Aaron Small

Currently head of education for Technogym Emirates and their global education arm “The Wellness Institute”. With over 20 years of fitness industry experience, 15 of which in the education sector developing Personal Training and Group Exercise qualifications for a variety of international awarding bodies.

Andrei Ferreira

Currently a General Manager at RightFit, with 22 years industry experience. Originally from Portugal, his first fitness management role was in 2007 and then after moving to Dubai in 2016, became General Manager at Fitness First in 2017.

Cherryl Rival Javier

Head of Education, Exercise To Music – Aikaro Fitness Solutions. With 25 years industry experience, past positions include National Group Fitness Manager with Fitness First Middle East followed by head of Group Fitness at Gold’s Gym UAE. Cherryl has a broad scope of certifications from almost all Les Mills Programs, Freestyle Dance, Indoor Cycling and Yoga.

Clifford Tindell

An entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience in the creation and management of fitness, health and wellness services, events & technology consulting on government initiatives, Dubai Fitness Challenge and acting CEO and founder for industry supporting technology platform and corporate wellness solution, Core Direction.

Danny Bartlett

With 20 years’ experience in the UAE delivering education, workshops and presentations, Danny is currently the Head Tutor for ISSA/Liftdex as well as his ongoing role as Senior Master Instructor for TRX Training.

Dhaivat Kotecha

Dhaivat is a Marketing Manager at GymNation. He is a tech enthusiast and believe there’s more to social media than just numbers.

Edward Elliott

Edward is a multiple national award-winning business leader with over 20 years’ experience in the fitness industry. Edward brings a wealth of knowledge from working at a senior level creating and building businesses with Fitness First Middle East, Reebok CrossFit, Formerly Max & Aegle & now, the CEO /Owner of SafeFit in Dubai, a new concept of smart fitness studios On-Demand.

Gladys Diab

A well-respected fitness speaker and an experienced educator with 21 years’ industry experience. She brings a wealth of health and fitness knowledge to ensure the best outcomes for her students and class participants.

Guillaume Mariole

CEO and Founder of IGNITE and the first to launch military-style bootcamps and corporate wellness programs in the UAE. Guillaume is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur focusing on maintaining IGNITE’s position as a leading health, fitness, and wellness company providing consultancy, education, and solutions for the community to stay active.

Hannes Loubser

A Strength, Conditioning and Rehab Specialist at Iconic Fitness. He is also involved in the academic aspects of fitness coaching by designing, implementing, and facilitating fitness courses. A Sport Scientist at heart, he also writes his own fitness, sport and wellness blogs and has qualified over 1000 personal trainers in registered courses.

Ian Smith

Head of Strength and Conidtioning at 971 MMA & Fitness Academy. Former Royal Marines Commando and Private Military Contractor, with MSc in Performance Psychology, Level 7 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Tactical Athlete Strength and Conditioning Coach

Joao R Silva

Currently Chief Operations Officer (COO) at MEFITPRO Middle East, providing world class fitness solutions for the Middle East. Joao has 19 years’ experience in the fitness industry starting his journey as a Personal Trainer and climbing the ladder until becoming Area Operations Manager for fitness clubs’ operations.

Juliette Alexander

Currently a Pilates mat and reformer master trainer and educator for BodyHack, specializing in Neuro Pilates. Juliette’s experience spans 35 years in various roles from coaching, business development, and studio management.

Kate Milewska

20 years fitness industry expert with a demonstrated history of performance, innovation, and execution. A highly successful background in customer experience portfolio, an expert in strategic planning and implementation who has led and launched a range of on-line and off-line diversified projects that elevate customer experience and business efficiencies.

Lesley Jones

Working in the fitness industry since 1992 and in the UAE since 1994 as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer whose claim to fame is training tennis professional Jennifer Capriati. Past roles include Master Trainer for Reebok Middle East and Sports Marketing for Reebok.

Marija Nikolic

Currently a cluster General Manager specializing in recruitment, education, and training with 11 years fitness industry experience. Marija began her career as a group fitness instructor and then became a Nike international presenter and Les Mills Middle East master trainer before moving into management.

