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Your Top 5 Fitness Industry Rising Stars
1. Joe Meglio
Joe Meglio www.MeglioFitness.com
Do you want to thank anyone?
I don’t even know where to begin with this question. This whole experience has been overwhelming and I have a lot of people to thank. Let me start off by thanking my family, friends, clients, followers and anybody else who supported me throughout this process. It is really a blessing to be surrounded by so many people that genuinely care about my success.
So many friends and family reached out to me and offered me their support, it was truly overwhelming. In all honesty, this probably means more to me than anything. The fact that people would take time out of their day to vote for me and help spread my message means the world to me. Instead of voting for me they could have been doing a million other things that are more important to them but instead they supported me and for this I am very grateful and will never forget.
I especially want to thank my mentor, Zach Even-Esh, for nominating me as a Fitness Industry Rising Star. Zach has had a profound impact over my life in the two years I have worked with him. To be honest, I don’t even think Zach understands the influence he has on my life. Over the past 2 years I have had the privilege of observing and watching how he goes about his business and it has been a life changing experience. I never met somebody who is so motivated and focused on doing what they love doing. His attitude about life and business has definitely rubbed off on me and I think it is fair to say that I would not be where I am today without Zach.
What does it mean to you that you’re one of the top rising stars of our industry?
Being named the 2011 Fitness Industry Rising Star is something I hold very close to my heart. Simply put, this is what I love doing and I plan on doing it for a long time. I think everybody should strive to be the best at what they love to do. If you aren’t striving to be the best than what are you striving for?
At first when I heard about this competition I thought it would be cool to be named as one of the top 5 rising stars in the industry, but when I really thought about it I realized that anything other than the number one spot is unacceptable. I challenged myself to be the number one rising star in the industry and guess what? I achieved this goal and have all my friends, family and followers to thank. You see, in any challenge that comes my way in life, I don’t want to just be good or great, I want to be the best or at the very least give it my all and have no regrets. Striving for excellence means taking action and doing what others aren’t willing to do.
Being named the top rising star in the industry also means a lot to me because it means that all my hard work and effort is not going unnoticed. While I do not judge my success by accolades, it is extremely rewarding to know that fellow strength coaches, athletes, family and friends respect what I do and realize that I have a bright future in the fitness industry.
What do you plan to do to make our industry better?
As you guys have talked about, there is no regulation in the fitness industry. There is somebody everyday anointing themselves as a guru or as an expert when really they have no business coaching and training others. I will make this industry better by educating myself and learning my craft better than anybody else.
The fact that this competition is called the top rising stars in the fitness industry is extremely humbling because it means that while I have a bright future, I still have a lot to learn. I pride myself in my ability to enhance athletic performance by providing quality content and by getting my hands dirty training athletes in the trenches.
I also hope I can help inspire some young strength coaches to take action and do what they love doing. This industry is in need of strength coaches who are dedicated to their craft and are willing to work at it. Anyway I can help educate and inspire others will help make this industry better.
2. Benjamin Ballinger
Benjamin Ballinger www.2BFitOC.com
Would You Like To Thank Anyone?
I would like to thank all my clients and friends who voted for me and helped me reach the top 5! You guys are awesome and are the reason I do what I do! I would also like to thank my mentor Big Chris McCombs for not only nominating me for this great opportunity, but also for being one of the most amazing people to grace my life… he has been such an immense help to my business and has been a guiding light for me and I am forever grateful for it.
I would also like to thank the members of the KBL mastermind group, all of whom are heavy hitters in this industry and are making a huge difference day in and day out, and who have each helped me progress myself and get to where I am today.
What does it mean to you that you’re one of the top rising stars of our industry?
It means a ton to me that I have not only been nominated into the top fitness industry rising stars, but that I’ve also been chosen as one of the top 5… dedicating my life to health and fitness has been an amazing experience and I am thankful for the opportunity to be recognized as someone with the potential to make a big difference, not only in the industry but in the world in general.
That being said, I would like to point out that every trainer and fitness professional out there who is passionate about what they do and strives to provide value to their clients deserves to feel proud for their accomplishments as well.
What do you plan to do to make our industry better?
I have always desired to make a real difference in the industry and do my part to help ensure that as a whole, fitness professionals continue to move forward rather than backward. I think it’s important that we band together to emphasize concepts like continuing education, employing science-based training and nutrition methods, building medical referral networks to send clients to when we move past our individual qualification levels instead of attempting to be know-it-alls, and to move away from the cut-throat, dog-eat-dog environment we’re currently in where people bad-mouth one another, hoard clients and care more about making money than about what’s best for the client.
