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Lionel University believes that the health and fitness of our society can be significantly improved by our students’ success as health, sports and fitness professionals. Our efforts to stem the tide of poor health and physical decline are multiplied exponentially as our graduates and members disseminate the institution’s principles and methods to their clients, peers and associates. Our mission is to inspire each and every student to positively impact the quality of life of each individual with whom they come in contact.
As a distance education institution and industry leader, Lionel University is unconditionally committed to providing the highest quality distance education programs available, advancing our industry as a whole, and developing greater access to career opportunities for those who share our vision of Creating a Stronger, Healthier World™.
In 1988, the most powerful team of fitness experts ever assembled joined together under the leadership of Sal Arria, DC, MSS, and Frederick Hatfield, PhD, MSS, to allow personal training students the ability to acquire knowledge through distance education. Drawn from the elite ranks of research, coaching, sports medicine, and sports and fitness science, these innovators drew a line in the sand to turn the tide toward a more fit and healthy world and transform the fitness of the planet.
Since that initial gathering in 1988, the institution has catapulted to the forefront of the fitness community through its student-centered approach and firm understanding of personal training and exercise science as true healthcare. Formerly the ISSA College of Exercise Science, the institution was the first mover in the personal training education space in the ‘80s, one of the first institutions to offer online study in the ‘90s, the first in the fitness industry to earn accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the US Department of Education, and the first to develop degree programs specifically for personal training.
Since the late 70’s, Dr. Sal Arria has been a pivotal figure in the fitness and health education sector, recognized for his foundational roles in both the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and Lionel University.
Founding and Leadership: Dr. Sal Arria co-founded the ISSA in 1988 alongside Dr. Frederick Hatfield. This organization was established to standardize and enhance the credibility of personal fitness training by merging practical gym experience with applied sciences. Under his leadership, the ISSA has grown to become a significant educational body for fitness professionals.Dr. Nicholas D. Barringer brings a distinguished combination of academic, professional, and military expertise to his role as Chief Academic Officer at Lionel University. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corps, Dr. Barringer served 21 years of dedicated military service, advancing the fields of kinesiology, nutrition, and human performance.
Educational Background:
Dr. Barringer holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University, an M.S. in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Georgia. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to bridging science and practice in health and performance.
Professional Experience and Leadership:
Before joining Lionel University, Dr. Barringer served as Program Director for the Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Nutrition, leading advanced graduate education and research initiatives. He also held academic roles, including Assistant Professor at West Point, where he developed innovative curricula in performance nutrition and human performance optimization.
Academic Contributions:
A prolific researcher and sought-after speaker, Dr. Barringer has published extensively in leading journals and presented at national and international conferences. His work focuses on performance nutrition, tactical athlete optimization, and strategies to enhance physical and mental resilience.
Certifications and Expertise:
He is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, showcasing his multidisciplinary expertise in health, wellness, and performance.
Military Achievements:
Dr. Barringer's 21-year military career included key leadership roles, developing impactful nutrition and fitness programs for elite units like the 75th Ranger Regiment. His service earned numerous honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
At Lionel University, Dr. Barringer is committed to fostering academic innovation and advancing the institution's mission to lead in exercise science, wellness, and human performance education.
JoAnn Bauer earned her Master of Science in Exercise Science from Lionel University, a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Lionel University, and a Bachelor of Science in Conservation, Ecology, and Evolution from the University of Washington. She served in the US Coast Guard as a Search and Rescue Controller and Boarding Officer.
Ms. Bauer works as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Group Fitness Administrator at Thrive Community Fitness in Oak Harbor, WA. She specializes in foundational fitness, working with older adults, people managing chronic conditions, or those recovering from injury. Ms. Bauer developed Fit Foundations, a free-style strength training and balance group fitness class for the same demographic, and contributes regular choreography content for the AMPD group fitness brand.
She recently founded Combobulate Fitness, LLC to provide contract community fitness and in-home personal training.
Josh Bryant earned a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania. His professional experiences include strength coach and personal trainer. Mr. Bryant is the owner of JoshStrength, a fitness and conditioning organization. His career highlights include being the youngest person to bench press 600 pounds raw and 2005 Strongest Man in America, and he totaled 2294 at the United States Powerlifting Federation Mountaineer Cup.
Michol Dalcourt earned his Master of Science in Exercise Science and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Alberta. He holds additional certifications, including C.F.C. accreditation from the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists and Certified Specialist with the Canadian Association of Fitness Professionals.
Mr. Dalcourt is an internationally recognized industry leader in health and human performance. He is the Founder and CEO of the Institute of Motion, the inventor of ViPR and ViPR PRO, and Co-Founder of PTAGlobal (which was acquired by NASM).
Mr. Dalcourt has served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Francisco in the Department of Sports Science and as Adjunct Faculty at the NAIT College School of Health Sciences. He currently sits on several Health Advisory Boards in the Health and Fitness Industry.
