Ridin' for Research: Presenters
Presenters are Listed by Session
2013 R4R PRESENTERS
9:00AM -- SESSION 1
Nelson Lopez has been riding since he was a small boy in the streets of his native San Salvador. Climbing volcanoes in his mountain bike was one of his favorite past times. He was invited to present in the R4R for the first time this year and he immediately accepted! He instructs "multilingual" cycling at the Y and is a Zumba instructor as well. In his other life, he is a visiting professor at Marquette University where he teaches medical translation and interpretation. He is a strong believer in the power of bilingualism and exercise to make this world a better place, and his daughter, Bella, loves to exercise, and she speaks English, Spanish and is learning Portuguese.
Eileen Seeger is a passionate outdoor cyclist, and was introduced to indoor cycling 12 years ago when a friend heard her complaining about being trapped inside during the Wisconsin winter months. In 2002 she received as a birthday gift, the opportunity to get officially certified as an indoor cycling instructor. Initially, she instructed cycling classes at the West Suburban YMCA, but in 2004 moved to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and taught classes at a health and fitness center which was formerly a palace. Her actual classes were held in the dining room complete with an elaborate crystal chandelier handing overhead - pretty fancy! In 2006 she returned to Milwaukee, and returned to teaching at the Downtown YMCA in 2009. When weather allows, Eileen is riding outside. She enjoys all sorts of bikes -- road, mountain, racing tandem and cruisers! She has cycled in many countries including Japan, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Canada. Eileen is a member of The Bella Donnas, a woman’s cycling social group. Her favorite bikes are “Gus and June” -his and her- avocado green Schwinn cruisers purchase at a rummage sale in Bay View for $20.
Holly Gamblin This is Holly’s third year with Ridin’ for Research, but her first year as a presenter. She is thrilled to be given the privilege to present with this wonderful event. Holly has been a cycling instructor since 2009, and loves every minute of it. She is certified through Mad Dogg Athletics. She is affectionately known as “Holly the Hammer” at both the Downtown YMCA and the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Sports and exercise is a huge part of her life, and she spends as much of her spare time as possible participating in all kind of activities. She has been married for five years to her loving husband Alex, who is greatly supportive of everything she does. Holly holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Nevada Reno, and is also currently working on her Master’s in Public Health at the new Zilber School of Public Health, here in Milwaukee. She works for the State of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, servicing the medical needs of abused and neglected children. Health and wellness has been Holly’s passion her whole life, and she is honored to be a part of R4R.
10:30AM -- SESSION 2
Katie Hunt joined the R4R community in 2010. Participating in R4R is a perfect fit – combining her love of indoor cycling, endurance events and fundraising for an important cause. She is thrilled and honored to be presenting this year for the first time! Katie loved athletics as a child but veered onto an unhealthy path as an adult. At 35+ pounds overweight, a friend inspired Katie with one simple line - “Do everything that scares you!” First on the list – Spinning class! Life was forever changed thanks to the amazing instructors she encountered at the Downtown Y – specifically Dori Condon and Kathy Shillinglaw. Katie is now the Group Fitness Supervisor and an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Her weekends are often spent immersed in continuing education to keep classes and training sessions fresh and fun. In 2012, she supported clients achieve these amazing goals: Tough Mudder, first 15K, first marathon, 40lb weight loss, decreased back pain & hip pain, improved golf game, first 5K, fitting in "skinny jeans" post baby, not to mention creating some beautiful biceps with her boot camp regulars. She has specialty training in Indoor Cycling, TRX Suspension Training, TurboKick, TRX Rip Training, TRX Sports Medicine, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release and Thai Bodywork. Katie believes that working out can be a blast and that when your body changes – everything changes! In her free time, you’ll find her running races, laughing with friends, texting fitness facts, cheering with family at her nephew’s sporting events, practicing acroyoga and flying trapeze.
Hubie Krawczyk has been in the fitness industry since 1986. Being a University of Wisconsin LaCrosse graduate in the field of Recreation, he has dedicated a lifetime passion for helping others reach their fitness goals. Hubie’s accomplishments range from achieving over 300 career multisport events including 3 Ironman finishes, Publisher for the U.S. Multi-Sport Directory and Manager of the Freedom Run across America for Charity. Currently he is a Personal Lifestyle Trainer at the Wisconsin Athletic Club and founder of Hubie FIT LLC, a local fitness and lifestyle training company for all levels. As the 2010 Inaugural Wisconsin Athletic Club Keith Nygren “Make a Difference” Award Winner, Hubie has over 14 years of spinning experience. His current certifications include Mad Dogg Athletics for Spinning and the ACE a Personal Trainer. “Changing lives through a strong philosophy of daily movement for my clients is my number one goal no matter what experience they may have in exercise”, says Hubie. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, tennis, golf and cycling, and resides in Cudahy Wisconsin. “I am totally stoked to be a part of the event this year! Get ready to ROCK!”
