WIFA Waves

On episode 44 of WIFA Waves, WIFA COO, Jennifer Halsall, sits down with Nikki Williams, Jen Anderson and Nina Israel, three of the most recent WIFA Speaker's Academy graduates, and their mentor Lori Patterson. They share their experience and takeaways from the program, the accomplishments they are most proud of, their goals as speakers and how they plan to accomplish them.

The next WIFA Speaker's Academy cohort begins February 7. There's still time to register! Learn more and register here.

To learn more about these speakers and watch their work, check out WIFA Vox - the collective voice of WIFA.

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 44 of WIFA Waves, WIFA COO, Jennifer Halsall, sits down with Emma Marie Broome, Meg Hopkins and Tahnee Donkin, three of the most recent WIFA Writer's Academy graduates, and their mentor Lisa Greenbaum. They share their experience and takeaways from the program, the accomplishments they are most proud of, their goals as writers and how they plan to accomplish them.

The next WIFA Writer's Academy cohort begins February 7. There's still time to register! Learn more and register here.

To learn more about these writers and read their work, check out WIFA Vox - the collective voice of WIFA.

Full transcript Available upon request.



Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 43 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and special guest co-host, Maike Kumstel, talk all things purpose and the WIFA L.E.A.D. program!

What is L.E.A.D. you ask? Is stands for Leadership through Elevation, Awareness and Discovery. Jennifer and Maike are joined by WIFA L.E.A.D. coaches, Ashley Carter and Michelle Leachman, and together they share their experiences and everything you need to know about L.E.A.D.

Listen to the full episode for all this and more!

Are you ready to take the next step in your personal development? The L.E.A.D. Program is a 13-week, intensely supported, personal deep dive into: who we are, why we're here and how we can make the biggest impact possible. 

BONUS: Accredited by ACE, NASM, AFAA, & Canfitpro!⁠

Learn more here!

Keep up with the WIFA L.E.A.D. coaches!

Ashley Carter

Instagram: @think.eat.be_well

LinkedIn

Maike Kumstel

Instagram: @MaikeKu

LinkedIn

Michelle Leachman

Instagram: @Michelle_Dish

LinkedIn

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 42 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and Morgan talk all things Curves with Krishea Holloway and Amanda Merriam.

Krishea is the president of Curves North America and Oceania. She has worked her way from being a multi-unit Curves franchise owner to the top of the organization through dynamic roles of increasing responsibility. As an active Curves member and former franchisee, Krishea continuously strives to innovate products and programs for engagement and success of women in the Curves community.

Amanda is the Vice President of Curves. She joined Curves in 2013 as the Global Director of Training, and has a demonstrated track record of effectively creating and implementing a variety of critical programs, and developing processes and best practices.

In 2022, Curves turns 30! Krishea and Amanda talk about Curves' barrier breaking history and mission to strengthen women. They also talk about how Curves has evolved, their strategic partnership with WIFA and the exciting growth on the horizon!

Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

Keep up with Curves!

Instagram: @CurvesOfficial

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 41 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and Morgan talk with WIFA Global Ambassador and L.E.A.D. alum, Rachel Young. As the Director of Business Development for Myzone (EMEA), Rachel Young has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, an industry she is very passionate about and committed to.

Rachel Young shares how she discovered her "Why" of getting people moving, her WIFA story and journey to becoming a WIFA Global Ambassador, and how she launched her website, Are You Supercharged. Listen to the full episode for some serious "why"speration! 

Keep up with Rachel Young! ↓

LinkedIn: Rachel Young

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @AreYouSupercharged

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 40 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and Morgan talk with Suzelle Snowden, founder of Fit Bodies, Inc., the largest teaching vacation organization in the world! Fit Bodies, Inc. blends the vacation aspirations of exercise professionals with the wellness needs of a luxury resort. Suzelle’s passion is to share fitness with others by coordinating partnerships and creating vacation opportunities for skilled fitness, wellness and sports professionals. With over 35 years in the fitness industry Suzelle is ACE CPT and GFI with numerous other certifications including Spinning®, Yoga Alliance E-RYT-200, and Strong by Zumba. When Suzelle is not traveling, she is the director for the Cincinnati Galloway Marathon Program where she continues to inspire others to make the seemingly impossible become very possible.  

