Consultants

 @MoveLiveLearn

Dr. Amanda Stanec was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada where she attended and played soccer for St. Francis Xavier University. Through these years, Amanda developed a strong worth ethic to accompany her active lifestyle, in sport and other physical activities, and positive outlook on life. Amanda moved to the US over 15 years ago to begin her teaching and coaching career. During this time, she also attended graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University. Amanda attained a Masters of Science with an emphasis in physical education and sport psychology from VCU. Completely cool with her love of learning, Amanda enrolled in a PhD program in Kinesiology within the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Here, Amanda was awarded the outstanding doctoral student in the Curry School of Education at UVa in her graduating year (2006). Since that time Amanda has also become a certified power vinyasa yoga teacher in Colorado, and a certified holistic health coach.

Amanda has published over twenty articles and has co-authored several book chapters related to physical education, sport, health, and wellness topics. She has served on the Board of Directors for Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada and proven herself successful in terms of achieving grant funding and receiving competitive contracts. Amanda has served as the lead writer for provincial wide physical education curriculum, university kinesiology and teacher education courses, and youth sport leadership and positive youth development programs.  Amanda is a proud education and parent ambassador for TrueSport.

During the early mornings, you will find Amanda training for an upcoming triathlon or endurance running event (she recently participated in the Boston Marathon). At night, you will find her putting everything into perspective on her yoga mat.

Amanda’s two biggest successes – by far – are her two young children who (along with their dad, Jim MacGyver) inspired Move Live Learn LLC. Through Amanda’s pursuit of modeling an active, productive, and positive life to her children, a consulting business that strives to support all people live active and healthy lives was formed.  Amanda works in all sectors of Move Live Learn.

You can find Amanda at these speaking engagements in the upcoming months!

Click on the icon below view Amanda’s acceptance speech for winning Best #PhysEd teacher twitter account as nominated anonymously by professional peers through ThePhysicalEducator.com.

Dr. Jen Bhalla has always had a passion for sport and physical activity—from her days playing in her backyard to her current positions as a coach and lecturer. Jen played six sports in high school, and honed her soccer skills on representative and provincial teams. She earned a scholarship to Rutgers University where she received my bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science. Jen’s post-graduate education is in sport psychology with an emphasis in youth development through physical activity. She received a M.S. degree from Smith College and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Over the past several years, Jen has collaborated on research studies and papers on positive youth development, cultural and parental influence on sport participation, and issues regarding young athletes. In 2011, Jen received the Research Writing Award from the Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

There are many life lessons that can be learned through participating in physical activity, and Jen wants to spread the word on how to keep every person involved in the wonderful world of activity. Jen is an amazing role model, highlighted by her goal to run a marathon in every state and every province. Thus far, she has completed approximately 10 marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2011-2013. In 2012, Jen was inducted as the first female athlete into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. After 6 years at the University of Minnesota, Jen recently moved to Oregon and serves as an Assistant Professor in Exercise Science at Pacific University. She is loving Oregon – particularly the views on her runs.

Amanda on Jen: “Dr. Jen Bhalla is one of the most competent individuals I know.  We collaborate so well, and really work to each other’s strength.  I am not sure Jen has ever said no to joining me for an early morning run which makes her the ultimate workout buddy.  Her kind ways and loving spirit are matched by her scholarship and sense of service to youth sport.  Move Live Learn is better because of Dr. Bhalla’s involvement! Her research line focused on marginalized youth and sport.  In short, she’s a rock star.”

Nanda MacNeil-Arnold, RHN, RNCP & Wellness Coach
Website: http://www.nandamacneil.com

Nanda knows all too well the benefits a solid nutrition program can have on one’s health. Previous severe digestive problems resulting in prolonged illness and several surgeries, led her on a path to discover the role nutrition can play on one’s overall health. Pursuing a career in holistic nutrition is more than simply an academic choice for Nanda; it is an integral part of her beliefs and values that she embodies and strives to share with others. She walks the talk, and this is obvious in the passion and enthusiasm she exudes in her work.

