Bret Bondlow has over
twenty years experience working with special needs and personal
training. He has a BS in Behavioral Science and has been trained in
crisis management through NAPPI (non-abusive physical and
psychological intervention) and CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute).
He is certified through NASM as a Performance Enhancement
Specialist as well as ACE as a personal trainer. He has developed
two training programs called Behavioral Fitness Training and
Trigger the Trigger Fitness Therapy. These programs have been
designed to build a foundation for teaching others professionals
how to work with special needs.
He began his career as a residential counselor in NH where he
worked with boys and girls in a residential treatment center. He
went on to work with developmentally disabled adults for the Easter
Seal Society. He continued on operating a transitional home for
children coming out of psychiatric care to transition them into
long term placement. During his work with special needs he
specialized in behavioral programming, crisis management and risk
assessment. He trained both staff and foster parents how to work
with and recognize different behaviors, sensory needs, cognitive
and physical limitations. He used exercise as a behavioral tool to
reduce physical intervention, increase focus and productivity,
improve social interaction and address physical imbalances while
introducing exercise as part of one's life.
Bret is founder of Compelling Fitness. Compelling Fitness' goal is
to provide children and adults with special needs (regardless of
cognitive, physical, emotional or behavioral abilities) with the
opportunity to engage in physical fitness programming, social
interaction, daily life skills (job opportunities), sensory
integration, nutrition, and PLAY. Bret works with families,
therapists, organizations and schools in developing fitness
programs for special needs.
The importance of developing fitness programs for kids and adults
with special needs is extremely important. The struggle to maintain
a healthy lifestyle for the general population is challenging
enough. We need to recognize these special individuals and realize
that many cannot do it without our help. Through this program, I
hope to educate those willing to learn, encourage a new direction
for trainers and other professionals and open all of our eyes to
the importance of working with these individuals who have truly
touched my heart.