Rachel Avalon

24th January 2007

From stay-at-home moms to A-list celebrities, Rachel Avalon is known for her unique grace, skill, and spirit. She is the creator of The Avalon cleanse and is one of LA's premier massage therapists, reflexologists, and holistic nutritionists. Rachel also writes for various publications, lectures in the L.A. area , and continues to donate her services to non profit, fund raising events. From new borns to ninety year olds Rachel is passionate about supporting each client in their journey of deepening awareness and trans formational experiences in holistic living.

Rachel's Philosophy

"I truly believe that in order to live our greatest potential we must choose to live holistically. By honoring the mind, body, and spirit in our self and all of life, we allow peace to be revealed beyond imagination."

Alycea Ungaro

17th January 2007

Real Pilates owner, Alycea Ungaro opened her first studio, Tribeca Bodyworks in 1995. Eager to introduce this unique, creative form of fitness to the general public, she set about organizing the very first Pilates Mat classes in large New York gyms such as Chelsea Piers and New York Sports Club, helping bring about the Method's current popularity.

In order to accommodate clients with limitations and disabilities, Alycea expanded her own education attending New York University 's prestigious Physical Therapy program to become a licensed physical therapist in 1998. In 1996, Real Pilates was officially established. Now, 10 years after it's opening, it is the largest studio devoted exclusively to the Pilates Method in New York City.

Alycea released the innovative Portable Pilates™, an easy-to-use at-home mat workout. She authored Pilates: Body in Motion for DK Publishing in 2002, and launched her third title, “The Pilates Promise” in April 2004. In 2003, Alycea again broke new ground by partnering with Mobile Mind, Inc. to launch a digital version of Portable Pilates™. This go-anywhere mini-workout, designed to run on a cell phone, is making Pilates accessible to everyone and a new Real Pilates digital application is currently being developed.

From 2004 – 2006, Alycea established and operated additional reaL Pilates satellite studios housed within the New York Health and Racquet Club.

This year, in her continuing her mission to make Pilates accessible to everyone, Alycea has joined up with the online fitness community at iAmplify.com as well as Podfitness.com to record downloadable Pilates workouts for MP3's, iPods and computers. Real Pilates exclusive workouts are available via both of these websites.

Real Pilates continues to lead the Pilates community in developing innovative products, programming and publications. With over 30 pieces of Pilates equipment, the studio currently trains over 300 clients per week and has twice been listed in New York Magazine's “Best of” issue as New York 's top Pilates studio.

In addition to serving on the advisory board of Fitness Magazine, Alycea also travels widely as a guest teacher. Real Pilates has hosted scores of celebrites such as Madonna, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgewick, Claire Danes, Molly Sims, Sarah Michelle Geller. Together with long-time client Christy Turlington, Alycea collaborated on a Pilates Booty for Puma. The booty, was aptly named “The Alycea”.

Real Pilates online presence is the only source for free Pilates downloads available. Interested Pilates enthusiasts can simply log on and have access to a library of Pilates printouts.

In 2007, Pilates: Body in Motion will be re-released by DK publishing in a brand new deck format.

Steve Thornberry

20th December 2006

My name is Steve Thornberry. I was born in a small town a hundred miles west of Sydney. I studied physical education and history The University of Sport in Canberra. I took up weight lifting to improve my Rugby League game. One thing lead to another and I dropped Rugby and picked up power-lifting and bodybuilding . . . which brought me to America twenty years ago.

I was a pioneer at that time in the personal training business. In 1988, everybody was into working out, but nobody knew how. I started to realize that the people who wanted personal training did not want to be in general membership gyms where the availability of space and access to equipment were scarce and crowds were large. So, I started my own boutique gym, Muscle Under, and I employed trainers with college degrees in kinesiology, health and sport sciences, and physical therapy to work for me.

Trainers, back in '88, were primarily bodybuilders and fitness fanatics who understood workout routines and nutrition that worked for them personally. But, those 'trainers' had no educational background when it came to kinesiology, metabolism, body composition, exercise science, nutrition, and other elements of exercise that contributed to producing results and maximizing the workout of the client. My gym catered to each client personally and addressed each of their individual needs.

As a result, my business has flourished. Muscle Under was the first gym of it's kind in many ways. I have always prided myself and my gym on exclusivity, no crowds (so that there is always equipment available for the trainer to best accommodate the needs of his or her client), and no hassles. The philosophy at Muscle Under has been successful on all levels because the client can come into a focused and worry-free environment to get the best workout with a professional trainer without having to be tempered by the things that are bothersome at larger, membership gyms.

Like I've mentioned before, I have been very successful. I'm living the American dream. Muscle Under has given me everything. I have a beautiful wife and two magnificent kids and I live a very comfortable and happy life as a result. I am very humbled and thankful for everything this business has brought to me.

Now, you asked me for the top 10 questions that clients have when they are seeking a personal trainer...

