Coach Stephen

Areas of Expertise

  • Strength Development

  • Boxing

  • Spartan Racing (OCR)

  • Nutrition: Cooking/Creating Recipes

Education

  • Exercise Science, AS (ISSA)

  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist

  • Body Building Specialist

  • Sports Nutrition Specialist

  • Fitness Nutrition Specialist

  • Chef – 8 years’ experience

Favorite quote

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” - Dr. Seuss

My Story

He/Him/His

Born in the Philippines, I migrated to San Francisco in 2003. I attended Mission High School and eventually went to California State University East Bay to pursue a major in business. At this point in my life fitness was not in the picture. My passion and dreams included food, the culinary arts, becoming a chef and opening my own restaurant. After 3 years at CSUEB, I decided to pursue a career in cooking which led me to work in the food industry for the last 14 years. At the same time, my fitness journey started as a means to cope with my own personal issues that consisted of bad relationships, high stress and a lot of alcohol. I managed to stay disciplined with my workout regimens and it became an obsession. I decided that pursuing a career in nutrition based fitness would be my ultimate goal. So I went back to school and earned my degree in Exercise Science at The International Sports Science Association with 7 certifications that focuses on certain facets of fitness. With more than a decade of experience with both food and fitness training I found my purpose and it allowed me to elevate my career.

My Philosophy

What got me into fitness?

In my early twenties, I worked as a caregiver for the elderly and terminally ill. In one of my assignments, I cared for a couple, Frank and James, in their 70’s who were once fitness fanatics. Between them, Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease while James stayed healthy through his 70s. For Frank, life became more difficult as the disease progressed and my assistance was necessary for all his basic needs. On the other hand, James continued being fit and healthy which allowed him to have a good quality of life even as he got older. This experience impacted me when I realized that besides certain medical conditions, nothing can prevent the maintenance and improvements of one’s health and fitness for a better quality of life.

What I want to do with fitness?

As a Chef and Strength Coach I understand the ins and outs fitness, its relation to nutrition and how it affects the body. Furthermore, with my background in the culinary industry, I can create nutrition plans that go beyond the typical and mundane. The advanced skills that I have learned allow me to create a robust combination of fitness and nutrition programs that are specific to my clients’ needs. My goal is to help people break through their cycles of unhealthy habits, enjoy some of life’s guilty pleasures and still achieve a level of fitness that was once just an unattainable dream.

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