Learn from professionals to help guide the future of our industry.
The IDEA Fitness Mentor Network empowers health and exercise professionals through mentor-mentee relationships that build knowledge, confidence, and elevate industry standards.
Connecting and Growing Together
We envision IDEA Fitness Mentor Network as the leading platform for connecting aspiring and seasoned professionals. Mentees gain valuable guidance, while mentors share expertise. Our goal is a thriving community where mentorship supports every career stage, driving continuous improvement and shared success.
Read the recent press release:
Choose the learning style that suits you best—grow alongside peers in a monthly Group Program or get personalized, flexible guidance through a One-on-One Mentorship.
🌟 Introducing IDEA's Fitness Mentor Network! 🌟
How it works
Choose the learning style that suits you best—grow alongside peers in a multi-week Group Program or get personalized, flexible guidance through a One-on-One Mentorship.
Group Programs
Grow alongside peers in a multi-week themed Group Mentorship Program
- Format
- Multi-week themed cohort
- Starts
- Next start ➜ Aug 19
- Price
- $350
Private One-on-One
Get personalized, flexible guidance through a series of 5 One-on-One Mentorship Sessions.
- Format
- 5× 60 min private calls
- Starts
- Start any time
- Price
- $350
Accelerate Your Fitness Career with One-on-One Mentorship
Our One-on-One Mentorship Program is crafted to empower fitness professionals through personalized guidance, skill development, and career growth strategies. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your impact in the industry, this program offers tailored support and accountability to help you reach your next level.
Who It’s For:
- Personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and health coaches
- Strength and conditioning specialists
- Club and Studio owners and aspiring fitness entrepreneurs
- Fitness professionals aiming to specialize or grow their client base
What You Get:
- 5 individual mentorship sessions – $350 total
- IDEA Health & Fitness Association membership – $69.99 (Current IDEA members do not incur membership cost)
Investing in mentorship is a powerful signal of your commitment to personal and professional growth. You're not just getting expert guidance—you’re actively building the mindset that drives long-term success.
Your IDEA membership connects you to a community of fitness professionals and unlocks a treasure trove of industry-leading resources, tools, and education to fuel your business and career.
Ann Gilbert
Ann Gilbert is an owner of Fit-Her Health & Fitness for Women. Ann oversees the operations of as many as 10 certified Personal Trainers, 15 Group Fitness professionals, and coordinates fee based group personal training programs for ages 48-98.
Read more...Ben Ludwig
Ben is the President of Colossians 3:23-24 Fitness Holdings having partnered with and consulted fitness businesses across the globe, he is an expert at growing and scaling fitness business and developing leaders. He is a noted and widely published fitness business expert.
Read more...Billy Anderson
Billy understands that starting a career in fitness can be complex and overwhelming. Billy has 25 years of experience in the areas of Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Behavior Change Coaching. In addition, Billy is the owner of Heroic Fitness Adventures: A Recovery-Based Fitness Studio in Minneapolis, MN. Billy is here to be your guide on your path to mastering the many skills a fitness professional needs to know to enjoy a long and rewarding career: From Sales and Marketing to Exercise Program design.
Read more...Jessica Maurer
Jessica H. Maurer is a recognized fitness business consultant and strategist who focuses on taking businesses from overwhelmed to organized. Her international presentations, workshops, certifications, and consultations underscore her commitment to helping fitness professionals and businesses realize their full potential.
Read more...Jessie Thomas
Jessie Thomas has been in the fitness industry since 2007 as a Fitness Instructor Specialist, is the founder of Farm Girl Fitness in Halton Hills, Ontario, a TRX Master Trainer and multi-award-winning fitness leader. Jessie is dedicated to helping others build confidence, strength, and a positive body image through movement.
