MEET OUR FITNESS TEAM

Dawn Franklin - Director/Lead Instructor

Dawn was introduced to fitness at an early age. Her father worked out daily in the basement of their Michigan family home. Eventually she was given her own weights (made out of wood) and encouraged to workout with him. 

When Dawn reached her late twenties, she misplaced those healthy lifestyle tips her father gave her and she began to gain weight. She looked in the mirror one day and was discouraged at what she saw. At 170 pounds and a size 13/14, she had reached her highest weight and size ever, felt tired, run down and unhealthy. Recalling her father’s favorite line, “Treat your body like a temple, it’s the only one you’ve got,” she decided it was time to make a change in her life.

YES, it was time to take action! Dawn began her journey back to eating right and exercising. Things didn’t happen overnight and sometimes she struggled, but she began to feel better and started losing inches. Part of her journey led her to sign up for a Chicago-based bootcamp, which she stuck with for 3 years. It took some time, but with determination she reached her fitness goals.

Feeling healthy and energized, she wanted to inspire others to reach their fitness goals too. She became a nationally certified personal trainer and has trained in Chicago and Arizona for the past several years. She helped open and was the lead trainer for a fitness studio in Avondale and also in Surprise, Arizona. With her expansive knowledge, a burning desire to help others, along with her boundless energy, Dawn decided she wanted to reach more people at one time. She started Ahwatukee Adventure Boot Camp back in January of 2007 and hasn’t looked back! Her goal is to motivate, inspire, encourage, challenge and teach as many people as possible about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. She wants YOU to be another success story… Dawn did it and so can YOU!

Dawn has put together a program to keep you motivated, challenged, help build self confidence, as well as increase your strength and endurance. You will also be a part of a supportive environment that encourages having F-U-N!

“Do you want to feel better, lose a few inches, tone up? Do you want to get back into shape after having a baby? Need to get into shape for your wedding? Are you training for a marathon? Are you bored with your current fitness routine? Want to workout with other women who have similar health and fitness goals? Want to make some new friends? Do you want to learn how to take care of yourself and feel better? Do you need simple nutritional tools and fun workouts that are different everyday? If you said yes to any of these questions, then all you need to do is set aside one hour a day to make it happen! Take action… register online today! You can do it if you just take that first step! No more excuses. Come on ladies… wake up, work out and enjoy life!”

Diplomas:

• University of Michigan-Flint, BBA
• NPTI (National Personal Training Institute)

Certifications:

• NASM ( National Academy of Sports Medicine)
• ---Certified Personal Trainer
• ---Certified Weight Management
• NETA (National Exercise Trainers Assoc.) 
  ---Certified Personal Trainer, Swiss Ball, and Group Exercise
• NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Assoc.) 
  --- Certified Adventure Bootcamp Trainer
  --- Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach
• Several Fitness and Nutrition workshops from various training companies
• CrossFit, Level 1, Certified
   
• CPR, First Aid, and AED

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.