Elisa Edelstein - Coach360

Fitness Industry Intelligence The Career Network for Health, Fitness & Performance

Career Lab LIVE: Marrying Digital Presence and Authentic Relationship Building

The world becomes more digital every day, yet meaningful career growth still happens through human connection. Career Lab LIVE, taking place Friday, August 1st, ahead of TheFitExpo Anaheim, addresses this harmony by bringing together 250 industry professionals for authentic relationship-building and purposeful education. Career Lab LIVE is a preconference. TheFitExpo will take place on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3.

This intimate summit combines movement, learning, and networking, offering seven continuing education credits, featuring industry-leading speakers such as Corey Calliet and Todd Durkin, and a Creator Corner for live content production. The day concludes with Revive, a wellness-focused networking social that encourages deeper professional connections.

Career Lab LIVE: Your Gateway to Industry Connection

Career Lab LIVE offers a curated experience designed for credentialed or aspiring coaches, instructors, personal trainers, group fitness professionals, creators, and fitness operators ready to build sustainable careers. The summit begins with an energizing morning workout led by Lacee Green and Maricris Lapaix, sponsored by Fabletics, and establishes the community-focused tone that extends throughout the entire event.

Attendees gain access to actionable knowledge from industry leaders while earning up to seven CECs approved by ACE, ISSA, NASM, and NCSF. The partnership with ACE as the official education sponsor offers discounted certifications and courses, while Fabletics is the official apparel sponsor, providing stylish swag for all attendees.

The Creator Corner functions as an onsite media hub, offering attendees and sponsors opportunities for live interviews, podcast recordings, and content creation. This unique feature elevates typical conference networking into dynamic content opportunities that expand professional reach and amplify individual voices within the fitness community.

Real Connection, Real Growth: Building Careers Through Community

Join us for several learning sessions throughout the day. Session 11, “Real Connection, Real Growth: Cultivating In-Person Community to Build Fitness Careers in a Digital Age,” tackles the challenge of maintaining authentic relationships in an increasingly digital industry. Moderator Maricris Lapaix, a NASM-certified personal trainer with specializations in corrective exercise, women’s fitness, virtual coaching, and social media influence, guides this essential conversation alongside panelists: Co-owner of Lapaix Hyland Global Business Consulting, Nate Hyland, Co-Founder and CEO of E20, Eloiza Tecson, and Founder and CEO of Training Mate, Luke Milton.

The panel explores how technology supports (rather than replaces) human connection, focusing on practical strategies for using digital tools to enhance in-person community building. Attendees learn why authentic relationships serve as valuable career currency in the fitness industry, creating lasting influence, client loyalty, and professional growth opportunities.

Panelists share actionable approaches for designing inclusive, purpose-driven spaces that foster deep connection and naturally support career advancement. The session reveals how intentional community-building practices create stronger brands, more engaged clients, and sustainable career longevity in an industry where personal connection drives professional success.

The discussion explores the balance between digital efficiency and human authenticity, demonstrating to fitness professionals how to effectively leverage technology while maintaining the personal touch that defines exceptional service. Participants walk away with specific strategies to grow their presence, impact, and business through the power of belonging and genuine community engagement.

Final Thoughts

The accumulation of small, meaningful interactions that compound over time creates sustainable careers and satisfied employees. Career Lab LIVE recognizes that behind every successful fitness career lies a network of authentic relationships built through shared experiences, mutual support, and genuine connection.

The events focus on community building, where opportunity flows through relationships, and relationships deepen through intentional in-person experiences. While technology amplifies reach and efficiency, the foundation of lasting professional success remains rooted in the irreplaceable power of showing up, connecting authentically, and creating spaces where professionals can support each other’s growth.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.

The Cold Life: Customized Cold Plunge Solutions for Health and Wellness Facilities

Cold plunge therapy has captured the attention of fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and wellness seekers nationwide. What started as a niche practice has evolved into a mainstream wellness trend, with facilities scrambling to meet the growing demand of consumers. The practice involves immersing oneself in cold water, typically between 38°F and 50°F, for short periods of time ranging from two to five minutes.

I spoke with Dan Bergeron from The Cold Life, who shared that people turn to cold plunging for various reasons, including muscle recovery after intense workouts, stress reduction, and anxiety management. The therapy targets the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down through the spine, potentially helping to calm the nervous system. Many users report experiencing a dopamine release following their sessions, creating what some describe as an addictive “love to hate it” sensation that keeps them coming back for more.

Cold Plunging Therapy

Cold water immersion has gained significant traction in recent years, with facilities reporting increased member requests for this service. Users often start with shorter exposures and gradually increase their time as they become more comfortable with the cold.

