There are a few people who’ve been known to influence and inspire the masses when it comes to adopting a healthier, happier lifestyle. These people either possess impeccable knowledge about their fields or have motivated others to look past their obstacles and disabilities and find themselves again.
To determine who are the most powerful and inspiring people in the health and fitness space, we look at a number of factors for each potential candidate: professional certification, social influence, products they have created, media coverage among other things.
After much deliberation, research and maths here are the 21 most influential and inspiring people in health and fitness.
1. Phil McGraw, Ph.D.
Topping our list is the well-known mental health professional and the host of the daytime TV show Dr. Phil. He uses this platform to tackle a range of mental health issues, from family and relationships to addiction and bullying. He has created many weight loss products and has written and published many books which have made him New York Times #1 bestsellers.
2. Natalie Jill
Learn Natalie’s story about how she lost everything, gained a lot of weight after giving birth and getting divorced. Watch her inspiring video about how she turned her life around and became an inspiration to others. She uses her story and experience to help people achieve their life goals through mindset, drive, fitness, and nutrition.
3. Dwayne Johnson
Popular to everyone as The Rock from WWE, Dwayne Johnson has definitely come a long way from his pro-wrestling days to a successful movie star and along with being one of the fittest men alive!
He has recently released a motivational alarm clock. If you check out his Facebook or Instagram profiles, you’ll immediately see hundreds of gym and workout pictures along with fitness and workout tips, his physique is all the motivation you need to hit the gym!
4. Mark Hyman, M.D.
Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, a ten-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field.
He tackles topics like infertility and acne on his blog and is of the believe that we all deserve a life of vitality—and that we have the potential to create it for ourselves.
5. Arnold Schwarzenegger
You probably know him as the 38th Governor of California, The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no introduction. He has had a variety of careers, from being a bodybuilder turned movie star turned politician turned movie star again. However, he has always stayed true to his first passion – bodybuilding. To this day, Arnold is a huge activist for health and fitness and runs a fitness blog and conducts #AskArnold Twitter chats with his fans to answer questions related to fitness.
6. Jillian Michaels
Celebrity personal trainer Jillian Michaels wasn’t always the health specimen she is today. In fact, she was a 5’2″, 175-pound eighth-grader who was picked on at school. Jillian was determined to reach her goals — and through dedication and hard work, she did.
She has appeared in the media numerous times, she is a TV star, personal trainer, author, and businesswoman. As a personal trainer, Michaels uses a blend of strength training techniques with her clients including kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, plyometrics, and weight training.
7. Mehmet Oz, M.D.
With an Emmy-winning TV show, wellness magazine, and millions of Facebook followers, Dr. Mehmet Oz reaches a wide audience with his health and wellness recommendations.
Better known as Dr. Oz, he is a Turkish-American cardiothoracic surgeon and professor at Columbia University, author and television personality. He is a supporter of alternative medicine and has garnered excellent patient and peer reviews.
8. Kamila McDonald
This gorgeous Jamaican is an inspiration to many, with her fitness journey saw her conquering her weight issues to becoming a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist.
Kamila has been featured in many publications and has many workout sessions that regular people can join in quite easily. Check out her Instagram post and take up her #KampKamilaFitnessChallenge.
9. Elizabeth Rider
Elizabeth Rider Health Coach, Blogger, Writer, Clean Recipe Master, Yoga Lover & Host of Elizabeth Eats of WellnessTV. Elizabeth is a Board Certified Health Counselor (AADP), and successful entrepreneur.
She has been helping women around the world become even more successful by teaching them not just how to live well, but how to become the absolute BEST version of themselves. Her philosophy isn’t just about eating well; it’s about all of the other aspects of life that makes us human, too. From personal relationships to career, spirituality to finances—and more.
10. Josh Axe
Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS is a certified doctor of natural medicine, doctor of chiropractic and clinical nutritionist with a passion for helping people get healthy by using food as medicine.
On his website, Dr. Axe talks about everything from the power of cricket flour to the cancer-fighting properties of figs.
11. Tara Stiles
The internationally renowned yogi and founder of Strala Yoga is all about doing what’s best for your body.
Tara has been profiled by The New York Times, Times of India, The Times (UK), and featured in most major national and international magazines. She is a collaborator with Reebok and has authored several top-selling books, all translated and published in several languages.
