PS Council

Meet the PS Council

The PS Council is our influential network of voices across the fields of fitness, medicine, mental health, sex, beauty, parenting, finance, home organization, and more. This collective of experts — including doctors, therapists, personal trainers, manicurists, and sexologists — is committed to sharing their knowledge with the PS community in order to make health and wellness more inclusive and accessible.

Akua Ampadu, MD, is a board-certified internal-medicine-trained hospitalist physician passionate about providing quality adult care. Outside of taking care of patients on the hospital ward, she has an interest in harnessing the power of innovative solutions to ensure health equity and equal access to excellent healthcare for all. As an editor and content contributor to several media outlets, she is committed to providing accurate medical information to the public. Using her personal experience with work- and life-related burnout, she also provides reformative training for those going through their own resilience journeys, knowing that optimal health is garnered through a holistic approach focusing on mind, body, and spirit.

Akua Ampadu, MD Internal medicine physician

Rebekah Love is a home organizer, writer, creative, and the founder of Organize For Love, a home-organizing company. Shirley Madhère, MD, host of the "Forever F.A.B." podcast, described her as an environmental wellness warrior. She is passionate about expanding how African American families experience the freedom that organization brings to their home. Through her home-organizing program, products, and educational content, she helps her audience of 40,000 create a healthier and happier home life.

Rebekah Love Home organizer

Ariel Belgrave is the CEO of Gym Hooky and a leading women's fitness expert specializing in strength training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), nutrition, and stress management. With over a decade of experience, Ariel is dedicated to making fitness accessible and sustainable for women around the globe. Her signature framework, L.E.A.N., has transformed the lives of millions, empowering women to build healthy habits, get stronger, and overcome burnout. Ariel's work has been featured by "Good Morning America," "Today," Forbes, NBC, Shape, and Glamour. She is also a sponsored Under Armour athlete.

Ariel Belgrave Women's health and fitness coach

Dianne Bondy is a social justice activist, author, accessible yoga teacher, and leader of the "yoga for all" movement. She empowers everyone, regardless of their shape, size, ethnicity, or level of ability, to discover movement and longevity. Dianne wrote the international bestselling book "Yoga For Everyone," coauthored "Yoga Where You Are," and frequently contributes to Yoga International, DoYou, Yoga Girl, and Omstars. She has been featured by publications such as The Guardian, HuffPost, Cosmopolitan, Mashable, and People.

Dianne Bondy Yoga teacher

Kristen Casey, PsyD, is a mental health expert and licensed clinical psychologist. She completed her doctorate of psychology at Midwestern University and her APA postdoctoral training at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Casey is the founder of Evolve Psychological Services, a cohost of the "Welcome to Group Therapy" podcast, a sleep expert for Sleepopolis, and a clinical advisor for Dawn Health. She has over 10 years of clinical experience and has been featured by Forbes, Bustle, and PS for her contributions to mental health.

Kristen Casey, PsyD Clinical psychologist

Shira Gill is a globally recognized home-organizing expert and author with a minimalist philosophy. She's inspired thousands of people to clear clutter from their homes and lives through a process she developed that applies to anyone, regardless of budget, space, or lifestyle. Shira is the bestselling author of "Minimalista" and "Organized Living" and has been featured by 100+ media outlets, including "Good Morning America," Architectural Digest, Vogue, Real Simple, and The New York Times.

Shira Gill Organizing expert and author

Michelle Hope is your go-to maven for all things sex, love, and modern relationships. She navigates the spicy and often taboo terrains of intimacy and politics with unmatched audacity. A sexologist, author, and advocate for reproductive justice and sexual health equity, Michelle infuses her deep knowledge and extensive field experience into every dialogue. Whether breaking down barriers in conversation or pushing the boundaries of social norms, her approach is provocative, enlightening, and never for the faint of heart. Exploring the intersections of identity and desire, Michelle is here to shake up your perspectives, one bold truth at a time.

