Tom Rutlin is an internationally recognized fitness innovator and authority, and is considered by many to be the "father" of the rapidly growing worldwide Nordic walking movement. He is known for both his pioneering work in fitness walking with specially designed poles and for his concept of "good use" total body exercise. Born in 1947, Tom has maintained his high level of overall fitness by "just walking with poles" regularly since 1985. He founded Exerstrider Products, Inc. in 1988 and has dedicated more than a third of his life to helping people of all ages, abilities and health and fitness goals discover this fun and motivating way to achieve and maintain their total body fitness and the joy of simultaneously putting their entire body to good use on a regular basis.