Our Experts

Ask Brett...	Brett Blumenthal Spa Expert and Fitness Coach Brett has been involved with the wellness industry for over 15 years. While in her first year of college, she discovered that exercise and good nutrition were vital to releasing stress and maintaining balance in an otherwise hectic and stressful environment. Brett became certified as an AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) group fitness instructor, and went on to teach for Cornell University, Gold's Gym and Bally's Total Fitness in New York. Interested in a holistic approach to wellbeing, Brett received her MBA with a focus in Spa Development and Brand Strategy, and now acts as a consultant to the Spa and Lifestyle Industry. Brett holds both a Bachelor in Architecture and her MBA, from Cornell University.
Ask Shelly...	Shelly Ballestero Esthetician and Beauty Coach Shelly is an inspirational beauty coach, esthetician/makeup artist, and health/beauty contributor for several publications and was the former beauty editor for Lifestyle magazine. She is a graduate of the International Academy, as well as Joe Blasco, and has studied under Emmy Award winner Eve Pearl, head makeup artist for ABC's "The View" and makeup expert for Jane Iredale cosmetics. Shelly has studied Face Mapping, Chinese Diagnostics, Effective Skin Analysis, International Skin-care Techniques, Reflexology, amongst other techniques. She is in partnership with "Skin Deep" skin care clinic in Florida and is currently pursuing her PhD at Clayton College.
Ask Kristen...	Kristen Ben Organizational Psychology Specialist Kristen specializes in organizational development, communication and change management. She has worked with several organizations in various industries to enhance performance, develop talent, improve communication channels and increase employee engagement. Kristen holds an MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a BS in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ask Jill...	Jill Braverman Certified Holistic Health Counselor Jill is a Boston based Nutrition Coach who trained at the Columbia University affiliated Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She holds a B.S. from Boston University and is board certified as a Holistic Health Counselor by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is also a certified Kripalu yoga instructor. Jill is passionate about helping others find the balance they crave in their food, fitness and self-care. Through a highly individualized approach, she will work with you to create the happy and healthy life you desire. www.jillbraverman.com
Ask Tara...	Tara Bridger Pilates Instructor Tara has been practicing Pilates for over 6 years and teaching for 3. She received her certification from Romana's Pilates (now called True Pilates), headed by Joseph Pilates' protégé Romana Kryzanowska and her daughter Sari Mejia Santo. She has taught mat classes at Equinox gyms and at True Pilates New York, and currently teaches private sessions at Pilates on 66th in New York. After receiving her BFA in Acting at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, Tara went on to act with a specialization in movement, stage combat, and clowning. After a neck injury, she discovered Pilates and its remarkable physical benefits as a lifelong choice of exercise and as a result, soon became a Pilates instructor. Tara is currently working toward her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, in order to integrate the benefits of physical therapy with Pilates in her own studio.
Ask Ben...	Ben Hoss Co-Founder Sequence XO, Spa Nutrition Specialist Ben has over 10 years of experience in the nutrition industry, including product development, manufacturing, operations and technology. Ben worked in an executive role with a large nutritional supplement supplier, served as a contributing author of several national publications including "Nutraceutical World" and has coached and consultanted individuals starting their own companies. Ben went on to start Sequence XO - a company dedicated to helping the spa enthusiast find pure relaxation, beautiful skin and vitality with healthy nutritional solutions. Ben graduated from Cal State University Fullerton with a B.S. in biology and minor in chemistry and received an MBA in marketing from National University.
Ask Karen...	Karen Lopez Co-Founder Sequence XO, Spa Nutrition Specialist Karen Lopez has over 9 years of experience in both the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry. She received her BS in Anthropology and Health and Exercise Science from University of California Santa Barbara and went to work at the Wellness and Fitness Institute, testing students and public safety for health and body composition. She then taught Food Sciences, Nutrition and Sanitation at Wolfgang Puck's California School of Culinary. As a wellness coach with Body Wise International she provided effective and safe nutritional supplements to the public and released a weight management program and book. She also held several senior level positions with Reox International, a nutritional supplement manufacturer and distributor. Karen is now the Co-Founder of Sequence XO where she runs operations.
