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Kevin Hickman, Owner, Certified Personal Trainer
Kevin Hickman has spent his entire life excelling in sports. His football career took flight while attending the Naval Academy, where he still holds the records for Most Receptions by a Tight End and Third All-Time Leading Receiver. Phil Emery, now the General Manager for the Chicago Bears, mentored Kevin during his four ears at the Naval Academy and taught Kevin the successful formula to strength and conditioning that Athletes Choice uses today. This style of training proved to be successful through Kevin’s NFL career with the Detroit Lions. In 1996, he was selected to be a member of the 1996Muscle and Fitness Magazine’s All-NFL Strength Team. After a successful four years with the Lions, Kevin retired due to an injury. He then went on to reinvent the athletic program at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV. In four years, his knowledge, leadership skills and the hiring of amazing coaches took Gorman from an unknown school to a ranking in the Top 10 of all high school athletic programs in the United States (by ESPN and USA Today). He started coaching Pop Warner football and realized the void that was missing in his life, which was taking the style of training he learned and teaching all kinds of people — from children to professional athletes — how to gain success in their sport. This was the birth of Athletes Choice. Kevin is certified with IYCA (Youth Fitness Specialist)
“Kevin came into my life at a crucial point. I was entering high school, and he saw something in me that no one else saw. Most saw my athletic talent, which he saw too, but Kevin saw more than that. He cared about me as a person and wanted me to succeed off the field as much as I hoped I would on the field. A big part of where I am today has to do with the time, attention and effort Kevin gave to me at such a young age. He taught me that accomplishing my athletic goals had as much to do with my character, self discipline and attitude as it did with my talent. Kevin was like a father to me and gave me so many chances when everyone else wanted to give up on me. I owe him so much and am very thankful that he chose to stick with me through the good times as well as the bad. I am so happy and excited to see he is still giving back to the youth of today through Athletes Choice. Anyone who is mentored and trained by Kevin will be blessed.” -DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
Ilene Balmer, Fitness Manager, Certified Personal Trainer
Ilene started her fitness journey at the age of 15 when get got her first gym membership. By the time she was 18 she was a fit bodybuilder and has never looked back. Fitness is a very important part of Ilene’s life. At the age of 42 she became an endurance head cyclist and completed eight Century’s (100 mile bike ride). She is a Certified Personal Trainer and has a passion for leading people along in their fitness and weight loss journey. Ilene has 3 children ages 23, 19 and 16.
Along with her personal training schedule, Ilene currently runs our Victory Fitness Program. Victory Fitness is where people who have 30lbs or more to lose come for accountability, friendship, great workouts, nutritional guidance and most of all a place to lose the weight and get healthy! For more information on Victory Fitness please click HERE
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Nick Tintle, Director of Lacrosse Training
College Accomplishments:
♦4 year starter for the University of North Carolina lacrosse team.
♦2 time All-American (2007-2008)
♦Senior captain (2008)
♦Turnbull trophy award winner: recognized as teams most valuable player (2007)
High School accomplishments:
Graduated from MacArthur High School on Long Island (2004) and was a 2 sport athlete in football and lacrosse
Lacrosse
Received All American honors senior year as a midfielder on the lacrosse team and was named as Nassau county midfielder of the year as a senior. Nick was also a two time All-County selection and all conference honoree. Currently plays in the LXM Pro League.
Football
Nick was a two time All County selection as a tailback/ cornerback and made the All-State football team as a senior.
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Galina Denzel, specialties: fat loss, metabolic repair, general fitness, corrective / restorative exercise, low back pain, prenatal, postnatal. Certified Personal Trainer also Certified in FMS
Galina has a huge passion for restorative exercise, health and nutrition and she loves helping her clients get fit and happy. She is an NSCA certified personal trainer and Bulgarian Sports Academy certified personal trainer, group trainer and nutrition coach. Galina is a sought after pre and post-natal expert, author of ‘’Fit Mommy Secrets’’, ‘’The Art of Real Food’’ and the forthcoming ‘’Man on Top’’. She believes that proper movement and nutrition are at the base of your success – whether you want to lose weight, conquer chronic pain or get lean and strong. She inspires you to learn, develop a connection with your body and achieve true health – inside and out!
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Paul Daniels, Kettle Bell Boot Camp Instructor & Training Coach, Certified RKC Trainer and FMS
An eight year veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps, owner Paul Daniels began studying the martial arts in his early teens. He currently holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in the KIADO-RYU martial arts system as well as a certified Aerobics Instructor and Personal Trainer & RKC (Russian Kettlebell Instructor). Building on his experience as Captain of both the gymnastics and soccer team in high school, Paul A. Daniels continued his education in physical fitness and self-defense, training in the Marine Corps.
While competing on the Martial Arts Circuit, he was a top ranked National tournament Competitor. Since becoming a Russian Kettlebell Instructor, in 2005 his commitment to himself and his clients Paul’s dedication to excellence was rewarded with his selection to Russian Kettlebell Team Leader position by Pavel Tsatsouline. Paul Daniels is a constant example of the benefits of hard work and commitment. He is considered one of the top Cardio-kick boxing Instructors, Personal Trainers and Russian Kettlebell Instructor in Orange County. His teaching formats are innovative, intense and always fun.
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Colleen Bordages, Director of Softball
Colleen has competed in various sports ranging from competitive softball, soccer, boxing and flag football. She has also run numerous athletic training programs for varsity high school teams, group fitness classes and boot camps, private individual programs, and a number of sports, including softball, tennis, swimming, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga.
