National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association NESTA Personal Trainer and Yoga Certifications; Professional Fitness Organization

NESTA Faculty & Advisors

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President & CEO
Dr. John Spencer Ellis

Each week, over one million people enjoy a fitness and wellness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His fitness programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. He is the CEO of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association), the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching, and the Get America Fit Foundation. He is the VP of Business Development for MyNutritionStore.com, and on the Advisory Boards of the National Health, Wellness and Prevention Congress, Exercise TV, Sleep Number Bed, the Medical Wellness Association, Irvine Valley College, Life & Leisure Television and Health Journal Television. He is a Fellow of the National Board of Fitness Examiners, the author of "How Badly Do You Want It? - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Fitness," and a contributor to "Power of Champions" and “Peak Vitality”. He held the post of Fitness Editor for OC Flair magazine, and created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp program in the world. His TriActive America signature series of outdoor exercise equipment is used worldwide. John has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Reality, SPIKE and ESPN. He is the fitness and lifestyle expert on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County. He hosts The Fit Show, Core 360 Personal Trainer infomercial, PersonalTrainerTV.com, The OC Body, The Spencer Power Hour radio show, and the Ms. Fitness U.S.A and World pageants. He stars in the workout DVDs Playground Boot Camp & Kung-Fu Fitness, created fitness programs used by Cirque du Soleil the U.S. Secret Service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard. He consults the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships). John was nominated for induction to the Fitness Hall of Fame.

John holds two bachelors degrees (business and health science), an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He also completed doctoral level studies in naturopathy. He has fifteen certifications including massage therapy, plyometrics, self-defense, fitness kick boxing, fitness boxing, nutrition coaching, 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.

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Scott Gaines, B.S. has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. He has been in the fitness industry since 1994 as a personal trainer, fitness manager and martial arts instructor. Holds multiple personal training certifications and has been teaching biomechanics for the past 4 years. V.P. Program Development
Scott Gaines, BS has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from University of California, Irvine and is currently completing his Master's Degree in Human Movement from A.T. Still University. He has been in the fitness industry since 1994 as a personal trainer, fitness manager and martial arts instructor. Scott has worked for several companies prior to NESTA, including 24 Hour Fitness and the prestigious Sports Club Company. He is a national speaker on Biomechanics for the fitness industry and is the developer of the NESTA Biomechanics Specialist as well as the designer of 3DBioMech visuals used in the course. As V.P. of Program Development for NESTA, Scott's primary concern is developing new and innovated ways to create quality programs, founded in science with practical applications that benefit fitness professionals and their clients.

Director of Education
Mark Baines, BBA, MS, CSCS, PES, CPT received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA) in Business Management in 1993 from Gonzaga University. He also obtained secondary teaching certification in social studies at Gonzaga and secondary teaching certification in English from the University of Washington. He recently received his Master of Science Degree (MS) in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from the California University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) in the Executive MBA Program at California State University, Fullerton. He currently holds certifications as a Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA and holds training and specialist certifications from the NASM (PES), NESTA (CPT), ISSA (CFT), and NCCPT (CPT). He worked as a junior high teacher, high school basketball coach, cross country and track coach for more than five years before working as a personal trainer and strength coach for the last six years. He taught social studies, English, math and computer applications for four years in Seattle, WA before moving to southern California to train for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Mark ran at the collegiate level at Gonzaga University, but his times fell short of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. He still trains today in the 400 and 800m dash. He now instructs the Orange County Adventure Boot Camp in Irvine, CA and continues to work independently with young athletes and teams as a strength, speed and performance coach. He currently instructs NESTA workshops for personal fitness trainers in the United States and Asia, and presents annually at industry trade shows and conferences across the U.S.

Registered Dietitian/Exercise Physiologist
Christopher R. Mohr, PhD, RD holds a bachelors degree in Nutrition, from Penn State University, and a master’s degree in Nutrition Science from the University of Massachusetts. He is also a Registered Dietitian. Chris was a sports nutritionist and worked with most of the 23 Division I teams at the University of Massachusetts. This experience allowed him to counsel hundreds of varsity athletes and work with team coaches to enhance the performance of the players.

Chris provides consultations for individuals seeking improved athletic performance and wellness, through his company Mohr Results (www.MohrResults.com). He is also an industry consultant for a variety of media outlets and dietary supplement companies. Chris has written or contributed to three textbooks that are to be published in 2006 and has also written nearly 500 articles for consumer publications, such as Men’s Fitness, Men’s Health, Men’s Health Muscle, and Muscle and Fitness, to name a few. He is an advisory board member for Men’s Fitness and the nutrition editor for OC Flair Magazine.

