerships, hosting, and keynote speaking, Dane has built a career that proves the skills developed in fitness can open doors far beyond the gym floor. In this conversation, Dane shares how he went from mopping floors at Bally Total Fitness and building a career in corporate fitness to betting on himself, creating his own lane, and becoming a sought-after presenter and on-camera expert.

He also breaks down the coaching mindset that sets great instructors apart, how to create a memorable experience for attendees, and why the same tools used in fitness can translate to public speaking, hosting, leadership, and life.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Dane’s background as a collegiate and professional football player shaped his coaching mindset

Why being told “no” helped fuel his biggest career pivot

How he went from gym-floor coaching to presenting, hosting, and national television

What makes a great presenter memorable beyond just high energy

Why the best sessions deliver both a return on time and a return on energy

How to simplify information so fitness professionals can actually apply it

Why group fitness and hosting share so many transferable skills

How to bring athletic energy, connection, and confidence into every class

Why fitness professionals should bet on themselves—even when the path feels uncertain

Featured Guest

Dane Robinson

Coach, Presenter, Host, and Keynote Speaker

Former Collegiate and Professional Football Player

Dane is known for helping fitness professionals elevate the coaching experience, strengthen their stage presence, and create classes that are both memorable and practical. His work spans group fitness, personal training, emceeing, on-camera coaching, and keynote speaking.

Dane at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Pro Athlete Core Blueprint

A session blending strength, mobility, and control through the lens of athletic training, helping attendees apply athlete-inspired strategies to everyday coaching and movement.

Game-Changing Cardio: Athletic Agility for Real Life

A high-energy session that rethinks cardio through multidirectional athletic movement, agility, and practical conditioning that supports how people actually move in daily life.

From Trust to Transaction: The New Rules for Fitness Sales

A practical session for trainers, instructors, and managers on how to make the ask, guide the sales conversation with confidence, and create client buy-in without the “ick” factor.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show continues spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, diving into their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Brian Richey, an internationally recognized expert in post-rehab and corrective exercise. Brian is an author, educator, personal trainer, and industry leader in medical exercise. He is also the owner and CEO of Fit for Life DC, a medical exercise facility in Washington, D.C., where he helps clients move better, stand taller, and exercise pain-free.

Brian holds a BS in kinesiology and exercise science and is certified as a medical exercise program director, medical exercise specialist, and post-rehab conditioning specialist. He is also a faculty educator for Balanced Body and the author of Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain. In 2023, Brian received the IDEA Korea Fitness Achievement of the Year Award in recognition of his global impact on fitness education.

In this conversation, Brian shares his powerful personal story, how his own transformation led him into fitness, why post-rehab has become his life’s work, and how fitness professionals can better support clients living with pain, orthopedic issues, and chronic conditions.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Brian’s personal health journey and family background led him into fitness

How he found his niche in post-rehab and corrective exercise

Why post-rehab is such a valuable opportunity for fitness professionals

How trainers can better support clients after physical therapy ends

Why communication with doctors, physical therapists, and healthcare providers matters

How Brian built a successful medical exercise business in Washington, D.C.

Why low back pain is so prevalent and how exercise can help reduce pain safely

The role of positioning, movement quality, and proper cueing in corrective exercise

How continuing education can help trainers expand their skills and grow their business

Featured Guest

Brian Richey

Owner & CEO, Fit for Life DC

Faculty Educator, Balanced Body

Author, Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain

2023 IDEA Korea Fitness Achievement of the Year Recipient

Brian specializes in medical exercise, post-rehab conditioning, corrective exercise, low back pain, and helping clients with chronic pain and orthopedic limitations return to functional fitness safely and effectively.

Brian at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Text Neck & Cervical Strain

A session focused on posture, neck tension, headaches, and the growing impact of device use and screen-based habits on the cervical spine.

Knee Pain & the Vastus Medialis

A workshop exploring the role of the vastus medialis in knee tracking, knee health, and strategies to help clients reduce discomfort and improve function.

Osteoporosis: The Silent Syndrome

A new session examining how fitness professionals can safely train clients with osteoporosis, preserve function, and help them stay strong without fear-based movement limitations.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show continues spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, exploring their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

Connect with Brian Richey

Book: Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain

Podcast: Moving Conversations

Email: [email protected]

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Gini Grimsley, Executive Director of Programming for Pain-Free Performance and a leader whose career spans athletics, performance coaching, personal training, group programming, and fitness operations.

A former Division I and professional basketball player, Gini has built a career around helping people perform at a high level—whether they are elite athletes, everyday exercisers, or former athletes navigating the transition from sport into life, work, and long-term wellness. With degrees in exercise science and exercise physiology, and a professional path that has included cardiac rehab, strength and conditioning, club leadership, large-scale studio programming, and education, Gini brings both depth and practicality to everything she teaches.

