About Fit For Life

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Executive Director, President & Founder, Fit For Life  

Theresa Cordova is a passionate advocate for health and fitness, with over 20 years of experience in the wellness industry. As an exercise physiologist, Certified Personal Trainer, Resistance Training Specialist, Muscle Activation Techniques practitioner, and exercise science educator, she has dedicated her career to advancing fitness education. 

As the Founder and Executive Director of Fit Kids For Life DBA Fit For Life, Theresa started the nonprofit with the mission to inspire children and families to embrace an active lifestyle. Initially focused on youth, Fit For Life has since evolved to include individuals of all ages and abilities, guided by the belief that everyone, regardless of age, retains a sense of youth and vitality. By embracing this life cycle approach, the organization promotes health and wellness at every stage of life, ensuring access to the resources and support needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to her work with Fit For Life, Theresa founded Changes For Life and GEM Fitness, where she pioneered the Guided Exercise Membership program. Both organizations are dedicated to providing personalized fitness solutions, from general wellness to adaptive training for individuals with special needs and seniors, ensuring that fitness is accessible to everyone. Through these programs, she emphasizes a holistic approach to fitness, integrating physical, mental, and emotional health. Theresa's career includes an influential role as a partner and Director of Certification at the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE), where she was instrumental in achieving national accreditation for their programs. Her expertise in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and movement education underscores her commitment to empowering individuals and communities to lead healthier, more vibrant lives. Through Fit For Life, GEM Fitness, and Changes For Life, Theresa continues to drive change by promoting fitness, well-being, and vitality for people of all ages and abilities.

Chief Operating Officer and Program Director

In addition to his role as a Personal Trainer and Coach at GEM Fitness, Thomas serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Program Director of Fit For Life, where he plays a key role in developing and overseeing programs that promote fitness, health, and wellness for people of all ages. A certified personal trainer and mixed martial artist, Thomas is passionate about helping individuals make meaningful changes in their lives, adopting healthy habits that improve both physical and mental well-being. He has a special passion for working with individuals with conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, using his expertise to improve their quality of life through movement and fitness. Thomas is also Otago trained and certified in GiGi’s Fit training, equipping him with the tools to support a wide range of clients. By incorporating the discipline and strength principles he’s learned from mixed martial arts, he helps clients become mentally and physically stronger, enabling them to move more freely and function better in everyday life.

Secretary 

Tara Bodkin brings valuable leadership and organizational expertise to her role as Secretary of the Fit for Life board. With 18 years of experience in the banking and finance sector, she was responsible for growing and maintaining commercial and residential deposit accounts, loans, and mortgages. After starting her family, Tara became an active volunteer in the nonprofit Parent Teacher Association (PTA), holding various board positions, including her current roles as PTA Council Vice President and Secretary for Bellport High School PTSA.

Tara holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY, and is passionate about continuing her service to the community through her work with Fit For Life.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)  and Treasurer

 Bill Langhan has been teaching Math & Business for the past 25 years.  Bachelor's degree from SUNY Cortland and Master's Degrees from City Univ of Seattle, Univ of Pheonix, and College of St. Rose.  Owns a successful accounting business and also a licensed Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner for the past 15 years.  He also served our country as an Army Airborne Ranger.  When not working Bill enjoys playing golf & hockey, boating the Great South Bay and spending time with his family and friends.  He is looking forward to working with the other members of Fit For Life and giving back to the community. 

Director of Research and Education  

John Petrizzo is a Physical Therapist, and a Full Professor in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences at Adelphi University.  John has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Hofstra University, and holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology.  He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  John has worked in the fitness industry since 2006 in a variety of roles and settings and has helped many patients and clients achieve their health, fitness, and sports performance goals through resistance training. 

