Did you know FitPros can provide many different services that can support caretaker populations? Just to name a few... nutrition for the whole family, how to talk about race, social engagement to connect families and mental health services and education.
Who teaches these sessions? We are glad you asked! In honor of back to school month, we are bringing together our caretaker specialists, to drop some knowledge on how to support caretakers and families during this time. Join us for a panel discussion with our amazing FitPros August 26th at 11am PST.
Featured Panelists
Shazia Siddiqi: Speaking to, benefits of Art Therapy for family stress management
Shazia Siddiqi, MA, LPC, ATR-BC is the Founder and Owner of Let’s Art About It PLLC, an Art Therapy service provider that currently hosts virtual Art Therapy and Expressive Arts workshops for corporations, agencies, and individuals across the globe. Shazia is a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of professional and clinical experience in the field of Art Therapy in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. She graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a dual Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2011, and is currently Adjunct Faculty at WSU teaching Art Therapy studio methods for MA and MEd Art Therapy students. In addition to her clinical work, Shazia served as Founder and Executive Director of an international non-profit organization called MIST helping over 30,000 teens find their potential and overseeing a staff of 3,000 volunteers for 20 years, has served as an EMT, and was awarded Ally of the Year in 2018 by Affirmations, one of Michigan's largest LGBT+ community support centers.
Chris Colthurst: Demonstrating, alternative ways to have hard conversations as a family
During the day Chris designs cloud architectures and during the night he does improv, stand up and sketch comedy. His film group Snarky Films participates in the San Diego 48 Hour Film Project yearly – making short films like the famous puppet super-hero musical “Captain Hand.” He was also a writer for the show Tonight in San Diego. Chris' improv puppet group Up Yours! has performed at Finest City Improv, the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater in Balboa Park, and has been enjoying performing online during the pandemic. He and his amazing wife Unison have two little boys Zion and Zachary. Chris enjoys the work of Peter Gabriel, Marina Abramovic, and Fred Rogers.
Robin Goldberg: Speaking to, nutrition for the whole family
Robin Goldberg is an AFPA certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach and cookbook author. After 10 years of a high-paced, high-stress career in marketing, Robin decided to leave her job to follow her passion of nutrition and wellness. She started Robin Goldberg Nutrition + Wellness, LLC as a way to share her knowledge and help others create a lifestyle change that will better their overall health and wellness for the long term. Robin's philosophy is about moderation and balance, not about diets or quick fixes. She believes in teaching people about nutrition and how food works for our bodies. She knows there is not one path that is best for everyone but believes in the power of knowledge and understanding the benefits food and nutrition have on our overall health and wellbeing. Robin started curating recipes after a few friends came to her asking for some suggestions on how to get their kids to eat more veggies. The success of the recipes lead her to developing her cookbook, Hidden Veggies, Recipes Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love. The cookbook is filled with easy, fun and delicious recipes all with hidden veggies. Although originally curated with the picky kid in mind, the recipes have been enjoyed by people of all ages.
Cara Maksimow: Speaking to, mental health support and education for families. Cara Maksimow, LCSW is a NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Speaker, Author and business owner. She is dedicated to helping others successfully navigate through life's challenges using an eclectic, collaborative, supportive, and strengths based approach to therapy, pulling tools from various evidenced-based modalities.
Cara graduated from Rutgers University in 1994 with her B.A. in psychology and in 1996 from Columbia University Graduate School with her Master’s in Clinical Social Work. She has worked in many settings as a Clinician, Supervisor and Pharmaceutical Sales Trainer and Manager. In 2014 she founded Maximize Wellness Counseling and Coaching, LLC in NJ which is now located at 10 Fairmount Avenue in Chatham. She is the Author of the book “Lose That Mommy Guilt” as well as Chapter Author on Self Esteem for the book “Millennials in Wonderland." You can visit her website maximize-wellness.com to learn more.
Mary-y-Sol Salinas: Speaking to, supporting the under-supported
Mar-y-Sol Salinas, M.Ed. is a certified Master Life Coach and educational leader with over 20 years of experience in the field of education and personal development. She holds a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, Portland. Mar-y-Sol is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Integral & Transpersonal Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where her research interests include embodied learning and leadership, integral education, intuition in the workplace, and whole-person approaches to personal and leadership development.
With a passion for equity and social justice, Mar-y-Sol’s professional work has focused on supporting under-served and under-represented communities in a variety of settings. She currently serves as the Student Services Director at an independent art college in San Antonio, TX where she oversees all student support services and wellness programs, as well as overall program policy and course assessments. Mar-y-Sol’s professional experience also includes Montessori teaching (PreK-6th grade), academic and career advising in higher education, disability support services, teaching college-level development and internship courses, conducting various learning strategies workshops, providing academic support services to learners of all ages and professions, program and curriculum development and assessment, implementation of retention strategies and initiatives, process improvement based on data-driven analysis, as well as coaching and mentoring from a whole-person approach.
As a private coach and consultant, Mar-y-Sol works with clients to nurture their personal and professional growth and development, while also offering skills-focused assessment and targeted training when necessary. For those seeking a deeper, whole-person approach to coaching, Mar-y-Sol offers a variety of transpersonal, creative, and embodiment methods to guide clients in reaching their goals, with an emphasis on bringing more joy and balance to the client’s life.
Baylee Gallen: Demonstrating Tiny Yogi Meditation
In 2014, Baylee received her yoga teacher training at Kripalu School of Yoga, in the beautiful Berkshire mountains. When Baylee moved back to Arizona she built her private yoga business from the ground up, and now she teaches both one-on-one and group classes in her studio, at private homes and in offices. After teaching yoga and meditation for 5 years, Baylee has completed her Level 2 Reiki teacher training, and she now offers this healing practice in her classes. Being both a yoga teacher and student, Baylee strives to live a yogic lifestyle on and off the mat, doing so inspires many to follow suit. During class, Baylee combines creative sequencing, proper alignment, and breath/body awareness. With a focus on foundational poses and breathing techniques, she is able to create a class for both new students and long time practitioners. Baylee’s classes are a safe spaces, free from judgment and harsh self-criticism. Baylee’s goal as a teacher is to have you leave the room “feeling refreshed, balanced, and nourished.”
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