Dian Nissen

Dian Nissen, age 55, bouncing on a competition trampoline (2016)

Dian Nissen is a multiple world-title trampoline athlete and competitor, multiple U.S. Women’s Trampoline champion,[1] AAU All-American, health and fitness expert,[2] and entrepreneur. She is the daughter of George Nissen, the inventor of the modern-day trampoline.[3]

Dian Nissen
Born January 1961
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Residence San Diego, California, U.S.
Other names
Dian Nissen Ramirez

Trampoline Diva

Years active 1981–present
Parent(s)

Trampoline

Dian began her involvement with sports and fitness at an early age, becoming an AAU All-American (Amateur Athletic Union) by the time she was 16. She was the 1976 U.S. Women's Trampoline champion in all three trampoline events: Individual Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline, and Double Mini-Trampoline. At the age of 15, she placed 4th at the 1976 Trampoline World Championships in Tulsa Oklahoma. To date, no other U.S. woman has placed higher than Dian Nissen at the Trampoline World Championships for the Individual Trampoline event.

Dian's playful sobriquet, Trampoline Diva, embodies her lifelong association with the trampoline beginning with her early childhood and continuing through to her years as a world-class trampolinist, national champion, trampoline entertainer, fitness trampoline Master Trainer,[4] and consultant to the trampoline park industry.[5]

Along with her father and the support of his company, the Nissen Corporation, which at the time was the world's largest manufacturer of gymnastics equipment in the world, she promoted her father's invention of the trampoline and the sport of trampolining by performing hundreds of shows in the United States and around the world, and competing in trampoline competitions nationally and internationally.

Dian continues to bear the torch that her father, George Nissen, carried for his entire life—promoting the joy of jumping on trampolines.[6]

George Nissen promoted the sport of trampolining believing that one day it could become an Olympic sport. For decades, George endured naysayers that claimed "it would be the year 2000" before trampolining would make it to the Olympics.[7] Ironically, the cynics were correct; trampolining debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney Australia.[8] Enjoying great health at 86 years old, George attended the 2000 Olympics accompanied by his daughter Dian Nissen. Still healthy at 94, George was able to travel to Beijing, China for the 2008 Summer Olympics, with Dian and his grandson Jake.[9]

Dian Nissen has been referred to as the International Ambassador for Trampolines[10] because of her continuing involvement with, and promotion of trampolines for fitness, health, sport and recreation around the world.[11] She provides public awareness and education on trampoline safety and the history of the trampoline.

Education and fitness career

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Dian has been a member of the teaching faculty at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the San Diego Community College District. She holds a Master of Science degree in Health Education and Exercise Science, and is a certified Health Coach and Group Fitness Instructor through the American Council on Exercise (Gold certification). Dian is also a continuing education provider for fitness professionals through the American Council on Exercise. Dian and her father served as consultants to the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports[12] with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chair, under Governor Pete Wilson. Together, Dian and her father presented programs to schools and other organizations to promote physical activity and help improve the health of Californians.[13]

Dian Nissen, George Nissen, and Annie Nissen - Fresh Start video (1994)

Recognizing that seniors in general were under-served by the fitness industry, she founded Ageless Fitness in 1994 in her quest to improve the quality of life of an even wider segment of the older adult community. Dian then expanded her mission to help people of all ages and abilities improve their fitness and health through exercise and education. She also presented workshops, master classes, instructor training, and mentored teachers.[14] Her company is also involved in exercise video production and distribution. Dian's first exercise video series in which she produced and starred in was geared towards older adults and those needing a lighter and gentler form of movement. The video, Fresh Start (1994), included her father, George Nissen, and her mother, Annie Nissen as part of the cast.[15] Dian is a Telly Award and National Mature Media Award winner for two of her older adult exercise videos.

Dian is a Pilates professional and faculty member of Balanced Body Education that provides Pilates instructor training worldwide. She is also certified and trained in Pilates through Polestar Education, Physical Mind Institute, and Stott Pilates. Some of Dian’s specialty training and qualifications in Pilates include Studio series, Mat, Auxiliary Equipment, Props, Rehabilitation, Post‐Rehabilitation, Allegro Reformer, Osteoporosis, Pre‐ and Post‐Natal and Menopause, and Balanced Body Barre.