The therapeutic benefits many people seek include muscle recovery support, stress reduction, and anxiety management. According to cold therapy advocates, immersion up to the collarbone helps stimulate the vagus nerve, which may contribute to the regulation of the nervous system. This nerve pathway connects the brain to various organs throughout the body, and its activation through cold exposure is what proponents believe creates the calming effects many users report.

Cold plunging also produces what users describe as a unique psychological response. The initial shock and discomfort of cold water create what enthusiasts call “type two fun”, which is the experience that feels challenging in the moment but becomes rewarding afterward. This psychological component, combined with the reported dopamine release following sessions, contributes to what many describe as the addictive nature of regular cold plunge practice.

The Cold Life Solution

The Cold Life was born from a simple observation during the COVID pandemic when founders and childhood friends Sam and Kyle noticed people building DIY cold plunge setups in their garages and backyards. They recognized an opportunity to create purpose-built equipment that would surpass these makeshift solutions. The company relocated its headquarters from Georgia to Miami in late 2023, where all manufacturing now takes place.

Dan Bergeron, Sales Manager at The Cold Life, explained that their vertical-style cold plunge design sets them apart from traditional tub-style units. “Vertical cold plunging makes it easier to control your breath,” Bergeron notes, referencing insights from wellness expert Gary Brecka. Dan shared, “For people newer to cold plunging, you can control how deep you want to go by standing and gradually squatting down.” This design allows users to manage their exposure level more precisely, making the experience less intimidating for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by full-body immersion in horizontal tubs.

Manufacturing entirely in the USA provides The Cold Life with quality control advantages that many competitors lack. Their chiller units are manufactured in Tennessee, while the main units are produced in Miami. This domestic production model eliminates the parts sourcing challenges that plague companies relying on overseas manufacturing. When repairs are needed, replacement components are readily available rather than requiring lengthy international shipping delays.

The company’s customization capabilities have proven particularly valuable for commercial clients. Gyms, sports teams, and hotels can specify custom colors and logos to match their brand aesthetics. For business owners, this represents a unique revenue opportunity, as cold plunge access can command a premium price of $30 to $50 per month, per member, making it one of the few pieces of equipment that directly generates additional income streams.

Final Thoughts

The fitness industry has consistently sought equipment that enhances the member experience while generating new revenue streams. Cold plunge therapy offers both of these opportunities simultaneously, providing facilities a way to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market. The therapeutic benefits users seek, whether muscle recovery or stress management, align perfectly with the holistic wellness approach many modern fitness facilities are adopting.

What makes The Cold Life compelling extends beyond its manufacturing quality or customization options. Their vertical design philosophy acknowledges that accessibility matters for newcomers who need gradual exposure control and for facilities that want to maximize member comfort and safety. This thoughtful approach to user experience, combined with domestic manufacturing reliability, positions them well as cold plunge therapy continues its evolution from trend to standard amenity.

Fit Pro Programming: Building Instructor-Focused Education with Multi-Modal Certifications

Fit Pro Programming (FPP) is a company that emerged from the collaboration of two seasoned industry professionals who understood firsthand what instructors needed. Lauren George and Tricia Murphy-Madden launched their venture in January 2024 after acquiring three established programs and transforming them into something distinctly different from traditional certification models.

Their approach centers on a simple philosophy that seems almost radical: fitness programming should serve instructors first, giving them robust support while preserving creative freedom. This balance has shaped every aspect of their educational offerings, from one-day certifications to extensive on-demand libraries supporting instructors long after the initial training ends.

The FPP Multi-Modal System

Fit Pro Programming operates six distinct certification programs, each targeting specific fitness modalities while maintaining consistent educational principles. Bar Above forms their foundational offering, complemented by Bar Above Pilates for instructors seeking to blend barre and Pilates methodologies. Human Reformer, launched in May 2024, replicates traditional reformer exercises using resistance bands, making Pilates accessible to facilities without expensive equipment.

Pump Up Strength delivers functional group training using dumbbells, while Ever Flexed specifically addresses the 45-plus demographic with programming that combines strength, mobility, and high-intensity interval training. Balletone provides ballet-inspired cardio classes designed for center floor work without equipment. Their newest addition, Swerve Cycle, blends evidence-based cycling methodology and the entertainment factor that keeps studio classes engaging.

Each program maintains FPP’s pre-formatted structure, which gives instructors a solid framework without demanding strict adherence to choreographed routines. This approach allows seasoned instructors to customize classes for their specific populations while providing newer teachers with enough structure to feel confident leading sessions immediately after certification.

Educational Philosophy and Ongoing Support

The company’s education isn’t limited to single-day certifications. Every program includes access to comprehensive on-demand platforms featuring detailed exercise breakdowns, additional practice classes, and extensive continuing education materials. Their Human Reformer program, for example, provides frame-by-frame analysis of every level-one exercise, allowing instructors to revisit techniques as often as needed.