Director of Communications 

Cait Cordova has worked in the communications industry for nearly a decade, delivering impact for clients through high-level brand marketing, public relations, and digital services. She has worked with clients across markets and industries, in particular fintech and financial services, deep tech (including energy, cybersecurity, telecoms), crypto and digital assets, consumer, and nonprofit. Cait has additional background in corporate and crisis communications. 

A native New Yorker, she has lived in Northern Ireland since 2020. Cait holds a dual Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and English Textual Studies from Syracuse University, as well as a Master's degree in Psychological Sciences from Queen's University Belfast. 

Vice President

Arthur Mattia, with 27 years in education and a retired principal, has always believed in the potential of every individual, regardless of disabilities, to learn and grow. He witnessed this firsthand with his students, finding great fulfillment in even the smallest gains. Now, as part of Fit For Life and GEM Fitness, he continues to see these transformations, whether in youth or seniors, making strides in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which further fuels his passion for fitness and dedication to his own health. Arthur has also joined the Fit For Life board of directors as Vice president to continue giving back to the community. Though retired, he remains dedicated to teaching as a driver’s ed instructor at Sayville High School. He lives by the words: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." 

Membership and Community Outreach  

Member 

Eileen has pursued an interest in health and wellness for most of her life. This led to a career in Social Work where she received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Welfare from Adelphi University, she is licensed in New York as an LMSW. Eileen is a 200hr Trained Yoga Instructor and a CPT. She has a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) certification. Her expansive work with the family disease of addiction, recovery, self-care, and self-esteem, helps in building and creating new behavioral patterns, of calmness, and peace with various populations. Eileen is able to combine Therapy and Yoga bringing lasting balance to the lives of her clients. Additional yoga certifications include yoga for special needs, children, chair, and restorative. Eileen uses her MBSR training to help focus herself and others on being present in each moment, and to live a mindful existence. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing with her puppy, and taking advantage of as many opportunities as she can for physical activity. 

Member 

Andrea, a long-time lover of fitness, is a Master Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Small Group Training Coach on Long Island, New York. Andrea strives to find creative strategies to encourage those with orthopedic challenges (like herself) to reach the best physical, mental, and emotional versions of themselves. Her certifications include CPT, NASM; TRX, Suspension Training and Rip Training; CrossCore, Suspension Training; and Bell Mechanics, Level 1 Kettlebell Training. Her specializations include Cardio Dance and Foam Rolling. She is blessed to share a life with her husband, Nick, and their two spectacular daughters, Gianna & Gioia.  

Member

Member

Hayle Boyle,  is licensed Physical Therapist, currently serving as the Injury Prevention Coordinator Patchogue, NY. With a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Master's in Health Administration, Hayle has a proven track record of implementing quality improvement initiatives and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes. She has also published research on COVID-19 rehabilitation and has experience as a teaching assistant in the Stony Brook University Physical Therapy program. Known for her strong organizational and communication skills, Hayle is dedicated to advancing healthcare quality and improving the lives of her patients. 

General Counsel 

Paula Luetich is an attorney with over forty years experience. She is the co-chair of the Fitness Committe at Country Pointe Meadows.  Paula has been a lifelong advocate of physical fitness and spent decades on the tennis courts.  She is looking forward to spending more time giving back to the community and promoting  health and fitness to people of all ages. 

 Medical Advisory

Marta Kazandjian is Clinical Assistant Professor and department head at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook University. She is a Fellow of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and is board certified in both swallowing and integrative whole health/wellness coaching. Marta also is a certified fitness specialist/personal trainer and uses her education in both whole health and fitness to treat the whole person. She is an invited national and international speaker and has extensive experience working with complex medically fragile populations particularly those with neurological and pulmonary impairments for over 30 years.  Marta specializes in swallowing and communication impairment in these patient populations and has a particular interest in palliative and end of life care. She believes that patient care is patient specific, treating the whole person. Her work in swallowing, verbal and non-verbal communication, tracheostomy and ventilator management is best represented by her peer reviewed articles, book chapters and text books.