CONNECTING EXERCISE PROFESSIONALS

Led by volunteer ambassadors representing 9 regions across the country, the Exercise Professionals Network of Aotearoa (EPNA) is about connecting NZ Exercise Professionals.

WHAT WE DO

→ Assistance & support from your local EPNA ambassador

→ Local meet ups

→ Facebook communities/hubs

→ Post about courses you offer

→ Market job vacancies to a great audience

→ Discuss relevant issues/wins you may have in your business

→ Monthly presentations from industry professionals

→ Personal development courses/webinars/presentations

→ Network with like-minded exercise professionals

Our success is measured by the success of our exercise professionals, who engage with the community hubs and utilise our resources

YOUR REGIONAL AMBASSADORS

ABBY Strong

HEAD AMBASSADOR

BAY OF PLENTY

Abby is a REPs Registered Personal Trainer and Studio of the Year winner (Studio Glow) at the 2018 ExerciseNZ Awards. Abby won the Exercise NZ Leadership Award in 2023 for her dedicated and excellence at leading the EPNA.

Abby is very enthusiastic about being an Ambassador for the Bay of Plenty EPNA to help support brand-new exercise professionals and welcome them into a friendly, encouraging community. She aims to build a solid following and an exciting environment to experience and feel part of, allowing a warm and friendly hub of learning and connecting.

GARY SZABO

TARANAKI/MANAWATU

Gary is a REPs registered Personal Trainer and runs a small PT Studio called Boot It Taranaki.

His gym “the hub” is home to high-intensity circuits, mums and bubs, kettlebells, kids after school/holiday programs, and the list goes on.

He is a EPNA Ambassador because he is truly passionate about getting regular people off their couches and getting them fitter than they ever imagined. He believes if exercise professionals all work together, we can make a huge difference in the shape of NZ.

KIRSTYN CAMPBELL

AUCKLAND

Kirstyn is a REPs Registered Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor, Educator, ExerciseNZ awards finalist in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and winner of the REPs Award 2023, which is awarded to a role model that reflects the ethics and values of exercise professionals and facilities in New Zealand.

Kirstyn continues to give back to an industry that can feel isolated. She aims to grow awareness of the fantastic support and connection available.

Hop on to the EPNA Auckland Hub and chat with Kirstyn, the Auckland Ambassador for the EPNA.

EBANN MALAE

WHANGAREI

Ebann is a REPs Registered Personal Trainer with 8 years of experience in the fitness industry.

He runs his business, ‘Victory Bodies Fitness,’ at City Fitness Whangarei.

Ebann loves helping his clients feel strong and confident by coaching them on nutrition and fitness fundamentals in and out of the gym.

As an EPNA Ambassador, he is passionate about serving his community and helping local fitness stars up-skill and grow in the industry.

Carol Pirika

Wellington

Carol is a REP’s Registered Movement Coach with 16 years of experience in the industry, and her business, CP Movement, currently operates from Queen Street Fitness in Upper Hutt.

Starting her career in Melbourne, Carol left the corporate world to retrain as a Personal Trainer to pursue her passion for helping people. This came from her own experience of having a great coach who helped recondition her body from chronic pain and adrenal fatigue following a car accident. Establishing her business as a Movement Coach, Mentor and Group Fitness Instructor at Fitness First in Bourke Street, Melbourne, Carol has always loved guiding students and new graduates into the industry. She continues this work after moving her business back home to Aotearoa. Her passion is guiding clients through challenging injuries and movement, working closely with physiotherapists and medical practitioners to create a team approach to improve the quality of life of her clients.

Carol is married to Roger and is a mother of two children, Matehaere and Mahia and two fur babies (Moe and Toffee). She spends her spare time renovating her house and restoring furniture when not at her marae in Ohau, where she spends most weekends.

Marja Captijn

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND

Marja has been a REP’s registered Personal Trainer since 2016. Having a background in nursing has helped tremendously in her observation skills, as well as verbal and non-verbal communication with clients.

She is married and has 4 children.

She is currently working in West Otago as well as in Dunedin as a menopause consultant and educator, as well as a pt in the Otago area.

A holistic approach while coaching her clients through their fitness and health journeys, doubled by her engagement in her community, is what makes her boat float. Marja has also done her 200-hour yoga teacher training which she includes in her PT sessions when needed.

She is excited to be on board the EPNA team and is looking forward to connecting with anyone who needs support, a chat or a friendly face to talk to.

Brooke Sheperd-Wright

WAIKATO

Brooke is a REPs Registered Personal Trainer who has been immersed in the fitness industry for over 15 years, running her Pre & Postnatal Fitness business since 2020.

While having children of her own, Brooke developed a great passion for training pregnant and postnatal women safely and effectively during all stages of motherhood.

Brooke loves connecting with and helping to support new or seasoned fitness professionals whilst building a friendly and encouraging community.

DANIELLE PAKI

HAWKES BAY

Dani has been a REPs Registered Personal Trainer for over 10 years, Level 2 Holistic Movement Coach, Stress and Management Exercise Endorsed Provider, Adaptive and Inclusive Certified Trainer, Certified Pelvic Floor Specialist and Prostate Cancer Exercise Certified.

Danielle Paki – Active Movement Coach stands out in Hawkes Bay as a leading Woman Small Group Trainer in the New Zealand Fitness Industry and was named New Zealand’s 2016 and 2019 Top 5 Finalist for Personal Trainer of Small Group Training.

Matt Howard

Christchurch/Tasman

Matt has nearly 20 years of experience in the fitness industry across several roles (Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer). For the past 10 years, he has taken up leadership roles and is currently the Fitness Manager of the Christchurch City Council.

Matt is passionate about sharing his industry knowledge and helping trainers grow and develop their careers in the fitness industry. He is looking forward to doing this with the Exercise Professional Network in the Canterbury and Tasman region.