33 Health, Fitness, and Wellness Experts to Follow in 2016

I’m excited to share a curated list of 33 outstanding health, fitness, and wellness experts to follow in 2016. These women are leaders, coaches, practitioners, athletes, and writers who are making real change in their communities. Many are people I’ve worked with directly and whose work I admire for its integrity, practicality, and positive impact.

You might wonder why I’m posting this now instead of in January. First, initial New Year enthusiasm fades quickly—this list is meant to be useful whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration now or later in the year. Second, I’ve been quietly working on a special project that brings many of these women together. If you’re on my newsletter you may have seen a preview; otherwise, here’s the news: the Women’s Strength Summit is a free online event and you’re invited. Claim your free ticket on the Summit site.

Finally, readers often ask me for recommendations in areas outside my expertise. So I assembled this list so you can discover trusted voices across nutrition, strength training, mental performance, rehabilitation, body image, and more. Follow them, read their work, and see what resonates with you.

Here are 33 health, fitness & wellness experts to follow in 2016:

Jen Sinkler

Jen Sinkler is a respected voice in the online fitness world—an experienced writer, gym owner, and athlete who has competed in sports from rugby to powerlifting. She creates practical, strength-focused programs that help people get significantly stronger. Find her resources and coaching at JenSinkler.com.

Dr. Anastasia Boulais

Dr. Anastasia Boulais balances clinical practice with leadership in the Ancestral Health Society of New Zealand. She focuses on restoring health by addressing the mismatch between modern lifestyles and our biology. Read her thoughtful work at Re-Evolutionary.com.

Summer Innanen

Summer Innanen helps people repair damaged body image and move beyond dieting patterns. Drawing from her own journey as a former chronic dieter, she emphasizes rebuilding a healthy relationship with food and exercise while practicing compassion and realism. Learn more at SummerInnanen.com.

Emily Schromm

Emily Schromm is a nutritional therapy practitioner and CrossFit coach who empowers people to take control of their health through real food and practical training. She created the 21 Day Superhero Challenge to help people build sustainable habits and stronger bodies. Visit SuperheroUnleashed.com for more.

Jill Coleman

Jill Coleman has guided women toward balanced approaches to health, often framed around moderation rather than extremes. Her coaching emphasizes sustainable habits that allow clients to improve health while still enjoying life. Explore her work at JillFit.com.

Dr. Theresa Larson

A former Marine officer and combat veteran, Dr. Theresa Larson brings discipline and resilience to her work as a physical therapist. She’s known for helping athletes and adaptive athletes recover and perform, and her perspective on the warrior mindset is practical and inspiring. Learn more at DrTheresaLarson.com.

Erin Brown

Erin Brown writes and coaches around body acceptance and self-love. Her book, As Is, is a 21-day guide to finding peace in your skin and cultivating confidence. Erin’s approachable voice and supportive methods make her a powerful resource for anyone struggling with body image. Visit IAmErinBrown.com.

Jarrett Arthur

Jarrett Arthur combines martial arts expertise with practical self-defense instruction tailored for real-world situations. Holder of a Krav Maga black belt, she teaches personal safety with confidence and clarity—skills that are essential to holistic wellbeing. See her work at JarrettArthur.com.

Danielle Natoni

Former math teacher turned health coach, Danielle Natoni is known for sharing accessible home workouts and family-friendly meal ideas. She first gained broad attention as an Insanity cast member and continues to inspire people to make fitness approachable. Follow her updates and training tips online.

See these experts speak for free at the Women’s Strength Summit—claim your free ticket here.

Julie Foucher

Julie Foucher is a multi-year CrossFit Games competitor and a medical student who models how to combine elite athleticism with a commitment to health and science. Her leadership and athletic achievements make her a role model for athletes who value both performance and long-term wellbeing. More at JulieFoucher.com.

Nia Shanks

Nia Shanks founded the Lift Like a Girl movement to make strength training accessible and empowering for women. She emphasizes practical, sensible programming and a balanced approach to nutrition and lifestyle that supports long-term progress. Visit NiaShanks.com for programs and coaching.

Chel Hamilton

Chel Hamilton hosts the Meditation Mini’s podcast and specializes in helping people change habits and master their mindset. Her guided meditations and subconscious re-patterning techniques are practical tools for anyone looking to reduce stress and stay focused. Learn more at ChelHamilton.com.

Noelle Tarr

Noelle Tarr of Coconuts and Kettlebells is a nutrition therapy practitioner and trainer known for creative at-home workouts and engaging live content. She co-hosts the Paleo Women Podcast and shares practical nutrition and training guidance for busy people. Check out her work at CoconutsAndKettlebells.com.

Dr. Alessandra Wall

Dr. Alessandra Wall is a clinical psychologist, gym owner, podcaster, and community advocate. She helps people reconcile what’s “right” in theory with what’s right for their lives using tools like her Focus Map. Her approach blends evidence-based practice with practical, individualized guidance. See LifeInFocusSD.com for more.

