About Us

NESTA/Spencer Institute: The Association for Trainers & Coaches

If you are new to NESTA/Spencer Institute, start here.

AN OVERVIEW: NESTA/Spencer Institute, was established in 1992 in Southern California. Today, NESTA is an international association with over 65,000 members from around the world. Our members are from over 60 countries. Our certifications are accepted, recognized and used globally. Many of our graduates are entrepreneurs specializing in a wide range of training and coaching specialties. You are welcome to enroll in your favorite program(s) right now.

NESTA Faculty & Advisors

Director, Senior Vice President, and NESTA ECB Liaison, Scott Gaines, Ph.D.

Scott Gaines has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. He is the Senior Vice President of the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) as well as a professor of Anatomy & Physiology and Biology at Concordia University, Irvine. Scott oversees the development of NESTA’s continuing education programs for fitness professionals 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 Doctor of Philosophy from Curtin University, 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 a 4th-degree black belt and Certified Master Instructor (Sa-Bom) in the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do.

Chris Mohr, RD, LD, MS, PhD

Registered Dietitian/Exercise Physiologist

Christopher R. Mohr is an internationally recognized nutrition expert and is one of the most sought after dietitians in the country. He is the consulting Sports Nutritionist for the Cincinnati Bengals and a nutrition spokesperson and consultant to a number of media outlets and corporations including Gatorade, The Dairy Council, Clif Bar, and Nordic Naturals. Dr. Mohr is the Sports Nutritionist for Under Armour’s Combine 360 Training Council and has worked with all levels of athletes, from young athletes through the pros, soccer moms to high level CEO’s and celebrities.

Through his company Mohr Results, Inc., he and his Team of Exercise Physiologists, Personal Trainers and Dietitians have worked with 1000‘s of individuals to help them reach their physical goals through high performance nutrition and training. Dr. Mohr has been a featured speaker around the world, from Turkey to Iceland, Canada to Indonesia and almost all of the 50 states in between. He often appears on TV as a nutritional guest expert, including an appearance with Chef Emeril Lagasse and another on the Montel Williams Show.

Dr. Mohr worked alongside celebrity LL Cool J as the nutrition expert for the NY Times Bestselling book, LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout, wrote the nutrition program for celebrity Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness and worked side by side with Fitness Celebrity Denise Austin to create the entire nutrition component of her bestselling book Denise’s Daily Dozen: The Easy, Every Day Program to Lose Up to 12 Pounds in 2 Weeks.

He is on the Advisory Board for Men’s Fitness Magazine and Livestrong.com, the largest health site on the web. He has written over 500 articles for consumer publications, such as Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Prevention, Fitness, Weight Watchers, and Fitness, to name a few.

On a professional level, Dr. Mohr has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University and University of Massachusetts, respectively. He earned his PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics.

Outside of professional education and experience, Dr. Mohr understands high performance nutrition on a personal level. From an overweight kid who was trying to simply “make weight” to play football … to an Ironman Finisher, he understands firsthand how to apply performance nutrition principles to reach ones goals. Dr. Mohr understands what it takes to eat to win and more importantly, how to translate the complex field of nutrition and dietary supplements into results.

Mark Teahan
Wellness Consultant

Mark Teahan brings 20 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry. He began his journey into this evolving field after finishing curriculum at The University of Utah in Salt Lake City in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science and immediately launched a successful career in the fitness industry upon relocating back to his roots in the Southern California area.

Mark has been fulfilling the role of wellness coach in the mid-Atlantic region as well as in California. His client list is impressive, including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Baltimore Aircoil Company, Roadway Freight, Conway Freight, xPedx Paper and The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers in Washington, DC. Mark was fortunate to gain access into the Wellness industry during its infancy and has contributed to the process of refining the corporate wellness genre overall. Mark has applied his skills and expertise to help many workers who came to value their own health through highly refined coaching techniques that inspire change while delivering results.

Mark is the President of NESTA's sister company, the Spencer Institute. He believes in the value of life quality by keeping people moving and healthy, regardless of circumstance or situation.

