Advisory Council

Dr. Joy Jacobs is a clinical psychologist, assistant clinical professor at UCSD School of Medicine, and published author who provides individual, family and group therapy for adults, adolescents, and children with eating disorders and weight management concerns. Dr. Jacobs was Director of Behavioral Interventions for Jenny Craig, helping hundreds of thousands of people struggling to live healthier lifestyles. She continues to consult for both large, international corporations and individuals worldwide.

Dr. Jacobs regularly appears on Fox 5 San Diego and has been an expert cited in many national publications, including Elle, US News and World Report, the Today Show and more, on the issues of eating disorders, body image, weight management and related topics. Joy is the author of a blog sponsored by Psychology Today and Gurze books, titled One More Bite.

Dr. Jacobs obtained her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed her undergraduate work at Duke University, graduating summa cum laude and completed her juris doctorate at Harvard Law School. Among her activities prior to pursuing a career in psychology, Dr. Jacobs worked in New York as an intellectual property attorney and on the editorial staff of Vogue magazine.

Family physician Robert Sallis, MD is a great advocate of the health benefits gained through physical activity. He championed and helped launch Exercise is Medicine™, a program designed to fully support physician-prescribed exercise. He serves as Chair of the Science Advisory Committee for the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Robert says, 'FitOrbit is a great way to implement the doctor's order for more physical activity. The health benefits of having a professional push you daily to be more active are priceless.'

Sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD specializes in nutrition for exercise, wellness, and the management of eating disorders. Her private practice is located at Healthworks in Chestnut Hill MA. Her clients include Olympians, professional athletes, 'ordinary mortals', and weekend warriors. Her nutrition advice and photo have even been featured on the back of the Wheaties' box! Nancy says, 'I serve on the FitOrbit Advisory Council as a part of my professional mission to help both ordinary exercisers and competitive athletes win with good nutrition'.

Celebrity trainer and lifestyle fitness expert Kathy Kaehler is the author of six health and fitness books, and trainer to Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Kim Basinger, Drew Barrymore, and Kim Kardashian. She is the former fitness correspondent to the NBC Today Show, and tackles subjects such as multi-tasking, stress management, nutrition, how to get a good night's sleep, and how to stay sexy in your forties, fifties, and beyond. Kathy says, 'I am honored to be a part of the FitOrbit Advisory Council because my passion for health and fitness, and my mission to provide programs that encourage anyone on this planet to get active and lead a healthy lifestyle'.

Academic professor John Porcari, Ph.D., teaches in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. John is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and was President of AACVPR in 2002-2003. John is an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. He and his colleagues have a national reputation for conducting independent research on new and innovative fitness products, and have conducted over four-hundred research projects in the past twenty years. John says, 'I am excited that a product like FitOrbit exists, and even more pumped to be on the Advisory Council to help see this product through to it's highest potential'!

Exercise physiologist Carl Foster, Ph.D., FACSM, FAACVPR is a Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He is also the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory, and conducts extensive research in clinical exercise physiology, exercise testing, exercise prescription, training monitoring, and pacing strategy as the Director of Research in the Clinical Exercise Physiology Graduate Program. Carl says, 'FitOrbit is an innovation in the fitness community as it embraces the diversity of approaches to fitness in a user friendly manner'.

Nutritionist Dina Aronson, MS, RD specializes in web technology in the health industry. She is the President of Welltech Solutions, a consulting group that helps clients bridge the gap between nutrition and technology. Dina says, 'FitOrbit is not just cool technology; its unique features and flexibility actually help you stick to your fitness and nutrition plan in a way that fits in perfectly with your preferences and your lifestyle'.

Mr. World Fitness Winner (six times!) Franco Carlotto is the Founder of Fitness for Kids, an organization dedicated to educating and inspiring children and their parents about the importance of eating healthy, being active, and living with respect and integrity towards oneself and each other. Franco says, 'For me, optimal fitness means being able to enjoy life to its fullest potential as well as having a positive, respectful attitude towards oneself and other people. FitOrbit helps people all over the world achieve and maintain their individual best personal fitness, health and happiness'.

Personal life and fitness coach Anne Merrem is the President and CEO of Youth Track & Running Club, a non-profit organization for youth in Los Angeles. She has coached Olympic athletes, and worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger, director Oliver Stone, and actor and director Robert Redford. Anne says, 'My work has been devoted to helping people overcome obstacles, achieve their dreams and reinvent their lives and careers. I contribute my knowledge and talent to assist individuals in increasing quality of life and fulfillment in a healthy society, while living on a healthy planet'.