Kathy Ackerman, founder and owner of Energy Oasis, has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She began her career by working in health and fitness clubs and then moved on to teach Physical Education before finding herself back in the fitness industry. Over the years, Kathy has created and taught a wide range of programs, all reflective of her own commitment to good physical health and spiritual well-being. These programs have included aquatics, sports, fitness training for children through to senior citizens, sports safety, yoga, and Pilates. In her personal life she enjoys participated in Triathlons and Adventure Racing with her husband David.
Kathy’s passion and dedication to health and fitness were instilled by her mother – it was a total way of life with lots of opportunities for sharing fun times together. In 2001, however, Kathy’s physical world began to crumble when a large tumor was discovered in her lower abdominal wall. Do to the size of the tumor, an entire section of the abdominal wall had to be removed and replaced with a composite fabric patch. Doctors predicted that, at a minimum, her career was ended. Some thought she would be lucky to even walk fully upright again, much less be able to do any of the physical activities which had become such an integral part of her life and livelihood. But with a new daughter less than a year old with whom she wanted to pass along the legacies of her own mother, Kathy was determined to prove them wrong. Within six months of her surgery, she was back to training, teaching and competing.
Kathy became even more ardent about personal training, hoping that her own positive motivation and encouragement would help to inspire others. She is unabashedly delighted as her students make their individual progress and is without a doubt, their biggest cheerleader. She is eager to share, totally involved and completely supportive. Kathy’s vision has always been to combine her experience and knowledge into her own company. With Energy Oasis and her new Yoga Pilates Fusion DVD her lifelong dream is realized.
