Have you ever meet someone that instantly humbled you with their energy, integrity, professionalism and passion? I have, lots of times, but one really stands out – Lisa Cosson. Some of you may know her and a lot perhaps not, as Lisa now lives in Horsham in Victoria. Lisa takes 'reaching out to help people' to a level that leaves me for dead. I often hear people say that they want to help their community and 'people' but do they ever really do it. Ok, now you are probably curious how Lisa does it and I have just itemised what I know, as I am sure that this amazing woman does much more:

1. Lisa owns her own fitness club, a cosy country gym and that gym is BUSY. Not only just she offer classes for her members, but programs several classes per day to cater for people with needs – diabetes, heart disease and various other health issues. All day her gym is used for people who often do not attend a fitness club to provide the all important exercise that these participants really need.

2. Lisa organises workshops for her members. I was there recently to deliver a pelvic floor workshop and the room was packed. I was blown away with the effort that Lisa put into getting people educated and inspired.

3. She also organises workshops for instructors, not just for her gym, but also for other instructors in the local area – WHO DOES THAT!!!! With competition so strong in country areas for instructors, Lisa just believes in providing opportunities for everyone.

4. She befriends people moving into the area. I became aware of this when I booked into my hotel. Yes, outside the confines of her facility, her amazing heart touches more people. The owners of the hotel were new to the area, and Lisa had offered them an opportunity to become part of her gym community and I can tell you, they were extremely grateful. Not easy when you move to a country area to know people.

Lisa Cosson is one amazing woman. She works really hard, has a family that she lives for and takes care of anyone that she can be involved with. Actually 'amazing' does not describe her commitment, but I am limited for words. She inspires me.

(Lisa Cosson Planet Feel Good, Horsham)

AHHHH FILEX is here again. This is my favourite event of the year!! I haven't missed one since 1996 and why do I put the date in my diary in big red letters?

· The sessions are amazing – the quality of presentations and presenters completely exceeds anything that I have ever attend. Every year, Australian Fitness Network puts on a better show than the previous year, if that is even possible, but they do. Cutting edge, the latest research and information and engaging presentations is what I want, and that is exactly what they deliver

· Networking – Does it surprise me that the event is run by Australian Fitness NETWORK? The contacts and opportunities that I have created and developed from FILEX lasts me a whole year. And everyone else is there to do the same is it is not difficult to do.

As a fitness professional, did you start this year with a bang or a whimper? Did you think to yourself, this year I will make a difference no matter how great or small, or did you think, haaaa another year of the same?

At the 22 year mark, I often wonder, why does someone choose to enter the world of fitness and then why do so many people leave? Here are my top 6 tips of how to stay in the game and never lose sight of why you started in the first place:

1. Never forget what it is like to be 'your first time' in a class, at the gym, or starting a program. This is gold, because it reminds me of the challenges and the importance of a smile, an encouraging word or even a touch on the shoulder. All these little things are forms of encouragement that people so rarely receive in their lives

Kira Langolf interviewed Marietta at Sara City Workout Convention in Orlando in 2008.

Click here to listen to the interview

In this interview, Marietta shares how she got started in fitness. She was an overweight teenager and got started with group fitness because of it. See, all fitness queens (and she is one!) were not born fit!

Click here to read the full article