12. Joseph Mercolaan
Joseph Mercolaan is an alternative medicine evangelist an osteopathic physician, he is also board-certified in family medicine and served as the chairman of the family medicine department at St. Alexius Medical Center for five years.
He is New York Times best-selling author, interviewed by various media publications and has received countless awards and recognitions. With his website mercola.com, he is inspiring people to take control of their health.
13. Rich Roll
The accomplished vegan ultra-endurance athlete and former entertainment attorney turned full-time wellness & plant-based nutrition advocate, motivational speaker, husband, father of 4 and inspiration to people worldwide as a transformative example of courageous and healthy living.
After going from an overweight, sedentary 40-something to one of the world’s fittest ultra-marathoners and endurance racers, he’s got the first-hand experience to back up the advice he doles out on his blog and popular podcasts. Read about his inspiring story here.
14. Jamie Eason Middleton
While working towards her degree she took a weight training class where her interest in fitness training began. After a short time as a Houston Texans cheerleader, she was diagnosed with breast cancer forcing her to a desk job, which made her become more sedentary ultimately changing her physique.
Angry at herself for letting herself go, she jumped right back into the gym and worked with a nutritionist to get back on track. She has received a pro card, she is the face of Bodybuilding.com and has been featured on the cover of numerous fitness magazine. Since then, Jamie has educated hundreds of thousands of people on living a healthier lifestyle through her work as a writer and Instagram page.
15. Patrice White
Patrice White is a fitness, lifestyle and transformation coach. She runs various boot camps and road runs. She is the founder and president of the Sonic Steppers Running Club located in Jamaica and also a Certified Master Mixologist. Her work has been recognition by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica’s (PSOJ), as one of Jamaica’s 50 under Fifty award in 2012.
After struggling with her weight and health for years, Patrice made the decision to not only change her lifestyle but to fall in love with it. As a result, she is now a Certified Lifestyle and Fitness Coach and has formed a fitness movement, “The Dynamic Lifestyle ~ Balancing Work & Working Out” which is geared towards changing one’s lifestyle in order to be fit and ready for life.
16. Natalie Uhling
Natalie Uhling is a fitness model, an athlete, trainer, and the creator of NUFit, a high-intensity workout method that merges music and movement so that each session is a unique and memorable experience. She also contributes to many publications and is certified in Primary Group Fitness by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (A.F.F.A.)
Natalie creates a community for individual transformation that inspires athletes of all abilities and backgrounds to excel. She focuses an incredible amount of time creating environments filled with unique and everlasting energy.
17. Obi Obadike
Obi Obadike is a nationally recognized celebrity fitness/nutrition expert who has graced the cover of over fifty fitness magazines and has written over 100 articles.
He is a host on Spike TV’s Sweat Inc. alongside Jillian Michaels. He also hosts Lifestyle Magazine, a show that airs on TBN, Family Channel, Hope Channel and NRB. He is very proud of being the first African American featured in those shows.
18. Joy Bauer
Joy Bauer is one of the world’s leading authorities on health and weight loss. She is the nutrition and health expert for NBC’s TODAY show, where she shares reliable, practical, and easy to follow advice that helps millions of people eat better, live healthier, and lead more fulfilling lives.
She is a registered dietitian who has receive numerous awards and written many books and publications. She strongly believes that it’s never too early or late to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
19. Ellie Krieger
Ellie is the host and executive producer of the Public Television cooking series “Ellie’s Real Good Food“, Registered Dietitian and New York Times, best-selling author. She also hosts a Food Network TV show, Healthy Appetite, and has several cookbooks under her belt.
She has been at the forefront of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign from the beginning when Mrs. Obama’s team invited her to head up a nutrition education initiative at the “Healthy Kids Fair” on the Whitehouse lawn. She has truly made her mark in the nutrition world.
20. Shanica Nairne
This beauty has been inspiring people with her workout videos and her fitness posting on Instagram. Shanica is a fitness enthusiast, a swimsuit model, and Quantity Surveyor. She inspires females to be the best they can be, never to give up and seek change in every area of the mind, body, and soul.
21. Evan Nepaul
Dr. Nepaul is a Gynecologist and Obstetrician who had a desire to provide quality health care at an affordable price to the people of Jamaica. Therefore he founded The Royale Medical Company Ltd to provide optimum care to every patient.
Since then many persons, locally and overseas, has received exceptional services. He has been honored by the Savanna-La-Mar Hospital for long service and leadership.
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