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.