Regional Leaders (RLs) are our trusted ambassadors who help grow the Animal Flow community in their local area. Their primary responsibilities are to engage new fitness professionals into the Level 1 workshops, and to help new workshop students then connect with the Animal Flow community and embark on their AF journey.
The first group of 75 Regional Leaders was selected in November 2020. Additional cohort were selected in following years, and now we have more than 150 RLs representing more than 40 countries.
Applications for new Regional Leaders for 2025 are now open.
The deadline for submission is February 19, 2025.
What do regional leaders do?
Responsibilities
Regional Leaders play an essential role in helping us expand and strengthen the Animal Flow community around the world. As experienced Flowists and strong leaders, they help us remain connected to the many local communities of Flowists. The biggest focus areas for the RL program are to assist in engaging fitness professionals into the Level 1 workshops, and to lead local Flowists communities by welcoming new Flowists and coordinating ongoing community connections.
RLs are specifically asked to help with the following responsibilities. While it is not mandatory to complete each item listed below, RLs do need to participate in a substantial mix of them in order to maintain their Leader status each year.
- RLs are required to participate in the monthly Regional Leader meetings. These take place on the 4th Wednesday of every month, offered at two times so that all time zones are manageable. Meetings include trainings on a range of subjects, including how to deliver Master Classes and how to promote Animal Flow. The Training program for 2025 will focus on building community. While recordings of meetings are available, RLs should make every effort to participate in the live, interactive events rather than watching the recordings.
- RLs should be prepared to offer Master Classes or other demonstration events, with a specific goal of getting attendees to register for upcoming Animal Flow workshops. RLs are provided with referral codes that allow us to track how many new students are referred to workshops. For most workshops, RLs earn a commission for making referrals.
- RLs should convene a minimum of four Instructor Jams annually. Particular effort should be made to schedule jams that can welcome new L1 students to the local Flowist community.
- RLs should be active on the FB Instructor Group, offering feedback and encouragement to other members, including in particular new members. RLs should post videos of themselves completing any Homework assignments from their local MI, and encourage new members to participate.
- RLs should assist with the promotion of Animal Flow on social media, including, in some cases, managing regional-based IG (or other social media) accounts
- RLs may be invited to assist Master Instructors at L1 and/or L2 workshops as needed.
- RLs may be asked to represent Animal Flow at local events and conferences (with prior approval).
- RLs may be asked to represent Animal Flow in local media outlets, including digital, print, broadcast, and podcast media (with prior approval).
- RLs may receive referrals to provide one-on-one assistance to L1 students seeking assistance preparing for their test outs.
- RLs may be invited to undergo training on how to conduct Level 1 certification test outs, and can then run Live Group Test Out events.
Benefits
RLs are eligible for the following benefits:
- Use of the Regional Leader title when promoting their own AF services
- Permission to print their own apparel with the Regional Leader title and logo on it (for their personal use). AF HQ will provide the print ready graphics
- Listing with a special RL designation on the Animal Flow website Instructor Directory
- Option to participate in L1 workshops as an assistant
- Commission paid on referrals to L1 workshops (the specific rate depends on whether the workshop is run directly by AF Headquarters or by a partner entity)
- Permission to teach Master Classes, including option to charge fees for the classes and/or earn commission when Master Class attendees enroll in L1
- Permission to offer coaching assistance to L1 students preparing for their test, including option to charge an hourly rate for such services
- Permission to offer Intro to Animal Flow classes (and/or Master Classes) which are targeted to fitness professionals, as long as they are shorter than 2 hours and it is made clear that participation is not for certification. (Note that regular AF Instructors are not permitted to run classes targeting fitness professionals)
- Discounted rate to attend Retreats and/or Mentorships
- Discounted registration for AF Virtual Summit events
- May request approval to run a regional (city, state, or county) social media account on behalf of AF HQ
- Priority early registration to lead IAFD events
- Receive comprehensive training on how to deliver Master Classes and promote Animal Flow
- Invitations to periodic special online events with Mike Fitch
PROHIBITIONS
While RLs are granted a special status with the AF company, they must still abide by general AF guidelines and must not engage in activities that are limited to Master Instructors or that otherwise infringe on the copyright and trademark property of the Animal Flow brand.
Following is a non-comprehensive list of some of the things RLs must still refrain from doing:
- RLs may not teach Animal Flow “workshops” or any classes/events that sound like a “workshop.” This includes translations of the word “workshop” into other languages. We prohibit “workshops” because attendees frequently become confused by the nature of the event and think they are taking an official AF Level 1 workshop.
- RLs may not portray themselves as a Master Instructor in any way, including blatantly using the title, or engaging in more subtle efforts that lead to the false impression that they are a Master Instructor.
- RLs may not offer workshops, seminars or other instructional events or modules that are specifically targeted to other Animal Flow instructors, unless such events are directly coordinated with AF Headquarters.
- RLs may not run Animal Flow Retreats, or use the name “Animal Flow” in a retreat title, without direct coordination with AF Headquarters.
- RLs may not present at, or apply to present at, a conference while representing AF without prior approval from and coordination with AF headquarters.
- RLs may not create their own AF Tutorial library, whether posted for free or made available to subscribers. They may continue to post flows and classes under the general Instructor guidelines.
- RLs may not print or manufacture their own AF merchandise, including but not limited to printing shirts with our logo. Any creation of AF merchandise or apparel must be done through AF Headequarters.
- RLs may not create their own AF products (including new AF programs, books, or full-length videos for sale).
- RLs may not create their own AF website or use the AF name in a website URL.
Application
New applications for the Year 2025 are now open, with a deadline of February 19, 2025.
We will select RLs from the pool of applicants who meet the following criteria. We list required and preferred qualifications, but will make final decisions based upon the overall needs of each area. We will give priority to areas where we do not currently have any RLs and/or where we are trying to expand.
We expect to have many, many more highly qualified applicants than we can accept. This does not mean that you are not a valued member of our community, and we will invite you to apply again in the future.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should have these qualifications at a minimum. Instructors may apply if they are missing one or two items, but we will give preference to those who have all of these minimal qualifications:
- Certification in Level 1 for at least one year;
- Certification in Level 2;
- Current teaching of Animal Flow through one-on-one or group sessions, in some format;
- Maintenance of a strong social media presence is required in one of the following areas: Instagram; Facebook; YouTube; or TikTok;
- Commitment to ensuring Animal Flow remains a welcoming, non-judgemental practice open to all interested individuals regardless of race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, or disability;
- Ability to speak and teach in the local language. (It is not mandatory for Regional Leaders to speak English.)
Preferred Qualifications
These additional criteria are not mandatory, but preference will be given to applicants meeting these standards.
- Have taken the L3 workshop;
- Certification in Level 3;
- Currently active on the FB Instructors Group, including engaging with and providing feedback to other members;
- Demonstrated leadership skills, particularly for engaging others in the Animal Flow practice. For example: hosting Instructor Jams; managing local social media group(s); referring individuals to workshops.
- Attendance at least one official Animal Flow Retreat or Mentorship with Mike Fitch: while not everyone may have been able to attend such an event, high preference will be given to those individuals who have dedicated the time to one of these immersive experiences
