Meet Anne Chen!

My biggest passion next to spending time with our three granddaughters, is riding on two skinny tires; in other words, road cycling. In the morning, you can usually find me on my bike, at Prevail training with Peter Blumert, or at a dance class. In the afternoon, I work at Santa Barbara Middle School in Administration and information Technology.

When did you start coming to Prevail?

To figure out when I first started training at Prevail, I searched my “sent” email folder and found an old email from December 2006. This was 3 years before Prevail was established. I had sustained a bike-related injury that required a long period of rehab on crutches, and I had just been given the OK by Brook Phillips, DPT, to go to a group class that Chris Ecklund taught. The email I sent to Chris after class went like this, “Hi Chris–Just wanted to apologize for being so talkative and laughing so much during class tonight.” I was so happy to be active and able to do a regular workout again.

I continued training with Chris (with occasion breaks whenever I had a tumble off the bike) and as time quickly flew by, I noticed that the workouts were always safe, fun, and confidence-building. I remember when Chris was working on a name for his new facility: Prevail Conditioning Performance Center. What a hit it has become! So I guess one could say I started training at Prevail from the very beginning.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?

To illustrate the impact that training at Prevail has had on my life, I could simply write about the haphazard collection of medals hanging at home, which accrued after I started bike racing in 2008, or I could write about the huge benefit of becoming stronger and healthier. But of much more importance, the impact that I feel in my heart and soul is of complete gratitude. Once, when I was coming back from an injury, I tried to come up with a simple and positive way to say “I am NOT giving up” – a word or phrase that would exemplify that feeling of getting back up after being on the ground. I realized that there is a perfect word: to prevail.

Poem of Gratitude to Prevail
As Prevail’s biggest fan, there’s no doubt in my mind

That the people who work there are steadfast and kind.

When the staff at Prevail walk into the gym,

Their professional attitude is full of vigor and vim,

With a positive force that is inspirational – I can attest,

They lead by example and demonstrate the best.

I started training with Chris in 2006 – the years have been fun and full of healing!

Since then, Prevail’s location has changed … and the gym has a much higher ceiling!

Yet as we all know, it’s the people who count – no matter the place.

To the hard working team at Prevail, many thanks for your humor, wit, balance and grace.

Meet Robert Mislang!
My family moved to Santa Barbara from the Philippines in 1979. Blessed to have the growing Mislang clan in town where I am fortunate to live, work and raise my family. I have been married to Lara Secord Mislang for 18 years. We have 3 kids and a cat together; Miles (13), Danika (11), Tate (4) and Jimmy (20+). I’m a banker by profession at the best bank in town – American Riviera Bank.

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I started at Prevail Conditioning about 2 years ago.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
Prevail Conditioning has played a major role in my physical and mental health over the past couple years. Physically, I am stronger and healthier. I haven’t had any lower back issues in the past 2 years and I credit the Prevail workouts to that. Mentally, the people I workout with are my end of the day therapy, or therapists, 😂 ! Great folks and trainers!

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
For those starting out, getting to the gym is the most difficult. Commit yourself and make sure you enjoy the workout. The gains come easier if you have fun and laugh a lot!

What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are beach volleyball, golf, time with family and friends!

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
Many will laugh at this, but the crawl has become enjoyable and my favorite. My least favorite are single leg lunges with weights. They’re great for you, but exhausting!

Any additional comments you would like to share?
Final words: I would like to thank Peter and Chris for providing a great workout facility, Ali for being the best trainer ever with the patience of a 2nd grade teacher, the other trainers (Josiah/Alexis), and most importantly, the people I have the honor to workout with! You guys keep me motivated and committed!

Meet Michael Krauchi
I was born and raised in Switzerland where I was already active with competitive swimming and skiing. I had participated in a couple of short Triathlons, but more for fun since I did not run or ride. In my mid 20’s during the Summer of 1987, I immigrated to beautiful Santa Barbara and got into mountain biking. A few years later and due to a foot injury, I started road cycling and was hooked. It became my new passion. In 2014, I met my new significant other and was re-introduced to Triathlons. I started training and have since competed in the local Santa Barbara and Carpinteria Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlons (Carp), and was lucky enough to be on the podium in my age division in every event I entered.

