Bob Fanelli, MSc, FAFS
Meet Bob
Hi — I'm Bob Fanelli, MSc, FAFS.
Exercise Physiologist. Kinesiologist. Fellow of Applied Functional Science. And for nearly a decade, teaching faculty at the Gray Institute, where I trained over 800 movement professionals in the science of Applied Functional Science®.
But credentials only tell part of the story.
What drives me is a simple belief: your body is complete. Pain, dysfunction, and limitation aren't permanent — they're information. And with the right assessment, the right plan, and the right guidance, they're fixable.
I've spent decades helping people move better, hurt less, and reclaim the activities they love. That's not just my work. It's my calling.
Why I Do This
I didn't come to movement science by accident. I came to it because I believe the body has an extraordinary capacity to heal — and most people never discover it because nobody ever showed them why they hurt or how their body actually works.
My mission is to change that. One assessment, one plan, one person at a time.
My Family
A Little More About Me
Family is everything to me. I'm the proud father of an incredible son who brings me endless joy — he holds half my heart. The other half belongs to my wife, my partner for over 33 years. Her support makes everything in my world make sense.
We've called New Rochelle, NY, home our entire lives. Body By Design was born here, and serving this community isn't just my job — it's my privilege.
My Passions
What Inspires Me
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Family Time
Nothing brings me more joy than spending time with my loving family. I feel truly blessed to share my life with them. -
Sports Fan
I’m a lifelong supporter of the New York Yankees and the NY Giants, and I enjoy following all kinds of sports. -
Curiosity About the Universe
Quantum physics and the mysteries of the cosmos fascinate me, as do the presence of angels and the unseen forces that shape our world. -
The Wonder of People
I find people endlessly interesting—what drives us, what we believe, who and what we love. There’s always so much more beneath the surface. -
Applied Functional Science® — My Life's Work-->AFS isn't just what I practice — it's how I see the world. The science of purposeful movement blends the physical, biological, and behavioral sciences. The knowledge, community, and spirit of giving within AFS have genuinely transformed my life and my practice.
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Avid Reader
I’m always reading multiple books. Some current favorites include:
A Course In Miracles by Alan Cohen
There Is A Spiritual Solution To Every Problem by Wayne Dyer
Living Buddha, Living Christ and Silence by Thich Nhat Hanh
The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth
Vaster Than Sky, Greater Than Space by Mooji
You Are the Universe by Deepak Chopra and Menas Kafatos -
Morning Mindfulness
My mornings start quietly, focusing on gratitude. By 8:30, I gently wake my wife and share some peaceful time together. -
Unlearning & Heart Wisdom
I believe in the power of unlearning—to let go of old patterns and open up to new possibilities. My ongoing quest: to understand the heart, because changing hearts is how we change the world. -
Credentials & Specialties
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MSc — Exercise Physiology & Kinesiology
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FAFS — Fellow of Applied Functional Science (Gray Institute)
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Teaching Faculty, Gray Institute Applied Functional Science Program (nearly a decade)
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800+ movement professionals trained
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Founder, Body By Design, Inc. — New Rochelle, NY
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Specialties: Injury Rehabilitation & Applied Biomechanics | Kinesiological Assessment & Movement Analysis | Chain Reaction® Training & 3DMAPS® Evaluation | Pain Relief & Functional Restoration | Performance Optimization
