Episodes

Ron Edwards has a long history with the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh (ECP); he has served as the club’s President since 2015. He is also an instructor in the ECP’s Mountaineering School, Rock Climbing School, and Backpacking School. Here’s a little about Ron Edwards in his own words: In 1995 in the middle of the largest National Park in the United States, Wrangell St. Elias, a former Everest climber, now guide in the small town of McCarthy, Alaska, takes me onto a glacier to introduce me to ice ...

Special mid-week FitLabPGH podcast introducting Exhalations Dance Theatre. Why?? Because they have an upcoming show on Feb 11th and 12th, 2017 that you want to check out. Tickets on Eventbrite (link below) and search “Exhalations Dance Theatre” or “This Thing Called Love”. Exhalations Dance Theatre was founded to create performing and choreography opportunities for both professional dancers and for professionals pursuing other careers who still desire to express their art. We embody the theory t...

David Dilettuso is the head tennis professional at the Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA. David was born and raised in the Pittsburgh (Shaler) area. David got his start as a tennis teaching professional at the Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley, PA in 1974. David earned a BA from Lehigh University and a JD from Duquesne University School of Law. He is certified as an Elite Professional coach by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and is a specialist in Competitive Player...

Bill Orr has a long history as a volunteer for the Montour Trail Council. He grew up in Blairsville, PA, approximately 45 miles east of Pittsburgh. He graduated from IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) with a degree in Accounting. Bill works at FedEx Ground as an analyst and resides in Oakdale. Bill is also a personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Western Area YMCA in Moon Township. As an avid runner and cyclist, he competes in duathlon races (run-bike-run), where he is a nat...

Jeff Mucci is owner of and head trainer at Wolfpack Boxing Club. Jeff has been involved in amateur boxing and martial arts since 1990 including studying Muay Tai, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do and USA Boxing in State College, PA. Coach Jeff has been with Wolfpack Boxing Club as a coach since 2009 and took over ownership in 2012. Coach Jeff has committed himself to the betterment of his students through the art/science of boxing. Coach is a former Regional Golden Gloves champion (undefeated) and still spa...

BaM Choreography, LLC is a team of two sisters, Brianna Pato and Meghan Greenwood, who are based out of Pittsburgh, PA. BaM strives to provide high quality dance routines and energizing fitness classes in multiple styles for a variety of venues, including but not limited to: Competition Teams, Schools, Gyms, Studios, Family Centers, Theater Performances, Events, Music Videos, Weekend Workshops, Weddings, Workplace Fitness, etc. BaM offers professional services and motivational fitness – promotin...

Carla Likar is the Aquatics Director at the Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA. Carla started swimming competitively at the age of 5 and continued competing through college at Lock Haven University. November 2016 marks Oxford Athletic Club’s 18th anniversary; Carla was hired by the club 6 months after it opened. Carla was raised in Irwin, PA and started out swimming for the Norwin Aqua Club, where she has now returned as a coach. Show Notes: Carla Likar, Aquatics Director Oxford Athletic Club, ...

Cycletique (in the words of owners Lisa Lutheran and Deanna Bucy) is “a high energy indoor cycling studio dedicated to a healthier you. It’s our mission that you feel welcomed and comfortable when you walk in and positively energized when you leave. Sit where you like. Ask us questions. Forgot your water? We’ll hook you up. With us, you aren’t just getting cycling until your legs fall off – you’re joining a community that encourages growth and a positive lifestyle. Through your experience here, ...

Trista Yerks, an avid distance runner, is the owner of Pittsburgh Running Tours, which has provided guided running tours of Pittsburgh, PA neighborhoods since 2013. She brings to her work a deep interest in fitness, running and tourism. Trista moved to Pittsburgh in October 2012 from Minneapolis, MN, where she worked for American Express Business Travel. Since moving to Pittsburgh, Trista has worked in the non-profit and charitable foundations sectors, including The Pittsburgh Foundation and Ven...

Tonya Ford, owner of Sewickley En Pointe in Sewickley, PA, trained from a young age in ballet, character and jazz at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. While in college earning her degree in biology (focus on human genetics), she began teaching ballet at a local gymnastics school and continued to teach ballet to her daughters and their friends before opening her own studio. She began studying the human body again when she found the MELT method to help keep her dance students injury free. She then di...

Jackie Frederick is the Fitness and Wellness Director at the Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA. Jackie began teaching fitness classes 25 years ago. Her commitment to fitness started at a young age. While growing up in the steel mill town of Clairton (south of Pittsburgh), Jackie, a self-proclaimed “tomboy,” saved up money to purchase a set of free weights at the age of 10. She’s always had a love for sports and competed in tennis, swimming, racquetball, and volleyball. After growing up in Pitt...

Harry Geyer is the owner of The Wheel Mill in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. Harry, in his own words: Husband, virtual father to 5,000 kids at The Wheel Mill, hard-bop jazz fan, mountain bike enthusiast, all kinds of bike enthusiast, including with motors, closet science nerd, workaholic bad friend of good people, voted (by himself) most likely to go off the grid at any moment. Show Notes Harry Geyer, Owner, The Wheel Mill contact info: harry@thewheelmill.com www.thewheelmill.com F...