Pump Up Strength includes a four-hour on-demand library covering anatomy, fascia science, and the reasoning behind exercise sequencing. This depth of educational content reflects FPP’s commitment to giving instructors the scientific foundation behind their programming decisions, rather than simply teaching them what to do without explaining why.

Optional monthly choreography releases provide fresh programming for instructors who want new material without the time investment of creating original classes. Bar Above releases five new classes monthly, while other programs supply between one and six new sessions, depending on the format’s complexity. These releases function as continuing education, eliminating the need for traditional recertification cycles.

The certification programs carry accreditation from ACE, ACSM, NASM, and SCW, ensuring instructors can apply their continuing education credits toward maintaining their primary fitness certifications. Importantly, FPP imposes no prerequisite certifications, recognizing that fitness professionals enter the industry through various pathways.

To learn more about building a sustainable fitness career, you can hear insights directly from Tricia Murphy-Madden as she shares on the panel titled: Certified and Ready: Now Let’s Build Your Fitness Career, at the Career Lab by Coach360: Live from TheFitExpo Anaheim on August 1st, 2025. Fitness professionals will gain amazing knowledge from the one-day networking and learning event. Connect with hiring managers and other fitness pros, learn from industry leaders, and get a pass to join the Expo Hall at The Fit Expo.

Campus Recreation Focus

Much of FPP’s business involves campus recreation centers, reflecting Lauren George’s background in university fitness programming. Approximately one-third of their host facilities are universities, where they train students who often lack prior teaching experience but bring enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

This campus focus influences their educational approach, as university environments typically require training instructors from scratch rather than working with established professionals. The company designs programs to accommodate beginners while providing enough depth to challenge experienced teachers.

Campus recreation instructors often move to different locations after graduation, making FPP’s no-licensing-fee model particularly valuable. Once certified, instructors can teach at any facility, carrying their credentials across state lines without ongoing financial obligations to FPP. This portability addresses a common challenge in the fitness industry, where professionals frequently relocate but struggle to find work before establishing themselves in new markets.

The company works with individual instructors and entire fitness facilities. Studios sometimes host certifications to train existing staff in new formats while recruiting additional local instructors. Other facilities bring FPP in to certify their entire team when launching new programming, either covering staff costs or requiring certification as a condition of teaching specific classes.

Final Thoughts

Teaching fitness can feel like standing at the intersection of art and science, where technical knowledge marries with intuitive connection. Lauren George and Tricia Murphy-Madden have built something that honors both sides of this equation, creating educational programming that respects instructors as thinking professionals with their unique flair.

The physical distance between Lauren and Tricia has never prevented their partnership from flourishing, proving that a shared vision can transcend geography when two people truly understand what their industry needs. Their success suggests that sometimes the most effective disruption comes from finding gaps that need attention and supporting the people those gaps affect.

Anne Marie Chaker’s LIFT: Challenging Everything We Think We Know About Women’s Bodies

In the depths of postpartum depression and alcohol addiction, Anne Marie Chaker found herself obsessing over her next drink during a drive to her daughter’s hockey tournament. It was a moment that would change everything—not just for her, but potentially for countless women chasing the wrong ideal their entire lives.

Chaker’s new book, LIFT, was born from this deeply personal crisis that began after she had a baby and lost her father within weeks. What started as “half a glass of wine to take the edge off” quickly spiraled into an addiction. But it was in a hotel fitness room, watching a muscular hockey mom attack her workout “like a killer,” Chaker glimpsed a different way forward.

The Crisis That Changed Everything

When she entered that hotel gym, everything changed, Chaker recalls. That hockey mom introduced her to bodybuilding coaching, which focused on eating more food.. Combined with strength-based weightlifting workouts, this approach changed Chaker’s life within weeks. She stopped craving alcohol, felt more confident in interviews, and began pushing back at work when situations didn’t feel right.

This personal shift raised bigger questions that drove Chaker to investigate what she calls “the history of the skinny business.” Why hadn’t she been told this approach sooner? Why had she spent her whole life chasing skinny and seemingly failing? These questions became the foundation for LIFT, which examines the harmful history of thinness ideals and their devastating impact on women and society.

What LIFT Contains and Who Needs to Read It

Available for purchase now, LIFT has two approaches: a journalistic investigation into the harmful history of thinness ideals and a practical guide to strength-based nutrition and fitness that doesn’t require expensive tracking or complicated programs. Chaker’s research led her to conclude that women are “historically these buff badass creatures” and that strength represents women’s natural state.