Jana Rusk has been involved with the R4R for several years; both as a participant and leading training sessions to prepare participants for the ride. She is extremely honored to be presenting for the first time. Jana’s instructor certifications include Spinning through Mad Dogg Athletics, RPM, BodyPUMP and CXWORX through Les Mills International and Group Fitness through AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), where she teaches at Gold’s Gym downtown. Additionally, Jana is a Human Resources Manager for CleanPower and holds a SPHR designation and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 9 year old daughter and friends.
12:00PM -- SESSION 3
Heather Nelson has been involved in the R4R for many years. This will be her 3rd year as a presenter, and she feels very privileged to have that honor again. Heather is a Group Fitness Instructor, currently certified through ACE. She is an instructor for Indoor Cycling, certified through Mad Dogg Athletics. Heather has been in the fitness industry since 1998, and currently teaches Spin, Body Pump and CXWORX for the Elite Clubs. She has a BSN from UW Oshkosh. Heather is an RN at Waukesha Pediatrics and Associates, who has a passion for helping children and their families stay strong, healthy and happy. She loves spending time with her husband Mark and her two children, Sarah and Bill. Her greatest blessing is her first grandson, Mark James, who just turned one year old.
Heather Caponi is thrilled to be presenting at R4R for the first time after being a participant several years in a row. Heather has been a Body Pump and Spin instructor at Highlander Elite since 2005, but her love for fitness began with a collegiate running career in track and field and cross country at Colby College in Maine. This passion continued after graduation, as Heather trained for and competed in several half and full marathons. Heather has witnessed too many loved ones suffer at the hands of cancer, including her mother’s best friend who passed away in 2010. As an elementary school principal, Heather hopes that her young students can hope for a future where cancer is no longer a diagnosis. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her Marine Corps husband and three very active teenagers.
Bonnie Kalinowski has been a past participant of Ridin’ for Research since the beginning and is thrilled to be a presenter again! She has been a certified indoor cycle instructor for the past eight years at the Southwest Y. In addition to her passion for indoor cycling, she is also a certified Pilates and PiYo instructor. Besides teaching, she is a mom to three active boys and spends her days as the Director of Operations at Perspective Advisors.
1:30PM – SESSION 4
Michael Martz has been involved in the R4R since 2005. This is his 4th year as a presenter, and he is very excited to have that honor again. Mike is a Lead/SR Instructor for Indoor Cycling certified through RealRyder and Mad Dogg Athletics (SPIN). Mike is a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor currently certified through AFAA and NETA and has advanced training in Indoor Cycling, IndoRow, BodyPump, TRX, BOSU, Muscle and CORE. Mike has worked with weight lose patients at the Medical College of Wisconsin setting up exercise programs. Mike has coached many sports at various levels and has been a Nationally Certified Coach and a strength coach. Mike is a Cancer survivor and has been cancer free for over 8 years now. At one time, he weighed well over 300 pounds, so fitness and the R4R are very important to him. Mike is also an IT Manager at AT&T and holds degrees in Information Management and Business Management. In his spare time Mike enjoys all types of sports and exercise. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and family, which includes five children, and five grandchildren.
Jill Sommers, owner of M2L Life Coaching and Mental Skills Training, is a Certified Life Coach with extensive history in the world of athletics and fitness. For more than 25 years Jill has been steeped in the world of fitness as a personal trainer, triathlon coach, program director/creator, and Spin instructor. Jill has coached more than 550 athletes to cross the finish line of their choice. Her own zest for life challenge has led her to complete three Ironman triathlons with her fourth event on the horizon in September, 2013. In addition to working with individuals on reaching their life goals, Jill teaches wellness classes at the University of WI-Milwaukee where she guides the students toward living more passionate, balanced lives. “I am so excited to be a part of R4R again as a presenter. This is such a great event where we can all come together and give back to a community of those in need. Thank you for having me.”
