Fitness Challenge Staff

Doctor Lugliani Matthew Lugliani, MD, is a HealthONE occupational medicine and rehabilitation specialist. He focuses on public health and general preventive medicine, which promotes health and wellness to prevent disease, disability and death in the Denver metro community.  Dr. Lugliani believes that people should be active and engaged in bettering their body and mind. Dr. Lugliani received his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston and his internal medicine residency at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He is board certified in occupational medicine and nutrition. An active member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the American College of Nutrition. Dr. Lugliani is involved in several local programs to increase access to healthcare, encourage healthy eating and to help prevent obesity. Dr. Lugliani is a father of five children, has his commercial pilot’s license and volunteers with the Flying Samaritans. As the dedicated HealthONE Red Rocks 90 Day Fitness Challenge physician, Dr. Lugliani will provide weekly tips, in-depth blog posts, answer your health questions, and provide general health and wellness support to participants throughout the program. “I’m excited to participate in this year’s event because I continually seek to surround myself with people who want to improve themselves from the inside out. Good health and good habits don’t just happen - they need to be nurtured. We intend to do this at the Red Rocks Challenge.”
Sarah Fox Personal Trainer Sarah Fox has been studying and working in the health and fitness industry for the past 10 years.  She spent 4 years of her wellness career as a middle school health and P.E. teacher which confirmed her love for fitness education and aided her in the decision to pursue her degree in Human Performance and Sport from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. Currently, Sarah coordinates the Group Fitness program, instructs group fitness and Kinesis classes and personal trains at Pura Vida Fitness and Spa in Denver.  Sarah not only has a great deal of experience and knowledge in the fitness industry but a true love for helping people.  Sarah is always looking for opportunities to grow as a professional, believing that we should never stop learning, growing, and questioning our practices.  She believes that we all exist harboring a genuine desire to treat our minds and bodies well; we just don’t always know how to do it or the form that it should take.  Sarah enjoys helping her clients find and develop a healthy balance in their lives.  She specializes in educating about wellness, helping people find their inner energy, and motivating individuals to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle! EDUCATION.  CERTIFICATIONS.  PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Bachelor of Science: Health Education. Kent State University. December 2003 • Nutrition Educator.  Pittsburgh Food Bank.  December 2003-June 2004 • Health and P.E. teacher. Ft. Lupton Middle School.  July 2004 – May 2008 • Bachelor of Science: Human Performance and Sport.  Metropolitan State College of Denver. May 2011 • Group Fitness Coordinator. Group Fitness Instructor. Personal Trainer. Campus Recreation at Auraria. November 2008-November 2010 • Adjunct Faculty.  Human Performance and Sport Department.  Metropolitan State College of Denver. Spring 2011 • Group Fitness Coordinator, Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer. Pura Vida Fitness and Spa. Present • American Red Cross Adult, child, infant CPR.  • Schwinn Indoor Cycling Coach
Patience Hooks Personal Trainer   Do you want results that payoff? Patience is a certified personal trainer and weight loss expert with over 11 years of experience helping men, women and children. Through nutritional and behavioral changes Patience has her clients successfully lose weight and transform their lives. She loves to push through limitations to get results. Patience has experience in leading winning teams; from UNC collegiate cheerleading and UNC women's rugby, to the stage of Mrs. Colorado and co-owning her own weight loss business. Patience has hosted boot camp classes for her weight loss clients at Red Rocks Amphitheatre the past 3 summers to rock their bodies. Struggling with hormonal weight gain in adolescence, Patience overcame her unhealthy relationship with food and body image through personal training and weight loss coaching. This combination was the perfect mix of mind, body and spiritual recovery Patience needed. She loves to coach, train hard and to laugh harder. She says that her husband and two young boys are her biggest competitors and her vision is to see families training, boot camping and having a crazy fun time sweating together. EDUCATION.  CERTIFICATIONS.  PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Certified Personal Trainer: NCCPT, NCCA accredited • Metabolic Specialist Certified Consultant.  Level I, II & III • Body In Balance - Hormone Balance • Meta-Kidz Weight Loss Specialist • Smart Fitness University's Nutrition Course
