What does it mean to truly trailblaze in fitness? For Ruben Pereyra, it means breaking barriers, building community, and creating inclusive programs that bring movement to every stage of life. In this episode, the 2024 IDEA World Trailblazer of the Year shares how he’s changing the way we serve aging populations—and why fitness is about heart as much as health.

With 17+ years in the fitness industry, Ruben Pereyra is leading a movement—literally and figuratively. From designing fitness programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to empowering Gen Z pros to work with active agers, Ruben has made it his mission to inspire, educate, and innovate. In this energizing and emotional episode, Ruben shares his personal story, his philosophy of “move, touch, inspire,” and the creative approach behind his business, Functionally EVOlved. You'll also get a preview of his sessions at IDEA World 2025—and why he says IDEA saved his life.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

✅ How Ruben built a fitness career rooted in creativity, inclusivity, and impact

✅ Why active aging is one of the most important—and underserved—spaces in fitness

✅ The truth about programming for memory care, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s populations

✅ How Gen Z fit pros can grow faster by learning from older adults

✅ Why IDEA World 2025 is more than a conference—it’s a game changer

✅ How to develop your own signature programs for special populations

Sign up for Ruben’s sessions live at IDEA World 2025—register now at https://www.ideafit.com/world/

Download the Brochure

Get in touch with Ruben:

• Instagram: @FunctionallyEvolved
• Facebook: FunctionallyEvolved
• Website: www.functionallyevolved.com

Connect with IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

• FB: @ideafit
• IG: @ideafit
• LI: @ideafit
• X/TW: @ideafit   
• Threads: @ideafit
• YouTube: @ideafit
• TikTok: @ideafit

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Rominna Rufin; 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 43 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 2025 by IDEAfit, Inc.. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.