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Aleks “The Hebrew Hammer” Salkin is a StrongFirst Certified SFG II kettlebell instructor and an Original Strength Instructor. He is also a certified kettlebell instructor and has over a decade of experience in teaching kettlebell and bodyweight training to athletes and fitness enthusiasts around the world. Aleks is known for his innovative and effective approach to kettlebell and bodyweight training, which has helped countless individuals achieve their fitness goals. He has worked with a diverse range of clients, including professional athletes, military personnel, and everyday people looking to improve their health and fitness. He grew up scrawny, unathletic, weak, and goofy until he was exposed to kettlebells and the teaching and methodology of Pavel in his early 20s, and took his training and movement skills to the next level upon discovering Original Strength in his mid-20s. He is the author of The 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge—a free guide devoted to helping kettlebell and calisthenics enthusiasts to forge full-body strength, resilience, and real-world fitness in just 9 minutes a day and without giving up their current training program to do so.  Links: https://www.alekssalkin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aleksandersalkin/

Dr. Jon Herting and special guest Alisa Rose discussed Alisa's 11-year-long journey of entrepreneurship in the fitness industry. She began Art Fitness in North Wilmington eleven years ago with the aim of creating a unique, intimate experience for its members that focused on both physical and mental health. Alisa believes that she has created something special over these years and is looking forward to the new horizons her business is taking on. Success is not something that happens overnight, it is a journey that takes time, dedication, and consistency. For Alisa Rose, the founder of Art Fitness in North Wilmington, Pennsylvania, success was a journey that has taken 11 years to build. Alisa comes from a corporate background, and she noticed that people in the corporate world often gain weight and their weight fluctuates. She wanted to create a fitness studio that focused on the personal touch and cared more about the overall health of its members. Alisa did her research and found that what was missing in the fitness industry was a boutique-style fitness studio that was not crowded and had a community atmosphere. Alisa wanted to target individuals who felt out of place in a normal gym, who hated the crowds, and who wanted to go somewhere where they felt comfortable and could relate to other individuals like themselves. Her mission and goal were to meet people right where they are and help them live fuller, more active life. At Art Fitness, Alisa focuses on one-on-one training, post-rehab, and video. She creates connections for clients so they can come out of the rehab process in the most optimized way possible. 

Cory Walts was hired as the Director of Strength & Conditioning at the University of Pennsylvania in April 2019. Walts came to Penn from nearby Haverford College, where he spent 12 years as the head strength and conditioning coach and fitness center director. During that time, he designed and implemented year-round sports performance programs for a majority of Haverford's 23 varsity sports and several club sports teams. He utilized a holistic approach to create robust individuals and teams, focusing on physiological qualities (movement skill, strength, power, speed, agility, and energy systems); psychological qualities (growth mindset, grit, and internal motivation through the use of education, autonomy and accountability); and lifestyle qualities (positive habit formation in sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mindfulness). During Walts’ tenure, a number of Haverford teams reached unprecedented heights. The volleyball program won three consecutive Centennial Conference titles under Walts' guidance and reached the NCAA Regional semifinals in 2014, while men's soccer advanced to the 2015 NCAA Elite Eight. From the spring season, baseball won three conference titles, advanced to the NCAA Regionals and had two student-athletes drafted in the eighth round of the MLB Draft, while softball advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in 2016. Haverford also had 12 student-athletes selected as National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and EAS Sports All-Americans during his last five years on campus. In addition to his work with Haverford student-athletes, Walts served as director of the Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk, which raised more than $75,000 for ALS research and had more than 2,000 participants from the campus community. He taught multiple classes within Haverford's Physical Education program and co-created the Healthy Mind/Healthy Body and Employee Wellness Committees, multi-department initiatives aimed at enhancing student and employee wellness respectively. Walts is co-Head of the Philadelphia Area Strength & Conditioning Association, which fosters relationships and develops knowledge specific to the profession of Strength & Conditioning for those in and around the Philadelphia area. He also is a member of West Chester University’s Exercise Science Advisory Board and oversees the Strength and Conditioning program for the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philadelphia. In 2013, Walts was a finalist for the NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award. Walts graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College in 2005 with a major in clinical exercise science and played four years for the football program. Following internships with the strength and conditioning departments at Cornell University and the Buffalo Bills, he earned his master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland in 2007. Walts also worked with the Terps' strength and conditioning department during his two years in College Park, serving as the strength and conditioning coach for men's tennis and assisted with football, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's swimming. Walts is a Certified (with Distinction) Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a Certified Level 1 Sports Performance Coach with USA Weightlifting. He also is Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified and certified in CPR/First Aid and AED by the American Red Cross.