Aaron Varcasio Personal Trainer Aaron Varcasio is originally from Upstate New York. He moved to Colorado last November with the drive and challenge to recreate his own life and change the lives of others.  He has 5 years experience working in the fitness industry as a Certified Personal Trainer. Aaron also brings 12 years of extracurricular and professional experiences to the Fitness Challenge this spring and summer. Aaron has spent time working with juvenile offenders, adults with disabilities, and school age children from a health and fitness standpoint. Aaron has a thorough background in competitive rowing; starting in 1997, he began rowing in high school and still competes today. Most recently Aaron has been competing in CrossFit events, triathlons and century biking events. In January 2010, he dedicated himself to training and encompassing the methodology and concept of CrossFit.  CrossFit has helped Aaron change his own perspective on mind, body and spirit. The bulk of his training is spent building strength and endurance to improve upon all disciplines of CrossFit. EDUCATION.  CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • BA in English at SUNY Oswego, December 2004 • NASM – CPT, CES, PES, Youth Client • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer • CrossFit Movement and Mobility Trainer • CrossFit Rowing Trainer • NESTA - Certified Nutrition Coach • US Rowing Level 2 Crew Coach •  American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Denver Parks and Recreation • Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor January 2012-Present MBS CrossFit • Head Rowing Coach    December 2011 – Present Rocky Mountain Rowing Club • Intermediate  Rowing Coach  May 2011 –  September  2011 Brookwood Secure Center, Youth correctional facility   Youth Recreation Specialist  March 2007-March 2011 "Like" Coach Aaron on Facebook!
Kristy Rapacki Personal Trainer Kristy Rapacki gets you results believing that a healthy body and mind derive from a balance of knowledge, fitness, and nutrition.  Her training helps to transform the professional athlete looking to gain a competitive edge, to the beginner looking to reduce body fat. A fitness enthusiast since she could walk, her love for fitness began as a competitive gymnast. Blessed with an abundance of energy, Kristy found her place motivating others to reach their goals and teaching them the importance of incorporating exercise into their lives. “I love to watch the transformation of participants from the start to finish noticing the changes in their body, mind, and spirit, and then when they finally realize they have surpassed their goals and that anything is possible.” She also understands the challenges that life presents and the real effort it takes to reach your goals. By using her own techniques, Kristy has successfully dropped below her pre-pregnancy weight in less than four months after giving birth.   As a life-long fitness apprentice, Kristy is always searching for the newest and most innovative fitness disciplines. She is a specialist in total body makeovers, instructs boot camps and holds resistance training classes for Denver Parks and Recreation. She is also the owner and senior fitness trainer for Fly Fitness, which brings fitness to your doorstep. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, snowboarding, participating in 5–10k’s, and other fitness challenges.  This summer you can catch Kristy at competitive mud runs such as the Rugged Maniac and Warrior Dash. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS   Personal Trainer/ Group Fitness Instructor; Boot-Camps, Cardio Sculpt and Body Toning. -Denver Recreation and Parks • Owner/Fitness Trainer-Fly Fitness, Denver CO • B.A. Corporate Communications, College of Charleston, 2001 • Certified Personal Trainer • AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Specialized disciplines in Pilates and Indoor Cycling • Certified Adult, Child and Infant CPR/First Aide "Like" Coach Kristy on Facebook!
