2026 CPTN Personal Trainer Online Summit Speaker Biographies

Louka Kurcer, BFA, CES

Louka Kurcer lives by the StrongFirst code. He bases his training on the belief that strength fixes almost everything. He trains and teaches with a minimalist, yet highly effective, approach. Louka teaches the StrongFirst Kettlebell, Bodyweight, Barbell Workshops, Flexible Steel certifications, and the Ground Force Method certification across Canada. He is also the proud owner of the Kettlebell Club, his own “school of strength” in the Montreal area.

Karsten Jensen, MSc, CPTN-CPT.M

Karsten Jensen is a periodization coach and expert who has helped world-class and Olympic athletes from 26 different sports, many of whom have won Olympic medals, European Championships, World Championships, and ATP Tournaments. He is the author of The Flexible Periodization Method and Performance Optimization with Periodization, has published over 160 articles and 21 instructor training manuals, and is an international speaker who has conducted hundreds of live, one to four-day workshops. For more information, please visit www.yestostrength.com.

Lori Kirwan, PhD, CYT 350, CPT, CGFL

Lori Kirwan has worked for over 20 years as a group fitness manager and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Masters in Health Science and a PhD in Exercise Physiology. Throughout her academic career, she worked part-time as a fitness instructor and trainer in downtown Toronto. While the early years of her career focused on teaching mainly high-intensity fitness classes, Lori discovered Yoga after suffering a Skiing knee injury in 1997 that sidelined her for several months. She has completed yoga teacher training with many wonderful teachers around the world such as Susie Dias, Cynthia Funk, Tim Miller and David Swenson and has taught over 10,000 yoga classes since her original training in 1997. In each class that she teaches, she learns more from her students about how to be a better teacher. Her energy and enthusiasm will leave you feeling invigorated for the rest of your day.

Judi Laprade, PhD, MSc, BSc, BA

For 20 years, Dr. Judi Laprade has functionally taught Anatomy to train Kinesiology, Medical, Physical Therapy and Dentistry students in two different countries. Judi is an Associate Professor in Anatomy at the University of Toronto, teaching undergraduates, graduates and professional program trainees.

Deanna Lawson-Langford, BA, CPTN-CPT.M, CCF-CMCP, OFC-TFL

As the founder of Deanna Langford Coaching, CPTN course conductor, practical assessor, and professor, Deanna has been educating and certifying fitness leaders and personal trainers for over 25 years. As a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and coach practitioner, Deanna is passionate about creating classes and programs where people feel successful, seen, and safe. For more information, please visit www.deannalangfordcoaching.com.

Marc Lebert, BA, CPT, NLP Practitioner

Marc Lebert is the Chief Fitness Officer (CFO) of Lebert Fitness a global leader in developing innovative fitness tools and home of the Lebert EQualizer™, a fitness club owner, Black Belt, Certified NLP Practitioner, International Presenter, Silver Lining Entrepreneur of the Year, NEOS International Personal Trainer of the Year and named as one of Canada's Top 100 Health Influencers by Optimyz Magazine. For more information, please visit www.lebertfitness.com.

Serena MacLeod, CPsychol, HCPC, MSc, BSc, Dip Social Worker

Serena MacLeod is a Sport and Exercise Psychologist and Mental Performance Consultant who supports athletes, exercisers, performers, coaches and organizations through one-to-one sessions and educational workshops. After working as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in the United Kingdom, she returned to Toronto last year and started her private consultancy, Cognitive Performance. Her areas of interest include supporting individuals returning to physical activity after injury, supporting individuals with acquired disabilities to engage in physical activity post in-patient rehabilitation and creating inclusive exercise settings. For more information, please visit www.cognitiveperformancesport.com.

Libby Norris, BA, PTS, FIS

With over 30 years in fitness, Libby's experience includes corporate wellness entrepreneur, education faculty, international presenter, author, boxer, and Canada AM Fitness Correspondent. Libby serves as the City of Mississauga Manager with Fitness and Therapeutic programs, developing inclusive programs for fitness, older adults, chronic conditions, and hospital partnership programs. For more information, please visit www.cravinghealth.ca.

Melissa Putt, BA, MES, RNCP, CPT, DO(C)

Melissa Putt started her fitness company in 1989 while competing internationally as one of Canada's elite-ranked distance runners. Since that time she has completed degrees in Nutrition and Public Health and is currently completing her degree in Osteopathic Medicine. Melissa is a published author of a lipid biochemistry book, The Last Tango with Butter. She operates a busy practice in downtown Toronto where client programs focus on posture, alignment and pain patterns coupled with nutrition counselling. For more information, please visit www.healthyhabits.ca.

Cody Sipe, PhD

For 30 years, Dr. Cody Sipe has been a professor, global educator, author, award-winning fitness professional and industry leader with advanced expertise in functional exercise for older adults. He co-founded the Functional Aging Institute and created the Functional Aging Specialist certification and the Ageless Fitness Program. He currently serves on several industry boards, including the Journal on Aging and Physical Activity editorial board, and recently published the consumer book Quick Functional Exercises for Seniors. For more information, please visit www.functionalaginginstitute.com.

Emily Splichal, DPM, MS, CES

Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology LLC. With over 22 years in the fitness industry, Dr. Splichal has dedicated her medical career to studying postural alignment and human movement related to barefoot science, foot-to-core integration and sensory integration. For more information, please visit www.naboso.com.

Wayne Westcott, PhD, CSCS

Wayne Westcott is Coordinator of Exercise Science at Quincy College in Quincy, MA. He has authored 30 books, written strength training chapters for 9 exercise science textbooks, published 95 peer-reviewed papers, and served as the Health & Fitness columnist for ACSM's Certified News. Wayne has served as a strength training consultant to the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, Coast Guard, YMCA of the USA, and 6 NFL football teams.

Alwyn Wong, DC, BSc, ART, Med Ac

Dr. Alwyn Wong has been in the fitness and health industry for over 25 years. In addition to using an integrated treatment approach, including chiropractic, acupuncture, and active release, he remains as involved in the fitness industry as he did when he first started. In addition to clinical practice, Alwyn has authored The Kick Acid Diet® and has travelled throughout North America, teaching fitness and health professionals.