Sessions
Parkinson's: How To Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise -The PD Exercise Cocktail |
Session Description: Offer a new service, the "PD Exercise Cocktail Plan™", based on the latest research and protocols to help PwPD reduce and manage symptoms. |
Presenter: Kristine Meldrum |
Presenter Bio: Kristine Meldrum is the author of the best-selling Parkinson’s disease book in PD on Amazon, "Parkinson’s: How to Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise," with Dr. Jay Alberts of The Cleveland Clinic and Professor Daniel M. Corcos at Northwestern University. Professor Bastiaan R. Bloem, MD, PhD, FRCPE, Director, Radboud Centre of Expertise for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders, The Netherlands, wrote the book’s foreword. Kristine is an exercise professional working with PD and other neurological clients. She is the founder and president of Parkinson’s Place, Iowa. She writes and speaks nationally at Parkinson’s Conferences with a presentation titled “How to exercise to manage and reduce Parkinson’s Symptoms.” Kristine has spent fifteen years in the fitness industry and worked for a decade in the medical fitness industry before starting a Neuro Wellness Program in 2020. Kristine engages one-on-one with clients and teaches neuro-classes at Grand Living Tower Place in West Des Moines, Iowa. She also consults with organizations to help start neuro-wellness programs. Kristine Meldrum holds 9 NCCA & PD certifications and educational training. |
Interactive Partner Boxing Drills |
Session Description: This session will explain basic footwork/movement, offense/defense and punching techniques. Coaches can share fun and easy to learn interactive partner drills with their fighters. |
Presenter: Michelle Del Giorno |
Presenter Bio: MDG is the owner/head coach/instructor at Epic Martial Arts in Sag Harbor New York, home of Rock Steady Boxing Sag Harbor. She is a former National and International Sport Karate Fighting Champion. MDG is a 35 + year veteran of teaching the fighting arts. In January of 2023 she was inducted into the Women's Martial Art's Hall of Fame. Over 150 PWP's are fighting back weekly in MDG's Rock Steady Boxing programs. RSB has been the most fulfilling aspect of her long career. Presenting at Coach Con is always the highlight of her year and she is looking forward to Myrtle Beach 2024! |
Parkinson’s Disease and Impacts of Adapted Boxing Program : Bringing Evidence Together |
Session Description: This presentation aims to scope what is known from the existing body of research related to impacts of adapted boxing program on participants with PD. |
Presenter: Andreanne Tanguay |
Presenter Bio: Andreanne Tanguay (RN, Ph.D) is an associate professor at the Faculty of Medecine and Health Sciences at University of Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada). Her research field is oriented to develop and assess non-pharmacological interventions to promote a better quality of life to people living with a neurodegenerative affection such as Parkinson disease. |
The Joy of Music and Movement in PD...Zumba® |
Session Description: Zumba® is a fitness program that involves cardio and latin-inspired dance. Enjoy a sample class, standing and seated, and understand important Parkinson's-related benefits. |
Presenter: Janine Smith |
Presenter Bio: Janine is an accomplished Fitness Professional with over 13 years experience. For Zumba®, Janine is a Licensed Instructor for Basic, Muscle Toning and Special Populations, including the Active and Senior Adult groups and those looking for lower intensity movements. Her additional Certifications include Pilates, Group Fitness, Barre, Functional Aging Specialist and Urban Poling. |
Posture, Core and More-Using Pilates Principles for RSB |
Session Description: Learn the principles of Pilates, along with specific Pilates exercises, tips, and techniques to give your boxer's improved posture, core strength, and balance. |
Presenter: Jennifer Vial & Janine Smith |
Presenter Bio: Jennifer Vial began Rock Steady Boxing Greenville in April 2016 and has led thousands of Rock Steady classes. A former competitive gymnast, Jennifer has been active her entire life and taught a variety of fitness classes. Jennifer has been teaching Pilates for 17 years and is comprehensively certified in the Classical method of Pilates. She is the owner of Core Balance, a fully equipped Pilates studio in Greenville, South Carolina. The classes at RSB Greenville incorporate Pilates principles and exercises into the program which gives their boxers added emphasis on core strength, flexibility, balance and posture. Janine is an accomplished Fitness Professional with over 13 years experience. For Zumba®, Janine is a Licensed Instructor for Basic, Muscle Toning and Special Populations, including the Active and Senior Adult groups and those looking for lower intensity movements. Her additional Certifications include Pilates, Group Fitness, Barre, Functional Aging Specialist and Urban Poling. |
Yoga for PD- Breathing, Balance, & Posture |
Session Description: Yoga has endless benefits for everyone! In this session, learn about Purposeful Breathing, Balance, and Yoga postures to bring home to your boxers. |
Presenter: Tabatha D Mann |
Presenter Bio: Tabatha D Mann has been a professional in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. As a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor, and Rock Steady Boxing Coach, she has had the opportunity to work with every age and has experience with many different diagnoses. She is currently the Group Fitness Director at SportsCenter of Morehead City, NC. Along with coaching RSB, she works 1-on-1 with persons with Parkinson’s Disease and teaches yoga classes multiple times per week. |
Assessment Strategies for RSB Affiliates |
Session Description: Professional assessments enhance your boxer experience and results, give your coaches better tools, and provide incremental income marketing opportunities in the greater PwP community. |
Presenter: Michael Sellars |
