Staff – Who We Are

July 8th, 2010

Shawn O’Brien, M.S.
Co-Owner

Shawn has been professionally involved in the fitness and recreation field for over 13 years.  He possesses a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University and is a certified Health/Fitness Instructor with American College of Sports Medicine.  He has also been an educational instructor for the American College of Sports Medicine for a number of their annual national workshops. 

O’Brien is a dedicated professional with a track record of exceeding goals and standards.  He possesses exceptional interpersonal skills and works well with diverse individuals.  As an owner of Excel Fitness, he brings a high level of dependability and professionalism, works until the job is done, and has brought health and fitness to new levels to those around him.

Recently, Mr. O’Brien competed in his first bodybuilding show, which was held in Newburyport, MA on July 28th 2007.  One of his most notable clients is Scott Van Pelt, an ESPN anchor, heard on ESPN Radio, and a Former Golf Channel anchor. 

Education:

  • Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
    Masters of Science Degree in Exercise Science (2005)
    Concentration in Human Performance
  • American College of Sports Medicine
    Certified Health and Fitness Instructor (November 2001)
    National Workshop Presenter (June 2003 and 2004)
  • Western Connecticut State University (Ancell School Of Business)
    Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice and Law Administration, 1998
    Concentration Law Enforcement

Certifications:

  • American College of Sports Medicine – Health/Fitness Instructor, Jonny G Spinning, Resist-A-Ball, and Kwando Spar/Strike

Work Experience:

  • Bally Total Fitness, West Hartford, CT (September 1999 to 2007)
    Master Personal Trainer (June 2001 to 2007)
  • Bally Total Fitness, Manchester, CT (June 2000 to June 2002)
    Operations Manager  
  • Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT (August 1998 to May 1999)
    Recreation and Intramural Supervisor
  • Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness, Enfield, CT (May 1998 to August 1998)
    Wellness Program Sales Coordinator
  • Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT (September 1996 to May 1998)
    Athletic Trainer Assistant

 

Jeff Roux, Co-Owner

Jeff Roux is a self-driven, highly dedicated professional to the fitness field, to the people who work around him and to himself.  He embodies what a true leader and educator should promote through leading by example and living the lifestyle that he teaches. Jeff is well rounded with 15 years in the field as a trainer, and seven years experience as a Personal Training Sales Manager and recruiter. The “No-Fail” attitude he possesses is exciting and contagious.

Jeff has proven over the years to be able to balance and succeed at any given task. Throughout college he consistently proved himself by achieving high grades while earning his B.S. in Exercise Sciences at the University of Maine, while working part-time in the college’s fitness facility.  He held multiple positions for his national fraternity and also served as the Campus’ Inter-Fraternity Councils Vice-President for a semester. His exceptional ability to plan, organize and follow through has made him successful in his work, family, and social life.

“We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”

Education and Primary Certification:

  • 1996 B.S. Exercise Sciences, University of Maine, Orono
  • 1995-Present American Council on Exercise, Certified Personal Trainer
  • 1996 Summer Internship Bangor, ME.YMCA

Additional Certifications and Experience:

  • 2008 Golf Conditioning Specialist
  • 2007 NASM Foundations for the Health and Fitness Professional
  • 2006 ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist Course Completed
  • 2004 BOSU Instructor Certification
  • 2003 ISCA Personal Trainer Kick Box Workshop
  • 2002 Assisted Stretch Training Certification
  • 2001 Resist-A-Ball Advanced Certification
  • 2001 Resist-A-Ball Advanced Certification with Resistance
  • 1997 Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation Instructor
  • 1997 Aqua Dynamics Instructor

Relevant Job History:

  • 2008-Present Instructor, World Instructor Training Schools
  • 1998-2007 Fitness Director, Master Trainer Bally’s Hamden, CT., West Hartford, CT
  • 1997-1998 Program Director Bally’s Cambridge, MA
  • 1996-1997 Fitness Instructor YMCA Bangor, ME
  • 1996 Fitness Instructor YWCA Bangor, ME
  • 1994-1995 Fitness Instructor Latti Fitness Center, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Jeff also has interests in Body Building, placing in 13 Contests since 2001.  He has placed 2nd in Muscle Mania, and has been Mr. Connecticut Light Weight Division NPC runner-up twice, to name a few.  He has trained men and women for contest preparation in Nutritional Guidance, Weight and Cardio Training, and Posing.


Matt Knight, Trainer

Matthew Knight is a hard working and dedicated fitness professional.  Helping others achieve their fitness goals has driven him into the field of exercise and health promotion.  As a highly motivated individual he has graduated from Springfield College with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Exercise Science. After obtaining his degree he put his knowledge to the test be becoming a member of the National Strength and Condition Association (NSCA) and be becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Matthew has been working in the fitness field for just about a year now bus has shown that no task is too large for him to overcome.  Proven to be dependable and by using his exceptional interpersonal skills Matthew will grow to the top of the fitness field.  Gaining experience training many different professional athletes in various sports such as the MLB and NHL has set the stage for his functional and core training style.  As a personal trainer at Excel Fitness, he brings his expertise and positive attitude to those around him.

“It’s time to realize that if the mind is willing, the body can go.”

Education and Primary Certification:

  • Springfield College, Springfield, MA
  • 2009 Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Sciences

Additional Certifications and Experience:

  • National Strength and Condition Association (NSCA) – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
  • International Sports Science Association (ISSA) – Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT)
  • American Aquatics Association- Adaptive Aquatics Instructor

Relevant Job History:

  • May 2009-August 2009 Future Fitness Sport Specific Training Cromwell, CT
  • May 2009-August 2009 New England Athletic Club Cromwell, CT
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