Nanda attended St. FX University and went on to study at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN). Upon graduation, Nanda received the “Director’s Award”, an award honoring one student among a total of nine CSNN institutions across Canada, for achievement in academic excellence as well as embodiment of a holistic lifestyle.

In addition to her accomplishments in Nutrition, Nanda has been involved in fitness & personal development leadership on both a personal and professional level. Nanda provides a wealth of personal experience combined with a platform of academic achievement to offer a common sense approach towards nutrition and exercise and wellness coaching.

It is her passion and purpose to spread the word of preventative and Holistic Health. If you take a moment to read some testimonials from Nanda’s clients, you will quickly learn she is amazing at what she does so do not hesitate to let her help you reach your goals.

Amanda on Nanda: “Nanda and I have been friends since our undergraduate days at St. Francis Xavier University.  She’s a proud Cape Bretoner who coaches others to a healthier and happier life.  Nanda’s knowledge of nutrition is top notch and it’s inspiring to watch her inspire and equip others to transform their lives in a healthy, sustainable and positive way.”

In Joan’s years of practice she has appreciated the joys and frustrations of her career. It’s been her great privilege to build trusting relationships and help people move forward on their own health continuum, be it mental, physical or spiritual.

Joan became a Nurse Practitioner because she wanted to help people be the best versions of themselves they could be. But so many times she’d been frustrated that she couldn’t do more. That in the precious little time allotted to each patient, she couldn’t offer more than a pill or a slick brochure provided by Big Pharma with pictures of gleeful people riding bikes and eating broccoli.

But, even though she knew more and more about the healthiest ways for people to live, simply offering facts and education wasn’t working. Alas, Joan signed up for Dr. Martha Beck’s Life Coaching program. And there she was introduced to Thought Work.

Thought Work is the term Joan has given to describe the concept of having people simply step back and become aware of the stories they are telling themselves in a compassionate, mindful way. She has never seen more powerful, elegant or efficient tools to facilitate positive change not only for herself, but for the hundreds of patients she sees in 15 or 20 minute office visits, and clients she meet with for longer periods outside the office.

Joan has also adapted these tools for use in health care settings in addition to utilizing the tools with individuals outside of health care settings. If you are a Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant, Chiropractor, Yoga Instructor, Physician–or in any other health related field and looking for a way to energize your practice by adding depth and quality efficiently to your patient’s treatment plan, Joan would love to work with you.

Because these tools target thoughts–ground zero for ultimately changing behaviors–they can be applied across the whole spectrum of problems that might arise in the course of a typical primary care visit: depression and anxiety, lifestyle challenges related to nutrition and physical health, substance abuse, relationship issues and more.

Amanda on Joan: “Joan is one of the most insightful, intelligent and upbeat people I know.  We have been friends for over 15 years and I have described her as angelic on more than one occasion.  Her love of learning never seizes to amaze me.  If you feel stuck or in need of some good advice in life and nutrition, Joan is a go-to resource for you.  Her day job involves supporting people with addictions and it’s no wonder that job is as successful as it is.  Joan is remarkable.”

Nancy Markos was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey.  At a young age, Nancy realized how important physical activity was to her own well being.  She also had a passion to introduce others to the importance of physical activity.  In the fifth grade Nancy told her parents that she wanted to be a physical education teacher.  That dream became a reality upon her graduation from Springfield College, Springfield, MA.Her first five years of teaching was in middle school.  Nancy coached several sports in middle school.  In 1984 Nancy became an elementary physical education specialist in Albemarle County school system, Charlottesville, VA.  She was also a clinical instructor for the University of Virginia.  She had mentored students in the Physical Education and Adaptive Physical Education Programs from 1985-2011.  In 1994, Nancy received her Masters of Education from the University of Virginia.  In 2011, Nancy retired from teaching and became the Albemarle County Facilitator of Health, Physical Education and Family Life for the next three years.

