What makes a good leader? What makes an effective mentor? What quality does a brilliant teacher or coach possess? Maybe it’s one who has lived a variety of experiences or overcome tremendous setbacks and challenges. Or perhaps it’s one who has traveled the path you’re wishing to travel. Or maybe it’s one who can see clearly where you’ve been and where you want to go. It could be someone who provides honest feedback and constructive criticism, all with an encouraging tone.

Whatever qualities you value most in a coach, you’ll find them in these Twitter leaders. Their words will inspire you, challenge you, encourage you and motivate you to try harder, dream bigger and believe in YOU. They are leaders, mentors and coaches inspiring healthy living.

Heath Your Way Online is proud to present our 2012 Twitter Must Follow List. On behalf of all fitness enthusiasts, THANK YOU for your words of wisdom and encouragement.

Heather Frey @SmashFit

Joy Bauer @joybauer

Bob Choat @BobChoat

Lori Shemek PhD, CNC @LoriShemek

Tera Busker @FitnessToGo

Susan Irby @thebikinichef

Hope Epton, ACSM HFS @SportyMomme

Maggie Ayre @MaggieAyre

Coach Kristie @KristieCranford

Keri Gans @kerigans

Nicole Burley @YourCoachNicole

MotivateHopeStrength @MotivateHope

Bethenny Frankel @Bethenny

Tanja Djelevic @LoudFitness

Team Runner For Life@TeamRunner4Life

Jerry Armstrong @endurancejer

Sarah Stanley @sarahstanley

Dr. Jennifer Ashton @DrJAshton

Alysa Bajenaru, RD @InspiredRD

Suzi Smart @BigPictureYYC

Amy C. Christensen @expandoutdoors

Jeannie @JeannieMGilbert

Jody Goldenfield @truth2beingfit

Kathy Smart @Smart_Kitchen

Rachael Roehmholdt @bemorehealthful

Mollie Millington @PtMollie

Royale Scuderi @RoyaleScuderi

Gen Levrant @PTGen

Sarah Bowen Shea @SBSOnTheRun

Gina & Steve @TheMostEpicTrip

MOMeo Magazine.com @MOMeo

Zachary Fiorido @ZacharyFiorido

Heather Mangieri @NutritionCheck

Charlene Ragsdale @CRagsdale

Deborah Lowther @KidsGummyMum

#runchat @therunchat

Harold L. Shaw @VetRunnah

Bart Yasso @BartYasso

Melanie Greenberg @DrMelanieG

Julie @PTrunningMomof4

Stress Free Kids @StressFreeKids

P Mark Taylor @Wise_Running

Working Mother @_workingmother_

Jessica Matthew @FitExpertJess

URHealth-URChoice @URHealthURChoic

Tanya Memme @Tanya_Memme