Her passion for competing, playing sports and working out is what drives her to work with teams, groups and individuals to unleash their inner ability, and push themselves beyond what they think they are capable of. Her goal is to inspire and motivate her students during athletic conditioning sessions.
Colleen teaches her students that more of what they do and accomplish is a result of their mindset. From professional athletes to stay-at-home moms, a person’s mindset helps determine the actions needed to stay “able-minded.” She believes that the mind must be included with the physical training to accomplish goals, regardless of whether they are training/sport goals, academic, or other life goals.
Colleen is a member of the National Council of Strength and Fitness, a certified TRX trainer and a certified Group and Boot Camp Trainer through the American Sports and Fitness Association. Additionally, she has more than 24 years of experience on the softball field, and competed at the Division 1 Level as a left-handed catcher and 1st basemen at Baylor University. Also, as a member of the Waco Boxing Association, Colleen competed and won in the 2003 Golden Gloves boxing competition.
Colleen enjoys outdoor activities, and graduated with a degree in Outdoor Recreation from Baylor University. She has lead and facilitated groups in leisure and group activities from population latency to geriatrics, both leisure and competitive training.
She has always dreamed about giving back and doing what she loves to do; play, coach and inspire. She works with Recreational Leagues, Travel Ball Organizations, Individuals, and Parents offering training in Softball Skill Development: Softball Soldier and Plate Warrior and in Athletic performance/ and Adult Fitness Conditioning: Athletic Warrior and Water Warrior; all thru Athletes Choice.
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Shoshanna Cairns, Personal Trainer & Tae Bo Instructor
Cairns is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a certified Tae Bo® Fitness Instructor and has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over twelve years. She is focused and competitive and has been since her youth, whether it be playing various sports outside, running cross country races in high school, running 5K races now or weight training, which she started in high school and continued through college with various courses. During college at Trinity International University in the Chicago area, she played on the tennis team and afterward pursued personal training along with the Tae Bo® certification to teach Tae Bo® fitness classes in order to help people attain their health and fitness goals. While working full time as a Sr. Administrative Assistant, she would do personal training and teach Tae Bo® part-time but now she is available to train and teach full-time, which is her love and passion. She has and continues to train with the creator of Tae Bo®, Billy Blanks®, and his daughter, Shellie Blanks-Cimarosti, assisting at Tae Bo® Certification camps and Recertification camps, where she continues to grow as an instructor and trainer. She has been blessed with opportunities to be a part of three Tae Bo® DVD shoots and most recently the Tae Bo® TV Fitness shoots, which are half hour workouts posted on the Tae Bo® TV website.
Philosophy
With all of the training and experience she has, she knows what it takes to push above and beyond to get results and to work with others to achieve the same. A training motto she likes to use for herself and clients is: Strong Mind and Spirit creates a Strong Body; Strong Heart and Spirit creates that Strong Will to get and stay Healthy. Working out and eating healthy is not just a program, it’s a lifestyle, be ready to change your life. Her passion is helping others achieve their goals, not just physical goals, but changing from the inside out. If you are ready to change your life, be motivated and inspired, not just physically but mentally/spiritually as well, then be ready to train hard. Since training with Billy, she also enjoys boxing and can incorporate that into sessions for those interested in hitting the punch mitts and/or punching bag. Boxing is a great cardio and core workout.
Free Time
Besides working out and doing Tae Bo®, Shoshanna enjoys spending time with her husband, going to church, going on hikes with their beautiful English Shepherd, Aria (who also loves to watch TV and “talk” to the dogs and any animals that appear on TV), hanging out with their Russian Blue cat, Toby, and she enjoys going on nice, peaceful trail rides through Whiting on her Appendix Quarter Horse, Bubba.
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Tommy Del Favero, Swimmer’s Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer
Tommy Del Favero has been involved in the sports community since the age of 6 as a competitive swimmer. He swam for the Oasis club team out of Palmdale, CA for many years. In high school, he swam, ran cross country, and wrestled. His love for competition and compassion for teaching led him to become a high school teacher in the Antelope Valley Union High School District where he worked as a long term substitute teacher and coach for the Quartz Hill Swim Team, Lancaster Cross Country Team, and strength and conditioning coach for a club softball team called STEALTH. He continues to keep himself in shape today through running, biking, swimming, weight lifting, and surfing. He is an avid golfer and continues to compete in swimming events throughout the year. The most recent was the Alcatraz Classic where he won first place.
Tommy Del Favero is a graduate of the University of California, at Irvine with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. He continued his education of the human body at A.T. Still University where he obtained a Master’s degree in Human Movement and Corrective Exercise. Since then, he has worked through all three levels of the Titleist Performance Institute Fitness Professional track in addition to various other continuing educational seminars. Tommy uses movement assessments on his athletes and clients in order to determine any dysfunctional movement patterns or muscular imbalances they may have so that they can be corrected. Once these patterns and imbalances are corrected, strengthening and power can then be added in order to increase the overall performance of the individual. The use of movement assessments in physical training drastically reduces the causes of injuries because the body is working in a biomechanically sound way. Not only does this limit the amount of possible injuries, but it also allows the athlete to work at their highest potential as well. If you are looking to get rid of pain, increase sports performance, or just to feel healthier; Tommy is the man to talk to!
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