Lori Johnson Personal Trainer Lori’s love for fitness was created out of personal struggle to stay at a healthy weight.  Despite the fact that she enjoys working out, she didn’t like doing the same ole’ routines day after day. in her  search to find the best training program Lori gained several training certifications. She quickly discovered that the boot camps and athletic training styles allowed her the flexibility and versatility to accomplish a full body workout and to acquire the tools to push her clients to their full potential.  Surprisingly, Lori found herself in the best shape right after having 2 children (Gabrielle, 12 and Isaiah, 9) and that is when Lori realized the need to help others realize their own fitness possibilities.  Even though Lori specializes in personal training and small group training she still enjoys the energy that comes from a classroom of eager students.  Lori is currently training and teaching a variety of classes. Lori’s classes include, but are not limited to; spinning, athletic training/ sports conditioning, kickboxing and other sports specific trainings. Lori instructs her classes at Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Center, Forza Fitness, Cole Fusion Fitness and City of Denver Parks and Recreation. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Certified –  ACE: 12  years experience • ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant • NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist • NASM Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist • Body Pump and Body Combat Certified , Les Mill • Drill Instructor Training –U.S. Navy, Boot Camp Challenge • BOSU Ball Certified • Turbo Kick Certified • TRX Suspension Trainer
Jeremiah Balser Personal Trainer "Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail"... a lot of things in life can fall into that category, but when it comes to your health and wellness - nothing could be more truthful!  Jeremiah is a graduate of the National Personal Training Institute. He has 8 years of experience with Personal Training and fitness class instruction.  Jeremiah is a former professional BMX freestyle rider of the X-Games in 1997 and he also pursued a spirited career in competitive boxing. Lifelong fitness is a true passion of Jeremiahs. He is an athletic enthusiast and loves to incorporate interactive coaching through football, baseball, basketball and boxing. Jeremiah also has a focus on childhood fitness and overall wellness. Jeremiah is ready to conquer the Red Rocks Fitness Challenge right alongside his team to make it a great, healthy summer - and beyond.  Red Rocks has long been one of Jeremiahs favorite exercise playgrounds; he has taught many classes at the amphitheatre and prides himself on his creative use of its surroundings.  He will put forth a challenging, yet fun time getting healthier. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Associate of Business - Community College of Denver @ Auraria 1999 • National Personal Training Institute of Lakewood CO. Graduate of 2005 (NSCA program) • Personal Trainer and fitness class instructor: 8 years experience • A.C.E. (American Council of Exercise) certified. • Denver Parks and Recreation Fitness class instructor and Personal Trainer • Brighton School District 27J Wellness Coordinator for staff members • CPR / AED certified
Lucinda Bussey (Lulu B) Personal Trainer Lulu B is very excited to be a part of the HealthONE Red Rocks 90 Day Fitness Challenge. She has been personally involved in the fitness world for about 20 years. Lulu has been at both ends of the spectrum when it comes to health. She has been a healthy individual who looks forward to physical activity every day, and she has also been 215lbs with no idea how to change what she had done to herself. She now understands what it takes and she is here to help you. Lulu trains her clients for their lifetime. She does this to maintain a constant, fully prepared individual both physically and mentally. Lulu is a former United States Marine and completed all four years of her service. Her training with the Marines was extremely valuable when it comes to weight loss and discipline. She gears a lot of her training towards a military/CrossFit approach. Lulu has been training people from various walks of life and customizes every session to her client’s style, needs, and level of fitness.   She is also a big believer in body strength training and functionality strength training which involves a lot of focus on core strength. Most of this training is done with little or no weights and the client receives great benefits both physically and mentally. Lulu enjoys working with people and helping them become happier and healthier. She wants to teach r clients what she has learned and she hopes to learn a lot in return as well. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Certified Personal Fitness Trainer AAAI/ISMA • Weight Training Consultant AAAI/ISMA "Like" Coach Lulu on Facebook!
Ginger Richards Personal Trainer Ginger grew up in Boulder, Colorado but has also spent time living in Denver, Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, and the UK. She was never much of an athletic person outside of snowboarding, bike commuting, and taking aerobics classes during her college years.  Ginger recently discovered a passion for running in 2008, and has since been competing in triathlons, road races, and relays. In 2010 she began coaching young tri-athletes at the ACHIEVE DC Youth Triathlon Camp and has been enjoying coaching and training ever since. Ginger is also a musician and has been playing and touring in bands for over 15 years. Currently she teaches guitar and coaches bands for the Girls Rock Denver rock 'n' roll camp. After residing in the DC area for 8 years, she returned to the Denver area in April, 2011 to pursue her passion for fitness, nutrition, and music. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS •  M.S. in Library Science - Catholic University of America, 2005 •  B.S. in Music - University of Colorado, 2000 •  ACSM Certified Personal Trainer •  RRCA Certified Running Coach •  Registered Yoga Teacher and Yoga Movement Screen Certified •  AADP Certified Health & Nutrition Coach •  CPR/AED and First Aid Certified "Like" Coach Ginger on Facebook!
