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July 24, 2008 |
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WOW Newsletter: |
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 About Judy Heller, Founder & President, Wonders of WalkingJudy Heller has changed and shaped the way people think about walking for the past 13 years. One of the region's foremost experts on walking, Heller is a well-known fitness and walking coach and a master racewalker, who has trained hundreds of people and organized some of the region's most respected recreational and competitive walking events. Prior to spearheading Wonders of Walking, a new ultimate relay event designed by walkers for walkers, Heller managed the Portland to Coast Walk Relay (associated with the Hood to Coast Run) for nine years, helping grow the event from 67 to 400 teams. Additionally, she has been the racewalk coordinator for the Portland Marathon for 12 years, managing this well-respected, judged event, which attracts competitive racewalkers from throughout the nation. In 2004, Judy was presented with the "Most Dedicated Walker Award" by the Oregon Road Runner's Club (ORRC). This prestigious award is given to the person who has the greatest impact to the walking community in the Northwest. A person who embodies the spirit of the walking community by giving their time and talents. In 2000, Heller was selected by the American Diabetes Association as the walk coach for the "Team Diabetes" marathon training program and subsequently, was selected by the National Arthritis Foundation to coach both runners and walkers for the organization's "Joints in Motion" marathon training program. Focusing on walking techniques, form, competitive training principles, motivation, mental preparedness, nutrition and more, Heller's experience includes cofounding the Annual NW Regional Racewalk Retreat for Olympic-style racewalking in 1996. The only event of its kind in the West, this retreat brings together Olympic athletes, health care professionals and trainers for an intensive session designed to help casual, "speed" walkers and competitive walkers excel at their sport. Heller also has participated in various racewalk clinics as a guest coach, in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Virginia and multiple communities throughout Oregon and Washington. Heller's knowledge comes not only from her years as an event planner, coach and trainer, but also from a great deal of experience as a clinical expert. She is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer, cancer exercise specialist, Resist-A-Ball instructor and USAT&F coach, official, and racewalk judge. She has a bachelor's degree in medical technology, as well as 30 years of laboratory experience. In addition to spearheading Wonders of Walking, Heller is the owner of Ero-Fit & Associates LLC, a personal coaching and consulting firm focusing on health, fitness and lifestyle training. Heller also operated a technical consulting business, called Quality Laboratory Consultants Northwest, which offered comprehensive laboratory operation assessment services. A published author, speaker, professional coach, instructor and trainer with a clinical background: no matter what the challenge, Heller is passionately dedicated to helping provide opportunities for people to reach their fitness and lifestyle goals. |
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