In 2011, Nancy was nominated by one of her students and received the Golden Apple Award.  This award is given by a local business.  Nancy was selected as the 2002 National Physical Education Elementary Teacher of the Year.  She is co-author of the book, “Teaching the Nuts and Bolts of Physical Education, Building Basic Movement Skills” and authored the book “Self-and Peer-Assessments for Elementary School PE Programs”.  She has published nine articles in Strategies and JOPERD.

Her husband, Art, coached Division 1 football for thirty years before working in the Athletics Department at the University of Virginia.  Her children, Lance and Wendy, have made her life complete.

Nancy enjoys working out, playing golf and racquetball.  The main message she taught her students was to “maintain a physically active lifestyle”.   This is still her message today!

Amanda on Nancy: “Nancy is a mentor and a friend.  When you are around Nancy, you want to do good work and never let her down!  Her career as a physical education teacher resulted in many accolades and awards, but it’s Nancy’s support of her colleagues and mentorship to newcomers to the field that really stand out in my mind.  Her healthy active ways and can-do attitude really represent what Move Live Learn is all about.  It’s humbling to have Nancy on our team!”

Originally from Washington, DC, Jon grew up skateboarding and mountain biking around the streets and trails of Northern Virginia.  In 1997, Jon moved to Steamboat Springs and started working as a snowboard instructor.  His skateboard background led him to a role as the lead Park and Freestyle instructor for the Steamboat Snowboard School.  As an Examiner for the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), Jon led instructor certification clinics, assisted in the development of education materials and helped author the freestyle teaching standards that are still in place today. In 1998, Jon started coaching for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC).  In 2003, he was named Head Coach of the Junior Program then promoted to Program Director in 2006.  In 2009, Jon added Head BoarderCross Coach to his Director duties.  The SSWSC is one of the premier programs in the world continually attracting athletes from all nationalities to train with some of the best coaches in snowboarding.  During his tenure as Director, over 20 athletes competed in 3 Winter Olympics, 9 athletes were named to the US Snowboard Team and the SSWSC was named Snowboard Club of the Year 4 times by the US Ski and Snowboard Association.

As the Head BoarderCross coach, Jon worked with top athletes in sport.  Athletes from his team achieved over 50 North American race podiums, won 7 North American Overall podiums and competed in over 20 FIS World Cup tour races.  Jon also coached for 8 Junior World Championship teams where his athletes earned 11 podium finishes (12 medals). Due to his work with young Australian athletes, Jon was named the 2012 Australian Development Coach of the Year.  Behind the results and accolades, the SSWSC gained a reputation for fair play, sportsmanship and, most of all, instilling a passion for the sport in its athletes.

In 2013, Jon and his wife Shannon (an incredible physical education teacher) moved to Utah where he formed the Team Utah BoarderCross program.  In the 2014 season, Jon led 4 athletes in their efforts to reach the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  Two of his athletes were named to the Australian Olympic BoarderCross Team and Jon was invited to join the coaching staff for the Australian Olympic Snowboard Team Jon also served 6 years as Executive Board Vice President for the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA), is in his second term as Chairman of the Snowboard Sport Committee for the US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and sits on the Board of Directors for USSA.  Jon is also Chairman of the US Snowboard Coach Education Committee.  In 2006, he and four other coaches created the US Snowboard Coach Education Program (USSCEP).  Jon was instrumental in creating, compiling and editing all the education materials for the program.  Since 2006, the USSCEP has trained and certified over 500 professional snowboard coaches in the US. Jon is equally passionate about Mountain Biking and was recently hired by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) as a Trainer for their Instructor Certification Program.  In this role, Jon has travels the US and Canada to lead training clinics for prospective mountain bike instructors.  Jon has also helped develop content and education standards for the ICP program.

Amanda’s thoughts regarding Jon: “We are ecstatic to have Jon Casson on our team!  Jon brings 15 years of practical experience in coach education, athlete development and athletic program management to Move Live Learn.  While many people can talk championships and successes in sport, it’s what Jon brings to the table that is most memorable after you work with him.  Jon loves what he does, has no ego, and believes in each athlete he works with.   If my children grow up to have one coach with the competence, compassion, and personality as Jon Casson, I will feel very fortunate.”