Jamie Atlas Personal Trainer Jamie Atlas focuses on motivating his clients through an upbeat, fun-loving and always energetic attitude.   He achieves results through his developed combination of functional training and a realistic nutritional approach.  Over his 20 years of experience he has developed a breadth of knowledge that helps maximize the speed in which people can get in shape while minimizing risk of boredom.  He has been teaching Saturday morning classes for charity at Red Rocks since 2008 year round (even through Winter!)  Originally from Australia, Jamie reached the peak of his athletic career as a professional basketball athlete and going on to work with athletes preparing for the Sydney 2000 Olympics before realizing his calling was in helping others achieve more important goals such as weight loss or recapturing their ability to participate in and enjoy their sport of choice.  Jamie Atlas moved to Denver from Australia in 2001 and has since helped people get ready for a variety of events, from the Bolder Boulder and Warrior Dash to the Mrs. Colorado Pageant and various Figure Competitions.  While he has worked with some of the Denver Nuggets and other high level athletes, he is most satisfied working with real people to achieve significant results that form the basis for a life-changing approach to fitness.  In 2008 he began his semi-private training business 'Bonza Bodies Fitness', which relocated to downtown Denver in 2010 and last year won a 5280 Top Of The Town award.  He himself won the 5280 Top Of The Town Best Personal Trainer award in 2011.   To see more of what Jamie Atlas or his studio Bonza Bodies has to offer, you can go to www.bonzabodies.com or for a 2 week pass just call 720 257 9328. Education, Certifications, Professional Contributions Certified Personal Trainer since 1991 BSc, Neuroscience Dip Ed, Sports Science PTA Global Certified Personal Trainer ViPR Master Trainer FreeMotionFitness Master Trainer TRX Certified Personal Trainer International Presenter on Functional Fitness and Personal Training Methods Fitness Resource for: 9 News, FOX31, KWGN2 Regular contributor for: Denver Post, WestWord Magazine Co-Creator, Serius Strap Suspension Training Equipment Lead Instructor, FItness On The Rocks 2011 Lead Instructor, OMG Fitness Festival 2011 Owner, Founder Bonza Bodies Fitness Studio www.bonzabodies.com Winner, 5280 Top Of The Town Denver's Best Personal Trainer "Like" Coach Jamie on Facebook!
Jennifer Tingstad N.E. Holistic Health Practitioner and LARABAR Representative Jen’s mission is to provide guidance while enhancing individual well-being complimented with holistic healing through food. She is committed to helping others reach their optimal health potential through quality nutrition coupled with comprehensive direction and self-awareness for effective decision-making. Jens specialties include athlete nutrition, mental and emotional disorders, eating disorders, immune, thyroid adrenal and hormone support, nutritional supplementation, Anemia, vegetarian and vegan diets. She also specializes in weight management, loss, gain, and resting metabolic rate testing. Jens focuses strongly around nutritional education, biochemical individuality, and guidance in physical fitness and eating for overall health and wellness. Jen likes to gear her strengths towards athletes, adults looking to further their athletic abilities and child athletes. Through Prajna Nutrition, Jen offers individual, group, and family services. Some of the services include: individual consultations or group lectures, diet and lifestyle evaluations, personalized menu planning and tailored recipes, online or phone consultations, kitchen clean out and grocery shopping make overs, blood chemistry profile analysis, and eating on a budget. To find more of what Jen has to offer you can find her other services and credentials at www.liveprajna.com. EDUCATION. CERTIFICATIONS. PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Seattle Pacific University (2004-2008) • Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition (2009) • Blood Chemistry Analysis Classes during 2009 • Certified LEAP blood food sensitivity practitioner (2009)
Fitness Challenge Contacts Amy Lindsey, Red Rocks Amphitheatre Marketing:  amy.lindsey@denvergov.org 303-619-6737 Erin Bauer, Red Rocks Amphitheatre Marketing: erin.bauer@denvergov.org 720-865-4224 Kristin Rust, Red Rocks Amphitheatre Public Relations: Kristin.rust@denvergov.org 720-865-4309 Angela Casias, Parks & Recreation:  angela.casias@denvergov.org  720-913-0741 Tommy Karaffa, Parks & Recreation: tommy.karaffa@denvergov.org 720-865-3404 Bridget Farrell, Parks & Recreation: bridget.farrell@denvergov.org 720-865-0525 Colleen Dewald, Sponsor Activation:  colleen@proxypartners.com 303-672-7213 Lizzie Dunbar, Sponsorship Activation: lizzie@proxypartners.com  203-695-2271