Ask Jacqui...	Jacqueline Albert-Pepper Feng Shui Consultant and Teacher Jacqueline is a certified consultant and teacher in the fundamentals of Classical Feng Shui. She has a BA from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY as well as certificates from both The Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design and the Feng Shui Design Studio of Australia with Roger Green. She has apprenticed with T. Raphael Simons, a Feng Shui consultant, teacher and leading author on the subject. She also studied in the Far East with renowned scholars in the field Jacqueline's ability to read, write and speak Chinese for feng shui purposes enables her a deeper understanding of Chinese astrology and the way it integrates into her consultations. You can learn more about Jacqui at: www.Jafengshui.com.
Ask Allison...	Allison Reyna Nutrition and Wellness Counselor Allison is the founder of Food As Life, a private nutritional & wellness counseling business based in Austin, TX. She attended the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC and is certified through Columbia University's Teachers College and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She assesses her clients' nutritional, emotional, and physical stressors to create a lifestyle program based on bio-individuality. Allison has also led corporate wellness workshops at State Farm, TCU, n3 Capital, Capital One, and the State Capitol in Austin. Allison has always possessed a passion for healthy living. Her own personal struggle with cancer catapulted her passion even further when she realized our food really is our medicine. She is a personal example of how what we put into our bodies impacts our overall health and she truly loves sharing this knowledge with others. Prior to becoming a nutrition and wellness counselor, Allison worked at Whole Foods Market for six years, most recently recruiting and training new talent on the organic and natural foods industry. Allison holds a B.S. from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs and an MBA from University of Texas at Austin.
Ask Bailey...	Bailey Stoler Yoga Instructor and Nutrition Counselor Bailey is vinyasa yoga teacher and a nutrition counselor trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She holds a B.A. from Tufts University and is currently earning an MBA at Cornell University. Bailey is committed to helping people realize the importance of taking time for self-care. Previously a corporate yoga teacher, she helps busy professionals find balance, health, and healing through nutrition and yoga.
Ask Beth...	Beth Troiano, ASID Interior Designer Beth has over 12 years of experience in the interior design industry. She has a strong belief that interiors affect one's mood and productivity both in the home and in the workplace. Beth has done design work in the corporate world, including: law firms, consulting firms, and the finance industry. She has also done interior design work within the residential, hospitality, education and elderly housing industries. Currently a mother of two, Beth provides in-home design consultations to help clients make decisions about their homes. Beth holds a B.S. in Interior Design from Cornell University.
Ask Dave...	David Wax CEO of IEH and Free Green - Sustainability Consultant David has over six years of consulting experience with Deloitte Consulting, where he worked with oil and gas clients such as, Irving Energy of Canada, Amoco and British Petroleum. During his MBA, he served as a Financial Researcher for the Clean Energy Group and as a financial analyst at Exelon. He then went on to start Independence Energy Homes, a green design and engineering firm, combining the talents of architects, engineers, and financial analysts. He recently started Free Green, a company that is an innovative and unique web media company that uses online green home plans as an advertising platform. Dave received his MBA from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude, from the University of Vermont.
Ask John...	John Wayman Personal Trainer and Founder of Beantown Bootcamp John Wayman is the founder of an innovative cross training fitness program called Beantown Bootcamp, LLC. John has over 10 years experience in the fitness and health industry. He obtained a degree in exercise science and became a licensed physical therapist assistant. John has worked in orthopedics for 8 years as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) with Boston Area Hospitals and Rehab Centers. John holds a personal training certification with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and has worked in numerous Boston area gyms. John currently manages a workplace wellness program for Vantage Deluxe Travel in downtown Boston and provides wellness program consultation and onsite wellness services for corporations. John is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, regardless of obstacles they have.