Norma Shechtman

Group Exercise Coordinator

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.

Janet Olsen, ATC

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 has been a faculty member in 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 has mentored hundreds of student interns that have successfully pursued careers in athletic training, physical therapy and the fitness industry.

Jason Karp, MBA, Ph.D.

Running Coach Certification Author

It started with a race around the track in sixth grade in Marlboro, New Jersey. Little did Jason know how much it would define his career and life. A Brooklyn, New York native (you can take the boy out of Brooklyn, but you can’t take Brooklyn out of the boy), he grew up playing baseball and soccer and running track. It was intoxicating. The passion that Jason found as a kid for the science of athletic performance (one of his earliest questions was how baseball pitchers throw curveballs) placed him on a yellow brick road that he still follows as a coach, exercise physiologist, author, speaker, and creator of the REVO₂LUTION RUNNING™ certification program for coaches and fitness professionals around the world.

Dr. Karp has given hundreds of international lectures and has been a featured speaker at the world’s top fitness conferences and coaching clinics, including Asia Fitness Convention, Indonesia Fitness & Health Expo, FILEX Fitness Convention (Australia), U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Convention, American College of Sports Medicine Conference, IDEA World Fitness Convention, SCW Fitness MANIA, National Strength & Conditioning Association Conference, and CanFitPro, among others. He has been an instructor for USA Track & Field’s level 3 coaching certification and for coaching camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

At age 24, Dr. Karp became one of the youngest college head coaches in the country, leading the Georgian Court University women’s cross country team to the regional championship and winning honors as NAIA Northeast Region Coach of the Year. As a high school track and field and cross country coach, he has produced state qualifiers and All-Americans. He is also the founder and coach of the elite developmental team, REVO₂LUTION RUNNING ELITE.

A prolific writer, Jason is the author of 10 books: The Inner Runner, Running a Marathon For Dummies, Run Your Fat Off, Lose it Forever, Sexercise, 14-Minute Metabolic Workouts, Running for Women, 101 Winning Racing Strategies for Runners, 101 Developmental Concepts & Workouts for Cross Country Runners, and How to Survive Your PhD. He is also editor of the sixth edition of Track & Field Omnibook. He has more than 400 articles published in numerous international coaching, running, and fitness trade and consumer magazines, including Track Coach, Techniques for Track & Field and Cross Country, New Studies in Athletics, Runner’s World, Running Times, Women’s Running, Marathon & Beyond, IDEA Fitness Journal, Oxygen, PTontheNet.com, and Shape, among others. He also served as senior editor for Active Network and is the founder of and principal agent at JK Literary Agency.

Dr. Karp is a USA Track & Field certified coach, has been sponsored by PowerBar and Brooks, and was a member of the silver-medal winning United States masters team at the 2013 World Maccabiah Games in Israel.

For his work and contributions to his industry, Jason was awarded the 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year (the fitness industry’s highest award), is a two-time recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition Community Leadership Award (2014, 2019), and was a 2019 finalist for Personal Fitness Professional Trainer of the Year and 2020 finalist for Association of Fitness Studios Influencer of the Year.

Dr. Karp received his PhD in exercise physiology with a physiology minor from Indiana University in 2007, his master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 1997, and his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science with an English minor from Penn State University in 1995. He is currently pursuing his MBA at San Diego State University. His research has been published in various scientific journals, and he serves as a journal expert peer reviewer.

Jack H. Bauerle

Sports Medicine/ Certified Athletic Trainer

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.

Phil Black

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.

Kelley Peviani

Yoga Instructor

Kelley Peviani, BA, MA is our Sport 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.