The book argues that fixation on thinness spans only about 150 years, with waves of thinness obsession coinciding with moments when women assert more power. Flappers emerged when women won the right to vote, the “Twiggy” ideal appeared during second-wave feminism, and 1980s diet culture followed women’s infiltration of boardrooms and law firms.

Chaker draws on Cambridge anthropological research comparing early women’s bones with modern ones, which had rarely been done before. The findings revealed that Paleolithic women’s bones were the size of modern elite female rowers, challenging the myth of women as berry-picking gatherers while men hunted.

The practical sections offer Chaker’s straightforward approach to nutrition and weightlifting. Despite social media marketing, she emphasizes that “you don’t really need any of that shit.” Her method centers on food prep, maintaining a well-stocked fridge, eating whole foods, avoiding excessive restaurant meals, and traditional weight-based workouts. “You don’t need a ton of time, but you do need consistent commitment,” she explains.

The book targets women who have spent years fighting their bodies and anyone interested in understanding how societal messaging shapes our relationship with strength and appearance. Chaker estimates the societal and economic impact of time spent obsessing over scale numbers to be devastatingly high, something all too well-known in society.

Final Thoughts

Chaker’s reformation from addiction to strength reveals something profound about the disconnect between what women’s bodies can do and what we’ve been told they should look like. Her experience suggests that the pursuit of thinness is working against women’s biological and psychological well-being, creating a cycle of frustration and failure that serves no one except those profiting from women’s insecurities.

LIFT’s most potent aspect is its challenge to question everything we’ve accepted as “normal” about women’s relationship with their bodies. Chaker’s journey was a discovery that strength might be the key that unlocks what women have been searching for all along, hidden beneath layers of harmful messaging that convinced them to pursue something far less powerful than what they’re actually capable of achieving.

HYBRD: Bridging the Gap for Modern Hybrid Athletes

Fitness technology often forces athletes into narrow categories, ignoring the complexities of those who are multidisciplinary enthusiasts. Whether it’s triathlons, HYROX competitions, or those who enjoy training across several types of fitness, there has been a notably missing way to track each in a compatible way.

I had the privilege of speaking with Ben Katz, who recognized this disconnect from personal experience. As someone who competed in college lacrosse, wrestling, and cross country, he understood the unique needs of athletes who thrive on variety and functional movement patterns. This insight sparked the creation of HYBRD, a platform designed specifically for multi-disciplinary athletes who value performance across diverse training modalities.

The Founders and Genesis

HYBRD was born from the combined expertise of four founders who understood athletic performance and technology innovation. This team includes Ben Katz (former WHOOP growth team lead), Mats Terwiesch (Former WHOOP product manager), Caroline “Shoe” Shoemaker (former WHOOP senior manager of Analytics), and Matt Ruiters (Former senior tech lead AWS). They came together to bridge this gap for cross-sectional athletes.

This background revealed a critical market gap. While existing platforms excel at tracking specific activities like running or weightlifting, they struggle to serve athletes who incorporate elements from multiple training philosophies, recognizing that hybrid athletes need a solution that understands their comprehensive approach to fitness rather than forcing them into predefined, limiting categories.

Their vision centers on creating technology that adapts to the athlete rather than requiring the athlete to adapt to the technology. This philosophy drives every aspect of HYBRD’s development, from interface design to performance tracking capabilities. The founders built the platform with the understanding that today’s athletes often combine strength training, cardiovascular work, mobility practice, and sport-specific skills within their weekly routines.

Diversity in Training

Modern fitness culture has been embracing new modalities, ways to train, and a crossover like we haven’t seen before. With access to limitless classes through things like ClassPass, and the rise of multi-modality races, HYBRD is more necessary than ever. Athletes regularly incorporate yoga flows between strength sessions, add plyometric work to their running routines, and blend martial arts techniques with traditional gym exercises.

HYROX perfectly exemplifies this trend. The competition combines running with functional fitness movements like sled pushes, burpee broad jumps, and farmer’s carries. Athletes training for HYROX can’t succeed by focusing solely on running or weightlifting. They need programming that simultaneously develops cardiovascular endurance, functional strength, and movement efficiency. Traditional fitness apps struggle to serve these athletes because they were designed for single-sport specialization.

Triathlon presents another example of this multi-disciplinary approach gaining mainstream adoption. Athletes must excel at swimming, cycling, and running while managing the transitions between each discipline. Their training cycles require careful balance between these three sports plus strength work, flexibility, and recovery protocols. The complexity of managing this variety often overwhelms traditional tracking systems.

Adventure racing, obstacle course racing, and functional fitness competitions continue growing in popularity because they celebrate well-rounded athleticism. These sports reward athletes who can adapt to unexpected challenges and perform across diverse movement patterns. HYBRD serves these athletes by providing technology that understands their multifaceted training needs and helps optimize performance across all activities rather than forcing them to choose one primary focus.

