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2025 ACSM Certified Professional of the Year

The ACSM Certified Professional of the Year is awarded to an outstanding ACSM Certified Professional to recognize their dedication and exceptional contributions towards enhancing the health and wellness of individuals in their community.

Here are our 2025 finalists!

Christian Torres, ACSM-EP

Christian Torres

Christian Torres, ACSM-EP, is a highly respected exercise physiologist and educator with over 20 years of experience in physical rehabilitation, wellness, and sports medicine. As a faculty member in Dallas ISD, he integrates innovative health education techniques, engaging economically disadvantaged students in lifelong wellness. Christian’s impact extends beyond the classroom—he’s also a trainer at Brookhaven Country Club, helping junior athletes excel in PGA tournaments. His community service includes leading health challenges and wellness programs for families, promoting a culture of health. His dedication to professional growth and community outreach has earned him recognition as a leader in exercise science.

Danielle Halsey, ACSM-EP

Dani Halsey

Danielle Halsey, ACSM-EP, is the lead exercise physiologist at the Indiana University Health Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she co-founded the MOVE cancer rehabilitation program. With over 500 patients served, Danielle provides personalized exercise programs to enhance patients' physical and mental health throughout their cancer journey. Her background includes clinical research in oncology, cardiac rehabilitation, and sports performance coaching, and she mentors students entering the exercise oncology field. Known for her compassion and expertise, Danielle collaborates with nonprofits to educate communities about exercise benefits for cancer survivors. She holds a masters in Exercise Physiology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Michael Stack, ACSM-EP

Mike Stack

Michael Stack, ACSM-EP, is a distinguished exercise professional and advocate with over 26 years of experience in fitness, health, and wellness. As the founder of the Michigan Moves Coalition and president-elect of the Physical Activity Alliance, he champions policy initiatives that elevate physical activity as a core component of healthcare. Michael also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan, where he educates future exercise professionals. His podcast, Wellness Paradox, and his editorial work with ACSM contribute to advancing standards in the fitness industry. His work focuses on sustainable, evidence-based practices for broad community health impact.

Travis Weisbrod, ACSM-EP

Travis Weisbrod

Travis Weisbrod, ACSM-EP, is the Wellness Program Director at St. Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he integrates physical wellness with mental health and addiction recovery. With a master's in Kinesiology, he developed a comprehensive program for clients with mental health conditions, using tailored exercise and health education. Travis’s dedication extends beyond clinical settings to community initiatives, including collegiate recovery programs and mental health advocacy. He holds multiple certifications and has presented nationally on exercise’s role in mental health. His approach has redefined treatment models, combining compassion with evidence-based wellness practices.

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2024 Certified Professional of the Year

Brian Cleven

Brian Cleven, M.S., ACSM-CEP, ATC

Cleven is an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist employed at the Bellin Health Marinette Clinic in Marinette, WI where he prepares patients and supervises their outpatient cardiac stress testing. He has experience in all three phases of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient cardiac stress testing, ECP Therapy, application of Holter and blood pressure monitors and body composition assessment. He created a Phase 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the Bellin Health Marinette Clinic that continues to serve patients.

“ACSM has been a guiding light and the gold standard throughout my career as a health care professional, so receiving this recognition is very special,” said Cleven. “It has been a joy and an honor to share my knowledge and passion for health and wellness with patients, friends, family and my community. I look forward to using this recognition to continue promoting increased physical activity for all ages.”

Learn More About Brian

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Previous Award Winners:

Louise Valentine headshot

2023
Louise Valentine, MPH, CHES, ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, EIM, CSCS, BCTMB

Louise is CEO of BreakingThroughWellness.com, offering holistic coaching, educational events, and a comprehensive learning academy for active women and runners 35+. It’s her passion to translate cutting-edge science into efficient strategies so others can break through setbacks, thrive after 35, and maximize health, fitness and performance with more energy, less stress.

Learn more about Louise

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2022

Alexis Batrakoulis, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, EIM

Involved in the health and fitness industry since 1995, Alexis is based in Larisa, Greece and currently works as an adjunct lecturer, personal trainer and fitness educator presenting in more than 40 countries across five continents. He is the founder of the International Obesity Exercise Training Institute, teaching internationally approved continuing education courses on exercise and health for fitness professionals around the globe. His primary research interest is the study of hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training in obesity. Read more here.

2021

Kristin A. Traskie, M.P.H., ACSM-CPT, EIM

Kristin is the fitness and wellness coordinator in the Health Promotion Department at Michigan State University (MSU). Traskie’s mission is clear: Create a culture of health and well-being on campus and in the surrounding community. In addition to ACSM certifications, she also holds certifications from several other organizations. She uses research-backed knowledge from those fitness certifications to create holistic wellness and movement opportunities. Her work through MSU’s Health Promotion Department, Exercise is Medicine® on Campus initiative, Well-Being Coalition and The SPARTANfit Fitness and Wellness Program is improving health outcomes and life satisfaction for students. Read more here.

Eligibility Requirements*:

Active ACSM Health Fitness Certification and/or Clinical Certification: Certified Group Exercise Instructor (ACSM-GEI), Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT), Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), or Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP)
Work at least 20 hours/week in exercise and well-being at time of application
At least 5 years of experience or 2 recertification cycles

*Those with direct financial ties with ACSM or are active volunteers of the Summit Program Committee, ACSM Certification Board, ACSM CCRB Sub-Committees, or ACSM Board of Trustees are ineligible to apply.

Once the initial application has been submitted, finalists will be contacted to complete the additional questions.

Awarded Benefits:

Up to $500 in travel assistance
Complimentary 2025 ACSM International Health & Fitness Summit registration
Acknowledgment on the ACSM website and in the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal
Complimentary 1-year ACSM Alliance Membership
Beautiful glass award, award certificate and digital badge
Press release sent to hundreds of media contacts
Opportunity to serve as an ACSM media spokesperson and conference presenter
And more…

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