The Presenters
Michael “MC” Cummings B.S., CSCS, PES
MC is the Director of Performance Training for SKLZ. He has been a professional in the sports and fitness industry for more than 20 years. He has owned and operated gyms, yoga studios and Wellness Centers. He has designed and built the infrastructure for several successful health clubs and wellness centers. He has consulted for many of the industry's top brands on product development, education and programming. His products and methodologies are used globally. He consults with various national teams, their Olympic programs and defence departments. Kinesiology Degree – Physical Therapy (SDSU), EXOS Performance Specialist, EXOS Rehabilitation Specialist, EXOS Fitness Specialist, Certified Brain Trainer, 10 Years Personal Trainer, 10+ Years Strength & Conditioning Coach, International Presenter / Keynote Speaker, BlazePod Brand Ambassador.
Nick Tumminello
Nick Tumminello has been a trainer for over 20 years, and has worked with a variety of clients, from NFL athletes and professional MMA fighters, to bodybuilders and figure models, to everyday fitness enthusiasts of all levels. He has become known as the "Trainer of Trainers" for his ability to provide simple and practical coaching and programming techniques that help clients get stronger and feel better, faster. He is the 2016 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year, the editor-in-chief of the NSCA Personal Training Quarterly journal. And, has authored four books: Strength Zone Training, Strength Training for Fat Loss, Your Workout PERFECTED and Building Muscle and Performance. Nick is the creator of Strength Zone Training: The Most Effective Method for Muscle Development. And designed the NT Loop Bands: the most comfortable, stable and versatile resistance bands on the planet.
Alexis Batrakoulis, Ph.D.
He has been involved in the health and fitness industry in the past 27 years and currently works as an adjunct lecturer, personal trainer, fitness educator, subject matter expert, and speaker presenting in 40 countries across five continents and is based in Greece. He holds a B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Science, M.S. in Exercise and Health with, Ph.D. in Clinical Exercise Physiology. He has authored over 35 international peer-reviewed publications on exercise. Author of the ACSM’s and NSCA’s Personal Training textbooks. He has also earned numerous professional credentials through ACSM (EP, CPT, and EIM 2), NSCA (CSCS, CSPS, and NSCA-CPT), ACE (CMES, CHC, CPT, WMS, YFS, SFS, TES, and FNS), and NASM (CES, PES, and WLS). He is research assistant in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly. He teaches continuing education courses for health and fitness professionals approved by ACE, ACSM, AFAA, ΙFPA, ISSA, NASM, NSCA, NCSF, and EREPs. He is 2017 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year Finalist, 2018 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 2019 IDEA China Fitness Innovator, 2020 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year, 2020 MedFit Professional of the Year Finalist, 2021 PFP Trainer of the Year, 2021 and 2022 ACSM Certified Professional of the Year Finalist.
Christina Pantazopoulou BSc
She holds a BSc Physical Education & Sports (University of Athens). She is also NPCT (National Pilates Certified Teacher - PMA), Alan Herdman Faculty Trainer, Pre & post Natal Yoga & Pilates Certified Teacher, Post Rehab Exercise specialist and EREPS presenter. Christina is a Fitness Professional since 1997, Pilates Professional since 2003 and Pilates Educational Director of Studio one Sports & Fitness Academy by Omega since 2007. She had presented in various Convention in Greece, Cyprus, Serbia & Bulgaria since 1997. Owner of Ibody Pilates & wellness studio since 2009 and CP Pilate’s blog since 2019.
Stamatis Mourtakos Ph.D.
He is an Exercise Physiologist specialized in Sports Nutrition. He holds a BSc in Physical Education and Sport from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), a MSc in Sports Nutrition & PhD in the field of Applied Dietetics - Nutrition from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition of Harokopio University. He is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Molecular Physiology, of the Medical School of Athens and completing his second PhD in the field of Psychophysiology at the 1st University Psychiatric Clinic of the Aiginiteio Hospital of the School of Medicine in Athens. He is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN), from the ISSN. He is a researcher & associate teacher of Physical Education and Sports Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is also a military professor in the field of exercise and nutrition at the military academies of the Hellenic Navy and Air force. He is also working with many top-level athletes and teams including world champions and Olympic medal holders. He had presented in various Conventions for professionals in the field of sports nutrition & Exercise.
