Hi, I’m Patricia Sitler—founder and head coach of Aerofitness, and a passionate advocate for wellness in the aviation world. My journey to Aerofitness began with a deep-rooted background in preventative medicine, a fulfilling career in the U.S. Air Force, and a big life transition into motherhood and military-to-civilian life.

After earning my Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, I served as an Aerospace Physiologist in the Air Force. This role took my education and experience to new heights—literally and figuratively—as I trained pilots on aeromedical concerns, human performance, in-flight physiology, and factors like exercise, nutrition, and fatigue management. I also had the honor of working alongside elite units such as the Air Force Thunderbirds and Weapons School, while supporting performance programs like the Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training (CRAFT) and the Optimizing the Human Weapons System (OHWS), designed to help pilots and aircrew operate at their peak.

Throughout my military service, I also contributed to investigations of aviation mishaps, gaining critical insight into how health, human error, and physical readiness directly impact flight safety. These experiences, though intense and often humbling, shaped my passion for keeping aircrew healthy long before a crisis occurs.

After receiving an early medical retirement, I shifted focus to supporting my husband—first a fighter pilot, now a commercial airline pilot—and our growing family. The transition to civilian aviation life was tough. I saw firsthand the toll the schedule, sleep disruption, and lifestyle changes can take—not just on pilots, but on the families that support them.

That’s where Aerofitness was born.

I realized that the aviation community deserves more than cookie-cutter fitness advice. After witnessing someone suffer poor results from a "pilot fitness expert" who lacked true understanding of the lifestyle and true understanding of exercise, I knew it was time to bring my experience full-circle. I’m not just a personal trainer—I’m a coach with a mission: to educate, train, and empower aviation professionals and their families with real, science-backed solutions that meet their unique needs.

Aerofitness is more than a business. It’s a bridge between performance and wellness, between flight and family, and between education and lasting results. And I wouldn’t be here without the support of my incredible husband, who encouraged me every step of the way.

Whether you're in the cockpit or supporting someone who is, I’m here to help you thrive—not just survive—in the aviation lifestyle.