Director of Senior Fitness
Tammy Petersen, MSE has had an interest in improving the quality of life for older adults for more than 15 years. She has written two textbooks on older adult fitness and designed corresponding training programs. Tammy’s educational background includes Bachelor of Science degrees in both marketing and economics from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. She holds a Master of Science in Education in the area of health and fitness, with an emphasis in geriatrics, from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Her professional associations include serving as an adjunct faculty member of the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association and an advisory board member for the American Association of Personal Trainers. She also volunteers her expertise as National Liaison for the National Board of Fitness Examiners in the area of insurance reimbursement.

Norma Shechtman, BS, MS, MA has talents and expertise that are well documented, ultimately leading to the ACE (American Council on Exercise) Fitness Professional of the Year Award on March 1, 2003. Previously, in 2002, Norma was nominated as one of the top three fitness professionals in the world from ACE. Fitness Expert/Award Winning Fitness Professional
Norma Shechtman, BS, MS, MA has talents and expertise that are well documented, ultimately leading to the ACE (American Council on Exercise) Fitness Professional of the Year Award on March 1, 2003. Previously, in 2002, Norma was nominated as one of the top three fitness professionals in the world from ACE. She holds a bachelors and masters degree in education and a masters degree in kinesiology. Norma holds certifications in Pilates, personal training, group fitness, kickboxing, indoor cycling, water fitness and many others. In addition, Norma travels the world presenting the latest training information to fitness professionals.

Certified Athletic Trainer
Janet Olsen, ATC holds a BS in Athletic Training from CSU Sacramento and teaching credentials in Physical Education and Biology. Her 12 years experience in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic, led to her current position as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer at Irvine Valley College where she is a faculty member for the Sports Medicine and Fitness Certificate programs since 1990. Janet was drawn to sports medicine during her 10 years as a competitive club and collegiate gymnast. She served as Staff Athletic Trainer at the 2003 World Gymnastics Championships and 2004 U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials. She is an examiner for the National Athletic Trainers Association’s certification exam.

Sports Medicine/ Certified Athletic Trainer
Jack H. Bauerle, MS, ATC, CSCS earned his Bachelor’s degree and his Master’s degree in sports medicine with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Chapman University. He served as the Head Athletic Trainer and Head Strength Coach to Chapman University from 1989-1993 as a division II NCAA sanctioned school. In 1994 Chapman moved to Division III and implemented Football. His responsibilities included Head Athletic Trainer to the football program and Adjunct Professor to [then] the Movement and Exercise Science Department. In 1998, Jack accepted a full time faculty appointment where he relinquished his Athletic ties to pursue academia in the department of Kinesiology. He was later appointed the Program Director of the Athletic Training Curriculum with the significant responsibility of pursuing NATA Accreditation with CAAHEP (Commission of Accreditation on Allied Health Educational Programs). He spearheaded and secured the Candidacy Status of the National Accreditation during January 2000.

Jack has also held appointments in the fitness industry as a fitness technician and current consultant in the local Orange County area. He partakes in regional and national speaking engagements in the sports medicine arena. Jack still manages his ties to Chapman University as an adjunct professor to the Athletic Training and Physical Education Department.

Water Fitness Specialist/Business Advisor
Phil Black, BA, MBA has been in the fitness industry for over twelve years. While he has extensive experience as a collegiate athlete, certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, inventor, and fitness entrepreneur, his passion and expertise lies in unconventional water-based training. Phil was a Navy SEAL officer for nearly six years, spending the last two years as a Navy SEAL Instructor in Coronado, CA. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Phil lives and works in San Diego with his wife and twin sons. Phil co-developed the soon-to-be-released Aqualogix Water Fitness Certification & Business Program.

Yoga Instructor
Kelley Peviani, BA, MA is our Sport Yoga™, Sport Yoga Kid's™ and Strength Yoga™ instructor. She has been practicing yoga for nine years and teaching for three. Kelley has been a certified yoga instructor since 2001. She has taught yoga to all ages, children and adults, in health clubs, spas, resorts, assisted living facilities, community centers, schools, and even a modeling agency in Southern California. Kelley is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise about yoga with others. Her compassionate approach to teaching enables her to instruct and communicate effectively with all ages and types of people. Over the years, she has studied with many talented instructors including Rodney Yee and Shiva Rey. In the past, she has also taught Ballet, jazz, and lyrical dance, creative movement, art, and acting. Kelley is currently continuing her yoga studies at the University of California at Irvine. She also holds a masters degree in education.