Final Thoughts

While traditional single-focus athletics will always maintain their place, the fastest-growing fitness trends celebrate comprehensive athleticism and functional movement. HYBRD positions itself at the forefront of this shift by serving athletes who refuse to be limited by conventional training boundaries.

This platform validates athletes who understand that fitness isn’t limited to one movement, challenge, or adaptation. By supporting these athletes with purpose-built technology, HYBRD helps establish hybrid training as a legitimate and valuable approach to long-term health and performance.

IEG Dubai Active: Building International Bridges in the Middle East Fitness Market

Italian Exhibition Group continues to make its mark across global markets, bringing together industries and communities through carefully orchestrated events that span continents. With over 70 years of experience organizing trade shows, events, and congresses worldwide, IEG has built a reputation for creating meaningful business opportunities and fostering connections that drive economic growth.

Among their impressive portfolio of events, Dubai Active stands out in the Middle East’s growing prominence in the fitness and wellness sector. This October 24-26 gathering will welcome 40,000 attendees across 35,000 square meters of exhibition space, featuring over 400 exhibiting brands and more than 1,000 competitors. The scale speaks to IEG’s expertise in event management and the region’s appetite for fitness excellence.

Dubai Active: The Middle East’s Fitness Powerhouse

Dubai Active has turned into the region’s largest international fitness community, drawing professionals, enthusiasts, and brands from across the globe. The three-day event combines competition, education, and commerce in a format that serves multiple audiences simultaneously. Attendees can participate in free workouts, attend specialized talks and workshops, witness elite competitions, and explore the latest innovations from hundreds of exhibiting brands.

“Dubai Active and Dubai Active Industry have become the key meeting points for the Middle East’s health and fitness sector. For US brands, it’s more than just exposure; it’s direct access to buyers, leading operators, and high-growth distributors across the region. With the market expanding rapidly and demand for international products on the rise, this is the platform to build real commercial partnerships. If you’re serious about international growth, Dubai is where it starts,” shared Gavin Baxter, Commercial Director at IEG Middle East.

The event’s growth demonstrates the broader change across the Middle East fitness industry. Dubai’s position as a regional hub has attracted international attention, with brands recognizing the market’s potential for expansion and connection. The UAE’s location bridges European, Asian, and African markets, making events like Dubai Active valuable touchpoints for global business development.

What sets Dubai Active apart is its comprehensive approach to the fitness experience. Rather than focusing solely on trade show elements, the event integrates competitive athletics, educational programming, and hands-on experiences that engage industry professionals and fitness enthusiasts. This multi-layered format creates opportunities for meaningful interactions across different segments of the fitness community.

Ready to experience Dubai Active 2025? Join 40,000+ fitness professionals, enthusiasts, and industry leaders at Dubai Exhibition Center this October 24-26. Register now to secure your place in the region’s biggest fitness gathering and discover the opportunities waiting in this dynamic market.

Kathleen Ferguson: Bridging US-Middle East Connections

IEG Middle East’s appointment of Kathleen Ferguson as US Ambassador is a smart move to strengthen international partnerships and expand Dubai Active’s global reach. Ferguson brings over 15 years of experience in business development and strategic partnerships across the health, fitness, and wellness space.

Her recent founding of Coach360, a digital platform supporting health and wellness professionals, demonstrates her understanding of current industry challenges and solutions. The platform addresses critical issues like staffing turnover while connecting coaches with career opportunities at top clubs and studios. This hands-on experience with industry pain points positions Ferguson to identify meaningful connections between US brands and Middle East opportunities.

Ferguson’s appointment comes at a crucial time for international expansion in the region. Her expertise in bringing together brands, people, and purpose aligns with Dubai Active’s mission to create lasting business relationships. “I’m honored to be named the U.S. Ambassador for IEG Middle East, representing Dubai Active Industry,” Ferguson stated. “The UAE is rapidly emerging as a dynamic hub for innovation and growth in our sector. I’ excited to help bridge connections between international brands and the expanding community of owners and operators across the region.”

Ferguson will help shape partnerships and programming that reflect both US market perspectives and Middle East opportunities, ensuring Dubai Active continues to serve as a meaningful bridge between these critical fitness markets.

Final Thoughts

Dubai Active exemplifies surpassing geographical boundaries to create meaningful shared experiences to drive the industry forward, creating a space where diverse cultures and business approaches converge around common health and wellness goals. Ferguson’s role as US Ambassador adds depth to this international dialogue, bringing proven expertise in community building to an already dynamic event.

The Middle East has secured itself as a fitness destination, representing a market expansion and shift in how the global wellness community approaches collaboration and growth. Events like Dubai Active serve as catalysts for these connections, converting brief encounters into lasting partnerships that benefit entire regions and industries.