Michelle Hope Sexologist

Christa Janine, a seasoned media professional based in Los Angeles, boasts a diverse educational background encompassing digital cinema, journalism, and anthropology, with a Master of Arts in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and a soon-to-be-completed Doctor of Philosophy in anthropology and social change from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Alongside her academic pursuits, Christa is a prominent figure in the health and wellness industry, recognized as a 500-hour E-RYT yoga instructor and a trusted influencer in the digital fitness space, with over 115,000 followers across platforms. She currently instructs for Alo Moves and PS, leveraging her platform to encourage others to lead authentic lives and actively advocating for diversity and inclusion within the yoga and fitness space, spurred by her own experiences navigating the industry's systemic inequalities.

Christa Janine Yoga teacher

A former Division I track-and-field athlete, Ashley Joi is a certified personal trainer and a PS Fit host. She uses a combination of HIIT and weight lifting to empower people to push past their physical and mental limits while making workouts challenging and enjoyable. Her training philosophy is grounded in her background in psychology and communication studies at the University of Rhode Island; this foundation enables her to connect with her clients as she builds them up from the inside out so they can achieve their goals, feel better about themselves, and incorporate fitness into their daily lives.

Ashley Joi Personal trainer

Stephanie Liu, MD, is a family physician who delivers evidence-based health information for moms and little ones. After the birth of her first child, she launched her blog, Life of Dr. Mom, to debunk scientific misinformation. Dr. Liu, aka Dr. Mom, became known as a relatable and credible source on topics ranging from infant nutrition to postpartum depression while amassing a social media following and acting as a health expert for multiple news outlets, including CTV News, the National Post, and "Today." In addition to her medical practice and work as a University of Alberta assistant clinical professor, she also launched By Dr. Mom, an infant skin-care line.

Stephanie Liu, MD Family physician

Andrea Love, PhD, is a biomedical scientist and award-winning science communicator. She has over a decade and a half of expertise in infectious diseases, cancer, and immunology. She excels at translating complex scientific concepts and data for broad audiences. Outside of her career, she is the founder of the science communication organization ImmunoLogic and is the executive director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation. She also writes for Skeptical Inquirer and the Genetic Literacy Project, and in 2023 she received the American Medical Writers Association's McGovern Award. She routinely speaks at scientific conferences and teaches CME courses for healthcare professionals.

Andrea Love, PhD Immunologist and microbiologist

Alyssa Mancao, LCSW, is a social worker, group practice owner, and keynote speaker. She received her master's in social work from the University of Southern California and has been practicing for well over a decade. She's worked as a therapist in community mental health, the juvenile justice system, and private practice. She has contributed to various well-known outlets to address strategies for increasing self-connection and navigating conflict in relationships. Alyssa has facilitated workshops and keynotes that focus on burnout, perfectionism, and employee wellness for companies such as Disney, Meta, and Pinterest. Her recommendations for mental health strategies have been featured in Vogue, Elle, and Women's Health.

Alyssa "Lia" Mancao Licensed clinical social worker

Rachel McClusky is an LA-based fitness professional and NASM-certified trainer with more than 10 years of experience. Her passion for movement has led her to teaching several modalities, including HIIT and dance cardio. She created a fitness concept, The Recharge Method, and teaches virtually to clients all over the world. Rachel has been featured by "Today," Forbes, PS, FitOn, and more.

Rachel McClusky Fitness professional

Israa Nasir is a New York City-based psychotherapist and writer and the founder of The Well Guide, a digital community for mental health awareness. Her debut book, "Toxic Productivity," is coming out in November 2024. Israa's work has been featured by NBC, Vox, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, and other major publications, and she sits on the medical board for menstrual health product and advocacy brand August. Israa received her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Toronto and her master's in counseling at Adelphi University in New York. She is also certified in cognitive behavior therapy and rational emotive behavioral therapy.

Israa Nasir Psychotherapist

Doyin (pronounced "doe-ween") Richards is a bestselling children's author, dynamic keynote speaker, and critically acclaimed DEI consultant. His clients range from Fortune 100 companies to elementary schools, and he inspires people to be open about mental health/mental illness and embrace anti-racism in work, school, and beyond. He also delivered a TEDx talk on anti-racism. Doyin currently lives in Southern California with his two young daughters and is obsessed with basketball, cheesy pasta, and superhero movies.

