ISFTA Advisory Board

ISFTA has developed an advisory board based on diversity in the fields of fitness and health care. The role of the advisory board is to be available to provide insight not only on our courses, but on the direction of ISFTA. Our advisory board has the broadest range of knowledge and experience in the industry. Each member of the advisory board has direct contact with ISFTA's corporate team to continuously provide the most current and relevant information.

ISFTA Advisory Board Members

Aaron Mattes
Aaron received his B.S.Degree from Wisconsin State University-Superior, in Physical Education. Mattes received his M.S.from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in Kinesiology. Mattes served as pitching coach for the University of Illinois baseball team from 1970-1976. Over the past 45 years, he has spent well over 250,000 hours in sports participation, sports and health instruction, rehabilitation, athletic training, adapted physical education, sports medicine, training and prevention programs. He is a registered Kinesiotherapist, a licensed Massage Therapist, and a member of the Association of Medical Rehabilitation Administrators, and the National Rehabilitation Association.

Chris Gellert, PT, MPT, CSCS, CPT
Chris earned his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 1999, and his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1992. Chris uniquely is both an experienced licensed physical therapist, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist(C.S.C.S.), and a certified personal trainer with over 19 years experience.
He has been teaching human movement/post-rehabilitation seminars to personal trainers for the last five years, speaks at national fitness conferences, has created three DVD's on Fitness, created a home study/live seminar course entitled "Synergy of Human Movement,"writes for various fitness publications on fitness and health, consults, and is one of the most dynamic presenters in the industry today. He specializes in treating general orthopedics, specifically the spine, and has extensive clinical experience in treating various spinal injuries, post-surgical conditions, traumatic and sport specific injuries while having worked in industrial rehabilitation, out patient, and private practice settings.

Jonathan G. Mulholland, D.C.
Dr. Jonathan Mulholland earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Ithaca College in 1996, and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2000. He is a sports chiropractor who specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. For the past 4 years, Dr. Mulholland has been the “Chiropractic Consultant” for the United States Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY and has successfully treated dozens of Olympic and Professional athletes. A lifelong multi-sport athlete, Dr. Mulholland’s proudest athletic accomplishments include: two-time Ironman finisher, NYS Collegiate Division III 110m Hurdle Champion, a former NYS Section VII record holder in several different events, and a member of the Plattsburgh High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sanford "Sandy" Bates
Sandy holds an M.S. in exercise physiology and has over 25 years experience in the fields of health care and fitness. Sandy worked extensively with health clubs, school boards, and with various medical professionals. He has been presenting seminars since 1984. Sandy is the president and founder of My Health Coach, Inc. located in Lakeland, FL.

Dr. Rafael Llop
Dr. Llop graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in kinesiology. He then graduated from New York Chiropractic College. Rafael has participated in extensive continuing professional development in a wide variety of subjects, including the integration of health care in sports. He is currently in private practice at WellnessPlus Chiropractic in Charleston, SC.

Jim Ryno
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management from Lynchburg College. He is a contributing writer for SHAPE Magazine and is on the expert advisory board for Life & Style Weekly. As a respected fitness expert, Jim's fitness tips can also be found regularly on the pages of Fitness, Men's Fitness, Cargo, Maximum Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and Women's Health. His television appearances include co-hosting a weekly segment for the NY Metro Channel titled “Healthy, wealthy and travel wise”. Jim is the owner of LIFT professional fitness studio in Ramsey, NJ.