Houlihan Lokey Advises International Sports Sciences Association

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), a portfolio company of Tailwind Capital, has acquired Empowered Education. The transaction closed on October 10, 2023.

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), the No. 1 certifier of personal trainers, has achieved a significant milestone with the acquisition of Empowered Education, an industry leader in functional nutrition, health coaching, and life coaching. This strategic addition to ISSA furthers its commitment to inspiring 100 million individuals toward the power of healthy living by 2030.

Empowered Education is the parent company of the Health Coaching Institute and Functional Nutrition Alliance. With a legacy spanning over a decade, Empowered Education has been a trailblazer in the realms of functional nutrition, health, and life coaching.

“Empowered Education, a demonstrated leader in the health coach, life coach, and functional nutrition industry through the Health Coach Institute and the Functional Nutrition Alliance, has changed people’s lives through practical client coaching in healthier living,” said Andrew Wyant, CEO and President of ISSA. “By combining our success in fitness with nutrition and behavior change, we will transform ISSA into a holistic health and wellness company, inspiring millions more to live healthier, happier lives.”

Building upon last year’s acquisition of the Functional Aging Institute and recent program launches at ISSA of its own health coaching course and premier Yoga Alliance®-approved 200-hour yoga certification course, ISSA remains strategically focused on expanding its reach to businesses, professionals, and individuals across the fitness, wellness, and health continuum.

The addition of a health coaching, life coaching, and functional nutrition curriculum to ISSA’s strong library of courses, combined with the deep domain expertise of the authors and brand reputation of the Health Coach Institute and Functional Nutrition Alliance, position ISSA as the most comprehensive source of fitness and wellness training in the industry.

“With ISSA’s robust platform and our collective expertise, I trust that we will supercharge Functional Nutrition Alliance's offerings, bring new and exciting learning experiences to our students, and community, and most importantly, make a larger positive impact in the world,” shared Andrea Nakayama, Founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance.

“This is not just a business transaction—it is a fusion of visions and missions,” added Carey Peters, Co-Founder of the Health Coach Institute. “ISSA is a renowned leader with an impressive track record in online learning and professional certification.”

Reiterating the sentiment, Stacey Morgenstern, Co-Founder of the Health Coach Institute, shared, “Under ISSA’s leadership, both the Health Coach Institute and Functional Nutrition are poised to impact even more lives. What particularly stands out is ISSA's collaborative ethos—forging ties with more than 10,000 gyms and universities to ensure job placement for qualifying graduates. This is a game-changer, and we are thrilled for the impact this partnership will have on helping millions of people live healthier, happier lives.”

Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor to ISSA. This transaction highlights the team’s expertise and continued success in the professional learning sector, marking the team’s 13th transaction since the beginning of 2021.