Sally Andersen is a highly respected personal trainer, group X instructor, and Burn Boot Camp manager who has been transforming lives for over 15 years. She is passionate about helping others find the power of fitness and believes in the power of consistency to achieve excellent results. Sally Andersen was not athletic in college, relying on beer pong and medication to get her through. After struggling to climb two flights of stairs without taking a break, she was emotionally overcome and determined to make a change. She set a goal of running to the movie store in her pajamas every day and slowly her fitness improved. She got off all her medication and started lifting weights. She found her passion through hard work and dedication and began helping others do the same. She now manages two Burn Athletic Gyms and encourages everyone to find their fitness passion and never give up. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How Sally Transformed Her Life by Redefining Her Relationship with Fitness 2. How She Overcame Struggling Financially to Build a Career in Fitness 3. How She Utilizes Focus Meetings to Help Clients Reach their Goals. Links: Follow Sally here: https://www.instagram.com/gymgirlsally/

Jim Earley is board certified (NCBTMB) sports massage specialist and works onsite for sports events or privately in your home or hotel. Jim works with: college & university sports teams professional squash players athletes such as swimmers, runners, triathletes,  tennis players, lacrosse players, water polo players, football players, bodybuilders recovering athletes weekend warriors Jim's work includes performing sports massage at many events and competitions, including tennis tournaments, swim meets, etc. Links: https://www.jimearleysmassage.com/ Connect with Jim

When Jeff Schumacher, a former professional athlete, opens his first training studio in Malvern, he quickly discovers that providing tailored personal training in a group setting and creating meaningful relationships with members is key to its success, creating an ironic balance between business and culture. Jeff Schumacher is the General Manager of Gage Strength and Conditioning in Westchester and a partner in Engage personal training studio.  He has been working in the Philadelphia fitness community since his undergrad days and has now created a unique niche in the Chester County community. Jeff Schumacher’s journey into the world of small group personal training began as an athlete whose injuries led him to the training room.  After college, he started working at Gage Strength and Conditioning and he quickly realized that he wanted to introduce people to a style of training that was tailored to their individual needs and not just a hit class or boot camp. After nine years of growing the business and refining their target market, Jeff and his team created their core values which revolve around the community and making an impact on their members. They also focus on the small things, such as saying hi and goodbye, and making sure the members are getting what they need out of the session.  Jeff and his team are dedicated to providing the best for their members and the community. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How Gauge Strength Training is Offering Small Group Personal Training and Creating a Unique Training Environment. 2. The Story of How Jeff Schumacher's Career in Strength and Conditioning Coaching Evolved. 3. The Core Values and Practices at Gauge Strength Training That Enhance Member Relationships and Foster Community.

When George Zirkel, Director of Pitching at Ascent Athlete, combines his professional baseball background and newly acquired Master's Degree in Motor Learning and Control to craft individualized training programs for athletes of all ages, a unique and electrifying culture is created that allows for optimal results. He has used his formal education to create individualized throwing programs to help athletes improve their velocity. In this episode, you will learn the following: George Zirkel's Unique Approach to Creating Individualized Programs for Athletes of All Ages and Skill Levels The Benefits of Group Dynamics and Community Building in Ascent Athlete's Training Model George Zirkel's Master's Degree in Motor Learning and Control and How It Benefits His Coaching Links: https://ascentathlete.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gzirkel/

When Matt April, the dynamic owner of Bent on Better gym, seeks to build a welcoming community in West Chester, PA to serve an underserved population, he discovers a compelling central conflict that tests his commitment to his goal. Matt April is the owner of Bent on Better, a gym in Westchester that specializes in weight loss, boss building and creating a safe fitness space. He has a passion for fitness and has been an athlete his entire life, inspiring him to help underserved members of the community reach their fitness goals. Matt focuses on prehab approaches to fitness, providing a safe and welcoming space for people who need an extra touch, have been scared of other gyms, or have been hurt in other gyms. He celebrates the little wins, focusing on shoulder and hip mobility, and setting a fitness foundation. With his background in marketing, Matt has the skills and insight to build a successful gym. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. Building a Community-Focused Gym: How to create a safe and welcoming space that supports members in achieving their fitness goals. 2. Prehab Approach to Fitness: Understand the importance of setting a strong foundation to build on for long-term success. 3. Finding the Right Fit: Who is the ideal person to join a gym in West Chester and how do they benefit from the programs offered? Connect with Matt https://www.bentonbetter.com/connect/

