Join four seasoned fitness-business leaders as they explore the transformative power of mentorship. In this session, you’ll discover how mentorship fuels career growth, strengthens industry ethics, and builds resilient studio cultures. Our panelists will share personal “spark moments,” practical strategies for finding or becoming a great mentor, and best practices for setting boundaries, navigating conflict, and even monetizing mentor-mentee relationships ethically.
We'll discuss...
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Why mentorship matters in fitness and how it shaped each panelist’s journey
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How to identify and cultivate high-impact mentor-mentee partnerships
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Tactics for building productive relationships, from clear expectations to conflict resolution
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The ripple effects of strong mentorship on professionalism, culture, and combating misinformation
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Actionable takeaways for aspiring mentors and mentees, plus curated resources to deepen your practice
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to give back, this panel will equip you with a roadmap—and the inspiration—to guide the next generation of fitness professionals.
1:00pm Central
(11:00am Pacific / 2:00pm Eastern)
On Jul 17th, 2025
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Jenna Zaffino
Jenna is a dynamic leader who offers education for your brain, body and business through professional coaching, movement experiences, writing, and speaking. The balanced alignment of this trifecta is the platform from which Jenna helps hundreds of fitness and wellness professionals access mindset shifts, physical resiliency and empowered individuality in their business practices. Jenna is a seasoned Pilates Teacher Educator, a Small Business Coach, and a Certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Debbie Bellenger
Debbie Bellenger is the Founder/CEO of Body By Definition Advisory and Education Services. Debbie has taken the last 30 +years in the Fitness Industry and Medical Wellness Industry to launch her own company full time as of 2022. She is a thought leader in community wellness, medical wellness, corporate wellness and how they all work together in a local community to fuel fitness clubs with new members.
Dr. Darian Parker
Dr. Darian Parker earned his Ph.D in Sports Education Leadership with an emphasis in Behavior Modification from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He earned his Master's and Bachelor's degrees from James Madison University in Kinesiology with concentrations in Exercise Leadership, Athletic Administration and Advanced Coaching. Dr. Parker is also a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Dr. Erin Nitschke
Dr. Erin Nitschke is a Professor of Exercise Science as well as the Program Director of Sciences at Laramie County Community College. She holds certifications including ACE-CPT, NFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, ACE Health Coach, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, and Pn1. Erin is a national presenter and editorial author for ACE, IDEA, NFPT, where she writes regularly on topics related to personal training and health coach skill building, behavior change, and career success.
Ruben Mejia
Ruben Mejia, executive vice president for SportsArt Americas, has five years of experience in the fitness industry, previously holding the title of chief technology officer. Prior to his work at SportsArt, Mejia held executive roles within the technology and ecommerce spaces. In 2000, after four years of active deployment in the military, Mejia began working in the corporate IT and telecommunication fields for the U.S. Army, launching his career and interest in the technology industry as a whole.
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