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 2023 Winner!
Rocky Snyder, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Rocky Snyder is a nationally recognized expert in human movement with 30 years of professional experience and knowledge. He is the author of several books on strength & conditioning and the host of the Zelos Podcast. Rocky has trained thousands of clients ranging from grandparents to professional athletes and Olympic champions. Aside from owning and operating his training studio in Santa Cruz, California, Rocky travels far and wide providing educational workshops to personal trainers, manual therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. He offers his services as a part-time consultant to professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. He continues to present for IDEA, NSCA, FIBO USA, and Perform Better. He lives and surfs with his wife and two children in Santa Cruz, California.
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.