Nikki Giacara: Building an Empire with Two Ingredients

When most trainers focus on reps and sets, Nikki Giacara digs deeper. Blood work, heavy metal testing, and environmental health assessments form the foundation of her training methodology. This holistic approach has taken her from a successful personal trainer to a wellness entrepreneur whose Epsom salt company disrupts an almost seven billion dollar market.

From the gym floor to boardrooms, Nikki’s journey wasn’t linear. Years of working with clients across multiple cities—from Denver to LA to Miami—revealed gaps traditional fitness approaches couldn’t fill. Her solution combines rigorous science with genuine care, creating a business model for individual transformation and industry change.

The Science-First Training Philosophy

Giacara operates under a simple principle: you can’t train someone effectively without understanding what’s happening inside their body first. This conviction drives her to conduct extensive blood work and heavy metal testing for every client. This practice sets her apart in an industry often focused on surface-level solutions.

Her training background spans over 16 years, with credentials from NASM including CPT, CES, and PES certifications. After competing in 14 bodybuilding shows over seven years and earning her IFBB Wellness Pro card, she understood firsthand how the body responds to different stressors and recovery protocols. This experience informed her holistic approach, which considers everything from hormonal disruptions to environmental toxins.

The methodology extends beyond physical training into lifestyle factors that many trainers overlook. Water filtration systems, household products, and even the materials clients use daily become part of the conversation. This environmental health focus stems from understanding that true wellness requires addressing the full spectrum of factors affecting human physiology.

Epsolution: Recovery Redefined

The creation of epsolution emerged from Giacara’s frustration with existing recovery products. Most Epsom salts on the market contain artificial fragrances, chemicals, and additives that can cause skin irritation, exactly what someone seeking recovery shouldn’t encounter.

Epsolution contains two ingredients: Magnesium Sulfate Epsom Salt and Siberian Fir essential oil. The simplicity masks the sophistication of the formulation, which prevents crystallization and clumping while delivering what Giacara calls transformative results. The Siberian Fir oil provides antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that standard Epsom salts lack.

Clinical testing shows the product reduces inflammation by over 200 percent, earning it a spot at the Asprey Biohacking Conference as the only Epsom salt product featured in a decade. The American manufacturing process ensures quality control while avoiding the contamination issues that plague some internationally sourced alternatives.

Client results drive the product’s credibility. One client dropped their A1C by two points using only epsolution soaks. Another lost seven pounds in three weeks through weekly soaking sessions. These outcomes reflect the power of addressing magnesium deficiency, which affects virtually everyone and impacts over 700 enzymatic responses in the body.

Business Philosophy and Expansion

Giacara’s approach to business mirrors her training philosophy: substance over flash, results over promises. After relocating her company headquarters to Las Vegas, she’s pursuing expansion into hotels and spas. The logic is straightforward—better recovery leads to better experiences, including enhanced vacation satisfaction.

The expansion plans also include a Lagree-based studio concept and the launch of her podcast “Nothing to Say, Bro,” where healing, hustle, and humor intersect. Each venture reflects her core belief that wellness should be accessible, effective, and grounded in science rather than trends. Fitness is at the heart of everything she undertakes, calling it the “universal language”.

Her client roster includes professional athletes as well as everyday individuals seeking sustainable health improvements. The common thread isn’t their fitness level, but their commitment to addressing root causes rather than symptoms. This selectivity has built a practice where clients achieve lasting results and often become advocates for the methodology.

Final Thoughts

Nikki’s view on wellness comes from the understanding that the body operates as an integrated system, not a collection of isolated parts. Her success reflects what happens when someone combines deep industry knowledge with genuine innovation and devotion. Her willingness to invest in testing and environmental health considerations creates a training experience that addresses factors most practitioners ignore.

The industry highlights often celebrate quick fixes and dramatic transformations. Still, Giacara’s approach suggests a different path: one where sustainable results emerge from understanding individual physiology and addressing deficiencies at their source. This methodology changes how clients are able to address their overall health and make the changes they need to live the life they desire.

Scott Dickens and FORM: The Olympic Mindset Meets Cutting-Edge Technology

Professional athletics demands relentless pursuit of improvement, where milliseconds separate champions from competitors. For swimmers, this pursuit has historically meant countless hours of training with limited real-time feedback, relying on coaches shouting from pool decks and post-workout data analysis. The gap between performance and immediate insight has long frustrated athletes seeking that competitive edge.

Scott Dickens understood this challenge intimately. As a two-time Olympian representing Canada, he experienced firsthand the limitations of traditional swim training. His journey from elite athlete to Director of Global Sales Channels & Partnerships at FORM has helped bridge the gap between athletic excellence and technological innovation, creating solutions that transform how swimmers train and compete.

