Deciding what your next fitness conference is going to be can be one of two things: incredibly overwhelming or random. There are so many educational opportunities available both online and offline that it’s mindboggling. Though you may decide online is it so you can skip logistics, travel and the additional time onsite education takes, there’s a missing component for personal trainers gathering information that way.

The interaction and networking of an onsite even provides a motivation and energy that no online program can regardless of how good.

If you agree with that, there’s still much to consider about the reason you’re going and the kind of conference you’re going to attend. Do you need marketing and sales training? Do you need a depth of information in a specific programming area to set you apart as a credible expert?

This episode is all about a conference that is the latter. If medical fitness is your area your next fitness conference should be for and about medical fitness. We know the world is aging and the number of 50 and over clients is increasing. They’re educated, experienced, and they’re looking for trainers who are the same. In this episode I share highlights of the recent medical fitness tour – a special in depth fitness conference for those fitness professionals who want to serve those between medicine and standard fitness prescriptions that no longer fit.

My guest

Tony Berlant is a consultant, a published researcher, an author coach, and a veteran of the health and fitness industry with more than 20 years of leadership experience. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Psychology, and his Master of Science degree in Exercise and Movement Science (focusing on Exercise and Sport Psychology) from University of Oregon. He has served as a certified personal trainer (NASM-CPT), a multi-club regional fitness manager, and a corporate-level Director for some of the most well-known companies in the industry.

He is currently acting as the Director of Education and Programs for the Medical Fitness Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and delivering education and practical application for fitness professionals and other allied healthcare practitioners in the areas of chronic disease and other medical conditions. He consults for the organization, assists in the production conferences called the Medical Fitness Tour, and is involved in all areas of operations.

Questions we discussed in this episode:

How did your career with the Medical Fitness Education Foundation begin?

What is Medfit's mission?

How is Medfit's mission important to you?

New projects include Medfit TV, webinars, and the Tour- when was the tour "born?"

What makes the MedFit Tour a different kind of fitness conferece?

What cities are on the Tour?

• Phoenix
• New Jersey
• San Francisco
• Chicago (in conjunction with Club Industry) 

What’s the presenter and topic selection process for Medfit events? 

Our virtual fitness conference recap

Tony and I did a recount of the recent Medfit Tour in San Francisco and talk about highlights of topics and speakers offering medical fitness education during the 3-day event including:

Phil Kaplan

We have a broken, “I am…”

~Phil Kaplan

Andrea Leonard

Dr. Joel Fuhrman

“Exercise is the only way to speed metabolism without accelerating aging.”

~Dr. Joel Fuhrman 

Dr. Tonya Butler, (Functional Biomechanics in Special Populations) TriggerPoint Performance Therapy

Dr. Evan Osar, Co-founder, The Institute for Integrative Health and Fitness Education

“Every single medication has side effects.”

~Dr. Evan Osar 

Dr. Kevin Steele, President PTonthenet, and PTAglobal

Dr. Jessica Knurick, Toolbox Genomics (DNA Testing)

Danielle Spangler, Founder of Coremoms

Dr. Christian Thompson, Dept. of Kinesiology, U of SF

Is this your next fitness conference?

Learn more about the Medical Fitness Education Foundation and ways to access medical fitness education online or live:

Your FIRST next step:

MedFit Network  | medfitnetwork.org

MedFit Education Foundation | medfited.org

ATTEND:

Medical Fitness Tour | medfittour.org

Colin Milner is CEO of the International Council on Active Aging and founder of the active-aging industry in North America. Milner is also a leading authority on the health and well-being of the older adult, and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of "the most innovative and influential minds" in the world on aging-related topics. 

In 2010, CanFitPro Association awarded Milner with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Canadian fitness industry. His efforts have many seeking his insights. Among these are: CNN, BBC, ABC, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, NY Times.

Colin started at $4 an hour as a fitness instructor.

• Before ICAA what were you doing?  What was the trigger for you? The, I’m both feet in, I’m jumping, someone’s got to do it and it has to be me… moment?
• How has your work changed? How has it evolved?
• Is this what you imagined when you started it? 
• What do you expect to change - decline and/or grow in the future?
• What kind of sessions will trainers and health coaches find the upcoming ICAA events to help them expand their skills?

We tease some of the content and speakers at the upcoming ICAA conference.

Key Points:

• Definition is changing and it’s less about absence of disease and more about improvement of function
• The most necessary shift: Your own thinking
• The need for personalization is a key priority.
• Genetic testing, wearables and monitoring devices, artificial intelligence.
• Keeping them healthy so they don’t have to see the doctor for illness.
• What skills do you need as a trainer
• Understand the tools you’re using
• Integrate with other experts better for epigenetics, genetic testing
• How to get better results and prove the results.
• Former surgeon general Ken Smith talking about wearables 3.0 looking at what’s happening inside of your body  
• The active aging market isn't a special population but they are special: 

  ½ people in US are over 50

  50% of consumer spending

  spend $400 billion more than any other age cohort

  increased disposable income from 50 to 70%

  They are one of THE populations

Active Aging Week theme: “Inspiring Wellness”

1. increasing awareness
2. bringing in more people
3. connecting

Activeagingweek.com

Register as a host site

It’s all Free!! 

Get creative with activities that you can host, support, whether in wellness, fitness, or nutrition.

Upcoming Annual International Council on Active Aging Conference:

Long Beach CA

18-20thof October

17thpreconference: Falls/Fall reduction, Nutrition/protein and healthy aging/ID nutritional risk/malnutrition

Link to the conference details:

http://www.icaa.cc/conferenceandevents/overview.htm

Get Registered!

http://www.icaa.cc/conferenceandevents/rates.htm