What if the secret to longevity in the fitness industry isn't just science, but soft skills? In this episode, Tyler Valencia shares how trust, adaptability, and mentorship are shaping the next generation of professionals—and why now is the time to elevate education for real-world success.

Tyler Valencia, Ph.D.(c), has been on the front lines of fitness education for nearly two decades. As President of KIPS, a course creator, and longtime content producer, he’s helped shape how personal trainers enter and thrive in the industry. In this insightful conversation, Tyler discusses the realities of certification, the role of mentorship, how trainers can build trust with clients, and the business-side skills most education programs miss. He also gives us a preview of what he’ll be teaching at IDEA World 2025—including unconventional tools, Aqua Fitness, and how to stand out in a crowded market.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ The difference between certification and real-world readiness

✅ Why soft skills and business acumen are critical to trainer success

✅ How registry systems like USREPS could shape the future of fitness hiring

✅ Tyler’s approach to building trust and retention with personal training clients

✅ Why he says Aqua Fitness is a business opportunity trainers shouldn’t overlook

✅ What to expect from his IDEA World 2025 sessions on unconventional tools and pool-based training

Sign up for Tyler’s sessions live at IDEA World 2025—register now at https://www.ideafit.com/world/

Download the Brochure

Get in touch with Tyler:

• Instagram: @_tylervalencia_, @kipsfitness
• Facebook: Kinesiology Institute for Performance Specialists - KIPS
• Website: https://kipsonline.org/

Connect with IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

• FB: @ideafit
• IG: @ideafit
• LI: @ideafit
• X/TW: @ideafit  
• Threads: @ideafit
• YouTube: @ideafit
• TikTok: @ideafit

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Rominna Rufin; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association 

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for over 43...

What do you do when your format disappears overnight? If you're Ellen de Werd, you build your own. In this vulnerable and motivating episode, Ellen shares how she turned a pivotal career moment into a thriving global fitness brand—and why authenticity, grit, and representation are at the core of her mission.

With more than 25 years of experience, Ellen de Werd has worn nearly every hat in group fitness—from instructor and manager to presenter and now CEO of her own format brand. In this episode, Ellen opens up about overcoming personal struggles, building WARRIOR formats from the ground up, and creating an inclusive community for instructors around the world. She also shares her framework for long-term fulfillment and success in the industry, and gives us a sneak peek at what she’s bringing to IDEA World 2025.

Ellen de Werd is a renowned fitness industry leader with over 25 years of experience in group fitness. A 2024 IDEA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year Award nominee, she is the visionary creator behind the WARRIOR formats—dynamic, license-free programs now taught in 14 countries. Through her company, Ellen empowers group fitness professionals with smart, fun, and original content designed to inspire and elevate their classes. She’s also the host of the Confessions of a GroupX Instructor podcast, a Legacy Lululemon Ambassador, and an active instructor based in Eugene, Oregon.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

✅ How Ellen went from backup dancer to brand founder

✅ What it really takes to start your own format from scratch

✅ The 5 ingredients in Ellen’s personal framework for fulfillment and success

✅ How the WARRIOR formats create inclusive, license-free opportunities for instructors

✅ Why IDEA World 2025 is a full-circle moment in her journey

Sign up for Ellen’s sessions live at IDEA World 2025—register now at https://www.ideafit.com/world/

Download the Brochure

Get in touch with Ellen:

• Instagram: @ellendewerd

Learn more about WARRIOR formats: warriorinstructors.com

Connect with IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

• FB: @ideafit
• IG: @ideafit
• LI: @ideafit
• X/TW: @ideafit  
• Threads: @ideafit
• YouTube: @ideafit
• TikTok: @ideafit

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Rominna Rufin; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness...

What happens when a fitness icon and a professional athlete join forces—onstage and off? In this heartwarming and high-impact conversation, Carolyn Erickson and her daughter Juliann Faucette reveal the power of multigenerational mentorship, mindset mastery, and motherhood in motion.

This special Mother's Day episode celebrates the powerful bond between a trailblazing mom and her elite athlete daughter. Carolyn Erickson and Juliann Faucette open up about motherhood, mentorship, and how fitness shaped every chapter of their journey—together and individually.

Carolyn Erickson is a seasoned fitness educator and consultant with nearly four decades in the industry. Her daughter, Juliann Faucette, is a former All-American volleyball player turned pro athlete, coach, and mentor. Together, they reflect on what it takes to grow a career—and a family—in the spotlight. From single motherhood and elite athletics to reinventing careers and raising resilient kids, this episode delivers a deeply personal and inspiring look at what it means to lead by example. You’ll also get a sneak peek at their dynamic session coming to IDEA World 2025.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Carolyn built a multi-decade career while raising three daughters as a single mom

✅ The key mindset shifts that helped Juliann succeed in elite athletics and return after motherhood

✅ Why embracing reinvention is essential for long-term success in fitness and sport

✅ Tangible strategies for coaching young athletes through pressure and identity

✅ Why IDEA World 2025 is more than an event—it’s a full-circle moment for this powerhouse duo

Sign up for Carolyn’s sessions live at IDEA World 2025—register now at https://www.ideafit.com/world/

Download the Brochure

Get in touch with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @carolynannerickson

Get in touch with Juliann:

• Instagram: @juliannfaucette

Connect with IDEA® Health & Fitness Association

• FB: @ideafit
• IG: @ideafit
• LI: @ideafit
• X/TW: @ideafit  
• Threads: @ideafit
• YouTube: @ideafit
• TikTok: @ideafit

IDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson; executive produced by Rominna Rufin; engineered by Michael Hilding.

About IDEA® Health & Fitness Association 

IDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the World’s...