MAPP Somatics: Let Me Hear Your Body Talk with Elaine O’Brien, Ph.D., MAPP, CAPP

Elaine O’Brien will be joining us to share research, theory and practices to help promote whole fitness, passionate wellbeing, and the power of vibrancy: The Psychology of Positive Movement around the intersection of of Body, Brain, and Movement Science. Elaine will be highlighting strategies to uplift positive individual, community, family, and systems changes. Elaine will discuss her research, and the value of an embodied, experiential approach as “Whole Fitness Training for Life,” which encourage specific daily practices including “actively listening to, loving, and honoring your body,” Mindful Eating, and Energy Management. Elaine finds true joy in helping people move more, well, with meaning, and love, across the lifespan. Elaine’s aim is to elevate the art and science of Somatic Learning including proprioception – awareness of our body in space, comportment – how we carry ourselves, and positive movement – and to help promote positive energy, health, healing, learning, love, and flourishing in the world.

Dr. Elaine O'Brien is CEO of Lifestyle Medicine Coaching, Training and Consulting. A researcher, speaker, presenter, writer, strategist, program director, and consultant, Elaine finds true joy in helping people move more, well, with meaning, and love, across the lifespan. Elaine’s passion is around promoting Applied Positive Psychology, FUNctional Fitness through Meaningful Movement, and Lifestyle Medicine.

Elaine studied Psychology and Urban/Outdoor Recreation as an undergrad, earned her MAPP from University of Pennsylvania, 2008, and then a PhD in Kinesiology: The Psychology of Human Movement from Temple University, 2015. Elaine also attended University of Oslo, Positive Psychology & Social Science Summer School, 2010, where she studied with mentor, Dr. Antonella Delle Fave, M.D., first IPPA President.

An early leader, trainer, and educator in the Fitness and Health Industry, Elaine served on IDEA Foundation (now American Council on Exercise) Review Council around the development of the first Fitness Certification/Examination Standards and Guidelines. She was Gold Certified in both Group Exercise, and Lifestyle and Weight Management, and is also a Certified Personal Trainer. Elaine was certified as a Health Coach with The Wellness Registry Consumer Wellness Advocate Certification Program at the University of the Sciences.

Elaine has:

• Presented, including for the American Psychological Association, University of Pennsylvania, most recently for Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman’s course, University of the Sciences (faculty), Temple University, CPPA, European Positive Psychology Association, IPPA, Beijing Normal University, China, University of Lisbon, Portugal, the New York Open Center CAPP program, Aquatics Exercise Association

• Served as United States Coach/Trainer, Official, Presentation, Technical, and Compulsories Judge and for the United States, Korea, Sweden, Mexico and Costa Rica National Aerobics Championships.

• Provided programming/consulting, including for the National Football League, University of Pennsylvania Positive Health Initiative, US Army, AARP, Allstate Insurance, Jersey Shore Performing Arts Center, and Educational Testing Service.

• Designed and implemented an award winning Dance/Fitness program for the State of New Jersey Community Alliance in 1992 to lower the risk of alcoholism and (prescription) drug abuse in senior adults that she continues to lead. 
  

Elaine is a member of the IPPA Positive Health and Medicine Division Leadership Team and is an Associate Editor of the IPPA Chronicle of Positive Health. Elaine is a contributor for the new MAPP Magazine, (and wrote the inaugural cover story about Dr. Joe Kasper, M.D., MAPP). She is also a 2018 MAPP Class of 2008 Representative. Elaine’s mission is to positively impact healthy systems changes, along with priming positive self-determination in people, encouraging individuals and groups to move more, well, with meaning, motivation, and love, across the lifespan.

Elaine is also the proud mom of photographer, Lianna Tarantin, and is married to Sean O’Brien.