Elizabeth Kovar – Writer, Speaker, Trainer, Leader & Healer

From athletics to fitness, Elizabeth was born to move.  An important study abroad trip to the Gold Coast, Australia in 2005 transformed Elizabeth’s life to pursue the curiosity to become a fitness expert.  Elizabeth started her professional fitness journey in 2006 at Bowling Green State University as an AFAA fitness instructor.  Suffering from chronic stress and a lack of life balance, Elizabeth knew she needed to discover the world and herself. In 2007, Elizabeth was the original recipient for the Stuart R. Givens Fellowship, which is a fellowship offered to students “who would do anything if they could do anything”. Elizabeth proposed to backpack and study yoga throughout India.  She studied at the Ayurveda Yoga Retreat & Hospital in Coonor, India and earned 318 hours of Yoga Alliance and ISO certified hours of Ashtanga yoga and Chakra meditation.

In 2008, Elizabeth returned to the Gold Coast, Australia to work and teach yoga & Pilates at the Pat Cash International Tennis Academy. Following her work, she volunteered and lived in the Yoga for Daily Life The Systems’ Ashram is Brisbane, Australia to continue her studies in raja and hatha yoga and meditation.  In addition, she traveled to Thailand and Hong Kong to further participate in workshops various styles of yoga including AcroYoga, Agma Yoga and attended the Evolution Yoga Conference.  She attended workshops through industry leaders such as: Ana Forrest, Bryan Kest, Desiree Rumbaugh, David Swenson, John Friend, Jason Crandell, Hari Om, Ellen Heed and more. In addition, Elizabeth spent time at a Buddhist Meditation Center in Chiang Mai,Thailand to learn and understand the various aspects and style of meditation.

In 2008-2009, Elizabeth attended graduate school at the University of Toledo where she received a Graduate Assistantship at the UT Rec Center in Marketing, Webdesign and Sponsorship. She completed her Master’s Thesis, “Creating Yoga Programs for People with Movement Disabilities.” This program was implemented on a 12-week research study for people with Stage 1-2 Parkinson’s Disease.  This program collaborated with the University of Toledo’s Physical Therapy and Neurology Department.  Also, in 2009 Elizabeth earned her ACE Personal Training Certification.

Since 2010, Elizabeth works as a fitness director with prior experiences within the YMCA & Parks & Recreation Facilities. Kovar also taught on campus, and continues to teach an online Yoga 1+2 Course for Walla Walla Community College.  In addition, she is a fitness writer for various publications and a media expert with past experiences with KVEW TV, KUJJ 101.9FM. Kovar’s creative and innovative mind keeps fitness workouts and articles fresh, progressive and resourceful.

Kovar currently resides and teaches and trains in Seattle, Washington. In 2013, she will expand her publications, national radio show presentations and will collaborate with a software engineer to develop fitness apps. In addition, Kovar studied alternative health and energy healing therapies such as Reiki & Vedic Astrology. Also, in 2013 she will release her 30-Day Brain-Body fitness app. She continues to move forward to integrate her three passions: fitness, travel and outdoors.

In  2014, Kovar expanded her services with holistic health coaching and Reiki. She has been accepted as part of BOSU’s National presentation team and currently consults with various web developers for the creation of online training tools. Elizabeth was awarded 2014 Shape.com Magazine “One of 50 Hottest Female Trainers in the US.”

Kovar’s home is Seattle, Washington, but lived in Hannover, Germany 2014-2015 where she  focused on her writing, vegan cooking and blogging. On October 14, 2015 Elizabeth released her first travel memoir: Finding Om: An Indian Adventure of Rickshaws, Chai, Chapattis and Gurus which the print is available on lulu.com. While in Germany, she wrote a vegan cookbook and launched two blogs: The Lemon Tree Travel Blog and Mind Body Soul Food – Fitness and Vegan Food Blog. Get inspired everyday with Elizabeth’s Sunspiration Instagram feed. Every Sunday, dive deep with Sunspiration, where Elizabeth shares her thoughts about inspirational quotes, motivational messages and sweet nothings in 150 words or less on Mind Body Soul Food.

During her time abroad, she presented for ACE at the GRAFT’s conference in Athens, Greece. In 2016, ACE named her a “Subject Matter Expert – Fitness Nutrition” and named PFP Media’s Personal Trainer of the Month – November 2016.

With over 1,000 print and digital articles published, Elizabeth’s major publications include: ehow.com, livestrong.com, IDEA Fitness Journal, Walla Walla Union Bulletin “Sound Mind Sound Body” Health / Fitness Column, ACE Fitnovatives & Fit Life Blog, AFAA American Fitness, Onsite Fitness, AEA’s AKWA Magazine, Journal of Housing & Community Development & Northwest Fitness Magazine. Kovar has also contributed hundreds of blogs to brands such as: Precor, Thclymb.com, PacSafe, Panama Jack, Down Linens, Wenger Outdoor, Eno Nation, Olokai, Outdoor Nation, Dublin Dog, MK Livin’, Gearographer, Nemo, Mydestination.com,  Oregonsportsnews.com, ToolsforaGreatlife.com and The Weekly Herald Opinion Column.

Stay updated with Elizabeth’s freelance work on the article and blog tab or visit: Lemon Tree Travel @ lemontreetravel.com | Mind Body Soul Food @ mindbodysoul-food.com

To view Elizabeth’s Resume, please click here.

Education & Certifications

• University of Toledo – M.A. Recreation Administration & Tourism
• Bowling Green State University – B.S. Sport Management – Enterprise
• Griffith University – Gold Coast – Foreign Exchange Study Abroad

• AFAA Workshop Presenter
• ACE Master Trainer Presenter
• BOSU Master Trainer Presenter

• American Fitness Aerobic Association Primary (AFAA) – Group Exercise Instructor
• American Council on Exercise  (ACE)- Personal Training Certification
• Yoga Alliance 318 hours Yoga Certification in Ashtanga Yoga – Conoor, India
• TRX Level 2 Sport Medicine Suspension Training Certification
• TRX Level 1 Group Suspension Certification
• Aquatics Fitness Professional Association International (A-PAI) Aqua Instructor Certification
• Greater NW MS Society – Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Instructor
• PADI Scuba Certification – Australia
• YMCA Certifications:
  • Keys to Membership Engagement
  • Creating the Membership Experience
  • Healthy Lifestyle Principles
  • Group Exercise
  • Strength & Resistance Exercise
  • Listen First I

Alternative Health & Healing Certifications

• Reiki Master including Levels 1,2 & 3 & Master Program
• Buddhist Meditation Courses – Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Alternative Medicine College: Certified Vedic Astrologer – Coimbatore, India