A new month means a new FAST trainer spotlight. This month, we’re highlighting George Nicolopoulos, FAST trainer at Old Town Scottsdale. George enjoys working with clients in different populations and his goal is to help them stay active and reach their physical activity to the highest level. Read the feature to learn more about George.

 

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

When I was in high school, my strength coach taught me a lot about the foundation of exercising and how the body works. I followed his beliefs and teachings and I wanted to be just like him.

 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Practice your skills. Learning about exercising can be challenging, but if you put the effort and the commitment to your coaching skills, it can give you a better understanding on how to execute them. Also, never stop learning about the field of exercising.

 

What’s your favorite workout style?

I really enjoy hypertrophy training and strength training.

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

I like to listen to hip-hop/rap, country, and rock songs, but my favorite song to listen to would be “ATM,” by J Cole.

 

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

Grilled chicken with brown rice (Trader Joe’s brown rice).

 

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Definitely pizza.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. Greatness will come.

 

What motivates you?

My family, friends, and all of the staff at Old Town Scottsdale FAST and Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy. They have derived me to be the best coach and human being I can ever be.

 

If you work, live or play in the Old Town Scottsdale area and would like to train with George, visit our website to schedule a free fitness assessment today.

Meet Logan Houser—FAST trainer at our Litchfield Park facility. Get a glimpse of his favorite workout style, must-have food after a workout and what motivates him.

What’s your background?

I’m currently in school to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Sports Performance. My current credentials include CPT, AAS in Strength, Nutrition and Personal Training

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

Exercise became a significant part of my life at a young age and it persisted through the Marine Corps and into my life afterwards. I saw first-hand how exercise could change lives and I wanted to be a part of that in any way that I could.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

I would tell him/her to never stop learning. The field is evolving every day and it is important to stay up to date with new research and knowledge as it becomes available.

What’s your favorite workout style?

HIIT training is by far my favorite. I come from a military background so HITT training is where I feel at home the most.

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

Come and Get It by I Prevail

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

Peanut Butter and Jelly with Strawberry Jam

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Pizza!

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

It is okay to fail. Failure produces growth.

What motivates you?

I’m a very self-driven person. My motivation comes from within. Thoughts of where I’ve been and things I’ve done motivate me to push harder and further to see what I’m truly capable of.

Does training with Brandon sound like something you’d enjoy? Contact the Litchfield Park facility today to learn more about our personal training, sports performance and group fitness options.

We’re excited to be featuring Brandon Wood, facility manager at Litchfield Park for the February Trainer of the Month spotlight. Brandon has a passion for helping others, and it shows in his clients’ results.

What’s Your Background?

I’m a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I attended Glendale Community College where I earned an Associates in Arts degree. Following, I attended Arizona State University where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Exercise and Wellness.

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

Sports and competition have always been a big part of my life.  I’ve always loved competing, and working out is a competition as well with yourself to see what your body can do. In college I had a bad sprain in my right ankle and had to go through physical therapy, which is what really sparked my interest in the fitness field. I thought with my love for working out and competition, that I would enjoy helping people reach their fitness goals. Thus, I went to ASU to get my degree in Exercise and Wellness and worked to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The body can do amazing things, and helping people realize this and helping them to reach their goals is something I truly enjoy.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Truly invest your time with each client. You get to make a difference in someone’s life. Get to know them so that you can truly find out what it is that motivates them, their interests, and their reasons for wanting to make fitness a part of their life.

What’s your favorite workout style?

My favorite workout style is strength training. However, I like to mix it up to challenge and push myself to become stronger, faster, and more powerful. If you’re comfortable, it might be time to change it up!

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

Country music is my favorite. So if I had to pick one workout song, it would be Brantley Gilbert’s “Take it Outside”.

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

I typically have a protein shake with peanut butter or PBFit powder and a banana. I also enjoy chicken, or salmon burgers with avocado.

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

I wouldn’t want to live without Steak or Chicken

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

There has always been two pieces of advice I grew up with that I have never forgotten and never will forget:

• Work hard and you can achieve anything you want.
• Never quit.

What motivates you?

I’m a very competitive person, so that alone motivates me to do the best I can in anything I do. In the fitness field, helping people realize they can do things they thought they never could and helping them reach their goals is very motivating.  I get the opportunity to help people change their lives daily, and watching people achieve their goals is a great thing.

If you live, work or play in the West Valley, contact Brandon and his team to schedule a FREE fitness assessment today!

