NESTA Faculty & Advisors

President & CEO
Dr. John Spencer Ellis

Each week, over one million people enjoy a fitness, wellness and personal success programs created by John Spencer Ellis. His programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and fitness centers. John is the CEO/Founder of the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), Spencer Institute for Life Coaching, International Triathlon Coaching Association (ITCA), Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Association (MMACA) and the Get America Fit Foundation (GAF). 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, Medical Wellness Association, Irvine Valley College, Life & Leisure TV 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, The Compass, and a contributor to Power of Champions, The Code and Peak Vitality.

John is the former Fitness Editor for OC Flair magazine and created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp system in the world. He also created (IMPACT) Intense Mixed Performance Accelerated Cross Training.  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 and Daybreak OC.  John has also appeared on Starting Over, Life Moments and Camp Reality. He is the executive producer of  The Compass. He hosts The Fit Show, Core 360 Personal Gym 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 programs used by Cirque du Soleil, the U.S. Secret Service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, and consults the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships). John is featured in the movie Riches. He was nominated for induction to the Fitness Hall of Fame.

John holds two bachelor’s degrees (business & health science), an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He also completed doctoral level studies in naturopathy. He holds 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. John is a member of the American Sleep Association, National Sleep Foundation, and the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in kung-fu, 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. He has specialized training in ropes course facilitation and corporate teambuilding. John was nominated for the California Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Senior Vice President
Scott Gaines, MS

Scott Gaines has over 15 years experience in the fitness industry.  He is the Senior Vice President of the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) as well as an adjunct professor of Functional Biomechanics at A.T. Still University.  Scott oversees the development of NESTA's educational programs for fitness professional and is the author and contributor to many of them.  He is a national speaker on fitness in areas such as biomechanics and cardiovascular program design.  Scott's education includes a Master's Degree in Human Movement with an emphasis in Corrective Exercise from A. T. Still University and a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine.  He is also an experienced martial arts instructor with a 3rddegree black belt in the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do.

Chris Mohr, RD, LD, MS, PhDRegistered 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

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.

Fitness Expert/Award Winning Fitness Professional
Norma Shechtman

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

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

Jack H. Bauerle, MS, ATC, CSCS earned his Bachelor’s degree and his Jack H. Bauerle, MS, ATC, CSCSMaster’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

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

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.