Guest Presenters

Special Guest Presenters

Karen Behrend

Karen has experience in every facet of the industry and that coupled with her passion to help others succeed will give you the competitive edge to grow your business. Karen started her journey as a competitive D1 Track & Field Athlete at the University of Houston. She has taught and coached in the public schools, has owned her own personal training business, and was one of the most successful Healthy Living Senior Directors at the YMCA of Greater Houston, leading programs and overseeing over 150 staff for 20years. She continues to teach group classes from TRX, Functional Training, Spinning, Bodypump, Waterexercise, Pilates, CSI and much more. As Marathon’s education manager she will consult with your team on equipment selection and ensure that every customer gets the knowledge and education they need to run successful programs.
Karen has her Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a Bachelors degree in physical education/community health both from the University of Houston. She holds certifications from ACE, AEA, SCW, Spinning, PowerHouse Pilates, Les Mills, YMCA Organizational Leader, Precor Master Coach and is a Master Trainer for Escape Fitness. She is also a CEC provider for The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and provides trainings, workshops and Open House events for our customers.
Karen understands where our customers are coming from. Her expertise lies not only in education but a deep understanding of customer service, connection & engagement, retention of staff and members, as well as developing and running successful programs.

Lauren George

Lauren George is the Co-Creator of the Enhanced Barre Above Program, Creator of the Musicality Method, Co-Owner of FitBiz Retreat, Fit and Fierce on the Mic Podcast host, adjunct faculty at Clemson University, former studio owner, and a Master Trainer for Balletone. She has had a love for movement since a young age and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Texas A&M University and Master’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from University of North Texas. She was named EMPOWER! Fusion Education Partner of the Year in 2018. Lauren has had the pleasure of leading the group fitness programs at The Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center, Florida State University, and Todd Pilates and Fitness. Most of all, Lauren is passionate about helping participants understand that fitness can be FUN!

Lisa Reynolds

Lisa’s journey in the fitness industry sparked from an early passion for movement, dance, and a desire to help others. She first began teaching group fitness at Texas A&M University where she taught a variety of formats, primarily mind-body and dance-fitness based classes. When Lisa first experienced barre, she knew it was just the right fit for her as it combined her love for high-energy, musically-driven classes with the classic training she had learned from years of ballet, yoga, and pilates. Upon graduation, Lisa moved to Dallas where she started teaching barre, yoga, yoga sculpt, and dance fitness at many different health clubs and studios throughout the metroplex. She later became a Master Trainer for PulsePointe barre, which has since become a part of the enhanced Barre Above® program. In addition to being a Master Trainer for Barre Above, Balletone, and Cardio Yoga, Lisa is a 500hr- ERYT/ YACEP through the Yoga Alliance. Lisa is passionate about providing high-quality continuing education for all fitness professionals in order to be the change agent for people to live healthier, happier lives.

Shannon Briggs

Multi-Passionate Fitness Professional, Owner: Created For More Personal Training!
ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, ACE Certified Senior Fitness Specialist, ACE CEC Provider , TRX Certified Instructor, Certified Pound Professional, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Shannon has over 30 years experience in the dance and fitness industry. Our bodies are beautifully complex and are created to do amazing things. It is her pure joy to enable her classes and clients to be productive and successful with each workout, leaving the gym feeling pleasantly exhausted and proud of their accomplishment. Continuing Education Courses and Training Workshops are paramount to providing her group fitness classes and her clients the most current and cutting-edge research in fitness. She is committed to sharpening her knowledge as the health industry continually evolves and advances. It is fascinating to explore new and developing ideas in the health/fitness industry and integrate them into her practice. She is also passionate about passing that knowledge on to others in the fitness industry through ACE approved CEC workshops and presentations.

Lucy waite

Lucy Weaver, MS, is an Instructional Associate Professor of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. With over a decade in the industry, Lucy shares her passion for fitness education as a presenter for Schwinn Indoor Cycling® and a variety of other fitness formats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s degree in health education. Lucy is an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and NSCA certified personal trainer. She teaches group exercise for the Texas A&M student recreation center and leads yoga for Texas A&M basketball, volleyball, golf, and softball teams.