Ling Wollenschlaeger is the Founder and Head Chef of Pittsburgh Fresh. Growing up in her mother’s kitchen, Ling learned from a young age that cooking with fresh, healthy ingredients results in meals that are not only nutritious, but also delicious and satisfying. After graduating from Penn State University and embarking on a career as a financial analyst, Ling was committed to packing healthy lunches. She often saw her colleagues, who were busy and had little time to prepare fresh, nutritious lu...

DJ Herring is the manager at The Climbing Wall, an indoor rock climbing center located in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh. DJ has been climbing for over 16 years and has been the manager at The Climbing Wall since he moved to Pittsburgh almost 2 years ago. When he isn’t climbing, DJ is most likely to be enjoying another outdoor activity, including mountain biking, kayaking, trail running and backpacking/camping. Originally from the Ohiopyle, PA area, DJ went to Brevard College, in NC...

Nicole is Mind Body Manager and Personal Training Administrator at the Oxford Athletic Club. She has a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Dance from Slippery Rock University. Nicole is certified by SPINNING, AFFA, Booty Barre, PHI Pilates and NCCPT. She has an extensive background in dance and danced professionally for Bodiography, a contemporary ballet company in Pittsburgh. Nicole is a master trainer and presenter for PHI Pilates and has traveled the world teaching and instructing instr...

Ian Smith is the founder and lead instructor at First Waves and SurfSUP Adventures. Since 2011, Ian has designed and executed standup paddleboarding and conservation programs for the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The National Whitewater Center, The Wounded Warrior Project, the YMCA and more. In addition to his work as an instructor and guide, Ian is a standup paddleboard athlete and writer. His work and videos have appeared in the American Whitewater ...

Sarah Reed-Lieb is a certified vinyasa yoga teacher and Licensed Professional Counselor. Sarah brings unique and inspired community yoga events to cool and creative venues throughout the ‘burgh. She is excited to help others find acceptance, encouragement, humor, lightness, and support through the practice of yoga. Show Notes: Sarah Reed-Lieb contact info: sreedlieb@yahoo.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlishy Instagram: @sarahlishy Sarah Reed-Lieb currently teaches the following clas...

Aubrey Johnson is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) certified Pilates Teacher and owner of Moxie Mind & Body Pilates Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. Aubrey received her BA in dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and her comprehensive Pilates teacher training from Power Pilates in New York City. Aubrey is a teacher trainer for Power Pilates and offers mat and comprehensive teacher trainings at her studio. Aubrey regularly attends continuing education workshops and seminars to further her kn...

Doug Bentz- aka Swami Doug is a Professor in the Dance Department in the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, where he has been training dancers professionally for over 40 years. Swami Doug earned a BA in Dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. He began his professional dance career in 1968 and has been dancing, and evolving, ever since; he has danced professionally in New York City and throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to dance...

Allie Green is the co-owner of Equilibrium Pilates. In addition to Stott Pilates and Booty Barre, Allie’s other certifications include the PMA (Pilates Method Alliance), AFAA (The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), and The Pink Ribbon Program, which is a Pilates based program designed to help women regain full range of motion to those areas affected after breast cancer surgery. She has also completed the Pilates for MS and other Neurological Injuries course. She attended IDEA World Fi...

You’ve probably had a massage before, but have you heard of Rolfing? If you are active, stressed (and who isn’t), or just want to learn about a bodywork technique that may help you move better then check out our interview with Brian Joly, a Rolfer located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Show Notes: Brian Joly contact info: brianjoly7@gmail.com http://www.brianjolyrolfing.com/ Links mentioned in the Podcast: –Rolf Institute of Structural Integration: http://www.rolf.org/ -PACCSA-...

Mark Freeman, CEO, Freeman Technique has 20 years of acrobatic experience stemming from Elite International Gymnastics and Cirque du Soleil, Freeman Technique tackles the fundamental elements that develop proficient movement technique by providing the perfect blend of discipline and performing qualities. Freeman Technique instills basic strength, flexibility and spatial awareness in all of its athletes, promoting safer, more efficient and aesthetically pleasing movement, which, in turn, will max...

Hell on Hills, in Beechview is advertised as the world’s steepest 5k. After interviewing Bethany Ruhe and Melissa Harmon, two of the race organizers, we can’t wait for this to be a yearly event. Beechview, located minutes away from downtown Pittsburgh via the “T,” Pittsburgh’s trolley system, is home to a diverse population…and the steepest street in the world. The staggering 37% grade of Canton is just the beginning of a 5k course that climbs four of the biggest hills Pittsburgh has to offer. T...

We can’t wait to release our first podcast early Sunday evening- an interview with two of the organizers of the 5km Hell on Hills. Until then…in case you wondered who we are and why FitLabPGH? Remember- we will be on iTunes within the next couple weeks; after we’ve released 1 or 2 interviews. Please be patient.