- Lauren Betancourt (NSCA CSCS, ACSM CPT) 
            Fitness Expert and Sport-Performance Coach

Lauren received her M. S. in Exercise and Sports Studies with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning from Springfield College.  She holds the “gold-standard” title of Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the NSCA.  Lauren is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.  Before relocating to California, she was a coach for the prestigious Tier 4 Fitness Program at Equinox in New York City and was one of less than 30 Tier 4 Coaches in the country.  She was also a master instructor for the Equinox Fitness Training Institute, where she assisted new fitness professionals in developing the tools necessary for success in personal training.  Lauren also served as a Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Specialist at Project Walk and has logged more than 1500 hours working with SCI .  She currently divides her time between wellness coaching and writing for Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong.com.  

Lauren's original experience is in collegiate Strength and Conditioning. She has had the opportunity to work with Division I and Division III athletes at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Hartford, and Springfield College. She has worked with sports ranging from Football to Crew, and Gymnastics to Track and Field. Lauren has also worked with youth athletes at Velocity Sports Performance.

Lauren's athletic experience is in soccer, and she is also an award winning dancer. She has competed as a professional ballroom dancer, and has 20 years of experience in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, modern, and more. Her fitness and dance experience has assisted her in creating fun and insightful workshops for people of all ages. She has presented for middle school programs in her home state of Connecticut, the after-school program Girl Power, several health fairs, a Music Television (MTV) wellness event, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of New York.  She was designated a “Competent Communicator” by Toastmasters International.  Lauren looks forward to continuing her public speaking and community service activities for many years to come.

Lauren also holds a B. S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Hartford, where she received her degree as one of the youngest graduates in the history of the institution.   Lauren was selected as Miss Connecticut in 2007, and has top honors for lifestyle and fitness in swimwear. Thanks to the Miss America Organization, she has years of experience as a spokesperson and personality in television, radio, and print.