Mr. Dalcourt has given hundreds of international lectures. He has been a featured speaker at many of the world’s top health and coaching conferences, fitness clubs, and at many colleges and universities around the world. He has done extensive work in the areas of health and human performance. He consults with many of the health and fitness industry’s biggest companies - including Microsoft Health and Nike -among others.
For the past 5 years, through his company Institute of Motion, Mr. Dalcourt has worked with the government of Singapore to found ‘Active Health’, a nationwide initiative to scale health and well-being to every Singaporean.
James Gu has always been interested in helping others reach their potential. This passion led him to pursue a business degree from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, and later complete both the massage and personal training programs at The Swedish Institute.
Mr. Gu started his career with Equinox as a massage therapist in 2006 and was quickly promoted to Spa Manager. Over the course of 15 years, he has held various positions within the company, including Membership Sales Advisor, Sales Manager, General Manager, Area Manager of Operations, Regional Director of Operations, Director of Operations and Senior Director of Spa. In 2020, James returned to the Spa as Senior Director of Spa.
Dr. Tedd Keating earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh, his Master of Science in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in Exercise Science from Manhattan College. Dr. Keating is a full-time Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Manhattan College with over 25 years of teaching, research, and curriculum development experience. Before this, he spent several years in various fitness and rehabilitation settings, developing programming for clients ranging from the older adult to the collegiate athlete.
Dr. Keating’s professional interests include all aspects of strength and conditioning and clinical exercise science. His research has focused on perceived exertion, intermodal differences in the exercise response, flexibility exercise, and warm-up/preparatory methods. He maintains advanced credentials from both the American College of Sports Medicine as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association and regularly presents for both organizations.
Megan Meisner earned two Bachelor’s Degrees in Program Management and Commercial Recreation with an Exercise Science minor from Illinois State University.
She also completed the ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer program. Ms. Meisner worked as a contributor to Amazing Wellness, Muscle & Performance, Train and Train for Her magazines. Additionally, she worked with Human Kinetics as an exam writer and contributor.
In 2014, she resigned from a full-time job in corporate fitness to become self-employed by offering online services and healthy living resources (meganmeisnerfitness.com). She has competed in 2 NPC bikini competitions and was featured as a Rising Star in Oxygen magazine.
Angie Miller earned her Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Central Missouri and her Bachelor of Science in Education from Iowa State University. She is a speaker, writer, university educator, and mental health therapist who blends her skills and expertise to empower individuals and audiences worldwide, giving them mental and physical strategies for success.
A gifted communicator and natural leader, Ms. Miller is recognized for her authentic approach to helping individuals rise to their potential. Her audiences range from mental health, corporate, and fitness professionals, to students at the university level, but no matter the age, stage, or status in life, Angie believes that we’re all connected by a desire to live our lives feeling strong and healthy inside and out.
A respected fitness leader, Ms. Miller teaches workshops throughout the United States and abroad. She has been invited to speak at some of the most recognized health and fitness conferences, including IDEA World, NASM OPTima, and CanFitPro. She is a Master Instructor and Professional Development Educator for the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a mentor, subject matter expert, and contributing author for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. At Northern Illinois University, Ms. Miller taught courses in the Department of Kinesiology, including Stress Management, Sport Psychology, Yoga, Relaxation, and Methods of Group Fitness Instruction.
Michael Spiegel earned his Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from PennWest California and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Delaware. Starting out in New York City as a personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach, Mr. Spiegel naturally progressed to leadership roles, initially serving a team of 40+ personal trainers before quickly progressing to multi-unit leadership. At the Director level, Mr. Spiegel oversaw Personal Training, Small Group Training, Nutrition, Education and Recruiting, for 30 health clubs spanning the East Coast with over 500 trainers under his care.
In 2018, Mr. Spiegel took on the role of General Manager at Life Time, the nation’s premier, luxury, healthy lifestyle brand. After grand opening Life Time Chappaqua in Westchester, NY and serving as the GM of Life Time Syosset on Long Island, he returned to Manhattan to oversee Life Time Sky, NYC’s preeminent luxury athletic club & rooftop pool deck destination until May 2022.
As NYC’s Senior General Manager, Mike now directly oversees the impending, iconic Life Time One Wall Street destination, which is set to open in September '22, in addition to Life Time Studio Battery Park, while supporting the other Life Time Athletic Country Clubs In the NYC market.
Erik E. Wilkins earned an Associate of Science degree in Exercise Science from the International Sports Sciences Association College of Exercise Science (ISSA CES) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Wilkins is the Founder and Lifestyle Wellness Consultant of Efficient Results Visionary Enterprise, LLC, and has dedicated the past 15 years to educating over 400 individuals in the health, wellness, and fitness field in North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, and Virginia. He has been recognized in the State of Mississippi for developing several awareness campaigns to educate members of the local communities about early detection and prevention of common illnesses. He spearheaded the First Annual Efficient Results Prostate Cancer Awareness Marathon, which not only united the residents in Brookhaven, Mississippi, but also provided awareness of one of the most common cancers affecting men. When he is not guiding his clients toward finding their life purpose, Erik is diligently working as a leader in the United States Army.
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