MEET OUR FITNESS TEAM

Erik Menegay - Director/ Instructor

I am Erik Menegay, I am married and we have one son, Ethan. I am also the brother of the favorite ABC trainer, Michele.  I decided to become a personal trainer so that I could inspire others to learn how to be fit, become stronger and lead the healthiest and productive lives possible through physical fitness. I learned very young that there is nothing you can’t do if you put your heart, soul and mind into it.

            “ If you set your mind to do something, the body will follow.”

Erik Menegay was raised in an environment of healthy nutrition and physical activity and believes firmly in this strong foundation of healthy living.  He has been involved in sports and fitness since an early age, which began with surfing , golfing , basketball, water skiing and competitive swimming in high school.   Running has always been incorporated in all his sports activities and he has now taken it to the advanced level of competing and placing in many 5K races and  is training for triathlon competitions. 

 Erik stays on the cutting edge of fitness by continuing his college education in science and nutrition as well as increasing his knowledge of safe effective fitness training with the ABC Founder and trainer John Spencer Ellis and achieved his NESTA Certification (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association)

 Through his passion for fitness and personal training, Erik has helped many achieve personal goals they had never thought possible. His strength is that he creates fun, motivational and challenging programs for you regardless of your level of fitness, experience, or amount of time.

 “This is an excellent investment of your time. Remember,  clients are my walking billboards so the bottom line is and will always be:

If you are not successful, then I won't be successful.”

  “My job is to make your life better by helping you achieve your fitness goal, whatever that may be. I need to make it effective so you can see quick results. I also need to make it fun and enjoyable so you can keep this lifestyle up.”

     I choose to do this because of the difference I know I can make in your life. I guarantee you will lose bodyfat.”

 "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."
--John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Wholesome exercise in the free air, under the wide sky,
is the best medicine for body and spirit.
-Sarah Louise Arnold

 “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” Buddha

 There are no traffic jams along the extra mile"

Michele Figa - Instructor

 Michele’s passion for fitness started over 14 years ago. Her desire to help others became evident when she decided to become a Firefighter/EMT and accumulated 10 years of experience as a Professional Firefighter/EMT/Technical Rescue Technician for Saint Lucie County Fire District in Florida. She also worked as an adjunct instructor at Indian River State Fire College teaching Rope Rescue and Confined Space Rescue. Due to the physical demands of her career, she has strived to maintain a peak level of fitness while encouraging others along the way.

In 2005, Michele earned her Personal Trainer Certification through NASM. Since then she has devoted her life to promoting, teaching, and motivating people to experience the benefits of a healthy lifestyle including eating well. Over the years Michele has worked with clients ranging in age from 8 to 90 years old in a number of different environments including in-home training, health clubs, and local parks.

Michele is currently working as an exercise rehabilitation therapist in her own chiropractic wellness center in Chandler, AZ where she enjoys continuing to train clients one on one in her private studio. Her training focuses on meeting and exceeding her clients goals, nutrition counseling, improving postural imbalances, and educating them on this lifestyle.

Dr. John Spencer Ellis - Support Staff

 Each week, over one million people around the world enjoy a fitness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His fitness programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. John is the President of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association) and the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching. These two professional associations have 45,000 members in 30 countries. John is on the Advisory Boards of the National Health, Wellness and Prevention Congress, Exercise TV, Conference for Healthy Living, Irvine Valley College, Get America Fit Foundation, and is a Fellow of the National Board of Fitness Examiners. He is the author of "How Badly Do You Want It? - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Fitness," and a contributor to "Power of Champions." He created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp program in the world. His signature series of outdoor fitness equipment is used in communities worldwide. John has been featured or quoted in every major fitness publication, and held the post of Fitness Editor for OC Flair magazine. John has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, SPIKE, ESPN & Bravo. He serves as an on-air expert for Life & Leisure Television and Health Journal Television with General Norman Schwarzkopf. He is the producer and host of The OC Body on The Healthy Living Channel. John is a Nautilus sponsored athlete and stars in the workout DVDs Playground Boot Camp™ & Kung-Fu Fitness™. John created the fitness program used by the U.S. Secret Service and he consults the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships).

John has been continuing his professional education since 1987, and holds bachelors degrees in business and health science, an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He is currently completing a second doctorate in naturopathy. He has fifteen certifications including massage therapy, plyometrics, self-defense, fitness kick boxing, fitness boxing, 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. 

Kelli Calabrese - Support Staff

Kelli Calabrese, MS, CSCS is the International Master Trainer for Adventure Boot Camp and does the Coach Training to prepare qualified candidates to become Adventure Boot Camp Coaches. Calabrese has been a spokesperson, consultant, advisor or expert for clients such as The American Council on Exercise, NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Training Association), the National Board of Fitness Examiners, Athletic Baby, The Aerobic & Fitness Association of America, National Board of Fitness Examiners, Smuckers, Kellogg, Glaxo Smith Klein, The Watermelon Council and Quaker Oats. 

At the age of 22 Kelli had completed 3 Science degrees including an Associates in Biology, Bachelors with High Honors in Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation. Since 1986, Kelli has acquired 23 fitness, nutrition, weight management and lifestyle consulting certifications. For 14 years she co-owned and operated a chain of 4 fitness centers (Excellence in Exercise) and 4 corporate centers with clients such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Nabisco and Beneficial Insurance. In 1991 Calabrese opened Xercise Institute, the first school for preparing candidates for the American Council on Exercise's Personal Training exams. 

Kelli’s personal mission is to empower individuals with the tools to make health, fitness and wellness a permanent and enjoyable part of their lives. She does this through teaching and coaching both consumers and fitness professionals to be their personal best.