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I had back surgery in February of 2013. Physical Therapy with Brook morphed into Core and Strength training at Prevail in Summer of 2013. My coworker and friend Mark McClenathen, who had a similar back surgery a couple of years before, was already a client of Prevail, suggested I join. I did and never looked back.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
Most of all, I gained core and upper body strength that I was lacking from only cycling. The new strength, flexibility and balance gained at Prevail has afforded me to push my body hard and injury free. Additionally, the awareness of moving correctly and correct body posture has further kept new back injuries at bay.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
“Do something!” It does not have to be competitive, but start earlier rather than later. It’s not always easy to motivate oneself to work out early in the morning or after a long day at work, but the coached, small group workouts at Prevail are solid and fun. I always feel better after the workout!

What are your hobbies?
Cycling (road), swimming, running, skiing, SUP, hiking, travel.

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
Favorites: Any of the new fast-paced dynamic exercises that Peter has implemented, and are expertly coached by Josh and Diego. Least favorite: probably (too many) repetitions of inch worms.

Any additional comments you would like to share?
I appreciate what Prevail is doing. It shows that you care about your clients and listen to suggestions. I look forward to continue working out with the talented and passionate Prevail Team and coaches. Thank you.

Meet Carell Jantzen!
I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and married a native SB. We have two adult children and three grandchildren. I’m retired after having been a realtor and commercial property manager most of my working years. I love the life of a retiree; it has been an excellent journey thus far.

Carell, pictured left, with some of the members of the Core Conditioning class.

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I started at Prevail Conditioning Cive years ago at the urging of our daughter, Jenica Egan, who was an avid member. I used to laugh because her class pushed cars. I’m delighted that our class does not!

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
While attending Prevail I have developed assured confidence with body movement, knowledge of the proper positions to use while carrying/picking up items of different weight, and walking/posture during my daily routines. I have had scoliosis since childhood and back issues for years; however, due to what I’ve learned at Prevail, I’ve not one back issue since working out.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
Stick with your progress. It may be slow; however your efforts will be self-evident and ideally become a new habit!

What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include walking dogs, hiking, camping, traveling, kayaking and volunteering. I enjoy being involved with friends, eating and laughing (may be hazardous…).

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
All workouts are well balanced but crawling, pushing the sled and “the plank” are my least favorite. Although, we had a different experience with sled this past week and it ended up being quite the entertaining game.

Any additional comments you would like to share?
I LOVE our Senior Class with Bobby Jo (Josiah). He copes with having to listen and/or watch our quirky humor. Josiah is patient and he ‘treats’ us to new challenges with a smile. The encouragement and volume of laughter I get from my classmates is top notch. The facility is always clean and the equipment is well organized. The staff is great. I like the innovative new events that Prevail creates. Thank you to the Prevail staff! I am honored to have been chosen to be ‘highlighted’ for the month of May.

Meet Ryan Wolfshorndl!
I’ve been a Santa Barbara resident for 16 years now, from college onward. I’m a partner at a small investment consulting firm, which is fun and challenging. About 6 years ago I met a wonderful girl named Courtney during a trip to visit friends in Portland; then I convinced her to marry me and move down to SoCal (so long, rain!). We enjoy being outdoors, visiting national parks (which we just discovered), being part of our local church community; and now we’re preparing for the next adventure in life—having our first child any day now!

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I started at Prevail over 6 years ago, and it’s been a part of my weekly schedule since then!

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
Obviously, there are the physical benefits, which include increased strength, mobility, muscle control, and reduced/short-lived injuries. Additionally, I’ve gained an education on good movement technique, how the body works, and how to maintain and improve physical health. (I now cringe when I visit a gym out of town and see people exercising in ways that are probably hurting themselves; but I try not to be a snob about it!)

