LESLEE BENDER

PROGRAM CREATOR & AUTHOR

Leslee Bender, 2020 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, is the epitome of active and ageless. Leslee travels the world as an international fitness trainer, focusing on functional movement for people of all ages.

Her functional techniques benefit athletes as well as everyday people who want to achieve optimal health and fitness while preventing injury. Leslee is the creator of the Bender Method of Training, Barre Above with Pilates Focus and Co-Creator of Barre Above Training programs and she is the creator of the Original Bender Ball.  

A graduate of the Gray Institute of Applied Functional Science, Leslee holds a BA aand over 30 certifications including Fellow of Applied Functional Science, ACSM, NASM, ACE, and AFAA.

JANICE HUTTON

CO-AUTHOR/MASTER COACH

Janice Hutton has a deep and diverse background in the health, fitness, sport and coaching industries.  She has experience coaching elite athletes and developing international programming used by coaches and athletes worldwide. 

As a previous certification director with canfitpro, Janice collaborated with multiple industry leaders to create Canada’s premium fitness industry certifications.  Working as a co-founder of the Active Recovery Management (ARM) system she has had success integrating a high-performance recovery strategy for executives and leaders to develop resilience in high risk occupations. 

As a certified Life and Executive Coach, Janice thrives on sharing her passion and industry best practices with new and veteran professionals. 

• Hon BPE, MA, B.Ed.
• FIS, PTS, NWS, CCF Certified Life / Executive / Career / High Performance Coach

KELSEY GEPHART

CONTRIBUTOR/MASTER COACH

Kelsey Gephart is a dynamic fitness and wellness force known for her unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. As a Master Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, Kelsey brings knowledge and enthusiasm to diverse fitness classes tailored to support students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Kelsey is currently the Regional Education Coordinator for Palm Beach and Miami for Spartan Fitness with an extensive tenure at Club Pilates. She is also a Master Trainer for Club Pilates and a Program Specialist for Barre Above Pilates focus. She is a Comprehensively Certified Pilates instructor through Balanced Body and a Personal Trainer through PTA Global. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Pace University and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University. As a contributor for the Ageless Training Academy Essentials with Pilates Apparatus, Kelsey brings a wealth of knowledge from a Pilates perspective.   

MELANIE FANTUS

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Melanie Fantus 

To put it simply, Melanie is a people person. She loves to interact with those that she comes across through personal and professional experiences. Raised in New Jersey and currently living in beautiful Southern California with her husband Andy, Melanie has a passion for helping others and making a positive difference. She has spent over a decade in the fitness and wellness industry, in various roles such as customer service, logistics, project management and marketing. When Melanie is off the clock, she runs her very own Antique and Estate Sale business! She is so excited to work with Leslee and the Ageless team.