There are enough clients and enough business to go around, and sometimes that means referring a client to another trainer who is better equipped to help that client succeed. This type of behavior should be embraced because it will be to the benefit of us all since the client will be getting the best value and will thus develop a more favorable impression of our industry as a whole. As I progress my career, I am dedicated to helping spread these ideas and hopefully moving our industry more towards the unified, standardized and professional heath service that it should be.
3. Trina Gray
Trina Gray www.BayAthleticClub.com
Would You Like To Thank Anyone?
To give thanks isn’t enough. I must give praise and recognition to the thousands of members at Bay Athletic Club and the small but mighty community of Alpena, Michigan for embracing change. People who are healthier are happier. We pay that message forward daily.
A heartfelt shout out to my world-class team at BAC, trainers across the country who believe in my mission, my mentors Todd Durkin, Chalene Johnson and my father Doug for believing in my ability to lead. Thank you to my mother, Judi, who showed me that fitness isn’t a number, it’s a way of life. And to my husband, Jeff, the shipwreck archaeologist who loves his wife enough to let her live her dream along with raising a beautiful family.
What does it mean to you they you’re one of the top 5 rising stars of our industry?
To be a rising star in the industry means that risk is worth taking, people are worth helping and gifts are worth giving. To be a rising star from a small, economically-depressed community in one of the unhealthiest states in the nation means that people do want to live better, and we need more leaders who are willing to lead us in that direction. I’m honored to be one of them and appreciate the huge undertaking of Greg Justice and Erik Rokeach to host the contest and keep our fires burning.
What do you plan to do to make our industry better?
To make our industry better, I will share the messages that I believe in and surround myself with other powerful entrepreneurs to carry it out. So what do I believe in? We must care about people more than pounds, we must care about connecting more than just cash flow. We must recognize our clients’ achievements, celebrate fitness year-round, overhaul workplaces, and dig into our communities to reach people who need us, but don’t seek us.
I want to share that the fitness industry isn’t all about the slickest website and the highest SEO, it’s about being real, giving to your community, and making better parents and more confident kids. In doing so, money and great success will follow. I want to make our industry better by coaching trainers to serve with purpose, to dial into what you love about fitness and how you can light that spark in others. I want to make our industry better by coaching trainers to inspire sedentary people to get active — not just for a boot camp — but for life.
4. Pete Isip & Rob Morales
Pete & Rob www.KrankSystems.com
Would You Like To Thank Anyone?
We would love to thank everyone Krank-a-maniac that took their valuable time out of their day to vote, vote again, and vote again to get us on the Top list. They D.W.S= Did Work Son!
What does it mean to you they you’re one of the top 5 rising stars of our industry?
Being in the Top 5 means a whole lot. It proves to us that taking the jump into our own fitness business, as uncomfortable as we were, was the best decision we could have made. And only after 1 Year to be recognized by our mentors and peers as one of the Fitness Industry Rising Star is humbling. Thank you
What do you plan to do to make our industry better? Just to continue to educate people and coaches the same way our mentors have done for us. I mean to be in the Top 5 shows our mentors are the Shizzzz-bomb!!!
Kill the day!
5. Tyler English
Tyler English www.TylerEnglishFitness.com
Would You Like To Thank Anyone?
There are so many people I’d like to thank. First and foremost I need to thank my family for being there in the beginning and always being supportive especially over the last 3 years! I know I’m not always “there” because I’ve been working so hard at growing my business but I want them to know they mean the world to me and I love each of you with all my heart. Thanks to my sister Tara for being my big “little” sister and the voice of reason, to my Mother for always being behind what I do 110% and to my Dad for believing in my vision and worth ethic, by taking a risk on me 33 months ago.
On an even more personal note – I’d like to thank my brother Rob(ert) for leaving his life in the Marines behind to come home and be a major part of my business.
I need to thank all of my clients! Without each of you I would not be where I am today. I know a good amount of them went out of their way to vote, which means the world to me.
A BIG thanks to my entire team at TEF! Each of you is an integral part in the function of our “well-oiled machine” and you help it operate at MAXIMUM capacity! KEEP IT UP!
