Special Guests & Sponsors

Dr. Jessica Matthews

Dr. Matthews is assistant professor and program director at Point Loma Nazarene University, where she created the online Master of Kinesiology in Integrative Wellness program. She also serves as director of integrative health coaching at UC San Diego Health in the Department of Family Medicine. There she leads the development, delivery and management of health coaching within clinical practice and research, to include overseeing a team of national board certified health and wellness coaches within the Centers for Integrative Health.
Dr. Matthews received her doctorate in behavioral health with a focus in clinical integrated care from Arizona State University and she holds numerous professional certifications, including as a certified lifestyle medicine professional (DipACLM), experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT500), personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and national board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC).
A recognized leader in the field and a passionate advocate for a whole person approach to health, Dr. Matthews serves on the board of directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), and in 2017 she was honored as the IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year—a top award recognizing superior instructional abilities and positive influence in the global health and fitness industry.

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.

Cory Bennett

Cory Bennett has been in the fitness industry for 10-years practicing as a certified personal trainer, sports performance specialist, consultant, speaker, business owner and university professional. Currently, Cory serves as the Assistant Director of Fitness Programs at the University of Florida, Department of Recreational Sports while also running a private fitness coaching business. As an NASM Academic Provider, Cory leads an annual NASM-CPT Preparation Course where he develops 30+ aspiring personal trainers in a hybrid classroom/gym environment. Since becoming a NASM instructor Cory has developed over 100 personal trainers who provide the highest quality services serving over 500 clients.