Below is our triathlon specific faculty:

Dr. Rick Kattouf II

Best-Selling Author, Dr. Rick Kattouf II, has personally coached thousands of individuals around the world, assisting them in enhancing their lives and achieving their goals through proper fitness and nutrition. Rick is one of the most sought after fitness, sport-specific and nutrition coaches in the world. Dr. Rick Kattouf II has been named as one of America’s PremierExperts® and has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates as well as in the USA Today, The Independent (United Kingdom), Chicago Tribune, Livestrong.com, Florida Cycling Magazine, Go Magazine, Chicago Athlete and New O.D. Rick is well known for assisting individuals in making mind-body changes and enabling them to completely change their body composition. Dr. Rick has also helped produce multiple national champion and world champion athletes, both amateur and professional.

Rick is the CEO/Founder of TeamKattouf, Inc. and TeamKattouf Nutrition, LLC. Dr. Kattouf is the co-author of the Best selling book, The Secret To Winning Big, author of Forever Fit, the host of 3-DVD set Rx Nutrition, the author of 9Round Nutrition, the creator of TeamKattouf Nutrition Supplements and the creator of 5-Round Fury Fitness™ workout app. In 2005, Rick was a panelist on the Inside Triathlon Magazine-Science of Speed seminar. He is an accomplished athlete himself having won 3 Duathlon Age Group National Championships. It is Rick’s passion for fitness and nutrition that continues to drive him and his desire to assist as many individuals as possible around the world to become the champion they want to be.

If you are looking to get the biggest return possible on your investment of time with nutrition, fitness or sport specific training, let Dr. Rick Kattouf II assist you in bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be. To learn more about Rick and how your goals and dreams can become a reality, visit www.teamkattouf.com. Dr. Rick can be reached at rick@rickkattouf.com or call toll-free 1-866-966-1422.

Gail Kattouf

is former Division I collegiate distance runner who earned 25 All Conference Honors while racing for Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. While earning her Masters Degree, she served as an Assistant Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach. After completing her masters, Gail went to work for a hospital-based wellness program as an Exercise Physiologist. It was here that she began working with a variety of populations. Developing and implementing programs on a class and an individual level; teaching and overseeing seeing the day-to-day training of her clients is where she fostered her passion for wellness.

In 2005, she met Rick Kattouf and he rekindle her desire to compete, but this time as a multi-sport athlete. She has since dominated in both triathlon and duathlon. In 2011, she handedly won the USAT Duathlon National Championships and went on to dominate the ITU Duathlon World Championships. Again in 2012, she won the National Duathlon Title and was ITU Duathlon World 2nd Overall Female in Nancy, France.

Gail also excels as a triathlete where she has dominated races from 1/2 Iron Distance (4:31), Olympic (2:05) to Sprint Triathlons. She has also won the South Carolina State Time Trial multiple times clocking 25mph over the 40K distance.

Gail is now a Multi-Sport Coach with TeamKattouf, Inc. She is a proud member of TeamUSA. She is ITCA certified.

Bachelors Health & Exercise Science

Masters Health and Exercise Science

Bachelors in Nursing

International Triathlon Coach Association Certified

USA Cyling Level III Certified Coach

Member USA Triathlon

2 x ITU Duathlon World Champion Runner Up

2 X Garmin Duathlete of the Year Runner Up

USAT All American Triathlete Honors 2008 & 2009

USAT Duathlon Short & Long Course National Champion

ITU Overall Duathlon World Champion

ITU Runner-Up Duathlon World Champion

(864) 238-5251

Julie Swail (Ertel) –

Olympic Silver Medalist

2 Time Olympian

USAT National Team Member

2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion

2007 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist

2007 USAT Elite National Champion

2007 Haul to the Great Wall Series Champion

2005 Haul to the Great Wall Series Champion

2003 Pan Am Games Team Member

Jonathan Pauly

Jonathan heads Renegade Racing, the event management division of Make-U-Fit Productions emphasizes fun, safe and interesting running, triathlon and adventure sports events. The Make-U-Fit Clinics provides participants the educational tools necessary to train for events and a healthy lifestyle. Whether participants are new to competitive sports or experienced, Make-U-Fit Productions produces clinics that provides vital information to their success. Make-U-Fit Productions, (MUFP) partners with companies who provide the finest services and products that are essential for our participant’s fitness goals. Make-U-Fit Productions is here to service the needs of our participants.