1. How do I get a 'six pack'?
2. Will doing more sit-ups get me a six pack?
3. How do I get rid of my love handles?
4. How long will it take me to lose twenty pounds?
5. Can I get buff in a month?
6. I have had 3 kids, how do I get this weight off?
7. How much cardio do I have to do everyday?
8. How can I lose that last 5 pounds?
9. Will I gain weight if I weight train?
10. What happens if I stop working out?

Jeff Tucker

13th December 2006

Dr. Tucker’s interest in putting together the arts and science of Pilates, yoga, stretching, medicine balls, stability balls, rubber tubing, balance training, chi gong, weight training, cardio training, endurance training, diet, chiropractic, performance enhancement, muscle and massage therapy, has been evolving for more than 23 years.

Dr. Tucker completed Chiropractic training at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. He has a post graduate Diplomate degree in Rehabilitation and is certified in chiropractic spinal trauma. He is a golf injury certified doctor. He is a past-president of the Santa Monica Chiropractic Society. Dr. Tucker served on the Chiropractic Rehabilitation board. He is a member of the California Chiropractic Association and the American Chiropractic Association. He won a KARMA award and was named Chiropractor of the Year from the Los Angeles Alternative Medicine group. He is the designated and selected Chiropractor for The Massage Therapy Center in Los Angeles. He is author of numerous articles and publications on soft tissue injuries. He has been in continuous active practice for the past 23 years in the west Los Angeles area. He has completed advanced education and clinical training in rehabilitation, sports medicine, nutrition, and functional exercise training,

Dr. Tucker enjoys speaking on health issues at local meetings as well as teaching other Doctors around the country. He teaches post graduate training in the cervical spine, lumbar spine and temporomandibular joints.

In his free time, Dr. Tucker enjoys hiking, bike riding, and his own progressive body movement classes.

His practice includes chiropractic care, postural assessment, developing conditioning programs, gait analysis, therapeutic exercise, and muscle/soft-tissue therapy and diet/nutrition.

Robyn Goldberg

6th December 2006

Robyn began her career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as the in-patient dietitian in the Department of Cardiology. She currently has her own private practice in Beverly Hills, CA, where she specializes in medical conditions, disordered eating, preventative nutrition and athletes maximizing optimal nutrition.

Robyn promotes opportunity to excel in personal health and fitness maintenance through a lecture series in association with several medical groups. She teaches nutrition classes on a wide array of topics for the Motion Picture Industry's Wellness Program. Robyn also serves as a Nutrition Consultant for the Celiac Disease Foundation as well as an Advisory Board Member for Healthy Dining Restaurant Guide. Robyn currently is the Nutritional Counselor for the Susan Krevoy Eating Disorders program at the Wright Institute Los Angeles.

Jeanette Jenkins

29th November 2006

Jeanette Jenkins, founder and president of The Hollywood Trainer(tm), is a Nike Elite Athlete, a PodFitness Premiere Trainer and the official spokesperson for BET Foundation's "A Healthy BET." Her expertise as a fitness and nutritional consultant has been featured on Oprah.com, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Extra, Access Hollywood, MSNBC.com, EDiets.com, ivillage.com, The Tyra Banks Show, the Food Network, VH1, and on the BET network.

Her work has been profiled in People, O Magazine, InStyle, Fitness, Shape, Self, Redbook, Glamour, CosmoStyle, and Essence, among other magazines. She writes regular columns for the Los Angeles Daily News, Urban Influence Magazine, Precious Times and MSNBC.com just to name a few. She has worked with many celebrities including Queen Latifah, actress Taryn Manning, swimsuit model Amy Weber, and several NFL and NBA athletes.

Jenkins studied human kinetics at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and holds more than seventeen international certifications covering nutrition and various fitness training methods.
Sponsored by Podfitness.com

Ashley Borden

22nd November 2006

Ashley Borden is a fitness and lifestyle consultant to some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Her unique approach to fitness can be attributed to having tackled her own personal struggles, transforming them into a positive philosophy and dynamic training program – making her one of the most sought-after experts in her field. Impressively, she counts Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Sean Hayes, The Veronica's, Tori Spelling, Poppy Montgomery and Lauren Graham among her clientele.

Borden is thrilled to assist Self with VH1's "Rock Bodies" issue as contributing editor for a second year. Her surefire tips and techniques have also been featured in InStyle, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Allure, Elle, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Jane, Marie Claire, Redbook, Lucky, Shape, Fitness, Muscle & Fitness HERS, Spa, Prevention and Departures , to name just a few. Recently, Borden also was chosen to design fitness programs for the 2006 "Body By Glamour Challange" as well as the 2006 "For Me Magazine Fitness Challange". Internationally, Borden has been recognized by publications such as Elle Japan, Australia’s Who Weekly, Canada's Fashion, Germany's Joy Celebrity, London’s NOW and Grazia and Russia's Bazaar magazines. In addition, she has been interviewed on Discovery Health , TLC , MTV , VH1 , E! Entertainment , NBC’s The Other Half , Fox News LA , ABC News and more.

