Karen grew up in the heart of Alaska. She competed in Gymnastics in high school and college. Her passion was horseback ridding, fishing for King Salmon, hiking, camping and Scuba Diving (yes, we do scuba dive in Alaska!)
Karen spent 3 years at the University of Alaska Anchorage where she took public speaking, acting, theater, and 4 languages (Japanese, French, Sign Language and German). In 1989, she went to sea to work for a Greek Cruise Line. While spending vacations in the Greek Islands, she learned to speak the Greek language. Karen traveled to over 67 countries in 8 years.
She met her husband Steve on the last cruise ship. They left the ship life and moved to Hawaii for a few months. During that time Karen competed in a fitness competition and placed Runner - Up in 1994.
Karen Matthews has been a part of the Grass Valley community since 1998. Karen and her husband Steve, opened the GNC store in the Pine Creek Shopping Center in August of 1998. Steve and Karen also own the new 24 hour gym, IronwWorks Athletic Club in Grass Valley.
I started powerlifting in August of 2005. Since then I have received 19 California State Records, 5 American Records, 9 Gold medals, 1 Silver Medal,1 Bronze Medal and 3 Best Lifter Award for the Women’s division. I won California State Championship for my age and weight and California State Champion for all women’s division. I am also a California Judge for the United States Powerlifting Federation.
For the past 9 years, Karen has helped you with your nutritional goals, now she has extended her knowledge of health, nutrition and fitness to Grass Valley’s first Certified all Womens Fitness Boot Camp.
Karen's Qualifications are as follows:
- Touch For Health Practitioner
*Color Therapy*Sound Therapy*Applied Kinesiology
*Goal Achieving *Helping with Addictions *Callahan Techniques
*Addictive Cravings *Depression *Age Regression
*ESR (Emotional Stress Release) - A Universal Healing Aid for Trauma, Phobias
Abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Fears
- Personal Trainer - N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
- Spencer Pilates Instructor - N.E.S.T.A.(National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
Certification goals for the next 12 months include:
- Holistic Fitness Practitioner - N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
- Mind-Body Fitness Specialist - N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
- Mental Skills Training Specialist - N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
- Fitness Nutritionalist - N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance & Sports Trainers Association)
The President
Dr. John Spencer Ellis
John Spencer Ellis holds two bachelors degrees; one in business and the other in health science, an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He has more than fifteen certifications, which include being a certified massage therapist, plyometric instructor, self-defense instructor, fitness kick boxing instructor, water fitness instructor, exercise rehabilitation specialist, golf conditioning specialist, Pilates instructor, personal trainer, clinical hypnotherapist, master PACE circuit training instructor, and yoga instructor. John has a 2nd degree black belt in kung-fu, has completed the Ironman triathlon and finished 5th in the U.S. National Biathlon (run/bike) Championships. He has extensively studied mind-body fitness and alternative health. John is the author of "How Badly Do you Want It? - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Fitness," a contributor to "Power of Champions," and the Fitness Editor of OC Flair magazine. His fitness articles have been featured in over 20 publications, and he is a frequent consultant to the world's media on health, fitness and lifestyle topics.
Christina Knapp
Christina Knapp has undergone training in challenge course administration and safety. She is certified by NESTA as a personal trainer and holds a Bachelor's degree in marketing. She also has earned a PACE circuit training instructor certification. For over 14 years, Christina has taught aerobics and group fitness classes. She has developed EZ8 Women's Running Camp Christina has been featured in 3 fitness videos.
His medical training includes being a licensed radiological technologist, certified medical assistant, and training in McKenzie rehabilitation exercises. He has worked in fitness centers, medical clinics, and has promoted sporting events in California.
In addition, John is on the Advisory Board for the American Association of Personal Trainers and is a Fellow of the National Board of Fitness Examiners. He oversees operations at his facilities; Spencer Escape Fitness Resort and Spencer Wellness Center, both located in California.