Scott Dickens: From Pool Deck to Business Leadership

Scott Dickens’ athletic career peaked with appearances at two Olympic Games, where he represented Canada on the world’s biggest stage. His competitive swimming background provided insight into the sport’s training methodologies and the persistent challenge of accessing real-time performance data in the water. Unlike runners who can glance at their watches or cyclists who can check their bike computers, swimmers have traditionally been disconnected from their metrics during training.

Following his competitive career, Dickens transitioned into the business world, bringing his athletic discipline and performance mindset to various roles across different industries. His experience at Budweiser Canada taught him the fundamentals of relationship-building and solution-focused selling. Later, his roles in financial services at Royal Bank of Canada helped him understand business operations and revenue optimization. Each position built upon his natural ability to communicate and connect with people, skills honed through years of public speaking engagements during his athletic career.

This diverse professional background eventually led Dickens to FORM, where his unique combination of elite swimming experience and business acumen made him an ideal fit. His six years with the company have spanned multiple roles, including partnerships, field sales, event management, and business development. Through the challenges of launching just months before COVID-19, Dickens helped pivot the company’s strategy and contributed to developing key features for their SaaS model.

FORM: Pioneering Augmented Reality in Swimming

FORM has created a category-defining approach to swim training technology. The company’s Smart Swim goggles integrate augmented reality displays directly into swimmers’ field of vision, providing real-time metrics without interrupting their stroke or training flow. This heads-up display technology solves a problem since competitive swimming began: how to access performance data while actively swimming.

The triathlon market represents a particularly compelling opportunity for FORM’s technology. Triathletes already understand data and actively seek performance metrics, yet they may lack swimming experience compared to their running and cycling expertise. While they rely on watches for land-based training, these devices become invisible underwater, leaving a critical gap in their data collection.

FORM solves this disconnect by providing the same real-time feedback triathletes expect from their other disciplines. As Scott shared, swimming offers unique benefits as a natural recovery method that boosts cognitive function, trains the heart and muscles through resistance, improves VO2 max, and enhances blood flow circulation in a horizontal position.

As one of the best complementary exercises to running, cycling, and weight training, swimming fits perfectly into the current fitness and wellness trends. FORM transforms the traditional monotony of staring at lane lines into an engaging, motivating experience driven by real-time data.

The Smart Swim 1 introduced swimmers to augmented reality training with real-time metrics displayed directly in the goggles. Advanced machine learning algorithms process swimming data instantly, giving athletes immediate feedback on their performance. The recently launched Smart Swim 2 builds upon this foundation with an integrated heart rate monitor, a 15 percent reduction in tech pack size, extended strap mounts for stability, and upgraded eye seals for enhanced comfort.

The system connects seamlessly with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and other connected fitness platforms, creating a complete training ecosystem. Machine learning capabilities analyze swimming patterns and provide actionable insights to help athletes improve their technique and meet their goals. This combination of immediate feedback and long-term analysis creates a new and distinguishable way for swimmers to approach their training.

Final Thoughts

Scott Dickens’ journey from Olympic competition to business leadership at FORM demonstrates how deeply understanding a problem can lead to meaningful solutions. His unique perspective as a former elite swimmer and business professional has contributed to developing technology that addresses fundamental gaps in athletic training.

By placing critical performance data directly in swimmers’ line of sight, FORM has eliminated barriers that have existed for decades. This type of targeted technological advancement, guided by those who have lived the challenges firsthand, points toward a future where athletes can train smarter and more efficiently than ever before.

Professional Growth Through Structured Guidance: IDEA’s New Mentorship Initiative

Fitness professionals face a stark reality: 80 percent or more leave the industry within their first year. Despite high satisfaction ratings among those who remain, the combination of business inexperience and lack of structured support creates an environment where passionate individuals struggle to build sustainable careers. This gap between enthusiasm and practical business knowledge has prompted three industry veterans to develop a solution that addresses the fundamental need for professional guidance.

Dr. Darian Parker, Dr. Erin Nitschke, and Debbie Bellenger have launched a comprehensive mentorship program through the IDEA Health and Fitness Association. This program goes beyond casual advice-giving and creates a formalized professional development system. With rigorous vetting processes for mentors and structured matching for mentees, the initiative aims to create lasting change in how fitness professionals approach career development.

The IDEA Mentorship Program Structure

The program operates through two distinct pathways: cohort-based learning and one-on-one mentorship. Cohort programs run for six to eight weeks and focus on specific industry pain points identified through comprehensive surveys. The first cohort addressed fitness marketing and social media, with upcoming sessions covering the legalities of fitness business, the business of group exercise, and fitness technology in the digital realm.