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
Don’t push it too hard upon immediately joining/restarting. Make realistic expectations with your trainer, give it some time to get comfortable or reacquainted with the movements, and do the exercises excellently with whatever strength/range you have at the time. Also, learn WHY you’re doing what you’re doing; because there’s crossover between exercises and how you work and move throughout the day. Utilize the Prevail trainers; they’re smart, and they want you to experience improvement and long-term health.

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
I love footwork drills on the ladders, my favorite lift is probably the deadlift, and the pigeon stretch feels oh so good. My least favorite is a slow front squat with a 3-second hold at the bottom (not cool).

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy hiking, volleyball, occasional running, and other sports—for which I’m thankful I can almost always be in sufficient shape and not get sore or injured because of training at Prevail. I enjoy woodworking; and I love reading and learning history, though I can only get through about 3 half books per year.

Meet Ron Hillas!
I started a fitness regime in my mid-twenties. It was a summer program in college and every morning I would go to the track, do a regimen of push ups, pull ups and sprinting. Nothing formal. As time went on and the years sped along, I realized that I wanted more. Feeling fit, maintaining/increasing flexibility and mobility while
focusing on strength has given me a well-rounded program. Growing older has definitely been less of a challenge!

When did you start coming to Prevail?
Exactly one year ago!

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
It has made a huge impact over the last year! I can see how the structured (and challenging) workouts have improved my ability to move, run, bend and lift with mindfulness. My body has changed and I can definitely feel as if the myths about aging and what one can do, as they age, are surely “myths”.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
Never give up! You can always do more than you think and don’t let anyone remind about age limitations. If you feel you have limitations, find your way around them. Use the tools and wisdom of your trainer(s) and gym professionals to understand how you can succeed.

What are your hobbies?
Haha! The gym! Followed by friends, fun, social endeavors, traveling and art.

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
My favorite is upper body. Least favorite movements/exercises? Haha! Lower body, but I always manage to get beyond it and then I am glad I did!

Any additional comments you would like to share?
Like anyone else, especially when I am tired or had a long/challenging day, “Do I really have to do this?” Nevertheless, I go for it and ALWAYS leave invigorated. The fatigue I was feeling, gone, evaporated!

Meet Eric!
I have two sons. One is in college studying to be a commercial pilot. The second is a sophomore in high school. I came to school at UCSB in 1981 and decided to stick around!

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I started training at Prevail in 2014.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
The trainers at Prevail have been amazing. They have helped me rehabilitate my back and knees.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
Let your trainer know about any of your aches and pains. They are all extremely
knowledgeable and can modify any exercise.

What are your hobbies?
I’ve coached special needs baseball teams for the last 12 years.

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
I love the ropes and sleds. I’ve never been a big fan of chin ups.

Meet Jo Dean!
I love working out and getting physical exercise and I have been doing so since a young age. I am 61 and feel great. I work at the SB County and have for the last 21 years. I am looking forward to retirement which will bring me to another level of adventure and fun. I love worshipping God most of all.

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I started coming to Prevail after my son Matt told me about how awesome Peter was and how good the workouts were. Not sure what year.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
I was an avid Volleyball player at the time I started at Prevail – playing 3-4 times a week, doubles games with women. Prevail workouts helped my games because I wasn’t getting hurt anymore. My new goals are staying fit and preparing for longer hikes and paddling.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
For anyone thinking about this workout I encourage you to try it and see if it is right for you. I like the no nonsense type work out – Serious but fun.

What are your hobbies?
Beach volleyball is my favorite sport and running on sand as well as stand up paddle boarding.

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
I love the core workout with weights and pullups.

Any additional comments you would like to share?
I thank God for this place and being in my life.

Meet Anne Stewart!
I came to Santa Barbara in the early 70’s to attend UCSB, and I never left. I have had a lot of different jobs over the years, including paralegal, box office manager at the County Bowl, escrow officer, and grants writer for the Lobero Theater Foundation. For the past 19 years, I have worked for the County of Santa Barbara – 8 years in Human Resources, and the last 11 years in Public Health. I am very much looking forward to retirement in the near future!