New year, new FAST trainer Spotlight. Meet Jeff Placencia, FAST Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at our Old Town Scottsdale facility.

What’s your background?

I’m a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach, and I’m also Functional Movement Screen certified. I received my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University.

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career? Growing up, the only thing I consumed myself with was sports. Being a big football fan, I admired how these athletes looked and performed so I told myself I would do whatever I could to try and be just like them.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Understand that every person you work with is different and unique in their own way. Being able to mold yourself to who they are and providing them with both their needs and wants will speak volumes as to who you are as a CSCS. As far as the actual exam goes, get a sound understanding of human physiology and energy system utilization. The one part of the exam that usually trips up people is the scientific foundations.

What’s your favorite workout style?

I love anything that’s high intensity. Whatever gets me breathing heavy, sweating, and leaves me on the ground asking: “What just happened?”

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

‘Shower‘ by Becky G.

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

Chicken, brown rice, and broccoli. Bland and boring, but very effective.

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Deep dish pizza with sausage, pepperoni and NO PINEAPPLE.

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Stop feeling sorry for yourself. No one cares if you’re tired, sore, hungry, whatever. Get up and get to work.

What motivates you?

Complacency. Never stop learning. Never stop growing as a person.

Are you ready to hit the ground running and crush your new year’s resolution goals? Contact Jeff today to set up a one-on-one personal training session!

It’s the last month of 2017, and we’re celebrating it by highlighting Grant Simmons, CSCS at our South Chandler facility. Read our blog post to learn more about Grant’s passion for fitness, advice on working in the fitness industry and his favorite post-workout meal.

What’s your background?

I graduated from Arizona State University with my Bachelors in Exercise Science.

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

I was always into fitness ever since I was about 11. I loved and played many sports growing up, but what inspired me was knowing I can help my family and others live a healthier lifestyle.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

My advice is to stay hungry for more knowledge, always look for ways to better yourself and make training fun for you and your clients.

What’s your favorite workout style?

I enjoy switching between circuit training and strength training. Those are styles I do often but I like to try different styles to change up my routine and challenge myself.

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

I have a playlist of all my favorites but the number one song during a workout would be “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar.

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

Steak with a side of sweet potatoes and spinach or greens.

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

I don’t think I could live without strawberries.

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever received is train your mind as much as you train your body. Become a better person overall and not just for work.

What motivates you?

My motivation is my family. They love and support I get from them is more than enough and I just want to do my best to help them any way I can.

Does training with Grant seem like a fit for you? Contact the FAST South Chandler facility today to schedule a personal training session with him!

This November, we’re highlighting our personal trainer of the month, Raetricia Lucero. With a love for fitness at an early age, Tricia has turned her passion into a career. Read on to learn more about her background, favorite post-workout snack and more.

What’s your background?
My education includes a degree in Human Biology and USAW 1 credentials. Being able to share my knowledge, passion for fitness and overall wellbeing in order to help others achieve their fitness goals is very gratifying.

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?
My passion for fitness grew at an early age. Being involved in athletics was and still is important to my large family’s lifestyle. I played soccer, softball, basketball and volleyball and later went on to play collegiate basketball at Chadron State.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?
Taking the time and investing in your clients overall achievements and goals are essential components. With each client comes different challenges and different goals.
Take time to get to know their training styles. Do they get bored easily or do they like change? How do I keep them motivated and on track? This is amongst one of the many facets of my job that makes it fascinating and worthwhile.

What’s your favorite workout style?
I don’t have a favorite workout style. I like to switch it all the time that way I don’t get bored, and I stay motivated myself. Some days I’ll train for hypertrophy, next day I might do a high intensity workout and then another day I’ll do Olympic weightlifting.

What is your favorite thing to eat after a workout?
I typically enjoy a protein shake and some sort of carb, like pineapple, after completing a workout.

What’s one food you can’t live without?
Mexican food—I grew up in a Hispanic household, so it’s a must!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be present” and allow yourself to focus on what’s happening right now in your life, not the past because it’s already behind you and not the future because it hasn’t happened yet. But instead “be present” in the moment with whatever you’re doing or who you’re with. Never give less than yourself.

What motivates you?

My family motivates me. Their love and support is always at the forefront. My clients motivate me as well. Whether it’s a high five, a hug, a smile, some tears of joy because they’re reaching their goals. It’s exhilarates me, and makes me so proud just knowing we together are making strides, and beating the odds!

Are you ready to take your fitness goals to a new level with Tricia? Contact the North Central Phoenix facility today to schedule a personal training session with her.