Meet the Legally Lean™ Expert Advisory Team
Dr. Chris Herrera, DPT
Founder/CEO Jaguar Training
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), he is a leader in the sports training and healthcare field as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and United States Weightlifting Performance Coach (USAW). Chris completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Miami in 2007, graduating with honors.
Chris is a member of the US Olympic Sailing Performance Enhancement Team (PET) as the Medical Coordinator acting as head physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach. He works with the US Sailing management and staff to coordinate all medical coverage within US and internationally to support the athletes with doctors, therapists, Chiropractors, and nutritional demands. Chris has been working with US Sailing for over 6 years and was a member of the 2012 US Sailing Team and Untied States Olympic Committee (USOC) Medical team that traveled and worked with the athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.
Chris has worked with professional football, baseball, martial arts, and basketball athletes through Bommarito Performance Systems (BPS) for the past 3 years. Jaguar Therapeutics has treated over 100 NFL players, 150 College Football players, and 30 MLB players.
James Meder, BS, CPT, CSCS
Director of Operations, Fast Twitch Performance Training
Not only a highly sought after performance specialist, James has also developed a talent for strategic branding and creative marketing that established Fast Twitch as one of the leading performance companies in the nation. James leads the operations staff through a coordinated approach for business development that has affiliated Fast Twitch with national partnerships including Under Armour and Gatorade. The initial concepts of Fast Twitch came from experiences at nationally respected facilities, as well, as pursuing a sports management degree from Bowling Green State University. For more information: www.AreYouFastTwitch.com
“Due to the large amount of misinformation out there, it is important that student athletes get food, fitness & supplement information from a team of professionals rather than questionable, unqualified coaches and/or the internet.”
Irik Johnson, M.S., CSCS
Fast Twitch Performance Training
A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Irik received his Master’s degree in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Human Performance while coaching football at Ithaca College. At Fast Twitch Performance Training, Irik oversees all training and works directly with the training staff to expand their knowledge, skills and abilities. Irik worked with a variety of pro-level athletes as well as many high school programs in the South Florida region.
Coach Mike Ward
http://www.coachwardrunning.com
Coach Ward has 40 years of personal running experience and over 25 years of coaching experience. Certified as a USA Track & Field Level II Coach, Mike spent 16 years at the University of Miami, 11 years as the Head Coach. At the University of Miami, Ward’s athletes rewrote the record book in all running events. Coach Ward coached Davian Clarke, a three time Olympian for Jamaica, to the 400m NCAA National Championship. In 1998, Ward’s first year as Head Coach, he was named Big East Coach of the Year. In the 800m, Ward coached Ronalde Thorne to 1:46.66 in two years at the Univ. of Miami. Thorne was an All-American and named Big East Track Athlete of the Year. Tim Harris, 2008 US Olympic Trials runner, ran 1:47.10 in the 800m winning six ACC 800m championships and becoming a 5 time All-American. In the short sprints, Ward coached up to 20 football players currently playing in the NFL, which include the likes of Santana Moss, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson. Coach Ward was also instrumental in the development of two athletes making the US Olympic Trials in the marathon. Melanie Peters in 2008 (2:45 @ Tampa) & Nick Gramsky (2:21 @ Chicago) in 2004.
Mandy Twardowski, BS, DTR-
Professional Chef/Certified Coach
A passion for fitness, nutrition, & living a healthy lifestyle, Mandy believes both healthy eating + exercise are key to reaching an optimal physique. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Nutrition, Mandy attained a National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF) Personal Training Certification & coaches SweatShop Gym in Coral Gables, Florida. She is also a registered dietetic technician (DTR).