Nikolaos Zaras Ph.D.
Lecturer, Sport Science Program, Department of Life and Health Sciences, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia, CYPRUS.
Dr. Zaras is a full time Lecturer in the University of Nicosia teaching in the Sport Science program (B.Sc.) as well as in the Exercise Science and Physical Education program (M.Sc.). He holds a BSc degree in Physical Education and Sport Science (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), two MSc degrees in Sport Science and Fitness Coaching (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and in Fitness and Health (University of Thessaly), a PhD degree in Sports Science focusing in Strength and Conditioning (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and a Post-Doc certificate in muscle morphology and performance in power athletes (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). Dr. Zaras research interests are focused on maximizing athletic performance, sports physiology, muscle morphology, resistance training, athletic throws, Olympic weightlifting, combat sports and alternative training methods.
Petros Syrakopoulos BSc
Petros Syrakopoulos graduated in 2013 from Sports Science & Physical Education (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece) with the highest score in history of the Department. He has coached various basketball teams of the Greek Basketball League (Iraklis, Trikala and Arkadikos) and also the National Men's Team of Ukraine and National Youth Team of Greece U18 and U21) with participations in European and world championships. He has been the director of the gym and Performance22Lab. He is a professor at the private educational organization HNFC and he has organized and presented numerous training seminars related to Sports Performance and Therapeutic Exercise. It combines a good theoretical understanding of the scientific field of movement, with practical experience as a coach and personal experience as an athlete.
Spyridon Methenitis Ph.D.
He holds a Bachelor's degree, in Exercise Rehabilitation, Athletics and Resistance Exercise Physiology & a Master of Science (MS) degree in Exercise Physiology, Biochemistry and Clinical Rehabilitation from Democritus University of Thrace. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Exercise Physiology, Neuromuscular Adaptations and he is Post-Doctoral Fellow at National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Lecturer at City Unity College, City University of Seattle Athens, and also Professor of seminars at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM; USA) in Greece and Cyprus. Researcher / collaborator of S.E.F.A.A. and the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of Harokopio University. He has over 120 Research Presentations at International Scientific Conferences of Sports, Medicine and Dietetics-Nutrition. Author of over 45 Scientific Research Papers, Published in Internationally Recognized Scientific Journals. Invited Lecturer in Over 50 Seminars-Conferences, either Scientific or Professional, in Greece and Abroad. Scientific Associate in 6 Research Laboratories of Greece and Abroad. Active Member in the Scientific Societies ACSM, NSCA, ECSS, World Association of Young Scientists, ESC, EACPR, Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart, ΕΛ.Ε.ΕΡΓ.Α., Ε.Ε.Β.Φ.Α and “ Exercise Is Medicine Greece ”. Former Champion in the 400m and 400m with Obstacles.
Valerios Leonidis BSc
He was born in Essentuki, Russia from Greek parents from Pontus where he took his first steps in the sport of weightlifting. From 1982 he began his career in weightlifting with the Soviet Union National Team. In December 1991, his family returned to Greece and upon his return he enrolled in the B.A.O. Thessaloniki where he also competed with the Greek National Team. He won various Mediterranean, European and Global Competitions. He has three Olympic entries (1992-Barcelona, 1996-Atlanta, and 2000-Sydney). His participation at the Atlanta Olympics, where he won the silver medal, went down in history, as one of the best competitions of the history of weightlifting, worldwide, after breaking five world records in the 60kg and 64kg categories competing with the Turk Naim Suleimanoglu. He also participated in the Athens Olympic Games, in 2004, this time carrying the Olympic flag along with 7 other athletes. After almost 22 years, in 2004 he decides to retire from active action and start coaching. He has been working as a federal coach since 2005. He has a degree in Pharmacy and is a Lieutenant Commander of the Navy.