Dr. Erin Farmer is a physical therapist who also has a significant background in fitness – she has coached Olympic weightlifters in national competitions, she has competed at Crossfit Regionals, and she owned CrossFit Center City in Philadelphia for nearly a decade. She has been a respected member of the fitness community for many years. She was the co-owner of the first CrossFit gym in Philadelphia, and has since gone on to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Erin has always been drawn to people who were unable to access fitness due to their background or injury and has used her knowledge to help them. She believes that CrossFit has changed what women in the city expect of themselves in terms of fitness and has encouraged them to pursue goals with purpose. In this episode, you will learn the following: How a small pickup truck and thousand pounds of sand led to the creation of a CrossFit culture in Center City Philadelphia. The power of empowered womanhood in early CrossFit and the importance of championing function and capability over an idealized version of oneself. The importance of understanding the "why" behind a goal in order to create meaningful relationships and help clients reach their goals. Connect with Erin

Dr. Boyd has become the most trained and highest credentialed sports physical therapist in the entire state of New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region. Less than 1% of physical therapists nationwide are double board certified in both orthopedics and sports physical therapy. Dr. Boyd is the only residency-trained therapist in South Jersey to have earned this distinction. In 2021, Dr. Boyd became the first and currently only physical therapist in NJ to complete an Orthopedic and Sports Manual Therapy Fellowship program at the Institute For Athlete Regeneration (IAR). Fellowship training is reserved for the most advanced clinicians in the field of physical therapy and is considered the highest clinical training in the PT profession. A firm believer in mentorship, Dr. Boyd had spent his earlier years as a clinician working and learning from some of the greatest clinicians in NJ. During his time at BSR Physical Therapy, he worked alongside a team of clinicians that was internationally recognized for effectively treating musculoskeletal conditions. Prior to that, Dr. Boyd was personally mentored under Dr. Sharon Wentworth of Elite Sports Physical Therapy in Tinton Falls, NJ. Dr. Wentworth is regarded as the best ACL rehab specialist in all of NJ and a leader in sports rehabilitation. Now the mentor, Dr. Boyd is commonly seen teaching sports rehabilitation, manual therapy and evidence-based practice at local universities. He also teaches in continuing education nationwide to licensed PTs, Athletic Trainers and Chiropractors on manual therapy, treatment of the spine, and athletes. Dr. Boyd has been trusted to rehabilitate professional athletes from every major professional league, however he most passionate about returning adolescent, collegiate and weekend warrior athletes to sport!

Chris Leib is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with vast experience in treating movement dysfunctions and enhancing human performance. Dr. Leib has a versatile movement background with a variety of certifications as both a physical therapist and fitness professional. Combining the worlds of therapy and fitness, Chris is uniquely qualified to help you get the most out of your body, while allowing you to sustain optimal physical health and longevity. Chris considers physical activity a vital process to being a complete human being and is passionate about helping others maximize their movement potential.

Master Somnath Sikdar is the Head Instructor at the Dragon Gym and has been training in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for over 30 years under Grandmaster Chae Teok Goh. He is currently a sixth-degree black belt and is certified by the World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon). His training has covered a broad spectrum of martial arts including a variety of weapons, self-defense, traditional and sport Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Hapkido under Grandmaster Han Jae Ji. In conjunction with martial arts, he instructs training with the Russian Kettlebell, and holds the Level 1 RKC and Level 1 SFG Certifications. While the focus of kettlebell and barbell training is strength, the other side of the same coin is function and quality of movement. For this reason, Master Sikdar uses the functional movement screen with his students and is a Level 1 and Level 2 certified FMS expert. Master Sikdar has competed successfully in local, state, and collegiate tournaments. In addition, he continues to study western boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has attained a BSE in Electrical Engineering, along with minors in Systems Science and Economics, from the University of Pennsylvania. While completing this degree he was the President, Head Instructor, and Coach of the University of Pennsylvania WTF Tae Kwon Do Team. Master Sikdar still coaches competitive Taekwondo athletes and is an active advisor to the UPENN WTFTKD Team and the West Chester University Taekwondo Team. https://www.dragongym.com/ Connect with Som