Professional Summary

Award-winning author, educator, and fitness specialist dedicated to improving lives through movement, recovery, and knowledge. Recognized nationally for excellence in stroke recovery education, senior fitness, and authoring multiple award-winning books and courses that inspire both professionals and the public.

Writing & Publishing Experience

Contributing Writer – Live Love and Eat Magazine (2020–2023).
• Authored monthly articles on wellness, balance, and recovery for over two years.
• Featured in the August 2020 issue with a five-page spotlight article.

• Award-Winning Author of Fifteen Books (37 Book Awards as of October 2025):

The Stroke of an Artist, The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor (2017)

Tipping Toward Balance, A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Stability and Balance (2018)

Stroke Recovery, What Now? When Physical Therapy Ends, But Your Recovery Continues (2018)

The Power of Your Spine, How Back Strength and Posture Pilots the Entire Body (2019)

Dear Stroke, You Suck, The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor (2020)

Stroke Recovery, Regaining Arm Movement (2020)

Stroke Recovery, Leg Stability and Walking Gait (2020)

Your Brain, A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Brain Health (2020)

Your Brain, Kid’s Edition (2020)

Biomechanics of Your Body: A Simplified Way to Learn Human Movement and Muscles (2022)

What’s Next? (Collaborated Book – 28 Fitness Professionals) (2022)

I’m Not Stupid, I Have Hearing Loss: A Story of Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids (2022)

Random Feel Good Comments and Quotes (2023)

Rhyming Riley, The Dog That Rhymes All the Time (2024).

Balance Walking and Fall Prevention: A Fitness Trainer’s Guide for Seniors & Pre-Seniors (2025).

Collaborative Book Projects

• *What’s Next?* (Collaborated Book – 28 Fitness Professionals), Published October 2022.
• *Obesity and Weight Management: The Exercise Professional’s Guide to Fitness. Programming* — Contributed Case Study (Education Book for Fitness Professionals).
• Currently collaborating on a new book with Elaine LaLanne, wife of fitness legend Jack LaLanne, to be published in March 2026.

Author/Creator of CEC Fitness Education Courses:

• “Stroke Recovery Specialist” (IDEA Health & Perform Better Australia).
• “Functional Anatomy 101”.

Public Presence & Media Engagement

• Host, “The Health and Fitness Show with Tracy” Podcast (Current).
• Radio Host, “The Health and Fitness Show with Tracy” – KXCR 90.7 FM Oregon Coast (2020–2022).
• Starkey Hearing Ambassador – Represented the brand’s message of hearing health awareness and inclusion.
• Founder, Florence Oregon Stroke Recovery Support Group — Created and led monthly in-person meetings for survivors and caregivers.
• Founder, “Stroke Survivor and Recovery Support: Learn Body Mechanics and Gain Hope” — Private Facebook group with over 5,500 members (as of 2025).
• Speaker at senior centers, stroke recovery support groups, fitness education conventions, and wellness organizations on topics including stroke recovery, fall prevention, balance, and movement recovery.

Fitness Education & Instruction Experience

Owner, Tracy Markley’s Fitness – Long Beach, California & Florence, Oregon.
• Over two decades of experience as a certified personal trainer and educator.
• Specialized in stroke recovery, senior balance, and movement rehabilitation.
• Instructor at Lane Community College (2014–2016): Fall Prevention, Mat Pilates, Balance, and Stretch classes.

FiTOUR® Pro-Master Trainer (2015–2023).
• Leads national workshops for Pilates, Personal Training, Aqua Fitness, Functional Fitness, and more.

• AFFA (Athletes and Fitness Association of America) Practical Test Examiner.

Awards & Recognition

• 2024 – Recognized by the National Fitness Hall of Fame as one of America’s Top Fitness Educators.
• 2021 – IDEA World Personal Trainer of the Year.
• 2020 – IDEA World Personal Trainer of the Year Finalist.
• 2019 – MedFit Professional of the Year 1st Runner-Up.
• 2020 – Voted Best of Florence, Oregon: Personal Trainer of the Year.
• 35 Book Awards as of  October 2025.
• And more.

