Learn from professionals to help guide the future of our industry.
The IDEA Fitness Mentor Network 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.
A Platform for Connection and Growth
Looking forward, we envision the IDEA Fitness Mentor Network as the premier platform for connecting aspiring and established health and exercise professionals. The program is designed with a dual purpose: to provide mentees with invaluable guidance while offering mentors a fulfilling opportunity to share their expertise and insights.
The future vision is to create a vibrant, thriving community where mentorship is a cornerstone of professional growth. We see a future where every health and exercise professional can access guidance, support, and inspiration, no matter their career stage. By promoting a network that facilitates connection and collaboration, IDEA aims to shape the future landscape of the profession, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and shared success.
Read the recent press release:
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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.
🌟 Introducing IDEA's Fitness Mentor Network! 🌟
Find your Mentor
Mentor match! Discover your perfect mentor in minutes—just answer a few quick questions and we’ll show you who’s the best fit for your goals.
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
- Gym 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 – $59.99 (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 national network 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Programs
Specialty Coaching Sessions with a Mentor
Marketing and Social Media
6 week program that focuses on a subject with a deep dive, templates, resources, accountability and more. (60 min/each)
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.
We’ll start with brand awareness fundamentals, focusing on the connection between trust and purchasing decisions and how to establish your unique identity through visuals and voice that resonate with your target audience. From there, we’ll dive into systems and processes that ensure your efforts translate into real results, equipping you with tools to manage and grow your business efficiently. We will be discussing online marketing through social media, websites, and email systems, as well as direct connections like events and media.
This cohort is tailored to help you navigate the unique challenges of the fitness industry while leveraging your passion for movement and connection. Let’s work together to grow your business and make a greater impact—one week at a time!
Time and Day
- Kick‑off: Tuesday, August 19
- Time: 2 PM MST | 1 PM PST
- Frequency: Weekly, every Tuesday
*A 1-year IDEAfit Pro or Plus Membership is required to participate and will be automatically added to your cart if you are not already a member.
*If you are a member, please make sure you are logged in before checking out.
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6 Week Specialty Coaching Sessions
Marketing and Social Media
$350
(membership not included)
Pilot Program Testimonials
Courtney Shelby - Owner, Thrive Wellness Group
"My experience so far has been life changing. Being a part of the pilot group, I learned about what other people were doing, their challenges, received resources and information and met some incredible people. It boosted my confidence, gave me direction, inspired new ideas, more importantly it felt great being a part of a supportive community who has experienced similar situations to myself and can relate and help. I have more opportunities now than I did prior to the pilot program; not only for my self-development but to hopefully go forward and help others as a mentor and to help the industry grow and thrive in addition to that. This group far exceeded my expectations. I am very grateful for this opportunity. With that only being a month or so, any fit professional who participates as a mentee will gain far more in a 12-month period, I think we can expect faster and greater results in them as far as personal and business development and attract more mentors in the process.
Thank you for this special opportunity."
Laura Dow - Founder, Stiff To Fit
"I strongly recommend this program in any form-the 12-month group program, 1 on 1 coaching and the Cohort program. Having access to an established, knowledgeable mentor can save you time, energy and money. I participated as a "mentee" in this pilot program and can attest to the quality of the mentors as well as the connections I made with other participants. I've been in the fitness industry for 20 years and wish I had mentors during my career.
This program is not to be missed!."
Waihon Liew - M Sc, NASM-CPT, TBMM-CES
"The pilot project of IDEA Fit Mentor-Mentee program has given me more tools and human support as a fitness & wellness professional. Sometimes I noticed there are some levels of competitiveness out there among fitness professionals when it comes to sharing useful information - people tend not to share their ‘profitable tips’. But this Mentor Mentee initiative will bring all liked minded and caring professionals to come up with a macro best practice to benefit the global community. I am very fortunate to be a part of this pilot project and looking forward to serving as a mentor and mentee on my expertise topics."
Aaron Wyant - MS Kinesiology & Exercise Science, Certified Cancer Recovery Specialist
"The opportunity to work with a proven SME and mentor to refine my skills as a health fitness coach and business operator has been invaluable. Mentorship may be the single most influential aspect to the growth of my passion and success in the exercise industry!”
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.