In this episode, Gini shares her journey from collegiate and professional basketball to commercial fitness leadership, how she helped build scalable studio products across a growing fitness brand, what she is creating now at Pain-Free Performance, and why former athletes represent a powerful—and often overlooked—special population in fitness.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Gini’s background as a Division I and professional basketball player shaped her coaching philosophy

Why fitness truly is for everyone—from elite athletes to cardiac rehab patients

How she transitioned from clinical exercise physiology into personal training and club leadership

What it takes to build scalable studio programming across dozens of fitness locations

How Pain-Free Performance bridges education for coaches with accessible programming for consumers

Why former athletes need support in reconnecting to fitness after sport

How athletic discipline, resilience, and work ethic can transfer into career and life success

Why saying yes to opportunities can shape an entire career

Featured Guest

Gini Grimsley

Executive Director of Programming, Pain-Free Performance

Former Division I and Professional Basketball Player

Gini specializes in workout programming, scalability, performance training, and helping former athletes reimagine their physical potential beyond competitive sport. Her work blends science, practical coaching, and business strategy to create systems that improve performance and prevent injury.

Gini at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Fueling Around Workouts: Performance Calories in Practice

A practical, approachable session on how to fuel for workouts, why under-fueling impacts performance, and how simple strategies can help clients train and recover more effectively.

Why Pulling Matters

A lecture and hands-on session exploring the importance of the pull movement pattern for posture, shoulder health, and balanced programming—and how to better incorporate it into training.

Creating Intentional Variety

A programming-focused session on using intentional progression and smart variation to keep clients engaged, reduce overwhelm, and maintain a continuous training thread without chaos.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show will continue spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, diving into their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

IDEAfit Pro Show — Season 7, Episode 4

Episode Title: The Multi-Dimensional Fit Pro: Mobility, Pilates Integrity & Making Work Fair with Siri Chilazi

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson is joined by Siri Chilazi—nearly 20-year veteran presenter, educator, and group fitness instructor, and the 2023 IDEA Emerging Trailblazer of the Year. Siri is a master trainer for Human Reformer Pilates, Rack the Barre, and Mobility Fitness Academy, and she teaches everything from Pilates and barre to step and HIIT—in person and online.

Beyond fitness, Siri is also a behavioral science researcher at Harvard University, a global speaker on gender equality, and co-author of the 2025 HarperCollins book Make Work Fair. In this conversation, Siri shares her story from dancer and lifelong group fitness “superfan” to instructor and educator, plus her insights on career longevity, cultivating the next generation of instructors, and applying behavioral science to build more equitable workplaces—including within fitness.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Siri’s early love of movement and dance led her into group fitness—and why Step was her first “training ground” format

Why continuing education and nationally accredited certifications matter for long-term career success

How to avoid “pigeonholing” yourself into one format and become a more holistic practitioner

What campus recreation really looks like (it’s not just “for students, by students”) and why the IDEA + NIRSA partnership matters

How behavioral science can improve workplace equity through small, practical changes

Why work-sample tests (like fitness auditions) often outperform interviews for hiring decisions

How transparency reduces bias and can close gaps in leadership reapplications

Conference tips for getting the most out of 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World—sessions, networking, and building real relationships

Featured Guest

Siri Chilazi

Behavioral Science Researcher, Harvard University

2023 IDEA Emerging Trailblazer of the Year

Master Trainer: Human Reformer Pilates, Rack the Barre, Mobility Fitness Academy

Co-author (2025): Make Work Fair (HarperCollins)

Siri at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Sticky No More: Unlocking Shoulder Strength Through Mobility

Wednesday, April 8

A joint-strength and mobility-focused session that reframes how we address shoulder limitations—moving beyond “work around the joint” toward unlocking better movement patterns.

Defying Limits: The Ultimate Workout (with Ruben Pereira-Thickston)

Thursday, April 9 — 7:00 a.m.

A high-energy inclusive workout that can be done fully in a chair or fully on the floor, showing how to coach all abilities and levels at the same time.

Prop Powered Pilates: Elevating the Mat Experience

Thursday, April 9 (afternoon)

A Pilates session that blends creativity with integrity—using props to enhance the mat experience while staying true to Pilates foundations and the six principles.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show will continue spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, diving into their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

IDEAfit Pro Show — Season 7, Episode 3

Episode Title: Building Future Fit Pros & Mastering Small Group Training with Jade Rogers

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Jade Rogers — lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach; certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor; and co-founder of Shore Strength Lab.

Jade blends higher education, hands-on coaching, and real-world business ownership into one dynamic career. As a lecturer, she helps shape future fitness professionals through a highly interactive, science-based kinesiology program. As a studio owner and program director, she has built a thriving small group training model that combines the energy of group exercise with the precision of personal training.

