Mary May

Right before my highest weight. Age 20.

Randy Shoemaker

Working out with my friends at the Simi Valley Public Library.

Most people hire Personal Trainers because they need help getting in shape.  Sometimes this requirement is because of a medical problem, an upcoming wedding or the desire to just FEEL BETTER!

Over the last 20 years I have participated in giving and receiving training.

I did it to lose weight and got in shape.  I was 190 lbs and OUT OF SHAPE in the obese category according to all of the tests I was given.  I cant even remember all of the official names to the diets I tried in order to lose weight.

I tried every diet:  Jenny Craig, Atkins, juice diets, fruit diets, no-fat diets, low-fat dietsI had success on my rollercoaster ride.  Up and down my weight went along with my happiness. I ruined my metabolism and "balance" my body needed.

It all started when I was a teenager anyway, all of my friends seemed to be able to "get" anorexia or bulimia.  I secretly hoped I would too!  I figured if it was a disease I could catch it.  Well, I didnt (thankfully I now realize).

It all changed when I met a VERY inspirational running coach, Gudren Armanski.  She was seriously interested in my well being and wanted to help me.  She trained Olympic Champions and knew what she was talking about.

She taught me about running and eating properly.  She helped me do things I figured I would never really be able to do physically.  We ran tons of trails in Griffith Park a bunch of us sort of made a boot camp out of it.   As a result I changed my lifestyle, lost weight and got in shape for good, finally!

But it wasnt until I got myself the TRUE KNOWLEDGE about the physiology and kinesiology of exercise as well as proper nutrition  to BE PHYSICALLY FIT. 

I enrolled at Moorpark College to learn even more about the SCIENCE of nutrition minus all of the hype and false or misleading marketing information.

I got myself trained and qualified to help other people. Now my life revolves around helping other people GET IN SHAPE and lead healthier lifestyles.

It only happened because the trainer that was helping me TRULY cared about my life improving.  She called me to check on me regularly, she held me accountable for my bad food choices, she pushed me hard to get every ounce of energy used up in our sessions.   And she DIDNT charge me extra for it either, it was sincerely part of her.

THAT is what you should have if you are paying a trainer to help you get in shape.

Look paste their personal physique, their style or flare.  Do they truly care and get results and are people flocking to them for help just from the word of mouth.

Gurdren now has a horse ranch, you can rent from her at Griffith Park if you visit.  She still trains there and still helps people every day.

She is a trainer I strive to be like every day at our boot camp.