Mary has 20 years of experience in the industry, and has worked with many populations with ages ranging from 30s to 80s. She specializes in hip and knee strengthening post-PT/surgery.
Ann treats patients who are recovering from surgery, weight issues, autoimmune disease, postpartum, and depression.
I help people living with diabetes exercise safely and effectively. Especially for those taking insulin, exercise can be complex because it can lead to dangerously low blood sugars. With a structured approach and the right coaching, those risks can be reduced significantly.
Name: Lori Michiel
Location: Southern California
Website: LoriMichielFitness.com
Member Since: 2016
Occupation: Personal Fitness Trainer and Group Exercise Trainer for Seniors
How did you hear about MFN?
Last year, while searching for a specific trainer for a senior client with special needs in Orange County, MFN’s President and Founder, Lisa Dougherty, responded to my request. She shared her inspiring story of MFN and I was hooked!
How do you or your business help those with chronic disease/medical conditions or who need pre-& postnatal care?
As a youthful, 62-year-old Certified Personal Trainer, who, along with my team of 23 trainers, create clinical exercise and movement programs for 50-plus year old clientele of all levels of fitness.
Our trained instructors and physical therapists have a knowledge-based foundation to design a customized fitness programs for our clients. Some of our clients are making the transition from a medical model (rehab) to one of physical activity. Other clients (or their families) hire us because they want to reduce their risk of falling, maintain their strength or remain vital as they age. I also teach the fundamentals of how behavioral habits can strengthen their connection to independence.
What makes you different from all the other fitness professionals out there?
I have a far-reaching and vast background in helping seniors, so I combined my personal passion of physical fitness with my extensive background in home health and hospice for seniors. My entrepreneurial journey began in the 80’s. I started a very successful referral agency for families looking for assisted living for their aging loved ones. Prior to my business, in my spare time, I volunteered for over 20 years at assisted living communities where I would take the residents on wheelchair walks and offered musical entertainment. I sang and danced to Broadway show tunes and inspired the residents to participate in movement of all kinds.
While working in home health, I learned about Medicare regulations. I also participated in meetings with the interdisciplinary team of physical and occupational therapists in addition to nurses and physicians where I learned about various conditions that limited our patients from living full and productive lives. I then became a certified Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Administrator (RCFEA) so I would understand the protocols when referring clients and their families to assisted living and rehab facilities. When I decided to leave the referral agency, a friend of mine suggested I become a personal trainer since I had much experience working with seniors and was devoted to physical activity.
What is your favorite activity or class to participate in?
Dancing is my favorite activity. I met my husband dancing and we still use any excuse to dance. Even around the house, we’ll put on some music and dance in the living room. Music is a big part of my life. In my monthly newsletter, I list at least three songs to motivate my clients. The eclectic choices of songs listed range from Broadway show tunes to pop/rock to classical.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other fitness professionals about working with special populations or those who need pre & postnatal care?
Don’t get into the business of working with special populations such as seniors because the marketing experts say that it is lucrative. Follow your heart. If you want to make a difference in your clients’ lives and you understand that some may not be with you in the long term as with a younger clientele, it can be the best career move you could make in our industry.
What type of community activities are you involved in?
MAPS Charities, a non-profit organization that assists disadvantaged seniors in Los Angeles County, speaking to support groups at The Parkinson Resource Center and I teach several Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program classes each week at local assisted living communities.
What is one of your favorite memories involving working with someone who has a health challenge or disability?
The most inspiring person I know is Alice. We met in 2009 shortly after she moved to the assisted living community where I had just started teaching a balance class. She attended only once. She approached me after class and asked if I would train her privately after her knee replacement surgery. That was seven years ago, she is now almost 92-years-old and, although she has had a few recent setbacks, she continues to travel, play piano, does her “Jack LaLanne routine” at home each morning and comes to see me twice a week at my home studio. We warm up with some dancing to Big Band music, occasionally play tug-of-war and then she thanks me for my patience with “this ole lady.” I adore her.
What would you like to see change/develop/emerge in the future of healthcare and the fitness industry?
I would like to experience a less competitive environment. We should be more supportive of one another. I often give and receive referrals from competing trainers and companies when the client is just not the right fit.
And what are you doing to make this happen?
I try to meet as many trainers as possible at places such as annual conferences as well as joining and utilizing services and organizations such as Medical Fitness Network. I educate my fellow trainers through workshops with The Lori Method, a customized workshop for trainers who serve seniors. Also, action inspires other to do more: I continually try to help and inspire by spreading the word through social media, blogging, videos, etc.
What is your favorite fitness/inspirational/motivational quote?
“My goal has always been to help people help themselves. Your body is your most priceless possession: you’ve got to take care of it!” – Jack LaLanne, International Fitness Expert
Anything else we should know about you?
My real middle name is Peppi! I am thrilled to be celebrating my tenth year with Lori Michiel Fitness and am honored that I am often asked to be a guest speaker for radio programs such as NPR and interviews on shows such as Huffpost Live; I have also been called on as an expert witness in court. My husband is 21 years my senior, works out every day and resembles the late Jack LaLanne.
At 55 years old and 20 years in the industry, I’ve attracted an aging population naturally. It became logical to me that traditional exercise alone was going to hurt some of my clients who had conflicting diagnosis, injuries and limitations…
Dr. Zimmerman specializes in patients with multiple medical problems that haven’t found help through Conventional Medicine. She uses the Functional Medicine Systems approach to address genetic variations and nutritional deficiencies, balance the immune system, hormones, and brain neurotransmitters, plus diagnose undetected Infectious Diseases, GI health, and Cardiovascular/Metabolic issues, instead of just treating symptoms.
I help a wide range of patients from those in chronic pain, to those with minor flareups, to those that come in for continued wellness and optimal bodily function! I have special training in working with women in the perinatal period, and completing further training in Pediatric and Family practice.
Diane is a Fitness Professional, Master Trainer, Health Specialist for Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, and President and Executive Director of the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF). She is also the recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