Suzelle shares her journey to turning her passion for fitness into a business, as well as information on some amazing travel opportunities for fitness instructors - you'll want to hear this!

Keep up with Suzelle↓

LinkedIn: Suzelle Snowden

Instagram: @Suzelle_fitbodiesinc & @fitbodiesinc

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 39 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and Morgan sit down with Jennifer Blackburn. Jennifer is a dynamic group fitness instructor, cycling coach and personal trainer. She holds multiple certifications including Schwinn, Stages, TRX, Bosu, NASM, ACE, AFAA & AAAI/ISMA. She is an ambassador for Lululemon, LifeFuels, Vital Performance and Girls Up. 

You may have also seen her in television appearances including NBC4, Discovery Health, Good Day Live, Great Day Washington & Comcast Sports. Jennifer has written several articles for the Washington Post, Women's Health, Self Magazine, Byrdie, Parade & was named one of DC's Top Trainers in Washingtonian Magazine. With more than 20 years of experience, specializing in educating and motivating class participants & celebrity clients to achieve extraordinary results. Jennifer currently resides in Maryland with her husband & 5 children and grandson Jace!

Jennifer talks about the moment she decided to make the switch to stop chasing other people’s goals, and started putting her own goals first. She also shares her experience becoming a virtual fitness professional during the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown, and what she learned as a result. We think this is definitely a message that fitness professionals need to hear! Listen to the full episode for all this and more!

Keep up with Jennifer ↓

LinkedIn: Jennifer Blackburn

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: blackburn_jenn

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On episode 38 of WIFA Waves, Lindsey and Morgan interview powerhouse and WIFA Global Ambassador, Katrina Pilkington. 

Katrina is a global wellness educator bridging gaps with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through coaching as an adaptable champion of change. Her goal is to lead her community by example and relatability to shift the culture in wellness to be one of belonging and accessible means. She uses experience coaching and mentoring to lead her community by example and use relatability to shift the culture in wellness to be one of belonging and accessible means for those who are the most underrepresented and marginalized. Katrina has a passion for working with others to find their deep meaning to take care of themselves inside and out to the best of their ability using the means they have access to.

They discuss her career highlights, the DEI work she's doing with Barry's Boot Camp and the shift she hopes to see in the fitness industry. 

Listen to the full episode for all this and more!

Keep up with Katrina here! ↓

Instagram: FittyKat_

Linked in: Katrina Pilkington

Full transcript Available upon request.

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!

On Episode 37 of WIFA Waves, Jennifer and Lindsey interview Lisa Druxman. Lisa is the founder of FIT4MOM and the author of the Empowered Mama. She has worked for nearly three decades in the fitness industry focusing on women’s wellness. She has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America and more. Lisa is a speaker, writer and thought leader with a passion for teaching entrepreneurship and self care.

Lisa shares the story behind Fit 4 Mom and how they are empowering mothers to become successful business owners. 

Want to learn more about how you can be a Fit4Mom Franchisee? Check out fit4momfranchise.com

Listen to the full episode for all this and more! 

Full transcript available upon request.

Episode 36 of WIFA Waves is an extra special one! Lindsey and Jennifer chat with the WIFA Speaker's Academy scholars, as well as the program mentor, Lori Patterson. The women share their takeaways from the academy, their goals as speakers, what they are most proud of and how they will use the tools from the program to share their greatness with the world.

Listen to the full episode for all this and more! 

Registration for the next round of WIFA Speaker's Academy is now open! Learn more and register today! 

More about the scholars ↓

Tahnee Donkin

Tahnee is the Challenges Manager for Fitness And Lifestyle Group, leading fitness challenges across Fitness First Australia, Goodlife Health Clubs, Zap Fitness and Jetts NZ. Based in Brisbane, Australia, she also coordinates FLG’s fitness education program, providing professional development opportunities for fitness professionals. Previously, Tahnee was the National Personal Training Manager for Fitness First Australia, supporting 900+ Fitness Professionals across 61 clubs. With over 13 years in the fitness industry, Tahnee began her career as a Franchised PT at Fitness First in Melbourne before progressing to a PT Manager role across multiple clubs. She spent 5+ years at Goodlife Health Clubs as Regional Fitness Director in Queensland before relocating again to Sydney to take on the National PT Manager role with Fitness First Australia. As well as being a fitness presenter and content writer, Tahnee is an aerialist who spends her spare time travelling to beautiful destinations.