Mark Di Sotto

With over 12 years’ experience in the commercial health and fitness sector in highly competitive markets, in roles including Personal Trainer, health, fitness & nutrition lecturer & assessor and Fitness & Operations Manager, with a wealth of experience in strategy, operations, and decision making.

Nathan Brown

Managing Director and Founder of Aikaro Health and Fitness Solutions. With 24 years of industry experience in the UAE, he is one of the original pioneers being the first Master Trainer for Les Mills Middle East. In 2006 he joined Fitness First as Head of Group Fitness and co launched the Academic Institution before leaving in 2014.

Paul Thornley

Pilates Medical Exercise Specialist & Advanced Neuromuscular Therapist. Bringing a 21st Century Anatomy & Physiology approach to Biotensegrity & Fascia Education to Middle East.

Robert Krizanovic

From Coach to COO, today Rob heads up the consulting firm ‘RK Fitness Solutions’, which specializes in helping startups and small-to-medium-sized fitness businesses in the Middle East. Throughout his extensive career in the corporate fitness industry, Robert has accumulated 25 years of experience in a variety of clubs and fitness chains in Europe and the Middle East.

Victoria Becka

An accomplished ‘Pilates Trainer/Instructor’, ‘Yogi’ and ‘Ex-Professional Ballerina’ with over 16 years of experience teaching, training and delivering workshops for individuals, trainees and professionals within Australia and UK.

Joseff Williams

Head of Marketing at Wellfit. A British expat who arrived in the UAE in 2012 and has been in the health and fitness industry, setting up and managing marketing teams since 2015, first with MEFITPRO, then at FitRepublik and now with Wellfit.

Allaoua Gaham

Yoga master instructor, TEDx speaker, Author and Methor, Allaoua is your everyday man, father, and husband embarking on an extraordinary wellness journey with a mission to help and empower others. With a thriving career spanning over ten years in corporate finance and two prestigious MBAs under his belt, Allaoua took a leap of faith to answer his true calling and dedicate himself to personal development and wellness of others.

This Entrepreneur turned Yogipreneur has managed to make a lasting impact and leave a solid thumbprint on the region's map of holistic wellness by specializing in yoga mechanisms and the understanding of anatomical alignment of movement developing his own unique signature classes, WARRIOR FLOW & ACTIVE STRETCH & MOBILITY.

Taking the industry by storm, Allaoua is the lead instructor for some of Dubai's most successful studios including Burj Al Arab and he is now using his experience to advise the strategic development of many wellness entities.

Andrew Lockey

Andrew is a successful and accomplished entrepreneur, C-Level operator, Board Advisor and Investor with over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, with a strong focus on the Middle East, UK and North American markets.

Andrew has held numerous national-level roles as COO and Head of Fitness and Product across some of the world’s most successful fitness brands, including Fitness First, Mefitpro, Bodygee and Clean Health. He is also a Strategic Advisor at the FitTech Company, the only growth acceleration network for founders and executives focused on tech and innovation in the fitness, health and well-being sectors.

Camille Campbell

Camille is the lead designer at Nutrition Design Lab, a boutique design firm specializing in branding, websites & social media visuals for fitness & nutrition businesses. Camille is a mom, travel enthusiast, foodie and gym lover, and with dual master’s degrees in design and a background as a Nutrition Coach, she offers a unique perspective on client needs.

Chris Kiernan

Chris is the Founder and Director of PractiCal Meal Plans. With over 15 years of experience in food marketing and nutrition consultancy, Chris has cultivated deep customer insights and developed a diverse range of products. His expertise extends to collaborations with renowned brands including PepsiCo, Mars, and Yum, as well as various restaurants and gyms.

Dr. Craig Cook

Dr. Craig is the Chief Executive Officer of Aviv Clinics by DP World, the world leader in brain performance. Originally from Australia, Craig joins Aviv with over 30 years of international leadership experience, with over 19 years based in the UAE. Before joining Aviv Clinics by DP World, Craig served as Executive Director for International Operations at Cleveland Clinic.

