Hometown: South Haven, MI
A bit about you: I played soccer my whole kid life. I absolutely love hot weather, I don’t even mind humidity. I grew up ridding horses and playing outside. Both my parents are from Ohio and are kinda conflicted in the fact that I’m living in Wolverine country haha
College/Major: Central Michigan University/Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition
Favorite Movie: I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I do know every line of Shrek.
Favorite Sports Team: USA Women’s Soccer
Favorite Cheat Meal: Kraft Mac n’ Cheese with a Peanut Butter and Jelly (strawberry) sandwich
Biggest Fear: Drowning.
Hidden Talent: besides my Shrek thing, I’d say my hidden talent is Beat Boxing
Bucket List: Ride a horse across the Sahari Desert
AFS Person I look up to most: My old boss Steely
Reason I chose to intern at AFS: I was first attracted to AFS because I really love the town of A2, but what made me fall in love with it was how well Mike really treats his employees. He returned my phone call the very next day and told me, after talking with me on the phone for three minutes, that my positive energy was great and that he would love to set up an interview with me the next week. I don’t receive that quality of interaction from any other site that I had contacted and it really impressed me in a positive way.
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Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
A bit about you:  I have always had a passion for athletics and exercise, my freshman year I briefly walked on to the football team at UofM. But decided not to keep playing due to the time commitment. Besides working out and school my major interest is writing.
College/Major: University of Michigan, Movement Science
Favorite Movie: Goodfellas
Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite Cheat Meal: Barbecue, brisket, or pulled pork
Biggest Fear: Failing because I didn’t work hard enough!
Hidden Talent: Writing (I’ve even had some published before!)
Bucket List: Climb a major mountain
Person I look up to most: My older brother
Reason I chose to intern at AFS: I was attracted to AFS for the positive atmosphere and the upbeat environment
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Hometown: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
A bit about you: I grew up in a small town on a lake, so I love outdoor activities such as kayaking, waterskiing, paddle boardng, etc. In high school, I focused my time on my love of music, participating in show choir and continuing to play the piano for 12 years. When I began college, I decided to pursue a pre-med track to become a doctor.
College/Major: University of Michigan, Movement Science
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite Cheat Meal: Frozen Yogurt
Biggest Fear: I’m fearless!!!
Hidden Talent: Baking the perfect apple pie
Bucket List: Exploring every continent at some point in my life
Person I look up to most: My older sister
Reason I chose to intern at AFS: The focus of my hobbies growing up were fitness and nutriton, both of which were emphasized as very important in my household growing up. AFS is unique in that it emphasizes the importance of balancing both of those components to live a healthy lifestyle, instead of just one or the other. I found that the values of AFS matched my own, and I knew AFS would be the right place for me
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Gino Gonzalez- Strength Assistant
Hometown: Orange County, CA
A bit about you:  I have always had a passion for athletics and exercise, my freshman year I briefly walked on to the football team at UofM. But decided not to keep playing due to the time commitment. Besides working out and school my major interest is writing.
College/Major: Washtenaw Community College/ Exercise Science
Favorite Movie: End of Watch
Favorite Sports Team: U of M Wolverines.. Go Blue!
Favorite Cheat Meal: Little Caesars Pizza
Biggest Fear: Being stranded in the middle of the ocean
Hidden Talent: Singing!
Bucket List: Climb Mt. Everest and becoming a Certified Sky Diver
Person I look up to most: My inspiring and beautiful mother 🙂
Reason I chose to work at AFS: There is no other fitness facility that has the opportunity to grow and has such a positive and uplifting environment.
About the Author:
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Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions and Frontline Fitness Pros. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.
Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and fitness industry advocate by trade. He is dedicated to enhancing the standard of practice of, and advocating for, fitness and wellness professionals to ensure they become an essential constituent in the healthcare delivery system.
With a career spanning over three decades in fitness, health, and wellness Michael has a deep knowledge of exercise physiology, health/wellness coaching, lifestyle interventions to mitigate chronic disease and leadership. He is credentialed through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), Exercise is Medicine practitioner (ASCM-EIM), and a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (ACSM-PAPHS). Michael is a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology in 2004 and is currently a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) candidate at University of Michigan, with a specific concentration in health behavior and health education.
Michael is a board of directors’ member for the Physical Activity Alliance and Michigan Fitness Clubs Association. He sits on the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology Alumni Board of Governors. Michael is an expert curriculum reviewer for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Finally, he is a member of the executive leadership team for American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.
Michael lectures nationally for several health/fitness certification and continuing educations, including; IHRSA, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Strength & Conditioning Association, and SCW Fitness.