Presenters
Conference details are subject to change.
Matt Bain, MEd, MA, RPsych, MPC
Matt Bain is a Registered Psychologist & Mental Performance Consultant who has been working with local, provincial, national, and Olympic athletes for many years. His expertise reaches across team and individual sport performance. Matt also works as a sessional instructor in Psychology.
Judy Cudrak, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Group Cycle, Mind-Body, Aquatic Exercise, Pre Post Natal certified leader)
Judy is also a YMCA Educator, Keiser National Trainer, a Fusion instructor, and a certified 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. Judy has been an exercise leader for over 40 years, and brings her passion and love for fitness and yoga to every class and course she teaches.
Patty Grant, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Conditioning, Mind Body, Aquatic Exercise, Older Adult Exercise)
Patty is the creator of the aquatic program, Aquazen, and co-author of the Fitness Alberta Aquatic Tethered Training Manual. Patty has been a recreation program specialist for the city of Calgary for over 25 years and has mentored countless Fitness Alberta leaders-in-training. Known for her passion, creativity and supportive nature, her mission as a facilitator is to help her students maximize their potential in their own unique and extraordinary way.
Simone Hodgkinson, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Mind Body)
Simone has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry. Her background is in sports science, psychology, education, Pilates and yoga. She now specializes in yoga therapy to improve posture, alignment and mobility. Trained in the Iyengar method of yoga, Simone fuses her fitness and science background to create sessions that are informative, practical and relevant to everyone in the fitness industry. She has presented at international conferences, written several manuals, presented on TV and written for newspapers and magazines. Originally from the United Kingdom, she now resides in Canada and is the Fitness Director for the Glencoe Club in Calgary, and a popular CEC provider for Fitness Alberta.
Andy Kitchen, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Group Cycle, Mind Body, Aquatic Exercise, Older Adult Exercise certified leader), CSEP-CEP, NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Known for her high energy, Andy teaches cycling, choreographed and non-choreographed group fitness, aquatic fitness, older adults, and offers personal training. She has a love for movement mechanics, active aging, and facilitating motivation.
Robin O’Grady, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Conditioning, Group Choreography)
Robin is an international speaker, fitness professional and certified mindset coach. An expert in physical and mental wellness, Robin is dedicated to delivering simple strategies and tools that make wellness achievable for everyone. She is passionate and committed to walking the talk every day, showing her clients it can be done. A regular presenter and educator at conferences and facilities, Robin loves addressing fitness professionals looking to further their continuing education. In addition to owning O’Grady Consulting, Robin is a group fitness instructor, dance instructor and martial artist. With her contagious energy and positive outlook, Robin’s sessions are pumped full of uplifting and inspiring stories. You’ll walk away with renewed vitality and heightened aspirations to meet your personal and business goals.
Krista Popowych, BHKin
Krista Popowych is a globally recognized fitness expert, educator, and presenter specializing in group fitness, personal training, and program management. With a career dedicated to inspiring movement and education, Krista has travelled the world, sharing her passion and expertise. She has been named IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year and is the author of Partner Workouts (Human Kinetics, 2022). Krista continues to contribute to the industry as the Global Director of Group Education for Keiser. Additionally, she serves as an educator for Balanced Body and the Integrated Movement Specialist program, sits on numerous boards, mentors university students in kinesiology and supports numerous industry initiatives. Get ready to move and learn with Krista!
Jessica Power Cyr, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Group Cycle, Mind Body, Older Adult Exercise), MSc, CSEP-CPT IE, ACSM-CEP, 200-YTT, FMS Level 2
Jess is a leading industry educator, programmer, public speaker, and fitness and mind-body coach. Jessica brings a wealth of information, charisma, and personality to all of her sessions, making them fun and easy to learn from. You will never walk away bored, whether you learn something new or change your perspective on something old. Jess is fortunate to work closely with industry leaders at Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, Fitness Alberta, and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology to provide fitness professionals with safe, effective education and updates on leading industry trends. Get ready to "Get Powered Up!" in one of Jess's sessions.
Gisèle Tennant, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Conditioning, Group Choreography, Group Cycle, Mind Body, Aquatic Exercise, Older Adult Exercise, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer Examiner), PhD, CSEP-CEP
Dr. Tennant is a clinical exercise physiologist with a PhD in health psychology. She is the President of the Fitness Alberta Board of Directors. Gisèle holds multiple fitness certifications, and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her sessions. She has authored several fitness certification manuals for YMCA Canada and co-authored a deep-water tethering manual for Fitness Alberta. She has presented at international academic conferences, published numerous peer-reviewed papers, and has been interviewed both for television and print. Gisèle is a sessional lecturer at Mount Royal University and SAIT and an adjunct associate professor in the psychology department at St. Mary’s University. Her consulting firm is dedicated to improving the quality of life of her clients through evidence-based physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Her passion is helping others transform their lives and relationships through interactive, fun, online workshops.
Helen Vanderburg, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Group Cycle, Mind Body) BKin, Exercise Physiologist,and Founder co-owner of The Academy Fitness, Yoga and Spin Studio.
Helen is a globally celebrated fitness personality. Her passion for fitness, health, and wellness is unrivalled. Helen has been recognized as one of Canada’s most influential people, and honoured with the Women of Vision award. She is the recipient of many industry awards. Helen is an elite athlete, former World Champion synchronized swimmer and honoured member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She has educated fitness leaders globally for more than 25 years in over 25 countries. Helen is the Commercial Fitness Education Manager for Balanced Body, has consulted for international fitness companies such as NIKE, Total Gym, BOSU, Hedstrom Fitness, And Schwinn Cycling to name a few.
Lisa Workman, Fitness Alberta Educator (Group Choreography, Group Conditioning, Mind Body, Group Cycle, Older Adult Exercise certified leader, Aquatic Exercise certified leader), MA, BPE, CSEP-CEP, PKin, C-IAYT, RYT-200, 500 hr Level YAA,
With 24 years of experience, Lisa has earned her stripes as an international award-winning clinical exercise physiologist. But don't let her accolades fool you. She's as down-to-earth as they come. Lisa's journey began at the University of Alberta, where she earned her Bachelor of Physical Education and Masters of Arts (Physical Education) degrees. She dove headfirst into the world of physical activity and health, and she's been making waves ever since. With a genuine passion for physical activity and health, Lisa firmly believes that staying active is a key ingredient in the recipe for preventive medicine and managing chronic diseases. She's a walking encyclopedia of wellness wisdom!