Craig has extensive experience overseeing healthcare and hospitality entities in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, and the United States. His primary areas of expertise include healthcare strategy and service delivery, international operations, hospitality services, and the provision of top-tier concierge and VIP medicine. With a passion for team coaching and engagement, Craig has successfully led large multicultural teams through operational activations, resulting in exceptional patient and caregiver engagement scores.

As the CEO of Aviv Clinics, Craig’s responsibilities are to support the attainment of the Clinic’s goals and objectives. His unwavering dedication to patient and caregiver satisfaction is expected to drive the Clinic’s continuous growth and development and ensure that Aviv Clinics remains a world-class healthcare organization that provides exceptional personalized healthcare to its patients.

Essa Al Ansari

Essa is a hotelier, entrepreneur, and pioneer Emirati fitness motivational speaker and mental health advocate. His journey began in 2010 when he embarked on a remarkable transformation, losing 100kg over six years through sheer determination and dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Driven by his own experiences, his aim is to inspire and educate others about his journey and raise awareness about mental health. He has since shared his story with over 30 schools and universities, as well as numerous corporate and government entities. Essa has also graced the TED stage, further amplifying his message of hope and resilience. He has collaborated with major events such as the Dubai Fitness Challenge, Abu Dhabi World Olympics, Dubai Active, and Dubai Marathon, leveraging his platform to inspire, educate, and positively impact lives not only in the Middle East but around the globe.

George Flooks

George Flooks is the CEO of Wellness Forward Group, a leading luxury conglomerate specializing in premium fitness and wellness. With a wealth of experience, George previously served as CEO of Fitness First MENA for 12 years, overseeing the brand’s expansion across the region. Prior to this, he was the CPP of Fitness First UK, managing over 160 clubs. George’s influence extends beyond Fitness First, having served on the board of Health and Racquet Club Group, overseeing its growth and strategic sale to Virgin Active. A passionate athlete, George has completed four half Ironman races and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management. He is also a certified master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and a motivational speaker dedicated to personal development. George is committed to leading Wellness Forward Group to new heights in luxury fitness and wellness.

Greg Boucher

As an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, Greg’s vision extends beyond conventional roles in the Health, Fitness, and Wellness Industry. He is the owner and founder of MEFITPRO, a pioneering organization that has significantly impacted the industry landscape in the Middle East. Additionally, Greg’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish QOOAH, PETFIT and invest in the BASKETBALL HUB, and ATHLETES JUNCTION, ventures that reflect his innovative approach and commitment to fostering community engagement and athletic development. Through these initiatives, Greg not only demonstrates his business acumen but also his dedication to promoting holistic well-being and providing platforms for individuals to pursue their passions in fitness and sports.

Heba Abdel Gawad

Co-founder of .body//HACK: along with her husband Yousef. 20 Years Industry experience (Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Studio Manager, Tutor and Assessor) – Two-time Ex Olympic athlete competed as a Synchronized Swimmer at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games – Winner of the Women’s Health Next Fitness Star competition – Runner up for the Educator of the Year 2023 at the REPs Industry Awards. Qualifications and titles include Z-HealthMaster Trainer, Neural Performance Specialist, Z-Health R,I,S,T and 9S, Creator of the NeuroPilates certification, Certified Pilates mat and apparatus with various companies, Clinical Pilates, Pre and Post Natal, Hypopressive RSF, Bsc Sports Science, Health-related Exercise and Fitness (Cert), Qualified Tutor and Assessor.

Jennifer Chalouhi

13 years in the fitness industry working as a Personal Trainer, online Coach Master Rebound Instructor, Course Developer and Tutor, and more recently Breathwork Coach and Ice Bath Facilitator.