Education: University of San Francisco, MA Sports & Fitness Management California State University, Long Beach, BA Kinesiology

Dolly Ginter

Holds B.A. in psychology & business from the University of Maryland (UMBC) and an M.S. in physical therapy Chapman University.

Sporting History: Captain UMBC Women’s Lacrosse team, Soccer, Softball, Field Hockey 1987: Present: Triathlon, Duathlon, Running, CAT 2 Cyclist

Multisport:

1995-present: 99% Top 10 finishes Triathlon/Duathlon/Running

2003 Pro Team USA Duathlon Short Course World Champ’s team bronze medalist

2001 Pro Team USA Duathlon Short Course World Champ’s

2000 Pro Team USA Duathlon Short Course World Champ’s

1997 Amateur Duathlon World Champion

1993/94/96 Amateur Triathlon World Champ’s: silver/gold/bronze medalist

2003 Santa Barbara Long Course Tri 1st Pro

Dairyland ½ Ironman 4th Pro

Wildflower ½ Ironman 11th Pro

California ½ Ironman 7th Pro

Pro Duathlon World Championships 1st American

15th Overall

2002 California ½ Ironman 3rd Pro

2001 Sado Island Japan Astroman 2nd Pro

(Japanese National Champ’s)

Wildflower ½ Ironman 5th Pro

2000 Nice Long Course World Champ’s 15th Pro/1st American

Running Resume:

(Numerous wins at 5K, 10K, and ½ marathon distances, sub 3 hr. in 1st marathon)

2004 Pacific Shoreline ½ Marathon Huntington Beach, CA 1st Overall

2003 Carlsbad 5K Carlsbad, CA 2nd Elite Masters

2003 Dana Point Turkey Trot Dana Point, CA 1st Overall

Dannon Desert Triathlon Cathedral City, CA 4th Pro

Long Beach ½ Marathon Long Beach, CA 5th Elite Open

Race for the Cure Newport Beach, CA 2nd Elite Masters

Distance Derby 10 miler Huntington Beach, CA 1st Overall

Paul V. Carter

Has over 30 years of coaching experience in swimming and coached many multi-sport athletes over those years. Carter is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with a degree in Physical Education. Among his swimming accomplishments are All American Honors at the University of Tennessee and member of their 1978 NCAA National Championship Team. In his swimming career Paul has worked and trained with 6 Olympic Coaches. Still competing at the age of 48, he has broken more then 20 World and National Masters records in the past 4 years. He came within on second of qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Trials in the 100 Meter Butterfly at the age of 47. He is currently working with Novaquatics Masters Program in Irvine California where he specializes in preparing swimmers and triathletes for national and international competitions.

Ian Pyott

is a pro triathlete who earned his bachelors degree at Chapman University in Orange, CA. He is a certified personal trainer and triathlon coach.

Pro Career Results:

USA

2nd Carlsbad Triathlon 2005

3rd Int. Tri San Diego 2005

14th Escape from Alcatraz 2005

Winner Newport Beach Triathlon 2005 (course record 56:32)

Winner Int. Desert Tri Palm Springs 2005

Winner Catalina Triathlon 2004

10th LA Triathlon Pro Race 2004

Winner Wild Flower Olympic Triathlon 2004 (age 20-24)

4th Pacific Coast Triathlon 2004

2nd New Port Beach Triathlon 2004

Winner Catalina Triathlon 2003

Europe

Winner Swiss National Champion Duathlon 2000

Winner Swiss National Series Duathlon 2000

Third Swiss National Series 2000

20th. World Championships Duathlon

Winner Swiss National Champion Triathlon 2001

Winner Swiss National Series Triathlon 2001

Winner Swiss National Series Duathlon 2001

Winner European Triathlon Series 2002

Vice European Team Triathlon Champion 2002

6th Swiss Pro Series Triathlon 2003

6 year Swiss National Team member

4 times European Championship member

3 times World Championship Team member

Best Season:

2001 with 18 out of 20 winning races on international level.