Carolyn Katzin - Nutrition

15th November 2006

Carolyn Katzin, MS, CNS is an internationally acclaimed certified nutrition specialist with twenty-one years of experience in clinical nutrition with an emphasis on optimizing health and wellness. In addition to her private practice in Brentwood Carolyn also sees clients at the University Executive Physical Program at UCLA and Lucy Curci Cancer Center, Rancho Mirage. She is a lead volunteer with the American Cancer Society and a media spokesperson on nutrition and physical activity for the Society.

Carolyn serves as a member of the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports Advisory Board and on the Dean's Advisory Board for UCLA's School of Public Health. Carolyn enjoys good food and wine and has a background in fine dining. Carolyn appreciates the emotional and physical aspects of weight control and has studied with some of the finest teachers in integrative approaches to health. She is especially fascinated by the emerging field of nutrigenomics. She is the author of three books and is working on her fourth, "The DNA Diet™."

Join Carolyn and Michael as they discuss:

• What foods should I eat?
• Which foods should I avoid and why?
• Does it matter if I don't eat breakfast?
  
• Why do I gain weight around my waist? What does this mean for my health?
  
• What supplements should I take?
  
• What can I do to improve my energy level?
  
• Why is it so hard to lose weight now I am older?

Listen to the show below

Cyndi Lee - Yoga Workouts

8th November 2006

Cyndi Lee founded OM yoga center in New York City in 1998. With 60 faculty members and a monthly student base of over 5,000, OM offers over 175 weekly classes, 200- and 500-hour teacher training courses, worldwide retreats, yoga in schools and corporate yoga programs, at both the flagship Union Square facility as well as at the Alvin Ailey Institute in midtown Manhattan.

Cyndi is the author and artist of Yoga Body, Buddha Mind; OM yoga Today; OM yoga, A Guide to Daily Practice; OM at Home, A Yoga Journal; and the OM yoga in a Box series. She has created two DVDs: OM yoga Beginner/Intermediate class DVD and OM Yoga and Meditation Workshop DVD co-taught by David Nichtern, which was commissioned by the One Spirit Book club as a main selection celebrating the club's 10th year anniversary. Cyndi is a contributing author to Will Meditation and Yoga Change My Life?; Joyful Mind; Joyful Wedding; and The Idiot's Guide to Fitness. She has written for Natural Health, Dance Magazine, BalletTanz, Cooking Light, Spa Finder, Tricyle, and authored yoga columns in Yoga Journal (2004-05) and the Shambhala Sun (2000-2003).

Cyndi has been frequently featured on TV and in print including CBS' The Early Show, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, ABC's Evening News, CNN, Vogue, InStyle, Life & Style, WWD, The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.

Cyndi's first yoga class was in college in 1972. After completing her graduate thesis on Women, Spirituality and Indian Dance at UC, Irvine, Cyndi arrived in New York as a recipient of an Art History Fellowship to the Whitney Museum of American Art. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn but not enough cash so Cyndi began teaching yoga in Greenwich Village.

Soon she became a fixture in NYC's downtown modern dance scene, choreographing and performing her own work as XXY Dance/Music and Cyndi Lee Dance Company/Big Moves, Inc. Cyndi also choreographed over 20 music videos for Rick James, Simple Minds, Appolonia, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and many more including Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun', which won the 1983 MTV Best Female Video of the Year award.

After meeting her root guru, Gelek Rinpoche, in the late 1980s, Cyndi's practice of yoga and Buddhism merged with her choreography. In 1994, "Dharma Dances" was her last concert, which featured Allen Ginsberg singing his own songs and accompanying himself on harmonium.

Cyndi is inspired by her dad whose philosophy was "Keep Smiling" and her mom who says, "Don't get uptight!" Cyndi lives in New York City with her husband, David Nichtern and poodle, Leroy Brown.

Sponsored by Podfitness.com

Listen to the show below

Linda Shelton - Quick Workouts

1st November 2006

Linda Shelton has served as the fitness director for Shape magazine for 21 years. She is an internationally recognized fitness trainer, lecturer, and health writer, with 35 years of teaching experience in the exercise field.

A frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, Linda has appeared on programs including Good Morning America, E!, and Inside Edition. She has worked as a producer, director, fitness consultant/technical advisor, scriptwriter, and/or choreographer for more than 250 fitness videos.

Linda enjoys hiking with her two golden retrievers, gardening, dancing, and weight training; and she still teaches yoga, strength, and Pilates classes regularly.

Sponsored by Podfitness.com

Kathy Smith - Living a Healthy Lifestyle

25th October 2006

Kathy Smith is one of the fitness industry's leading wellness experts, with over 6 million videos sold worldwide. Several of her titles have attained gold or platinum status, and she has been inducted into the Video Hall of Fame.

Tune in as Kathy joins Michael to discuss some of the biggest concerns people have in starting a new fitness and wellness program. Learn how to find the time to exercise and how important it is to your overall lifestyle.

Join Michael and Kathy discuss the following topics live on Fit Talk:

• Kathy’s story
• Importance of consistent exercise
• Body image versus true health and fitness
• Aging gracefully
• Training for men versus women
• High intensity weight training
• Fish-oils and nutrition
• Chronological age versus Biological age

Sponsored by Podfitness.com