“Our youth is the next generation, and with obesity & diabetes rates climbing, it is highly important to provide them with as much knowledge as possible. With proper training & recovery there will be less injury, & allows them to enjoy & push themselves to their full potential. ”
Christie Kirchoff, RN BSN
Phil Hanneck
Olympian Runner, Former World Record Mile Holder, Running Coach
Meet Olympic Medalist, Phil Hanneck, who set the World Record for road mile in 1995 (3 min 46 seconds) & was ranked #1 in World 1993 and 1995. Three time Olympic Champion. 1988, 1992, and 1996; Olympic Games Athlete 1500 and 5000 meters Silver Medalist, 1992 in Barcelona, Spain; Olympic Games Athlete Commonwealth Games 1500 and 5000 meters, 1996 in Atlanta, GA; Olympic Games Athlete 1500 meters, 1988 in Seoul South Korea. A college graduate, Phil received his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Texas. He has 17 years of experience in marketing, promotions and event planning with NIKE & FUJITSU & has received multiple awards for Excellence in Management, Team Leadership and contribution as a Team Player. Phil’s work never stops as he believes in also giving back to his community. He won a Public Service Award from the Mayor of Kobe, Japan for a fundraising event for 1996 earthquake raising $200,000 for relief efforts. He also won the Kentucky Commonwealth Colonel Award from Charity work in Croatia & was a volunteer track coach for the Special Olympics. More about Phil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philemon_Hanneck http://www.herald.co.zw/hanneck-to-help-local-athletes/
Educator Ambassador 2015
Logan Rex MS, ATC, LAT, EMT-B
Logan Rex is the head Athletic Trainer at Sports Leadership and Management Academy in Little Havana, Florida. What began as an interest in Sports Medicine quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of excellence in an ever growing field. Logan went to the prestigious San Francisco State University which led her to South Florida in which she attained a Master’s of Science at Florida International University. Ever the academic, Ms. Rex is also a Certified Emergency Medical Technician and is currently a College Professor at St. Thomas University. A preceptor for the Athletic Training Program at Florida International University, Logan Rex has had the opportunity to work with Major League Baseball players, Semi-Professional Athletes, and D1 Collegiate Athletes. From extreme sports to instructing children on how to swim Logan Rex’s background is as diverse and eclectic as one could ever hope for, which have all led her to her current roles and achievements.
“The importance of instilling healthy eating habits and health in sport is paramount to the growth and knowledge of our youth today. Empowering them with this information will not only be beneficial but it will positively influence each generation after that. I am a big believer in knowledge is power and if we can promote overall health in young individuals it can only have a positive influence.”
Caron B. Schiffman
Educator Ambassador 2014
With over 30 years of experience teaching young individuals the importance of creating & maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Ms. Schiffman currently teaches personal fitness @ Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, North Miami Beach Florida along with a dual enrollment program through Florida International University. Previously, has taught both middle and high school students and has acted as Department Head of Physical Education at Nautilus Middle School.
Affectionately known as Coach “Schiffy” by her students, Ms. Schiffman teaches health, team sports, personal fitness, aerobics, conditioning and weight training, as well as coaches varsity x-country. She has also has coached both girls varsity bowling, softball and girls & boys volleyball (at both the middle and high school levels) & was named “Middle School Teacher of the Year” twice at Nautilus Middle School.
Beyond the classroom & field, Caron talks the “talk & walks the walk.” Coach Schiffy teaches healthy living by example. She continuously competes in sprint distance and half-ironman triathlons, duathlons, half-marathons and 5K and 10K races, winning numerous overall and age group awards, including a national ranking in her age group for triathlons. In her “spare time” she shares of love of running & offers her “Fit4life/Shape Up with Schiffy” training in Aventura, Florida
Coach Schiffy doesn’t stop there. Her family has risen over $5,000.00 for the Livestrong Foundation, as well as helping to establish the Morris Stein Foundation for gun safety & animal protection. Other charitable work includes Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, Humane Society, Jump Rope for Heart, MADD, SADD, Breast Cancer, & Kids in Distress.
“Keeping the community, her family, dogs & herself in shape is her way of life”
Ludmilla F. Marzano
Professional Dancer/Choreographer/Zumba Master Trainer
Born and raised in Brazil, Ludmilla F. Marzano brings an international taste to the athletic and dietetics world in Miami, FL. Her passion and love for healthy foods and cooking has inspired her to pursue a professional bachelor degree in nutrition/dietetics and Sports and Fitness at Florida International University (FIU). Prior to FIU, Ludmilla studied nutrition at Unip-Universidade Paulista in Brazil, and dance/dietetics at Miami Dade College.
For more than 26 years, her love for physical activity and sports is not limited to dance (ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary, ballroom dances such as salsa, bachata, merengue, gafieira and zumba), Ludmilla has also taught boot camp, circuit training, and abdominal and gluteus class.
She became certified as a personal trainer in the beginning of 2008, and pursues her career ever since. In the beginning of 2010 Ludmilla found the way to exposure her talent and all her dancing skills through Zumba Fitness. In 2011 Ludmilla became an International Zumba Master Training and Presenter. She is now leaving her dream travelling the world teaching and dancing. She has had participation in some of the Zumba Fitness DVDs, she has worked as a choreography Director in the Zin DVDs and has written choreography Notes for the Zumba Video Games, volumes 1,2 and 3.
Ludmilla believes that exercise and healthy eating leads to Rejuvenation, Inspiration, Pleasure, Peace and Love. She dances to inspire and she always puts 100% of energy and passion in what she does.
SOCIAL