Presenter Bio: As a Parkie, Mike been assessed many times and as a 6-year RSB affiliate and coach, he has administered hundreds of assessments. Mike used his RSB experience plus his technology background to develop an assessment application for use by RSB affiliates. |
Back to Basics: Boxing Form and Focus Mitts |
Session Description: New to boxing? This session is designed to teach you the boxing basics (form/function, mechanics, and focus mitts) from a fitness perspective! |
Presenter: Molly Scott |
Presenter Bio: Molly graduated with her BS in Exercise Science in 2017. She started working with Senior Citizens Services (SCS) after graduation and received her personal training certification. She built her knowledge and skill base teaching water aerobics, aqua ROM, senior fitness, and personal training with the 50+ population. Molly continued learning and received her Rock Steady Boxing certification in the summer of 2018 and launched her program in January of 2019. Molly continued her boxing education with SCW Mania's Fitness Boxing certification. Molly uses her skillset, passion, and energy to continue teaching a variety of fun and engaging fitness classes to the Parkinson's population and the 50+ population. |
Teaching Exercise Modifications for Stiff and Cranky Joints |
Session Description: Practice using verbal and visual cues to modify boxing and functional exercises to allow boxers experiencing joint pain to participate in and benefit from RSB. |
Presenter: Patricia Wessels |
Presenter Bio: Patty Wessels, PT graduated from Oakland University with her Master's of Physical Therapy in 2004 then went on to complete a postgraduate specialty certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in 2008. While she started her career working in outpatient orthopedics treating spine pain, joint dysfunction, and post surgical rehabilitation, her interests shifted and now most of her patients are people with Parkinson's Disease. She works not only to address their PD motor symptoms, but also treats their orthopedic injuries so that they can better tolerate the vigorous exercise needed to slow the progression of the disease. She attended RSB Training Camp in January 2017 and launched RSB Charm City in March that same year. Patty currently teaches seven boxing classes each week and is the head coach at Rock Steady Boxing MAPS @ Charm City. Additional certifications include LSVT BIG, PWR!Moves Therapist, Delay the Disease, Pound, and STOTT Pilates. |
Boxing / KickBoxing for RSB |
Session Description: We are going to review the boxing basics, then we'll add some kickboxing techniques. |
Presenter: Randy Ballard |
Presenter Bio: Randy has a 5th Degree Black Belt and is a former State Kickboxing Champion and trainer of 3 World Champion Kickboxers. |
The Fun Factor: Work hard, play hard |
Session Description: Struggling to come up with creative ideas to bring the fun factor and create balanced workouts? Learn how in this breakout session. |
Presenter: Traci Aday |
Presenter Bio: Traci has been a Head Coach at Parkinson's Dynamics for the past 5 years. She is also a Neurologic Certified LPTA at the Parkinson's Care Clinic. She holds certifications in RSB, Stick Mobility, PWR! Moves, Urban Poling, PARTE, and LSVT Big. |
Running a Successful Program Between Multiple Locations While Maintaining a Special Culture |
Session Description: Let's talk about the importance of creating/maintaining a culture amongst multiple locations of your business that makes boxers feel special and keeps them coming back. |
Presenter: Freddy Silva |
Presenter Bio: Brett Burkhart is a certified RSB coach and general manager at Fit 4 Boxing Club and Rock Steady Boxing Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. With over 20 years of experiencing in boxing, Brett is a retired amateur boxer who has remained active in the sport from a young age. He has been teaching fitness boxing for the last 10 years and got certified to teach Rock Steady at Indianapolis headquarters in 2015. He teaches 5 Rock Steady classes per week between two locations in Pittsburgh. |
How Maintain and Modify for an All Levels Class |
Session Description: Learn how to safely structure an all levels class and incorporate modifications for exercise progression and regressions. |
Presenters: Cindi Day, Chrissie Wojciechowski & Sarah Grace |
Presenter Bio: As a Clinical Exercise Program Coordinator for the MUSC Wellness Center, Cindi coordinates and designs programs that are tailored toward specific clinical populations. Her credentials include: Associates in Science with concentration on Fitness, ACE Certified Personal Trainer with 7 years of experience working with aging and clinical populations that include Breast and Prostate Cancer survivors, Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, individual's diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease & 7 years of experience working as Head Coach for MUSC Wellness Center's Rocksteady Boxing Chrissie Wojciechowski, a Clinical Exercise Program Coordinator for the MUSC Wellness, graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.S. in Health Sciences and moved on to graduate from The University of Rhode Island with my M.S. in Kinesiology. She is a certified personal trainer through NASM with experience working for F45 and other gyms in New Jersey. She has been a cornerman in Rocksteady Boxing for 4 months and is looking forward to completing her Rocksteady Boxing Coaching Certification in the near future. |
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Movement and Mobility |
Session Description: Join us for an informative and interactive session on strategies to maximize mobility in the RSB classroom - taught by a Physical Therapist! |
Presenter: Leah Zinnert |
Presenter Bio: Dr. Leah Zinnert-Dedrick, PT, DPT, CPT, CSCS, LSVT BIG. Leah earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016 and has worked in the health and wellness world as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and strength and conditioning coach since 2011. Leah specializes in working with patients with Parkinsons Disease and is passionate about helping others to feel better, move better and live better. |