About Risa

My Personal Story

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I was an overweight young person. I hid my sadness with a cheerful smile and my plump body with baggy clothes. I didn’t like my 5’1” frame at 140 pounds.

Being around people filled me with energy, yet I would sit alone for hours practicing the piano. I dreamt of becoming a professional musician. I went to music school in 1973 only to discover this was not a good fit. I gained more weight and was unhappier than before. I left college for a year to figure it all out.

My “restless energy” (which I always thought needed to be controlled) was really my personal strength. I was a physical person screaming to get out of a sedentary body.

What a wake up call.

A few years later with several tragedies in my life, I sought help to cope with my feelings. I changed my attitude and in turn I changed my body. In the course of identifying who I was and what I needed in order to be happy, I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for 30 years. I just was not meant to be sitting down!

What are your personal strengths?

What do you need to tap into to make positive lifestyle changes and get where you want to be?

Tell me your story.

Professional Experience

▪ President & Owner: Risa Olinsky, LLC, Count on Yourself™ Coaching Programs
▪ Guest Lecturer: UMDNJ - Institute for Complementary & Alternative Medicine School of Health Related Professions – "Integrative Health Coaching and Self-Care."
▪ Founder & Executive Director: (HWPN) Health & Wellness Professional Network, 2004 – present.
▪ President & Owner: Classic Fitness, Inc. Fitness Consulting 1993-2008
▪ Fitness Trainer: South Mountain YMCA, Maplewood, NJ, 1986-1993
▪ Fitness & Membership Director: Executive Self-Defense Center, NYC,NY 1985
▪ Exercise Testing Director: Sports Training Institute, NYC, NY 1983-1985
▪ Corporate Fitness Consultant: Forbes Magazine, International Paper Co., Royal Bank of Canada, NYC, NY, 1981-1986
▪ Exercise Testing Coordinator: Diabetes Self-Care Program, NYC, NY, 1984
▪ Group Fitness Instructor: New York Health & Racquet Club, 1978 - 1982

Degrees & Certifications

▪ New York University
      M.A., Steinhardt School of Education, Adult Fitness Management, 1983
      B.F.A., Tisch School of the Arts, Dance, 1978
▪ Wellcoaches® Corporation
      Licensed Certified Wellness Coach, 2005 - present
▪ American Council on Exercise Certifications
      Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Leader, Lifestyle & Weight Management

Continuing Education

▪ Harvard Medical School Continuing Education: Positive Psychology and Coaching
▪ Institute for Natural Resources: Emotions, Stress and Disease
▪ Am I Hungry™, Dr. Michele May: Mindful Eating Coaching program
▪ Lifestyle Management Associates: Certified Nutrition Specialist
▪ American Council on Exercise: Specialty Recognition in Nutrition
▪ The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas: Developing Lifestyle & Physical Activity Programs
▪ American Academy of Health & Fitness Professionals: Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist
▪ Clinical Education Associates: Cardiac Rehab Program

Professional Affiliations