John Verd, ACSM
John is a Northwest native, a personal trainer by education and works out because he loves to. His experiences have been varied; after high school, John served as a Diver in the US Navy and studied diving medicine at the NDSTC in Panama City, Florida. An avid cyclist, he started a cycling club while stationed in Norfolk, VA. In 1995 he rode his bicycle solo across the United States, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. In 1998 he competed as a bodybuilder in the EAS Physique Transformation Challenge.
"That experience was a real eye-opener for me. I hired a personal trainer to get started, and I couldn't believe the difference it made. I'd worked out for years on my own, but never had anyone get me on a program and really push me. That girl really kicked my butt! In 14 weeks I gained 10 pounds of muscle and lost 7% bodyfat. That experience influenced me several years later when I was looking for a new career..."
John attended Ashmead College in Seattle and graduated with honors, the top of his class. He then went on to earn a certificate from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Although he enjoys adventurous sports like hang gliding, he is also down to earth and knows what it takes to set goals and achieve them. He has completed several triathlons and enjoys helping others achieve that same sense of accomplishment. His philosophy is to train smart and have fun. He has worked with clients of all ages and fitness levels and understands that enjoying a workout is equally important to preventing injuries. He encourages multiple modes of exercise and goal setting as tools for building a healthier life beyond the gym.
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Dr. John Spencer Ellis
Each week, over one million people around the world enjoy a fitness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His fitness programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. John is the President of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association) and the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching. These two professional associations have 45,000 members in 30 countries. John is on the Advisory Boards of the National Health, Wellness and Prevention Congress, Exercise TV, Conference for Healthy Living, Irvine Valley College, Get America Fit Foundation, and is a Fellow of the National Board of Fitness Examiners. He is the author of"How Badly Do You Want It? - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Fitness," and a contributor to "Power of Champions." He created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp program in the world. His signature series of outdoor fitness equipment is used in communities worldwide. John has been featured or quoted in every major fitness publication, and held the post of Fitness Editor for OC Flair magazine. John has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, SPIKE, ESPN & Bravo. He serves as an on-air expert for Life & Leisure Television and Health Journal Television with General Norman Schwarzkopf. He is the producer and host of The OC Body on The Healthy Living Channel. John is a Nautilus sponsored athlete and stars in the workout DVDs Playground Boot Camp™ & Kung-Fu Fitness™. John created the fitness program used by the U.S. Secret Service and he consults the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships).
John has been continuing his professional education since 1987, and holds bachelors degrees in business and health science, an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He is currently completing a second doctorate in naturopathy. He has fifteen certifications including massage therapy, plyometrics, self-defense, fitness kick boxing, fitness boxing, water fitness, exercise rehabilitation, golf conditioning, Pilates, personal training, clinical hypnotherapy, sports hypnosis, PACE circuit training and yoga. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in kung-fu, has completed the Ironman triathlon, and finished 5th at the U.S. National Biathlon Championships. His medical training includes a license in radiological technology, a medical assisting certification, and training in McKenzie rehabilitation. John was nominated for the California Community College Distinguished Alumni Award. |