Doyin Richards Anti-racism facilitator

Lynn Saladino, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City and the North Fork of Long Island. Her private practice, Dr. Lynn Psychology, PLLC, has brought a holistic and practical approach to mental wellness for the New York City and Boston communities for almost 15 years. As the psychology editor of Health magazine and the author of its mental health column, Let's Talk It Out, she offered an approachable perspective to mental health concerns. Her work has included features for Oprah Daily, NBC, and Business Insider. Dr. Saladino is on a mission to make mental health straightforward and fun whenever possible, and she's excited for the opportunity to bring this to the PS community.

Lynn Saladino, PsyD Clinical psychologist

Aliza Shapiro, LCSW, is a licensed therapist and the founder of Therapy in the City, a private practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, and California. In her clinical work, Aliza helps adults, young adults, and adolescents overcome an array of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. Her team specializes in evidence-based practices, including CBT and DBT therapies, and serves individuals, couples, and families struggling with trauma, ADHD, relationships, eating disorders, and life transitions. Aliza is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and utilizes social media to normalize mental health topics, break stigmas, and foster community.

Aliza Shapiro, LCSW Licensed clinical social worker

Jonet Williamson is a pro makeup artist and beauty educator with a belief that beauty should empower you and inspire others. She has worked on the sets of TV and film productions, commercial ads, beauty campaigns, and editorials. Her work has been featured in commercial campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Nike, Barneys, Glow Recipe, and more. As a trusted voice in the beauty industry, Jonet's expert advice has been featured by InStyle, Allure, Refinery29, Byrdie, Women's Health, and more.

Jonet Williamson Professional makeup artist

Gina Edwards discovered her passion for nails during her studies as a psychology major; it was a way to help pay for college expenses. Her eye for detail developed, and her love for nail art consumed her. She secured credits with top magazine and commercial clients, which led Gina into other areas of the industry. Gina has left her finishing touch on the nails of celebrities such as Taraji P. Henson, Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, Mary J. Blige, and Venus Williams. Her work has graced the covers of Vogue, Allure, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle Magazine. She has been a global brand ambassador for Kiss products and has led fashion shows from Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Burberry, Rebecca Minkoff, and Alice + Olivia. Gina continues to collaborate and forecast nail trends with brands in the industry.

Gina Edwards Manicurist and nail expert

Kate Balestrieri, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist, a certified sex therapist, and the founder of Modern Intimacy. Passionate about sex positivity, pleasure equity, and healing from trauma, she hosts the "Get Naked With Dr. Kate" podcast, which helps people live an empowered sexual and relational life.

Kate Balestrieri, PsyD Licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist

David Lopez is a New York-based hairstylist, beauty expert, and creative consultant known for his mission to degenderize and demystify the beauty industry. Through inclusivity and transparency, his work supports and inspires individuals on their journey to self-confidence. David has worked with celebrities like Ashley Graham and Chrissy Teigen and brands like Ulta Beauty, Kenra, and Bumble and Bumble, showcasing his versatility in front of and behind the camera. He champions inclusivity as a content specialist and creative lead at Ulta Beauty, and he extends his expertise as a creative strategy consultant to make significant strides in the beauty world.

David Lopez Hairstylist and beauty expert

Aditi Nerurkar, MD, is a Harvard stress expert, a television correspondent, and the author of "The 5 Resets." Her work has been featured by The New York Times, "Today With Hoda & Jenna," "Good Morning America," "Tamron Hall," "The Mel Robbins Podcast," and O magazine. Before becoming a physician, Dr. Nerurkar was a stressed patient looking for answers. Once she found her way out of stress, she vowed to become the doctor she needed. Named one of the 100 Women to Know in America for 2024, she's a frequent keynote speaker, with talks at the 2018 Forbes Under 30 Summit and other events.

Aditi Nerurkar, MD Physician and stress expert

Gina Edwards Manicurist and nail expert

Kate Balestrieri, PsyD Licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist

David Lopez Hairstylist and beauty expert

Aditi Nerurkar, MD Physician and stress expert