Education & Certifications

Certified Health Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer – Orange Coast College
Biomechanics Specialist – John Spencer Ellis/NESTA
C.H.E.K Institute Certificates – Functional Anatomy, Core, and Back Conditioning
ACE Pain-Free Movement Specialist and more.
Certified Pilates Instructor – Joseph Pilates Method.
Cloud Nine Yoga 200 Hour RYT Instructor.
Certified Reiki Master Levels I–III | Certified Prana Healing Practitioner Level I.
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified – American Heart Association.                              *Scroll down to see a longer list of Education & Certifications. 

Professional Memberships

• AFAA (Athletes and Fitness Association of America)
• IDEA Health and Fitness Association
• National Fitness Hall of Fame
• The Authors Guild
• HLAA – Hearing Loss Association of America
• National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
• Nonfiction Author Association
• Writers and Publishers Network

Personal Mission Statement

My strong passion continues to bring help and education to those I can. I believe that when fitness professionals expand their knowledge, they expand the possibilities for their clients—especially stroke survivors. My mission is to empower others to walk, move, and live more fully again through education, movement, and hope.

Knowledge is Power.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

College Certified by O.C.C., Orange Coast College, Health & Physical Education Division:

College Certified Health Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

College Certified Fitness Specialist

Certificate in Fitness & Nutrition

Biomechanics Specialist - John Spencer Ellis/NESTA

Reebok Reactive Neuromuscular Training Program

Certificate-Postural Analysis Specialist Professional Training Program

Certificate-Total Body Flexibility Professional Training Program

C.H.E.K Institute teaches Corrective High-Performance Exercise Kinesiology

C.H.E.K. - Certificate-Functional Anatomy of the Core

C.H.E.K Scientific Core Conditioning

C.H.E.K - Certificate-Dynamic Medicine Ball Training

C.H.E.K Functional Anatomy of the Back

BOSU® Master Trainer Specialty Certification

BOSU® Complete Workout System Certification

NESTA Battling Rope Coach

ACE Pain Free Movement Specialist

AFAA Primary Group  Certification

AFAA Group X Instructor - AFAA Group X Examiner

Stroke Recovery and Exercise

Certificate Exercise and Arthritis

Certificate Exercise and Osteoporosis

Certificate Exercise and Diabetes

Certified Pilates Instructor

FiTOUR® Myofascial Release  

FiTOUR® Barre Fitness  

FiTOUR® Suspension Training

FiTOUR® Aqua Fitness Instructor

FiTOUR® Pilates Instructor

​Cloud Nine Yoga 200hr RYT Teacher

NESTA Sport Yoga Certified

Certified Mind & Body Fitness Instructor

Cloud Nine Yoga - Certified Reiki Master Level I, II & III - Master/Teacher

Certified Prana Healing Practitioner - Level I  

Certified Sound Bath Healer - Level 1, Level 2, & Expert Level 

Toastmasters Award for speaking

CPR - AED & First Aid Certified w/American Heart Association

MEMBERSHIPS

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

AFAA (Athletes and Fitness Association of America

NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association)

IDEA (Health and Fitness Association)

NFHOF (National Fitness Hall of Fame)

The Authors Guild

HLAA (Hearing Loss Association)

National Association of Independent Writers and Editors

Nonfiction Author Association 

Writers and Publishers Network

Former member of Toastmasters

EARLY EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Pediatric Secretary - Long Beach California, Columbia Pediatrics Medical Group - 1989-1999 (10 years)

Group Fitness Instructor YMCA-Huntington Beach California 1994-1995

Group Fitness Instructor- MS Fitness in Fountain Valley 1994-1995

Personal Trainer-The Athletic Club for Women in Newport Beach California  

Fitness Model-1984-1988

1988 Ad Model for The Torrance Athletic Club - Marketing Campaign

Cosmetologist – 1984-1988, Daniel Charles Hair Design in Long Beach California