Personal Trainer of the Year
The Personal Trainer of the Year Award recognizes an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) for exemplary service to the advancement of the personal training industry.
Congratulations to our 2024 Winner!
Tara De Leon, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Tara De Leon is a personal trainer, Professor of Health, Fitness, and Exercise Studies, podcaster, speaker, author, and former Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach. Tara has helped hundreds of people feel badass and confident by teaching them how to lift weights and get strong, healthy, and empowered. Tara has a Master’s degree in Human Movement from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and maintains 14 other advanced certifications pertaining to fitness, wellness, and lifestyle. Tara is a co-host for the podcast, Wellness Rebranded, and the author of the bestselling book Hot Mess to Hot Mom: Transformational Tools for Thriving After Childbirth and Beyond. When Tara is not working, you can find her going for walks, lifting weights, eating sushi or tacos, baking, and spending time on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband, Marcus, their 4-year-old son, Maverick, and their Aussie pup, Chula.
Download the Press Release
Award Eligibility
| Current Member for 2 consecutive years* |
| NSCA-CPT or CSCS |
| Resume or CV |
| 20 hrs/wk minimum as PT with documentation of client load (Client names are to remain anonymous. If employed, signed letter of support from employer (on letterhead, if available). If self-employed, notarized schedule omitting clients names.) |
| 3 letters of recommendation from certified NSCA members in good standing |
*Consecutive membership is counted back from the date the award is to be conferred.
Additional requirements listed in the General Awards Criteria, include but not limited to, nominee must be nominated by a member in good standing and nominees will be sent a criteria sheet to fill out that must be returned before the required deadline.
Past Award Recipients Include:
| 2022 - Vernon Griffith II, CSCS,*D |  |
| 2019 - Melody Schoenfeld, MA, CSCS,*D, RCPT*E |  |
| 2018 - Chad Landers, CSCS, RCPT*E |  |
| 2017 - Michael Rickett, MS, CSCS,*D, CSPS, NSCA-CPT, RCPT*D |  |
| 2016 - Nick Tumminello, NSCA-CPT |  |
| 2015 - Brandi Binkley, MS, NSCA-CPT |  |
| 2014 - Heath R. Pierce, MEd, RSCC, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, HFS | |
| 2013 - Chat Williams, MS, CSCS,*D, CSPS, NSCA-CPT, FNSCA | |
| 2012 - Robert C. Linkul, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT | |
| 2011 - Brad Schoenfeld, CSCS, NSCA-CPT | |
| 2009 - Mark Nutting, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2008 - Benjamin Greenfield, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT | |
| 2007 - Jeffrey Segal, CSCS, NSCA-CPT | |
| 2006 - Michael Yu Seril, MS, NSCA-CPT | |
| 2005 - Michael Ranieri, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2004 - Maria Teresa Mendizabal, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2003 - Gina Lombardi, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2002 - Patrick Hagerman, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2001 - Anthony A. Abbott, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
| 2000 - J. Henry Drought, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D |
How is the recipient selected?
1. The process for selection shall be as follows:
a. Nominations must be received before the established deadline.
b. NSCA Headquarters will verify of eligibility requirements, minimum category requirements, and overall points for nominees have been met.
c. Qualified nominees will be notified.
i. If there are no qualifying nominees, the award will not be given.
d. Top three nominees based on points for the award will be sent to the Personal Trainers Professional Development Group Chair. The Chair will:
i. Determine if any of the nominees are part of the current Executive Council.
1. If none are, the Chair will submit the nominees to the Council for vote. The Chair may participate in this vote.
2. If members of the Council have been nominated and rank in the top three, the Chair will create an impartial Task Force of five to vote on the winner. The Chair may not participate in this vote.
a. The Task Force will be comprised of >50% Chair selected NSCA members and <50% past award winners.
ii. If the Chair is a nominee:
1. The top three nominees will be submitted to the Chair of the Membership Committee for committee vote.
2. The Chair will notify NSCA Headquarters and the Awards and Honors Committee Chair of recipient. The Executive Council will not notify the selected recipient.
2. The Awards and Honors Committee Chair will:
a. Notify the Board of Directors of the recipient.
3. The NSCA Headquarters will:
a. Notify the recipient of the award.
b. Send regret notifications.
c. Create a Press Release announcement of the winner.
d. Will verify attendance at the National Conference awards banquet.
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