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I think I was waiting at the door at 5:30 am the first day Chris opened Prevail in 2009 on Haley Street.

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
Training at Prevail continues to have a huge impact on my life – I feel stronger at 64 than I did at 44. I truly believe that working out with the Prevail Family is the basis for my overall healthy lifestyle, and was the reason I was able to donate a kidney for a friend’s daughter in 2016. I am also continually amazed at how Peter and Josiah and Brook are able to customize workouts to accommodate me, post-surgery and post broken ankle (2014). It says a lot about Prevail that my first concern following a medical procedure is how soon I can get back to my workouts!

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
My thought is, “Hey, you are going to get older anyway – do you want to be feeble or fierce?”

What are your hobbies?
Reading, working out, walking, yoga, learning new things, crochet, and I recently started taking ballet because… why not? 😉 

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
I like dead lifts and RDLs. I am working very hard to make friends with split squats. Any additional comments you would like to share? I am always grateful for all the blessings in my life, and my gratitude for all you have created and continue to give at Prevail is boundless! You make my heart happy!

How does your coach describe you?
Anne is a hard worker, but more importantly she takes deep care in how she moves and performs tasks. She does well at making sure she executes a movement well/safely before making that pattern more challenging. It has been awesome seeing Anne push the limits on movements she is strong at, like her barbell hip extensions and upper body presses! Her positivity and dedication is outstanding… it’s contagious and inspiring!

How do other members at Prevail describe you?
Anne is inclusive and friendly. She always has a kind word to share with anyone in the group and takes the time to make Anne and Huntley, one of her two cats, sure you hear it!

Meet Karen Moore!
I am 54 years old and work as a life coach. My degree is in Spiritual Psychology and I help my clients create lives that they love! The focus of my life has been health and healing because I had 2 devastating accidents that shaped my interest in health, healing, alternative medicine and the body-mind connection. I spent a year on my back and a decade in pain after being rear-ended by a drunk driver when I was 21. I also had a 50-pound metal table fall from rafters and split my skull open when I was 35. I have been working towards a full recovery from my injuries sustained in these accidents for my entire adult life.

When did you start coming to Prevail?
I don’t know… I suspect 3 years. (December 2015)

What impact has training at Prevail made in your life?
My intention in training at Prevail has been to bring my body back to complete health, wellness and vitality as though my accidents never happened as well to achieve my highest level of fitness possible. During the past 3 years I have steadily moved forward in all areas of my health, including strength, vascular fitness, improved energy and a higher quality of sleep. I am completely pain and injury free for the first time since I was 21 years old. Chris has been brilliant and attuned enough to push me as hard as possible in each session without injuring me and setting me back in my training, as has happened so often in the past. I appreciate that Chris treats me as though I am an Olympic athlete during each and every session. He gives me 100% of his focus through the entire session. He rarely takes his eyes off of me and he constantly guides my posture, breath, bracing, foot position, etc. He is constantly teaching me about proper movement. I love that Chris is a scientist who charts my numbers. He consistently changes our workouts, keeps them challenging and interesting. Chris has truly found his life’s calling with this work and he is hands down the consummate professional who has reached the highest level in his field. I am honored and grateful to work with him.

Do you have any words of encouragement or tips for somebody new to exercise (or restarting)?
End in mind ~ What would you like to create? Take time to get clear about your highest vision for your health and then hire a team to support you one day at a time. For me ~ If we lose our lifelong health and wellbeing ~ all is lost. Let your health be your greatest investment. Like a garden, our body is always striving to thrive and bloom and it just needs love, water and sunshine, as well as regular massage!

What are your hobbies?
Cycling, Swimming, Yoga, Reading, Travel, Personal Growth, and Meditation

What is your favorite movement/exercise?
My favorite movement is my warm up ~ where I roll, stretch, attune to and warm up any creaky parts before I train. This is sanctuary time for me. My least favorite exercise is anything I am not good at YET…