Molly Galbraith

Molly Galbraith co-founded Girls Gone Strong to support women with solid, evidence-based training and education. Her work addresses the specific needs women face in the gym and beyond, creating community and programs that emphasize strength, empowerment, and resilience. Learn more at GirlsGoneStrong.com.

Coach Prime

Coach Prime draws on neuroscience and transformational coaching to help people overcome mental barriers and stay present. Her practical strategies support sustainable change and improved performance—mentally and physically. Explore her approach at ATrueTransformation.com.

Kortney “KO” Olson

Kortney Olson is known for exceptional lower-body strength but also for promoting sisterhood and mutual support among women. She encourages women to celebrate shared strength and community rather than comparison. Read about her work at Grrrl.com.

Jenny LaBaw

Jenny LaBaw exemplifies competitive grit. Despite injuries and chronic illness, she has become a top CrossFit athlete and uses endurance efforts—like running across Colorado—to raise awareness for epilepsy. Her story is a powerful reminder of resilience. Follow her at JennyLaBaw.com.

See these experts speak for free at the Women’s Strength Summit—claim your free ticket here.

Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a naturopathic doctor focused on women’s health, particularly postpartum recovery and autoimmune issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Her patient-centered approach blends clinical insight with practical, real-world guidance. Visit DrBrighten.com for her resources and writing.

Kate Galliett

Kate Galliett specializes in restoring mobility and eliminating chronic pain. Her framework for building an “unbreakable body” focuses on practical movement, mobility, and progressive strength work to help people reclaim active lives. Learn more at FitForRealLife.com.

Ann Wendel

As a physical therapist, Ann Wendel specializes in female-specific issues like pelvic floor dysfunction and diastasis recti. Her clinical expertise helps women recover function and confidence after childbirth and other life changes. Read her practical guidance at Prana-PT.com.

Maris Degener

Maris Degener is a young yoga practitioner who shares her recovery from disordered eating and a graceful, powerful practice. Her social media is an inspiring example of vulnerability, discipline, and artistry. Find her at YogaMaris.net.

Dr. Emily Deans

Dr. Emily Deans is a psychiatrist and Harvard lecturer who explores how nutrition and lifestyle affect brain health. Her writing on evolutionary psychiatry offers evidence-based perspectives on mood, cognition, and behavior. Read her posts at EvolutionaryPsychiatry.Blogspot.com.

Steph Greunke, RD

Steph Greunke is a registered dietitian who focuses on hormonal health and whole-foods nutrition. She works closely with new and expectant mothers and blends traditional clinical training with ancestral-health principles. Find her guidance at RockYourHormones.com.

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon, creator of Stumptuous, provides long-term, evidence-informed advice on strength training, nutrition, and recovery. Her practical, no-nonsense approach helps readers cut through trends and build sustainable habits. Visit Stumptuous.com to explore her resources.

Laura Schoenfeld, RD

Laura Schoenfeld is a registered dietitian working in the ancestral health space. She addresses complex issues like adrenal fatigue and gut health and co-hosts a regular podcast discussing practical nutrition strategies for women. See more at AncestralizeMe.com.

Jen “JVB” Blake

Jen “JVB” Blake co-created the Unapologetically Powerful strength program. As a coach and competitive powerlifter, she helps women build strength with straightforward, effective programming. Learn about her work and programs at UnapologeticallyPowerful.com.

Roxy “Balboa” Richardson

Roxy Richardson blends competitive Muay Thai with smart nutrition and kettlebell coaching. Her balanced approach to training and eating inspired many early followers and continues to influence athletes who want both performance and longevity. See LiftFightLove.com for details.

Sarah Al-Khayyal

Sarah Al-Khayyal combines competitive powerlifting with a love of real, flavorful food. Even as an undergraduate student, she manages performance training alongside sharing approachable meal ideas and strength insights. Visit PrimalBitesBlog.com to follow her work.

Diane Fu

Diane Fu is an Olympic weightlifting coach who clearly explains the sport and its techniques. Her instruction and social content make weightlifting approachable for athletes at any level, and she brings enthusiasm and clarity to her coaching. Learn more at FuBarbell.com.

Trish DaCosta

Trish DaCosta blends barbell training with Pilates expertise to help people improve stability, posture, and alignment. Her work supports safe, pain-free movement so clients can enjoy active lives. Find her coaching and programs at TrishDaCosta.com.

Neghar Fonooni

Neghar Fonooni is known for combining yoga and strength training in her Meathead Yogi approach. She writes eloquently about body acceptance and self-love and offers practical coaching and writing for women seeking strength and compassion. Visit NegharFonooni.com to learn more.

Dawn Fletcher

Dawn Fletcher specializes in sports psychology and performance coaching. Her insight helped me discover new clarity in my career path, and she’s an expert in building resilient, focused athletes and competitors. Explore her coaching at FletcherFitness.com.

See these experts speak for free at the Women’s Strength Summit—claim your free ticket here.

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