Sgt. Ken Named “Best New Presenter of the Year” At 2011 CanFitPro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Friday, August 19, in front of a packed room of 11,000 conference attendees and more than 300 fitness experts from around the world, Staff Sergeant Ken Weichert (a.k.a. “Sgt. Ken”) accepted the 2011 Best New Presenter of the Year Award from the canfitpro Conference in Toronto.

Canfitpro is the largest fitness conference of its kind in the world, catering to fitness professionals and enthusiasts with an extensive offering of instructor certifications and master class workshops. From the thousands of professionals in the wellness industry lead sessions at the conference, the canfitpro delegation grants the “Best New Presenter of the Year” award to one individual after considering the feedback provided by workshop attendees.

“I would like to thank the canfitpro staff and the wonderful participants that submitted such sterling reviews of my Boot Camp Fitness workshops,” Weichert said about the honor. “I love Canada and the canfitpro organization. Let’s continue to fight obesity in our world, one community at a time!”

Sgt. Ken received the award in recognition of his personal and professional commitment to help others reach their highest potential with safe and effective fitness and resilience training through his Operation Fit to Fight program and START Fitness boot camps.

“This was my first time attending Sgt. Ken’s boot camp at canfitpro and boy was I impressed, inspired, and challenged! His energy, presence, and skills really motivated the mass of trainers to work at their capacity and give 100 percent of what they had,” commented Joanne Perez after participating in his workshop. “His dedication to the cause of fighting world obesity shined through as he spoke about our commitment and our work in the fitness industry.”

As an Army Master Fitness and Resilience Trainer, Weichert created Operation Fit to Fight for the US Armed Forces to increase the combat readiness of our Soldiers. His training is so effective that Operation Fit to Fight has significantly lowered the number of personnel losses due to fitness test failures, improved morale and reduced the risk of combat stress or injury among those in the program.

In 1998 Sgt. Ken created START Fitness, the nation’s longest-running civilian boot camp. Armed with the functional fitness drills he taught as an Army Master Trainer and his background in the performing arts, Sgt. Ken created a unique group fitness environment centered on military discipline and mutual encouragement. START Fitness currently operates branches in San Francisco and Nashville, Tenn., with plans to open a new franchise in Laguna Beach, Calif. in the next year.

Through these programs, Sgt. Ken has decades of experience using these techniques to help both civilians and Soldiers increase stamina, lose weight and gain a positive outlook on life. He currently travels across North America to teach at fitness conferences, military training sessions and community events in an effort to improve lifestyles and combat obesity.

“He has a presence and a passion for fitness and that inspired the group to go faster, harder and stronger,” said canfitpro attendee Joanne Alexopoulous. “His message and mission should be shared by all fitness professionals and now we need to get back to our communities and use the great ideas learned to inspire others.”

A portion of his fitness and nutrition training is offered for free at nationalguard.com and through the Pentagon Channel’s Fit for Duty podcasts. SGT Ken is sponsored by SPRI and iostudio for all fitness conferences and special events. For a schedule of upcoming appearances or more information, please connect with us at www.Facebook.com/FitToFight.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Staff Sergeant Ken Weichert is available for interviews, guest health and fitness columns or as a military/fitness expert. Please contact the Operation Fit to Fight team at 1-888-4-SGT-KEN (cell) or 615-724-4366 (office) with any requests or comments.