Read more...Vanessa Severiano
Vanessa Severiano is a growth strategist with over 20 years of experience leading sales, marketing, and business strategy in the fitness and wellness industry. She has worked with globally recognized brands like Equinox and Crunch, and has also built brands from the ground up as a founding team member
Read more...Group Programs
Marketing and Social Media
This is your guide to building a thriving and sustainable fitness business. This program is designed specifically for fitness instructors, personal trainers, and studio owners who want to amplify their impact, attract more clients, and create lasting connections through smart, strategic marketing.
Time and Day
- Kick‑off: Tuesday - August 19, 2025
- Time: 2 pm EST
- Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday
$350.00
-
Disrupt to Grow: The Fit Pro’s AI Playbook: Tools, Prompts, and Profit
This 8-week mentor-led course teaches fitness professionals how to harness the power of AI—especially ChatGPT—to streamline business systems, personalize client experiences, and create scalable revenue streams. Learn practical tools, real-time strategies, and disruptive tech workflows to grow smarter, not harder.
Time and Day
- Kick‑off: Monday - August 25, 2025
- Time: 2 pm PT | 5 pm EST
- Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday
$350.00
-
Legal, Ethical and Business Considerations for Fitness Professionals and Solopreneurs
6 week program that focuses on a subject with a deep dive, templates, resources, accountability and more. (60 min/each)
Time and Day
- Kick‑off: Wednesday - September 24, 2025
- Time: 2 pm EST
- Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday
$350.00
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Fitness & Wellness Programming
In a growing industry spanning corporate, community, and virtual sectors, effective fitness and wellness programming is key to engagement and business success. This 8-week mentorship cohort equips owners, managers, and programmers with the tools to confidently design, schedule, and deliver impactful classes and events. Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned pro, you'll gain strategic, creative, and measurable approaches to elevate health outcomes and client retention.
Time and Day
- Kick‑off: Thursday - October 9, 2025
- Time: 9 am PST
- Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday
$350.00
Meet IDEA's Fitness Mentor Network Program Administrators
Debbie Bellenger
Debbie Bellenger is the Founder/CEO of DB Fitness and Wellness Solutions. Debbie has an extensive background as SVP of Healthy Living for South Florida YMCA’s, 23 years as Director of Wellness for two hospitals in the Southeast in the medical wellness, corporate wellness, community wellness and fitness fields.
Dr. Darian Parker
Dr. Darian Parker is a 23 year fitness professional, entrepreneur, educator and executive. During Dr. Parker's career he has served several roles in the fitness and wellness industry. He has worked extensively in both the academic and private club sector as a Director of Education for a Career College, General Manager of a high end luxury residential fitness club and National Director of Fitness for a global leisure management company.
Dr. Erin Nitschke
Dr. Erin Nitschke, EdD, ACE-CPT, NFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, ACE Health Coach, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, and Pn1 is a health and human performance college professor, fitness writer, mother, and passionate fitness professional. She has been in the health and exercise industry since 2003. Erin believes in the power of a holistic approach to healthy living.
Mission
The Fitness Mentor Network program aims to empower health and exercise professionals by fostering meaningful mentor-mentee relationships that cultivate knowledge, build confidence, and elevate the standards of practice within the industry.
Beyond individual success, the network promotes continuous learning and professional excellence, strengthening the industry as a whole. Mentors serve as role models, providing guidance that enhances service quality and ensures clients receive top-tier expertise based on the latest research and proven methodologies.
Vision
We envision a future where IDEA’s Fitness Mentor Network Program is the premier platform for connecting aspiring and established health and exercise professionals.
Through our program, mentees will gain invaluable guidance and support, while mentors will find a fulfilling opportunity to share their expertise and contribute to the profession's growth and future landscape.
Values
- Professional Growth: We believe in the continuous learning and development of health and exercise professionals.
- Mentorship Excellence: We foster a supportive environment where mentors are equipped to provide effective guidance and mentees are empowered to ask questions and learn.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We value a program that is inclusive and accessible to all health and exercise professionals regardless of background or experience level.
- Ethical Practice: We uphold the highest ethical standards within the health and exercise industry.
- Community Building: We strive to cultivate a strong community of health and exercise professionals through mentorship connections.