A big thank you to my girlfriend Lindsay, for putting up with my work ethic and schedule and for loving me for me. Before meeting her I didn’t truly understand what having balance in your life meant but I understand it now.
I must thank my fellow Elite Mastermind Group members. Anyone of them deserves this honor! Each of you drives me to get better day in and day out! Love you all like family!
To everyone that has ever made an impact in my career. The list is long and stretches from BJ Gaddour to Zach Even-esh to Jason Ferruggia to Mike Robertson to Coach Dos to Brian Grasso to Dr. John Berardi to Rocco Castellano to Chris McCombs to Mike Boyle to Alwyn Cosgrove to Jim Labadie to Dave Jack and on and on! Thank you for helping me shape who I’ve become.
Thank you to ALL the other contestants, each of you are THE FUTURE of the Fitness Industry!
A big thank you to all the Fitness Industry Authorities who put us on this platform! Each of you is a STAR in the Fitness Industry!
Thank you to Erik and Greg for putting on an AMAZING event. This shows how strong the Fitness Industry truly is!
Last but not least I need to thank Pat Rigsby and Nick Berry. You guys saw something in me back in February of 2009, only 2 months after I started this entire journey. I appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for me over the last 33 months + and I promise you, I will continue to make HUGE strides!
THANK YOU!
What does it mean to you they you’re one of the top 5 rising stars of our industry?
I’m honored. It’s amazing what can happen to you when you leave such a positive experience in a person’s life. I’m completely blown away by the support I received!
I will be sure to wear this honor with pride! There are so many deserving people out there even beyond those who were nominated. I will do everything in my power to lead from the front!
What does it mean to you they you’re one of the top 5 rising stars of our industry?
I’ve watched over the past 3 years as our industry has become more and more split. There are those who pride themselves on being the real deal and others who hide behind their laptops.
Others who say the future is this or the future is that.
I can promise you I will ALWAYS be REAL! I pride myself on being a REAL WORLD Fitness Professional. I don’t hide who I am or what I do. The Fitness Industry needs to stay TRUE! If we can help pave the way by being real, then we can truly make a lasting positive impact in the lives of so many more.
The future of the Fitness Industry isn’t in fat loss, youth fitness, muscle building, corrective exercise, internet marketing, blogging or anything else.
The Fitness Industry needs ALL of us to work TOGETHER and be real to who we are; by continuing to help those who NEED our HELP!
I know I will do everything I can to stay real, will YOU?
Fitness Industry Influencers Individual Winners
There will be some overlap with the overall winners
Brian Grasso’s Individual Winner
Chris Brown www.GetFitAcademy.co.uk
Chris Brown’s Bio:
I’m the guy who is RENOWNED for getting results, the “go to guy” in my area. I work with EVERYDAY frustrated men and women and help them make PHENOMENAL changes in their lives and maintain them forever. I’ a former skinny/fat guy that struggled with his health and it was my own desire to fix my own health problems that lead me to a journey of learning and personal transformation. Through the experiences I had I really found my passion for health and fitness and it was this alignment with my purpose that lead me to an exciting change from learning the teaching and educating people to enjoy the same benefits I’d experienced.
Chris McCombs Individual Winner
Benjamin Ballinger www.2BFitOC.com
Benjamin Ballinger’s Bio:
Hi, I’m Benjamin and my passion is personal fitness and nutrition! I am dedicated to helping people from all walks of life reach optimal levels of health, body composition and performance through an intelligent, scientifically-backed approach to exercise and a strong emphasis on the importance of nutrition. My mission is to teach my clients how to exercise and eat properly so that they can see optimal results from their efforts and live long, happy and healthy lives.
Eric Cressey’s Individual Winner
Only nominee for Eric Cressey
Eric Oetter
Eric Oetter’s Bio:
I am currently a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in Exercise and Sport Science, with plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. An injury-shortened Division-1 football career at the Georgia Institute of Technology resulted in time off from school focused on rehabilitation. I’ve since ardently pursued my passion for coaching, garnering experience with clients of all ages and ability levels through internships at both Indianapolis Fitness & Sports Training and Cressey Performance.
Georgette Pann’s Individual Winner
Sarah Rippel www.FitProSarah.com
Sarah Rippel’s Bio:
I became a Personal Trainer because I experienced firsthand the positive impact that exercise had in my battle against anorexia. Through the ups and downs over the years, I have never lost sight of the fact that I LOVE being a fitness professional. I am proud to walk the talk as a competitive triathlete and former fitness competitor.