Lindsey Heiserman

Lindsey is a dynamic speaker, life and business coach and personal trainer. She has over 15 years experience working with humans on their mental, emotional and physical health. Her passion is helping you to create the life you actually want and to be your partner in building it. She completed her undergraduate degree at Truman State University with a focus in exercise physiology and her Master's in Psychotherapy and Career Coaching from Adler Graduate School. She also holds a Professional Life Coaching certification. When not working with clients or speaking, you can find her training for obstacle course racing, adventuring and traveling around the country, drinking coffee, and loving the cold Minnesota winters.

Kelly Lepley

Kelly brings confidence and courage to individuals and teams so that they can lead with intention! Kelly is enthusiastic about helping others fully engage in what drives them. She helps clients make decisions more effectively, increase productivity, accelerate innovation and execute strategy to advance both personally and professionally. As an Executive and Business Coach, Kelly specializes in Energy Leadership and Core Energy Coaching. She partners with high-functioning professionals and business owners to effectively navigate professional development pursuits, leadership transition, and operational planning in their business or organization. Additionally, she supports operational strategy and scalability for service-based businesses primarily in the health and wellness industry, founded on 17yrs experience in fitness operations. With 10 years of Executive leadership experience in a large corporate non-profit, Kelly is driven by a desire to align vision and accountability to help leaders transform culture and achieve sustainable results.

Carolina Paredes

Carolina is originally from Guayaquil, Equador, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. She has been in the Fitness/Health industry for 6 years. She is passionate about getting people physically active, connecting them with their bodies, and helping them discover how amazing they are. She wants to help educate women and men about what good health and well-being really are and combat misinformation. She is always studying and training, because she loves it and loves being up-to-date with the new discoveries and better ways of doing things.

Jess Brock-Pitts

Jess Brock Pitts is the founder and owner of Enlighten Well LLC, a virtual boutique fitness and wellness studio. She is an LCSW, with a background in alcohol and drug counseling, a mom, a powerlifter, and a gym class drop-out turned certified personal trainer & group fitness instructor.

She began a fitness journey for weight loss and gradually discovered that it went way deeper than that. After finishing a triathlon (with little prior experience in any of the events), giving birth, and dealing with the body changes that come with childbirth and motherhood, she found she had to shift gears. She discovered intuitive eating, and started moving in ways that felt fulfilling and enjoyable, rather than punishing exercise meant only to shrink her body.

She loves the feeling of accomplishment that came with a challenge. In her personal training and fitness programming, she emphasizes body positivity, exercising for health and enjoyment, and empowering other women who are fed up the with dieting and fitness fads.

Jess is an ACE CPT & GFI, certified Girls Gone Strong Level 1 Coach, and holds several group exercise certifications, including Spinning and Boxing & Barbells. When she isn’t picking up heavy things and putting them back down, she loves hiking with her family.

Rachel Windley

Rachel became certified to teach Zumba classes in 2018. She started working at Weber State University in Ogden Utah. She was awarded Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2018. Weber State then offered her a scholarship to take the American Council on Exercise course and test to get her general Group Fitness Certification. She has taught, Cardio and Strength, Zumba, Cardio Dance, Step, and Hip-Hop kickboxing. Rachel specializes in fitness in every size, body acceptance and intuitive movement. In 2021 Rachel became a certified life coach and now works with her clients to gain body image resilience. 

Rachel lives with her new husband Kyle and dog Boo, together they enjoy hiking in the mountains and traveling the world.

Lori Patterson (Speaker’s Academy Mentor)

Lori Patterson is the CEO of VicteliB and the creator of Boot Camp Challenge® (BCC). Lori launched BCC in October 2001 with just 1 trainer. Now the BCC family has grown to over 250 BCC licensees and trainers and the program is being launched in 21 states, woot!

Lori is a Master Trainer/Specialist for AFAA and an ACE faculty member and holds additional certifications with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Wellcoaches. Lori is also a National presenter at conferences such as Club Industry, the SCW Mania’s and DCAC.  Lori has shown her commitment to the fitness industry by training over 300 troops and cadre while serving in the U.S. Army, sharing her knowledge as a fitness expert with such media outlets as Fox 2 News and Livestrong, and creating the Boot Camp Challenge® app! Hoo-Aah!

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to WIFA Waves on Spotify and Apple Music!