Episodes

Steel City Roller Derby (SCRD) (in their own words) is a skater owned and operated organization. We are Pittsburgh’s only all-female roller derby league, comprised of a diverse set of athletes from the nation’s home of superb sports teams.

Steel City Slackers (in their own words) is a collective of outdoor enthusiasts from varying fields that have been brought together by the common interest of slacklining. The unique combination of passionate members and varying fields of expertise enab...

Jhonphilipp Yonan, RTS, CPT, PES, CES, CNT2, INPAX4, is the Founder and Co-Owner of MÜV Integrated Physical Culture in Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty). Jhonphilipp, in his own words: I have been lucky to be surrounded by so many intelligent and progress...

Since the founding of the Pittsburgh Curling Club in May 2002, the club, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has introduced the Olympic sport of curling to over 4,000 people. During this time, they have seen the popularity of curling increase at a stead...

Aaron Watson hosts and produces the podcast Going Deep w/ Aaron Watson. His half-hour episodes are deep conversations with writers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and innovators about the passions, fears, and problems they have faced.

Erik L. Kulick drew upon his passion for the outdoors and his almost thirty years of teaching experience to found True North Wilderness Survival School in 2011. Growing up as a backpacker and paddler, Erik has taught for regional and national outdoor programs. He has been featured in various national and foreign media outlets, including Backpacker, CNN, Associated Press, and The Guardian. Erik has a background in emergency services where he serves as an EMS provider and police officer helping th...

Monica VanDieren served as a board member of the Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen for several years before becoming the president in January 2017. She hopes to continue the WPW tradition of working with other area cycling organizations to provide a spectrum of group ride options for cyclists. Monica is also a math professor, wife, and mother. She enjoys incorporating cycling into her daily life. Every year she leads the RMU freshmen honors class in a bike ride with Venture Outdoors during orientati...

Larry Gioia is management consultant at PwC, and when not traveling on business, it’s a safe bet that you can find him doing something active outside with his wife and his dog. Larry is passionate about building and connecting communities and is best known for his work in adaptive sports and advocating for people with disabilities to live active lifestyles. Larry is the Founder of Dynamic Paddlers – a (concierge) kayaking school based in Pittsburgh that offers instruction and training for paddle...

Jason Miller is the Assistant Director for Campus Recreation at the University of Pittsburgh and the Founder and CEO of Active Cities. An alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh, Jason received Bachelor’s Degrees in History and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Teaching. As an undergraduate, Jason was a member of the Men’s Varsity Swimming Team where he won multiple individual and team Conference Championships, earned Academic All-American honors, and was the 2006 recipient of the Blue-Gold Pitt...

Sven Lynch, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist and the Founder of Pittsburgh Concierge Therapy. Dr. Lynch is one of only about 100 Board-Certified Neurologic Physical Therapists in the state of Pennsylvania. He is certified as a Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS) by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). He is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) as determined by the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS). He has trained or worked at The Children’s...

Rick Lithgow, in his own words: Computer Network Engineer for Pittsburgh Consulting. Avid mountain biker. Hasher. Beer connoisseur. He is also a Board Member of Pittsburgh Off-Road Cyclists (PORC). Show Notes: Rick Lithgow, Board Member, Pittsburgh Off-Road Cyclists (PORC), contact info: Website: http://www.porcmtbclub.org PORC Membership e-mail: SafeTPrincess@aol.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porcmtb/ Links mentioned in the Podcast: Pittsburgh Hash House Harriers www.pgh-h3.com Critica...

Don Drolet has been practicing and studying Qigong and Tai Chi for over 10 years. Don has been a student of Eastern philosophy, with a personal meditation practice of more than 20 years. He has taught in and around the Pittsburgh Metro area for health clubs, corporate wellness programs and community organizations. He established Standing Crane Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation in January of 2017. Standing Crane offers private sessions, group classes and corporate wellness classes/programs. Show Not...

Walt Drennan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2000 at the age of 12. After cycling across the United States twice (first with Bike & Build, then with The 4K for Cancer), Walt was inspired to put together his own cross-country ride to raise awareness, and funds, for Type 1 diabetes. Walt has partnered with Beyond Type 1, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, promoting education and helping those living with Type 1 diabetes live well today while funding a better tomorrow, to make the Bi...

Steve Mentzer is the Vice President and Events Director of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy. He serves as the Organizer for the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge (a 35-mile endurance hike) and for the Baker Trail UltraChallenge (50-mile ultramarathon). Steve is also the developer of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy’s event participant tracking system, the creator of trail guides for the trails it oversees, its website manager, and a professional software developer. The Rachel Carson Trails C...

The Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association (PGAA) was founded in 2010 and has since promoted the Irish sport and culture in Pittsburgh. Of course, this was not the start of Gaelic sport in Pittsburgh. Gaelic football has been played in Pittsburgh since the 1940s. The tradition continues today and the PGAA is now home to three teams, the Pittsburgh Celtics Gaelic Football Club, the Pittsburgh Banshees Ladies Football Club, and the Pittsburgh Celtics Youth teams. Gaelic Football (commonly referred...

Jon Clouner and Garry Clouner, founders of GoWildPA, are two brothers trying to motivate others to go outside and celebrate what Pennsylvania has to offer. They get annoyed when they hear people say Pittsburgh or Western PA is a boring place to live. One quick glance at their Instagram account (filled with pics from their hiking, trail running, fly fishing, kayaking and other adventures) should be enough to convince anyone that PA is anything but boring. Show Notes: Jon Clouner and Garry Clouner...

Rory Lazear is the Founder and Owner of High Maintenance Pittsburgh, a wellness concierge service for individuals and businesses in Pittsburgh. High Maintenance PGH provides stress free, personalized programs connecting people with Pittsburgh’s premiere workouts and healthy dining options. They also design and implement corporate wellness solutions, including workplace wellness programs and lunch and learns. Rory Lazear has a BS in Nutrition and is a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Health Coa...

Christine Iksic and Chris Kaminski are Pittsburgh natives and the founding partners of Gear Fest Pittsburgh and 3 Rivers Outdoor Company (a local, independent specialty outdoor retailer planning to open in Lawrenceville in Spring 2018). The inaugural Gear Fest Pittsburgh will be held on April 23, 2017 at the Ace Hotel in East Liberty from noon to 5pm (doors open for sellers to register gear at 11am). The event will feature outdoor gear sales, live music and craft beer from four local brewers as ...

The Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA) is a membership organization offering rowing and dragon boating programs to anyone living in the Pittsburgh region. Founded in 1984, TRRA has grown into one of the largest community-based rowing and paddling clubs in the United States. Its programs serve people of all skill levels from a broad range of social and economic backgrounds, and participants range in age from teenagers to senior citizens. TRRA offers lessons for beginners in rowing and dragon ...

The Pittsburgh Hurling Club (the Pittsburgh Pucas) is a Greater Pittsburgh hurling team and a member of the United States Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA). The Pucas were the Midwest Division Champions in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015; they hope to reclaim the title this year (2017). The Irish sport of hurling, at times referred to as the “fastest game on grass” or the “greatest sport you’ve never heard of,” is over 3,000 years old and combines skills of lacrosse, field hockey, and baseball. It i...

Movement Studio Pittsburgh, established in December of 2010, offers small group fitness, personal training, yoga and aerial yoga. The studio offers unique customized workouts such as group TRX Suspension training, kettlebell, kickboxing, and “women on weights” to help you develop and maintain a strong body. Their mat yoga and aerial yoga not only benefit your physical body but also will lead you into a spiritual peaceful mind. Classes are small for more personalized attention. They’ve created a ...

Ascend Pittsburgh (opening March 2017 in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats neighborhood) is an indoor rock climbing facility. They offer climbing, fitness, yoga, classes, group events, memberships, and other services. Ascend’s retail shop will provide climbers of all abilities with a wide variety of climbing gear. Ascend’s Vision (in their own words): We strive to provide the best climbing and fitness experience for our customers. From excellent equipment to knowledgeable staff, our gym will be a to...

Coach Jason DeRose, established FASTER LLC in 2008 to expand his dynamic passion for educating others about health, fitness, nutrition, performance enhancement exercises, injury prevention and overall well being. He has a Health and Physical Education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is Pittsburgh’s only certified XPE Master Trainer. Show Notes: FASTER Pittsburgh / FASTER Southpointe, Coach Jason DeRose, Owner and Megan Meyer, General Manager contact info: e-mail: coachderose@c...

This week we have a special mid-week podcast with Lesley Davenport, long time Pilates teacher and owner of The Pilates Center of Pittsburgh. Lesley approached FitLabPGH about working together to organize a Pilates Day PGH coming on Sun, May 7, 2017. Locale to be announced. Lesley explain why Pittsburgh needs a Pilates Day now. An international event, Pilates Day is promoted by the @pilatesmethodalliance to foster appreciation and awareness of Pilates through innovative, accessible community even...