John Spencer Ellis’s Individual Winner
Dr. Jason Nielson www.WestValleyWellness.com
Dr. Jason Nielson’s Bio:
Dr. Nielson is at the top of his game when it comes to treating patients, he was published at the age of 20yrs old and has dedicated his life to give to many patients/athletes the newest treatments available to reach their peak performance.
Pat Rigsby’s Individual Winner
Tyler English www.TylerEnglishFitness.com
Tyler English’s Bio:
Tyler English is Connecticut’s leading Fitness Professional, Physique Enhancement Coach and Fat Loss Expert. He is the owner of Connecticut’s #1 Hardcore Warehouse Gym, Tyler English Fitness, and the founder of Connecticut’s Most Elite Fitness Program, Connecticut Fitness Boot Camp. He is a Professional Natural Bodybuilder with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF), winning the honor in only 3 years of competition and prides himself on training more like a world-class athlete than your typical gym going bodybuilder.
Paul Mort’s Individual Winner
Benjamin Owen www.FastWayToFitness.co.uk
Benjamin Owen’s Bio:
A passionate (cheeky) individual with bags of enthusiasm and lust for getting the best out of people, I’m a performance coach that lieks to see everyone perform to their greatest potential. Whether its getting people up onto podiums or down on the scales I love results and changing people’s lives. An elite athletics career and Sport and Exercise Science degree, sprinkled with qualifications in PT and S&C has put me in great stead to coach a whole host of individuals. I am critical yet positive and believe in my ability to improve those I coach.
Robert Dos Remedios’s Individual Winner
Cassie Gallagher www.WestUFit.com
Cassie Quintero Gallagher’s Bio:
I have been in the fitness/training industry for 11 years now- 6 of those years to the present I have co-owned West U Fitness with my husband Brent Gallagher. I strive daily to be the best version of myself -thus being the best trainer that I can be. I have an amazing team that holds me accountable to that, I would not be here with out them.
Rocco Castellano’s Individual Winner
Jonas Deffes www.NolaTrainer.com
Jonas Deffes’s Bio:
Started my fitness business from 0 after losing everything in hurricane Katrina. Fast forward 5 years later I have successfully figured out how to help to help thousands of women get into shape.
Sam Bakhtiar’s Individual Winner
Ray Grijalvo www.FitnessTrainerRay.com
Ray Grijalvo’s Bio:
I am an entrepreneur who’s love for fitness, business and people has taken me on a path to changing lives. My background in exercise physiology and psychology has given me the tools to innovate, create and motivate my clients to not only achieve goals but to surpass them.
Todd Durkin’s Individual Winner
Trina Gray www.BayAthleticClub.com
Trina Gray’s Bio:
I am a successful entrepreneur who believes that fitness is a party and you have to invite people to it. I’m a passionate mom of two, a wife of an underwater archaeologist and a recognized leader in my community. I was named the “Change Agent of the Year” by my Chamber of Commerce and believe that do get more out of life, you must give more.
Zach Even-Esh’s Individual Winner
Joe Meglio www.MeglioFitness.com
Joe Meglio’s Bio:
I am a strength and conditioning coach at the Underground Strength Gym in Edison, NJ and have been fortunate enough to be mentored by one of the best and brightest minds in the strength and conditioning industry, Zach Even-Esh. I run a results driven business where like-minded athletes train together to enhance their performance. Aside from training athletes, I’ve played four years of college baseball, competed in power lifting and have written for many websites and also run my own blog, megliofitness.com.
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I'm Erik Rokeach a fitness entrepreneur. I'm here to help you grow your fitness business by sharing what others in the industry are doing.
Congratulations to Joe, Benjamin, Trina, Pete & Rob, Tyler and all the trainers nominated by some of the top fitness business professionals in the industry (Pat Rigsby, Chris McCombs, Zach Even-Esh, Georgette Pann, Sam Bakhtiar, Brian Grasso, Eric Cressey, John Spencer Ellis, Paul Mort, Todd Durkin, Robert Dos Remeedious and Rocco Castellano).
Also, a special thanks to another RISING STAR in our industry, Erik Rokeach, for making this happen!
Congratulations Mr. Meglio. I wish you and the other top finishers best of luck in the future in your carrer. It is an honor to be among these rising stars.