Each cohort provides deep dives into subject matter with resources, templates, homework assignments, and peer connections. Participants leave with practical tools and actionable strategies to boost their business and expertise. These small groups, led by subject matter experts, create focused learning environments where professionals can address specific business challenges while building networks with peers facing similar obstacles.

The one-on-one mentorship component represents a more intensive approach to professional development. Potential mentors undergo a three-step vetting process: application submission, video explanation of their motivation, and formal interviews with the project team committee. From an initial pool of 15-20 applicants, only six mentors were selected for the first wave, ensuring that each brings proven experience and demonstrated success in their respective areas.

Current Mentors and Their Expertise

The selected mentors range from diverse areas of fitness business expertise. Ben Ludwig, formerly with D1 Sports, specializes in business transitions and has successfully guided professionals from other industries into fitness entrepreneurship. His approach focuses on immediate scaling strategies that help newcomers achieve their financial goals quickly.

Vanessa Severiano brings expertise in club transitions and vertical business development, with particular strength in conversion rate optimization. Ann Gilbert operates multiple gym locations and specializes in the 55-plus demographic, women’s fitness, and community-based programming. Her experience spans business ownership and employee development.

Billy Anderson currently owns and operates a gym while simultaneously franchising his concept. His focus areas include mind-body connection training and women’s personal training services. Jessica Maurer handles marketing strategy and business plan development, leading the program’s first marketing and social media cohort with plans to repeat the program in August.

Jessie Thomas of Farm Girl Fitness opened and scaled her business during the pandemic, demonstrating exceptional ability to build successful operations during challenging circumstances. Her Canadian-based operation provides insights into diverse market conditions and adaptive business strategies.

Investment and Accessibility

Both program tracks are priced at $350, with costs determined through industry surveys that assessed appropriate pricing expectations. The cohort programs provide six weeks of intensive learning for this investment, while the one-on-one mentorship includes five sessions with selected mentors. Participants can renew their mentorship packages as needed, creating flexibility for extended professional development.

The pricing structure reflects deliberate consideration of the industry’s diverse economic realities, including students and new professionals who need accessible professional development options. This approach acknowledges that sustainable career development requires investment while ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent access to quality mentorship.

Mentors complete an extensive onboarding process that includes delivery of an onboarding manual which provides standard operating procedures, expectations and guidelines. This information is delivered in onboarding orientation sessions with a dedicated mentorship orientation team. This preparation ensures consistency in service delivery and maintains program quality standards. Additionally, mentors submit regular reports to program administrators, creating accountability mechanisms that distinguish this initiative from informal mentorship arrangements.

Final Thoughts

The fitness industry’s retention challenges often stem from a fundamental mismatch between passion and practical business knowledge. Many professionals enter the field with a genuine desire to help others, but lack the operational expertise needed to build sustainable careers. Traditional mentorship often relies on chance connections or informal advice-giving that lacks structure and accountability.

This structured approach to professional development recognizes that career success requires deliberate skill-building and consistent guidance. The program addresses systemic issues that have long plagued industry retention by creating formal pathways for knowledge transfer from established professionals to newcomers. The combination of affordable pricing, rigorous mentor selection, and comprehensive support systems suggests a model that could fundamentally change how fitness professionals approach career development and business building.

FloWater CEO Talks Clean Drinking Water, Sustainability, and Fitness Innovation

The statistics around drinking water paint a troubling picture: microplastics circulate through our bloodstreams, PFAS “forever” chemicals accumulate in our organs, and heavy metals like arsenic contaminate the water flowing from our taps. These contaminants contribute to reproductive issues, cancer, and a host of other health problems that shouldn’t stem from something as basic as staying hydrated. For fitness enthusiasts and wellness advocates who prioritize their health in every other aspect of their lives, the reality that their water sources might work against them creates a frustrating contradiction.

FloWater was created to tackle this challenge head-on, delivering clean, filtered water to gyms, workplaces, schools, and anywhere people drink water. The company addresses two critical issues simultaneously: providing access to purified water while combating the environmental crisis of single-use plastics.

These bottles have impossibly short lifespans but persist in our environment indefinitely, breaking down into micro- and nanoplastics that pollute our planet and our bodies. FloWater’s refill stations feature 7x Advanced Purification technology that targets and removes up to 99.9% of contaminants, offering a sustainable solution that protects human health and environmental wellness.

Coach360 CEO Kathleen Ferguson sat down with FloWater Co-Founder and CEO Rich “Raz” Razgaitis to explore how clean hydration intersects with the fitness and wellness industry. Their conversation covers Raz’s entrepreneurial journey, the operational impact of premium water solutions in fitness facilities, and how FloWater’s refill stations create sustainable member experiences while supporting club owners’ business goals.

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