NLP/Sports Hypnosis/Clinical Hypnotherapy Instructor
Christopher Wayne Morrison, DCH is a professional Hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner and Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Since 1989, “Topher,” as he is known to his friends and colleagues, has trained tens of thousands of people worldwide including Olympic athletes, and is acclaimed as a dynamic presenter on a wide array of topics ranging from personal growth to sales training. Dr. Morrison is internationally recognized for his columns on personal development, keynotes, and leadership training. Creative and prolific, Topher is the creator of the MusicTrance series – music specifically created for the profession of hypnotherapy.

Topher maintains a rigorous schedule traveling throughout North America, Australia, and the UK teaching people the importance of hypnosis and the role it plays in overall mind/body health. His unique style is at once informative and entertaining, demonstrating Topher’s instinctive ability to convey the most sophisticated topics to his audience in an easy to understand manner.

Between speaking engagements, Topher resides in Tampa, Florida where he talks with students about their hypnotherapy practices. He also volunteers his time to the non-profit agency ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) by conducting seminars at schools and organizations, sharing with them the importance of preserving our earth’s natural resources. Topher developed our Sports Hypnosis course.

Al Sargent is an advisor to NESTA and teaches classes at Spencer Escape with his wife Marilyn. Al is an author, researcher and international trainer. Prior to entering the field of intellectual research and personal growth, he was a golf professional and later gained corporate experience working for U.S. West Corporation. NLP/Communications Instructor
Al Sargent is an advisor to NESTA and teaches classes at Spencer Escape with his wife Marilyn. Al is an author, researcher and international trainer. Prior to entering the field of intellectual research and personal growth, he was a golf professional and later gained corporate experience working for U.S. West Corporation.

Based on his research in the field of neuro-emotional science, his book The Other Mind's Eye: The Gateway to the Hidden Treasures of Your Mind, documents the basic cognitive functions of our brain as they relate to our ability to be proactive in all aspects of our lives. In The Other Mind's Eye, Al explains how to access the information in both hemispheres of our brain, on purpose. This technology, known as Hemispheric Thinking™, has developed techniques at the leading edge of resolving internal conflicts and goal setting.

Along with his extensive teaching experience, Al's love for bringing more enjoyment and success into a person's life through increasing their skills has carried over into his advanced format of training. Approachable and credible, Al's knowledge and humor create presentations designed to generate a safe atmosphere for learning. His passion is to teach groups and individuals how to be proactive in getting what they want in both their personal and professional lives.

Al is also a certified Master Practitioner and Trainer in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and a member of the Institute for the Advanced Studies of Health.

Marilyn Sargent has a passion for teaching and is currently conducting NLP and Hemispheric Thinking training internationally. A Certified Master NLP Practitioner and Trainer and a member of the Institute for the Advanced Studies of Health, Marilyn has a degree in Psychology from Antioch University and maintains a full time consulting and coaching practice for individuals, organizations and corporate clients.

NLP/Communications Instructor
Marilyn Sargent has a passion for teaching and is currently conducting NLP and Hemispheric Thinking training internationally. A Certified Master NLP Practitioner and Trainer and a member of the Institute for the Advanced Studies of Health, Marilyn has a degree in Psychology from Antioch University and maintains a full time consulting and coaching practice for individuals, organizations and corporate clients.

Marilyn's specialties include stress management, conflict resolution, decision making and learning strategies. Her business clients often request her expertise in teaching negotiating skills as well as how to improve presentations and create productive company meetings. An expert in educational development, Marilyn has also helped improve the learning skills of those diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), while assisting them in overcoming the social and emotional difficulties associated with these disorders.

By understanding the deep structure of an issue, then breaking it down into manageable size components, Marilyn is able to facilitate learning while participants are having fun and experiencing success. Her teaching style is clear and precise and she has a gentle compassion for others. Marilyn's mission is to support others in being the best they can be, through providing excellence in teaching, mentoring, and coaching to make a positive difference in the world!

Medical Advisor
Michael Alan Weiss, D.O., F.A.A.P. is a pediatrician practicing in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. He is Diplomat of the National Board of Osteopathic Examiners and the American Board of Pediatrics, as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Weiss consults NESTA on our growing curriculum regarding children's health, fitness and weight management.

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