Patrick Bejjani

Patrick Bejjani is an accomplished educator and leadership coach with a wealth of international experience. Holding a Master's in Exercise Sciences and an Executive MBA, he is also a certified Health and Wellness Coach and Medical Exercise Specialist. Patrick has dedicated over 18 years to teaching and coaching in various countries, including the USA, China, Greece, the Netherlands, and 8 Arab nations. As an international speaker and trainer, he excels in delivering evidence-based education, avoiding reliance on beliefs or selective research. Patrick's guiding principle is "If You Want...YES You Can!", aiming to empower individuals to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.

Paul Aiken

International Fitness Photographer & Content Creator, YouTuber and Lecturer. Paul has been involved with the world of Fitness for over 30 years as a former Gym Owner, Black Belt martial Artist and Instructor. He has a lifetime of knowledge as an Entrepreneur and Mentors on his YouTube Channel with 130,000 subscribers and over 15 million views Annually.

Paul Raynor

Paul is the Chief Operating Officer of Sanipex Group, a UAE based retailer and international distributor of luxury Bathroom, Tiles, Furniture and Lighting lifestyle products. With over 10 years executive experience at Board Level for both listed and privately owner businesses across the GCC, Europe and the USA, Paul specializes in delivering outstanding customer service, scaling up business operations and driving performance to achieve rapid profitable growth.

Pete Foley

Peter is the owner of Functional Fitness Supply, the premier gym flooring and equipment company in the UAE since 2014. He is also the co-founder of LANA, a newly established facility offering rental space for personal trainers to conduct their businesses. With extensive experience in supporting operators, private gym owners, and developers in creating exceptional gym spaces, Peter is thrilled to serve as one of this year's judges.

Raymond Kelly

Raymond Kelly is the Chairman of RS Leisure Group in Dubai and a respected industry veteran. His journey in the Middle East began in 1982 with Nobel Industries Explosives, Saudi Arabia as part of a team to produce explosives for demolition and construction. He moved to Dubai in 1987 and ventured into the construction of tennis courts, squash courts and athletic tracks. This led to the establishment of his company specializing in sports construction, specialty fitness retail, fit-outs of stadiums to indoor sports/gym facilities. Raymond’s interests extend beyond business as he has explored various sports including desert running, squash, tennis, moto-cross, water-skiing, windsurfing and karate. With a passion for his work and a singular focus on his business endeavors, Raymond anticipates continued success and growth in the industry.

Roberta Darrigo

Roberta holds numerous Internationally renowned fitness certifications. She has been a Personal Trainer for almost 15 years, Tutor, and Educator. A Professional bodybuilder with more than five first places and a graduate of Physical Education and Post-Graduate in Biomechanics, currently doing MBA in Fitness.

Sally Clayton

With over 15 years fitness experience in UAE, Sally has a great amount of health and fitness knowledge which she imparts to her students and fellow colleagues. Fitness and Health is the key to longevity.

Sean Clancy

Sean Clancy is a former professional athlete and the founder of KO8 Fitness, a brand known for its expertise in e-commerce and education. As an international coach educator, Sean has conducted certificates in more than 15 countries. In addition, he owns KO8 Dubai, a fitness facility located in the Marina that offers group training experiences and personalized training services.

Steven Gillespie

Steven is a senior business leader & amp; consultant within the global fitness and sports industries, specializing in health club & amp; racquet sports operations. Steven’s wealth of knowledge spans over 20 years building and operating businesses for Fit Camp Scotland, Fitness First Middle East, Xponential Fitness, EVOX, Activ Gym, We Are Padel, The Racquet Club by Emirates Palace and is now currently developing a new premium health club concept in Dubai, VEO by EMAAR.

Chris Alexander

General Manager, AUSactive, peak health and fitness industry body in Australia. Chris is on the Board of Directors of iCREPs and Secretary to the Australian Health and Fitness Industry Standards Council. He has been involved in research, education, standards and guideline development for exercise professionals and businesses. Over the past 20 years, Chris has also continued to practice as an accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Jenny Patrickson

Managing Director of Active IQ, a UK government regulated accreditation organization within the fitness and wellness sector in the UK and internationally.

