We asked, and you answered! Here are your nominations for the top fitness, sports and wellness influencers that are making a difference in your lives.
Genesis Roberts, Fitness Trainer
Nominated by Mia Schumann, @lifeof_mia
View this post on Instagram
Genesis is a Chicago-based NASM CPT fitness trainer, co-coach at Mind Booty Soul and EHPlabs Athlete. You can follow her on TikTok at @gyminigengen.
Ability Fitness, Fitness Studio
Nominated by Christina Bradley @christinab1123
“@abilityfitnesschicago Angelica and her team are amazing! They inspire and encourage everyone to be BETTER and have created a community where regardless of ability, everyone has access to services. She has also spun-off and created @fueledbyaf, a healthy snack company that supports and fuels and employees people with disabilities and beyond.”
Dorian Cervantes, Artist and Athlete
Nominated by Victoria Buda @budafied
“I nominate @dorianrocksfit. When the pandemic started, she was on Instagram live everyday. Not expecting a dime. Showing us how to use canned food for weights. Getting all that had the time and the internet connection together to move our bodies. I’m forever grateful. She gave me something stable to turn to in so much instability.”
Eric Smoot, ReDefined Fitness
A Best of 2022 Winner – Best Personal Trainer (Suburbs)
Nominated by Lisa Andresen Peterson @misslisapete
At Redefined Fitness in Wilmette, Eric Smoot clearly knows how to help his clients achieve lasting results — readers voted Eric the best personal trainer in the suburbs for the fourth year in a row in 2022.
Nick Hardwick, Fitness Coach and former Los Angeles Chargers Center
Nominated by @the_adventures_of_rocketman
“@nickhardwick Motivated me to start going to the gym and being more conscious of what and how much I was putting in my body. Calories in versus calories out! His videos are helpful and motivational and he got me back in the gym.”
Jacob Frazier, BIÂN Master Trainer
Nominated by Jennifer Woolford @jennatmib
“Jacob is a beautiful and incredibly talented trainer. He is Master Trainer at BIÂN and also an amazing dancer with Giordano Dance Chicago and currently involved with the Grant Conservatory of Music and Dance in Springfield. He inspires me to have confidence, makes me feel strong emotionally and physically.. He is a JOY to all who attend his group classes. Bright, experienced and amazingly nurturing. I love and am inspired by his love of confident self expression and living true to yourself!”
Erica Shin, AFAA Certified, Nutrition Science Certified Coach
“My younger sister inspires me with her fierce perseverance and dedication. Her determination to overcome some difficult obstacles and challenges has been amazing to witness.”
Cassia Clarke, Online Coach
Nominated by Janae
“Cassia has a unique outlook on fitness and healing. Having navigated depression, alcoholism and binge eating, she uses what she has learned on her own journey to help her clients succeed. Journal prompts, affirmations and 1:1 support are just a few of the tools she uses in her coaching with many of her clients going on to run marathons having never run before.”
Diana Nyad, World Champion Swimmer
Nominated by Dr. Karen Joubert
Diana is a long-distance swimmer, author, motivational speaker and co-founder of EverWalk, a worldwide walking community founded in 2016 by Nyad and Bonnie Stoll.
We would love to hear from you!
Send us a nomination for an upcoming top list:
- March – Chicago Family Businesses Making an Impact
- April – Inspirational Eco-Warriors
- May – Most Powerful Women
Email editorial@makeitbetter.com
