September 20, 2021

Meet Our Team

Adam Spears

Our New Marketing/Intake Manager

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

What got you into the fitness industry?

In my private life I have always had a passion for sports, nutrition and, fitness. However, in my professional life I have been in sales since graduating from college. This position gave me the perfect opportunity to combine my passion into my career.

Why AFS?

During my all day interview everyone (staff and clients) was so kind and welcoming. I really got a sense of how much they all cared and truly believed in this process. It just felt right from the second I walked in the door. My goal with AFS is to help as many people as possible experience that same feeling I had when I left my interview 🙂

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My mother has been such an inspiration. She is really the one that gave me the necessary skills to navigate through this crazy world.

What are your hobbies?

Most of the time I am trying to keep up with a 6 year old. But outside of that I love going out on the boat in the summers. I play golf, basketball, flag football, and pretty much any other sport that is not on ice, regularly.

Favorite sports team?

I’ve grown up a die hard Michigan fan. I actually attended my first football game before I could walk.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Dairy Queen blizzards (strawberry cheesecake flavor)

What is your favorite quote?

Work smarter not harder.

What does family mean to you?

My family has been the most important support structure throughout my life. Being able to rely on them through good and bad and be there for them during their own good and bad. Now I am passing those same lessons onto my own son and its a greater feeling then I ever knew existed.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Becoming a Father.

What would you sing on karaoke night?

“All Of Me” – John Legend (extremely off key)

If you can only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hungry Howies BBQ Chicken Pizza (everything crust)

We couldn’t be more excited to have Adam joining our team. His combination of passion, humility, and leadership experience will serve the entire AFS community very well as he gets settled into this new role. If you see him walking through classes, make sure you introduce yourself! He loves people even more than he loves Hungry Howies 😉

About the Author:

Mike Stack

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.