Eric April - Override Athletics

My name is Eric April, and I’m the Owner of CrossFit Override & Override North (our newest gym in Avon, CT). My passion is in helping people achieve their fitness goals.

I discovered lifting weights when I was 14 years old and it changed my life. Ever since that day I knew I wanted to help people discover a better, healthier version of themselves. I went on to graduate from the UConn School of Business and shortly after partnered with two friends to open a CrossFit gym so we could coach and motivate people to reach their goals.

In my 10+ years’ experience coaching, I have seen hundreds of people completely transform their life by walking into our gym doors. A common occurrence is weight loss, building muscle, gaining strength, improving flexibility, better cardio, balance, mobility, and most importantly, a better mental state.

The impact I’d like to have is to educate and inspire people to take the first step in discovering the best version of themselves because I envision a world full of happiness, strength, and health.

Michele Beaule - Imagine Float

My name is Michele Beaule. I am the owner and co-founder of Imagine Float, an award-winning wellness spa and float center in Avon, CT.

I believe that food is medicine. That our bodies can heal. That the power of a positive mindset matters. That I want to live as well as possible for as long as possible. That it takes a community. 

I am a 22-year resident of the Farmington Valley; a mom to four amazing daughters who inspire me to be better and do better. I am a first-generation college graduate, a Certified Public Accountant, former Board Member of Healing Meals and founder of the East Farms Elementary School 5k & Fun Run.

I have an endless passion for research, especially in the fascinating realm of biohacking. I understand firsthand the complexities of raising a family and running a business, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle – and I can’t wait to share my tips with you! 

My life journey has led me to my dream job at 47 years young…Imagine Float – where we strive to be experts not just in the services we provide, but also to educate our clients so they can to listen to their bodies and be better able to navigate their own wellness. I lovingly refer to Imagine Float as the place to start building your “wellness toolbox”; to improve your quality of life, your energy, your vitality, your happiness…your healthspan.

Since opening in 2019, we have provided over 26,000 services to 5,000 clients and counting. I have found my community, my purpose, and look forward to supporting YOU as you take some big steps towards Overriding YOUR Health!

Jon Maneen - Rebound Physical Therapy

Welcome and thank you for choosing to become 1% better today by joining the Override Your Health wellness challenge!

I'm Jon Maneen, founder of Rebound Physical Therapy. My team and I specialize in bridging the gap between rehab and training to help athletes and active adults get out of pain and back to the lifestyle they desire – whether that’s running a marathon, skiing black diamonds or just moving pain free.

I earned my doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Hartford, but also maintain a unique set of other qualifications that I have integrated into my practice including licensed massage therapist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, as well as advanced training in Functional Dry Needling, manipulation techniques and speed/agility assessment and programming.

 

After spending the last 14 years working with both injured and healthy populations to improve their pain and athletic development, I understand appropriate physical and psychological progressions to guide my patients along the path to eliminating their pain. I pride myself in educating my patients, but also the broader community through free seminars so everyone can strive to take better care of themselves…and their loved ones! 

Dr. Christine Najjar - Food First MD

Christine Najjar, MD, MS, MHP, ABOM is a board certified Internal and Obesity Medicine physician with a Master’s in Human Nutrition and a Bachelors in Biochemistry. In 2021, she launched Food First MD, LLC on a mission to bring health back to healthcare with the most underutilized medicine: food.

Dr. Christine is driven to help patients avoid years of frustration, ineffective treatments, and debilitating ailments through metabolic therapies. Personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans enable patients to lose weight, overcome hunger, eliminate cravings, reduce pain, improve memory, gain focus, calm anxiety, stabilize mood, eradicate reflux and bloat, strengthen bones, and build muscle – frequently resulting in the reduction (or elimination) of traditional medications. 

She values time with patients, so that confidence and trust can support a true patient-physician relationship. Dr. Christine taps into years of personal and professional experience — as well as her passion for food and cooking — to help patients gain control over body and mind.

Dr. Christine is the mother of an active toddler who loves to eat wholesome foods and is expecting her second child.  

Erin Prather - Fleet Feet Hartford

If you’ve spent much time at Fleet Feet Hartford on a Wednesday evening or Saturday morning, you’ve probably seen me bouncing around getting people excited to go for a run or walk. I helm the training programs and one of my biggest joys in life is helping people find ways to get moving in whatever way works for their bodies and goals.

I have always looked for ways to give back to their community. Whether it’s cheering folks on at local races, leading free zoom workouts, or helping people find the best shoes to carry them across the finish line of whatever their big scary goal might be, people are my happy place! I am always planning fun events at Fleet Feet to be able to expand this incredible movement community.

I can tell you more than you ever thought you needed to know about how having the right shoes and gear can take your fitness to a whole new level, and I’m excited to be a part of this challenge and give you the support and encouragement you need to really override your health!!

Stephanie Blozy - Moderator

And I’m Steph, former owner of Fleet Feet Hartford and moderator of the Override Your Health Wellness Challenge.

Even before I finished reading Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia this spring, I knew I had the answer to the question “What’s Next” after Fleet Feet in the same way I knew that I wanted to share the power of running to change lives after I finished my first marathon in 2002 – seven years after I had been diagnosed with Lupus and told that I shouldn’t tax my body running because “rest was best”.

Turns out that exercise is one of the best prescriptions for health. It gave me back my life – and inspired me to change careers. So, after 15 years as a meteorologist, most notably as “Stephanie of WeatherBug” where I chased tornadoes, reported live from the eye of hurricanes and worked with television meteorologists across the country, I retired my crystal ball to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science from the George Washington University.

Fifteen days after graduating at the top of my class, I moved to Connecticut and became the new owner of Fleet Feet Hartford - a dream come true…for 15 years! Then the itch came to do something bigger.

Through my work and connections at Fleet Feet, I began to realize that running, while powerful, wasn’t enough to keep people healthy as they aged. We need to hydrate more, eat better, add strength and mobility, get quality sleep and take care of our mental health too if we want to live better longer. All strategies in Dr. Attia’s book – and our challenge!

I reached out to my friends above and asked if they wanted to join me in leading a free wellness challenge for our community. To share our collective knowledge and experiences to not just inspire, but show people how a few habits can jumpstart their health no matter how old you are.  

I am grateful that they all said YES! I’m excited for you to learn from and be inspired by them. Little tweaks can lead to big changes. Let’s get healthy together!