Education & Certifications

  • Currently a PhD candidate in Lifestyle Prescriptions University for a doctorate in Lifestyle Medicine (2023–)

  • National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) – 2023

  • Certified Holistic Nutritionist – 2024

  • I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, with an emphasis on addiction(s), which has been essential in helping my clients overcome the all-too-common struggle with food as a compulsion and addiction.

  • I became a Certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in December 2020.

  • I am a Yoga Alliance certified 200-hour Yoga Instructor. The physical and psychological benefits of yoga are the perfect adjunct to ALL healthy lifestyles. Yoga is about becoming present to yourself and life as it is occurring, and learning practices that help you stay grounded and awakened—especially when it’s not easy. It’s simple, really: we win if we can fully and joyfully experience the moments of our lives without needing to “check out” or “numb up.” I integrate the physical asanas and the philosophy of yoga into all of my work with clients, including individual training sessions and food coaching.

  • As a certified Healthexcel Metabolic Typing Counselor, I help identify the specific nutritional needs of each client’s unique body. Bringing the technology and knowledge of metabolic typing to my clients is another tool for helping them achieve their weight and sport performance goals.

  • I am also a Precision Nutrition certified Nutrition Counselor.

  • I hold a Health Fitness Specialist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. This education enables me to design safe and effective training programs for clients of all fitness levels.

  • As an Ironman University Certified Triathlon Coach, I guide triathletes and runners in programming, technique, sport psychology, and general sport nutrition to help ensure optimal race performance. These fields of study are constantly evolving, and staying up to date on training protocols is just as crucial for my own athletic pursuits as it is for those of my clients.

Judy’s Athletic Achievements

Qualified for World Champtionship Ironman Kona 2025

I have completed 13 Ironman triathlons, including IMLake Placid, IMWisconsin, IMFlorida, IMKentucky, and IMMaryland. I’ve placed in my age group or overall in every triathlon distance—from sprint to Half Ironman. I’ve also completed over 25 marathons, not including those within the Ironman races.

In addition, I participate in ultra-distance running, which exceeds marathon length. I’ve completed ten 24-hour running races, placing in the top 3 for women in three of them. I’ve also completed three 100-mile races. My personal best was 115 miles in 2019 during a 48-hour ultra, where I finished 2nd among Master’s females.

Having raced in everything from 5Ks to ultra-marathons, I integrate those experiences into coaching my clients to achieve THEIR athletic potential. I combine personal insights with academic knowledge and professional certifications to support every athlete I coach and every individual I train. This synthesis empowers my clients to succeed!

Honors and Recognition

  • Named Business Woman of the Year by the Albany Chamber of Commerce, 1997
  • Voted Top 3 Personal Trainers in the Capital District by a reader write-in poll in the Albany Times Union (read the article HERE).
  • 2025 Highest Fundraiser for Capital District Go Red For Women, American Heart Association Annual Program for raising money for research, prevention, screening and care

In The Media

voted woman of excellence in 1997

Fitness personality 1988-2008

Creator and on-air personality of Fly 92 Fitness Minute

Fitness After 50 by Judy Torel

Fitness Guidelines As We Age – 55+ Life

Redefining Health and Vitality After 50