Jenny has over 30 years of experience within the world of physical activity and education and was involved in the development and implementation of accreditation and quality assurance activity for the European Health and Fitness Association, REPs Ireland and iCREPs.

Justin Tamsett

Heads up the Fitness Business Podcast in Australia and has been the Chair of REX Roundtables for fitness businesses owners in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Justin is a seasoned keynote speaker with more than 18 years in the industry and has delivered over 380 presentations in 22 countries.

Mahdi Jafargholizadeh

Finland National, currently working as an external Quality Assurer and consultant for Iran REPs, REPs-Malta, Georgia Active, Maldives REPs. Previously worked with EuropeActive as a Training Provider Coalition. Previous to that, was head of education for FAE-College and Business development manager of NFE (Nordic Fitness Education member. Ph.D Sport Management (EQF/MQF Level 8) MSc. Corrective Exercise (EQF/MQF Level 7).

Scott Schreuder

is the owner of In Fitness, South Africa’s leading continuing education company; as well as the chairman of REPs SA. He is an internationally acclaimed Master Trainer and presents at various seminars and workshops around the world. As well as being the Strength and Conditioning coach for many Regional, National, and international sporting teams. Being South Africa’s leading Functional Trainer, Scott is the International Master Trainer for products such as TRX, ViPR, TP Performance and many more. He is South Africa’s only 5-star rated international presenter, as rated by IDEA Fitness Association.

Thomas Bell

Founder and CEO of PD:Approval – an international independent accrediting organization for fitness education providers. He has worked in the accreditation and education sector for over 15 years and specializes in providing accreditation services to membership organizations and supporting training providers to meet their quality assurance targets. PD:Approval also operates it’s own membership organizations, The Society for the Pilates Method Register of Teachers (SPMRT),and PD:Verified, for qualified tutors, assessors, and internal quality assurers.

Ben Gittus

Ben serves as the Technical Director for REPs UAE, providing crucial support to the team in maintaining training standards and overseeing education initiatives. With extensive experience, Ben has contributed to REPs registers in various countries and played a pivotal role in assisting the global body for registers, ICREPs, in establishing global standards for fitness professionals. Primarily based in Europe, Ben also works with the European Oberservatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE). With over two decades of experience in the sport and fitness industries, Ben has dedicated his career to enhancing the workforce through tailored qualifications and training programs.

Josh Silverman

Joshua Silverman is a dynamic figure in the fitness industry, currently serving as the Head of Education for Third Space. With a career spanning over a decade, Joshua's journey began in 2009 under the tutelage of renowned Coach Mike Boyle. Since then, he has garnered extensive experience teaching at colleges, universities, and even within esteemed institutions like the British Army, both in the UK and abroad. Joshua's expertise extends beyond the classroom, as he has contributed his insights to various publications including Men's Health, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, and others. His authoritative voice and knack for distilling complex fitness concepts into accessible pieces have solidified his reputation as a trusted expert in the field. In his current role at Third Space, Joshua is responsible for spearheading the development of an up-to-date syllabus that equips Personal Trainers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical application. His commitment to staying abreast of the latest research ensures that Third Space remains at the forefront of industry trends. Beyond his role in education, Joshua serves as the conscience of the business, advocating for ethical practices and ensuring that the company's values align with its actions. His multifaceted approach to fitness education and his dedication to professional integrity make him a pivotal figure in shaping the future of the industry.

Joshua Cole

Joshua Cole is the CEO and Responsible Officer at Focus Awards, a leading UK Awarding Organization (AO). With over 400 training providers across the UK and abroad, Focus Awards offers qualifications in 11 business sectors, with Sports and Recreation being the largest. Mr. Cole is a highly educated professional, holding a master’s degree (MSc), a First-Class Honors Degree (BSc Hons, First), and numerous specialist qualifications. He is also a qualified Lawyer (Fellow of the Institute of Paralegals) and Chartered Manager (Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, CMI). As a seasoned commercial leader, he brings expertise in the corporate governance and is an active member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Joshua is dedicated to driving change and innovation in the sports and leisure sector, while maintaining a strong focus on personal and professional development.