In this episode, Jade shares her journey from student volunteer at IDEA World to longtime presenter, how mentorship shaped her leadership style, and why small group training may be one of the most powerful — and sustainable — models in fitness today.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Jade built a career that bridges academia and studio ownership

• What makes the Cal State Long Beach kinesiology program uniquely hands-on

• How internships and mentorship prepare students for real-world success

• The structure behind Shore Strength Lab’s small group training model

• Why small group training blends accountability, science, and community

• Key traits of effective leadership in fitness

• Why staying coachable is essential at every stage of your career

Featured Guest

Jade Rogers

Lecturer, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Long Beach

Co-Founder & Program Director, Shore Strength Lab

Jade specializes in small group training, mentoring interns, partner programming, and creative bodyweight formats that build connection and results. She continues to teach and train weekly while developing the next generation of fitness professionals.

Jade at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

The Partner Effect

Maximizing results with bodyweight partner training through science-backed progressions and regressions for all populations.

Bodyweight Blast: Partner Intervals

A high-energy, partner-based interval workout designed to spark new ideas and deliver results.

Power Up: Frail to Fantastic (with Dr. Jan Schroeder)

Exploring the science and application of power training for older adults — from frailty to functional strength and confidence.

Small Group Training Success Blueprint

A workshop focused on programming, motivation strategies, financial considerations, and building sustainable small group training models.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This collaboration between IDEA® Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

• Campus recreation professionals

• Fitness and wellness leaders

• Students and emerging professionals

• Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

• Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Season 7 continues spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, exploring their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education through IDEA Fitness Journal, IDEA WORLD Convention, conferences, and digital courses at ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® in more than 80 countries.

For further information:

www.ideafit.com

[email protected]

The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

IDEAfit Pro Show — Season 7, Episode 2

Episode Title: Burnout or Boredom? Future-Proofing Your Fitness Career with Jessica Maurer

Episode Summary

On this episode of Season 7 of the IDEAfit Pro Show, host Amy Boone-Thompson welcomes Jessica Maurer, nationally recognized wellness business consultant, strategist, keynote speaker, and Director of Education for the Mental Well-Being Association.

Jessica has spent more than 20 years helping fitness professionals move from overwhelm to clarity, from burnout to resilience, and from short-term hustle to long-term sustainability. A 2025 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year finalist and longtime IDEA presenter and contributor, Jessica brings both lived experience and science-backed insight to one of the most important conversations in our industry today.

In this episode, Amy and Jessica explore Jessica’s IDEA journey, her evolution from ghostwriter and strategist to industry educator, her upcoming sessions at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo, and a powerful distinction every fit pro needs to understand: the difference between burnout and boredom.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Jessica’s IDEA journey shaped her career and leadership path

How live education and collaboration fuel long-term professional growth

The mission and four science-backed pillars of the Mental Well-Being Association: movement, nutrition, mindfulness, and social connection

Why fitness professionals are on the front lines of mental well-being

The critical difference between burnout and boredom — and why the solutions are opposites

Practical strategies to reignite joy, prevent stagnation, and build a sustainable fitness career

Why the future of fitness is rooted in community, connection, and happiness — not just transformation

Featured Guest

Jessica Maurer

Director of Education, Mental Well-Being Association

Wellness business consultant, strategist, and keynote speaker

Jessica shares her unique career journey, her work advancing mental well-being education for fitness professionals, and her approach to helping fit pros build careers that are both impactful and sustainable. She also previews her three sessions at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo.

Jessica at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

Coach Her to Confidence

Helping women move from insecurity to confidence across every life stage using mental wellness strategies and science-backed coaching tools.

Future-Proof Your Career

How to build longevity, adaptability, and sustainability in your fitness career — without burning out or becoming stagnant.

Five Hidden Retention Gems

Client-retention and marketing strategies that go beyond social media and focus on authentic community integration and long-term relationship building.

About the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo

April 2026

National Harbor, Maryland

This groundbreaking collaboration between IDEA Health & Fitness Association and NIRSA brings together:

Campus recreation professionals

Fitness and wellness leaders

Students and emerging professionals

Commercial fitness brands and suppliers

Corporate and community wellness stakeholders

With 20+ CECs available, dual education programs, immersive expo experiences, and expanded career opportunities, this event creates career-defining moments for professionals at every stage.

What’s Ahead in Season 7

Throughout Season 7, the IDEAfit Pro Show will continue spotlighting 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World presenters, diving into their career journeys, session topics, and the ideas shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and recreation.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected as we unpack everything leading up to the 2026 event.

2026 NIRSA + IDEA World

Registration:

Program: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/sessions-overview/

Mainstage Speakers: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/mainstage-speakers/

Socials & Activities: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/socials-activities/

Pre-Conference Workshops: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2026-idea-world/preconference-workshops/

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Kent Lejarso; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 44 years. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals, business owners and allied health professionals via our publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal. We also power fit pros through our fitness, business and nutrition conferences, most notably our IDEA WORLD Convention and with hundreds of digital courses available on ideafit.com. We Inspire the World to Fitness® with the passion and dedication of IDEA Members in more than 80 countries.

For further information contact:

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

www.ideafit.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. The IDEAfit PRO SHOW is part of the IDEA Podcast Network. A big thanks to our entire team at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Copyright 2026 by IDEAfit, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.