Dian was one of the first fitness professionals to independently produce, distribute and star in a Pilates exercise video. Her first Pilates video, Mind Body Matwork, was cutting-edge at the time and consisted of elegant and effective movements evolved from the work of Joseph Pilates. The video was one of the first to incorporate the use of an elastic band to simulate moves that are also performed on the centerpiece of Pilates equipment—the Reformer. The video quickly became a bestseller on Amazon.com. Dian is recognized as one of the foremost Pilates instructors in the U.S.[16] Her exercise instruction is based on sound biomechanics and current knowledge of exercise physiology, producing safe and effective exercise routines. Dian inspires people to take charge of their lives, improve their self-esteem and body image, and achieve better health and well-being through physical activity.

Dian Nissen continues to be involved with trampolining. She is on the Board of Directors of the World Acrobatic Society (worldacro.com) whose purpose is to foster the growth, development and safety of various acrobatic disciplines along with preserving their histories. She is also a founding member of the Trampoline & Adventures Advisory Group whose purpose is to actively work within the trampoline park industry to promote and create awareness of trampoline safety and risk management through the creation of an industry-wide training and certification program. Dian is a member of ASTM International and the Task Group involved with setting safety standards to protect consumers and developing construction standards for manufacturers. Dian is a member of USA Gymnastics and is a certified USA Gymnastics University Instructor. She is a USAG Coach specializing in Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline and Double Mini-Trampoline. She also instructs trampolining at the San Diego Circus Center.

Nissen speaks to businesses and organizations about the benefits of adopting long-term, healthy lifestyle habits.[17] She is a women's health advocate and expert on women's wellness, fitness and achieving maximum health. She also offers health programs to business owners to reduce their healthcare costs and optimize performance. Her presentations are audience interactive.

Awards and recognition

References

  1. ↑ United States Tumbling & Trampoline Association (U.S.T.A.)
  2. ↑ https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/trainer_profile.aspx?acecp=wvv8vy
  3. ↑ De Wyze, Jeannette (August 13, 1998). "The Man and the Kangaroo". San Diego Reader. 27 (32): 44–46, 48–54. Retrieved June 8, 2015. Reprint available at http://www.brentwoodtc.org/george_nissen.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.jumpsport.com
  5. ↑ Albach, Marleen (May 22, 2015). "Dochter van trampoline-uitvinder in Nederland" [Daughter of trampoline inventor in Netherlands]. Hart van Nederland (in Dutch). Amsterdam. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ Castro, Ed (February 8, 1997). "Jumping for Joy". The Desert Sun". Palm Springs, CA. pp. A1, B1.
  7. ↑ Brokaw, Tom (April 6, 2000). "Mini Documentary: Trampoline debuts at the 2000 Summer Olympics". NBC Television. San Diego, CA.
  8. ↑ http://www.olympic.org/trampoline-equipment-and-history?tab=history
  9. ↑ Hatton, Celia (August 28, 2008). "A Bouncing History". CBS Television. Beijing, China.
  10. ↑ http://www.topathletes.com
  11. ↑ Van Der Beek, Hans (June 6, 2015). "Hoogvlieger" [Highflyer]. Het Parool (in Dutch). 21 (371). Amsterdam. Retrieved June 9, 2015. Fee required.
  12. ↑ http://www.CalGovCouncil.org
  13. ↑ Nelesen, Denise (April 12, 1997). "Senior is head over heels for fitness". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, CA. Fee required.
  14. ↑ Ogden, John R. (April 21, 2001). "Stretch, strengthen with Pilates". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. p. 8c. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  15. ↑ "All in the Family". American Fitness. 14 (2): 53. March/April 1996
  16. ↑ http://www.pilatesinsight.com/pilates-videos/dian-ramirez-pilates-plus.aspx
  17. ↑ http://www.speakermatch.com/profile/trampolinediva

External links

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