I have some announcements to make this week. The results have been tabulated for the 2003 IFPA Fitness Professionals Awards and to make things even more interesting, the following list of award winners HAVE NOT  been notified yet!

These awards are given annually to the nominees who best typify the utmost level of professionalism, the highest degree of dedication and constantly challenge themselves to strive for excellence.

The award for IFPA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year goes to Vicki Lang, Regional Group Exercise Manager for 24 Hour Fitness in California. Vicki is an outstanding Group Fitness Instructor whose hard-work and dedication has resulted in the true mastery of her craft.

The award for the IFPA Personal Trainer of the Year goes to Carla Owens, Top-Performing Personal Trainer for 24 Hour Fitness in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carla represents the best possible qualities of a fitness professional and despite a recent accident that nearly took her life; she has rededicated herself to her career and continues to achieve nearly miraculous results for all of her clients.

The award for IFPA Fitness Director of the Year goes to Nancy Kouris, manager of World’s Gym in Hampton Bays, New York. Nancy was recently honored by World’s Gym’s highest honor, the “Joe Gold Award” she is the first woman ever to receive this award. Nancy is long overdue for accolades from the IFPA. Many years ago Nancy and I met while I was a Faculty Instructor and Conference Presenter for “other certifications”. Nancy insisted that my expertise and practical philosophy of what fitness professionals needed to know was wasted working for the academicians of the “other certifications”. The result of nearly 2 years of “aggressive encouragement” on Nancy’s part resulted in me developing the IFPA. When you meet Nancy at the “Fitness-By-The-Bay” Conference in Tampa, FL, on August 26, 27, and 28; make sure you greet her as the “Godmother of the IFPA”.

The award for the IFPA Faculty Instructor of the Year goes to Dr. Bob Simmons. Dr. Bob is a retired LT. Colonel from the U.S. Army Rangers. Dr. Bob was a hero while he defended our country from all enemies foreign and domestic and he continues as a hero today by training an Army of fitness professionals for the IFPA to combat the “Anti-Lifestyle” of poor nutrition and fitness habits. Dr. Bob has performed far and above the call of duty for the IFPA. He is an exemplary instructor and dedicated warrior. Dr. Bob will be giving multiple presentations at the “Fitness-By-The-Bay” Conference in August, make sure you take the opportunity to learn from this great presenter.

The 2003 (and first) Inductee to the IFPA Fitness Hall of Fame goes to Dr. Wayne Westcott of The South Shore YMCA, in Quincy, MA. Dr. Wayne has been a long-time friend of the IFPA. He has dedicated his life in improving the lives of others. Dr. Wayne is one of the greatest humanitarians alive today. His tremendous generosity constantly drives him forward in a continuous search for more and better ways to improve the nutrition and fitness lifestyles of all our communities. Dr. Wayne’s ceaseless search for a cure to the obesity epidemic has lead to countless articles, research and books that have been read and used by millions.

If you need a role model on how to search for excellence, then I recommend you spend some time listening to Dr. Wayne at the annual “Fitness-By-The-Bay” Conference. There is no one in our industry that better typifies EXCELLENCE than Dr. Wayne Wastcott.

The recipients will be receiving their awards at the “Fitness-By-The-Bay” Conference. Please make plans to be there and join me in appreciation for their dedication to excellence. You should also be there in order to use this event to rededicate yourself to strive for excellence, not just to win the 2004 IFPA Award, but to win for your own personal award. Striving for excellence isn’t about rewards from others; it’s about finding excellence within yourself. 

Sincerely,

Jim Bell, Pres. IFPA