Our Philosophy:

We believe that regular physical training is a prerequisite for a happy, healthy, successful, productive life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a schoolteacher, a soldier, an entreprenuer, or a housewife. (Notice we didn’t use the word “exercise” — more on that in a moment…)

We also believe that thinking like an athlete (as opposed to thinking like an “exerciser”) is the key to removing your self-imposed obstacles toward better fitness and physical functioning. Many people assume that they don’t have the time, pain-tolerance, equipment, motivation, or knowledge to get and stay in shape. We’re out to remove those obstacles by shattering the mythology— the “fitness fog” propagated through the prevailing media: books, magazines, websites, television, shows, and mis-informed personal trainers. If we tried to follow their ill-fated advice, we’d be couch potatoes too!

We’re also aware that some of you might be off-put when you hear us talking about “training” and “athletes,” so allow us to explain:

Thinking (and living) like an athlete doesn’t require bulging biceps, a nasty steroid habit, or a pantry full of potions and powders. It also doesn’t require spending your life at the gym or smelling like a mixture of sweat and Ben Gay. It doesn’t require great or even good athletic pedigree or talent. (Perhaps best of all, you don’t even need to do aerobics or crunches— after all, we don’t!)

Thinking like an athlete DOES require a passion for self-improvement and a desire to look, feel and perform better than you ever have before. It’s an attitude and a lifestyle that reflects positive self-worth and an understanding that new PR’s (personal records) in the gym fuel more great performances at home, in the community, and in the office.

Coach Charles Staley

“One of the signs of a great teacher is the ability to make the subject matter seem simple. Charles Staley is one of these rare teachers. After listening and talking to him, you suddenly achieve a new awareness of training. You go to the gym and, suddenly, everything makes sense, and you wonder why you haven’t been doing it his way since day one.”

– Muscle Media 2000 magazine August, 1999

His colleagues call him an iconoclast, a visionary, a rule-breaker. His clients call him “The Secret Weapon” for his ability to see what other coaches miss. Charles calls himself a “geek” who struggled in Phys Ed throughout school. Whatever you call him, Charles’ methods are ahead of their time and quickly produce serious results. His counter-intuitive approach and self-effacing demeanor have lead to appearances on NBC’s The TODAY Show and The CBS Early Show.

Currently, Charles competes in Olympic-style weightlifting on the master’s circuit, with a 3-year goal of qualifying for the 2009 Master’s World Championships.

Dr. Lonnie Lowery (Nutritional Consultant)

Dr. Lowery holds advanced degrees in exercise physiology and in nutrition. He has attended Kent State University, the University of Akron, Eastern Michigan University and San Diego State University in the completion of his current credentials. He currently possesses more than twice the coursework accomplishments of most Ph.D.s.

Shortly prior to obtaining his doctorate in exercise physiology, he took a position as Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Kent State University, which continued for a number of years before he moved on. Now his research builds upon those lab experiences in sports nutrition and athletic recovery. Dr. Lowery received teaching and mentorship awards for his student interactions and has brought this rapport directly to the public via his business.

In 2002 he established Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness Associates, which is primarily involved in the creation of lay, academic, and scientific writing and lecturing. He currently operates his company while working as a university professor and NCAA-level sports nutritionist.

He has provided material for many major fitness publications (Muscle and Fitness (-Hers), Men’s Health, Testosterone, Flex, etc.) and a number of textbook publishers (Lifestyles Changes: Washington Press, 2003; Sports Supplements: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001; multiple nutrition titles for Wadsworth/Thomson, 2002-2004; Essential of Sports Nutrition & Dietary Supplements: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006).

Dr. Lowery is a registered and licensed dietitian specializing in sports nutrition, a member of the Board of Directors for a national exercise physiologist association, the co-editor of a professional national newsletter for exercise physiologists, and is the current President of his state’s exercise physiology organization.

Julianne Van Valkenburg (Director Of Offline Sales & Marketing)

Julianne has over 25 years of sales and direct marketing experience, with a strong background in publishing. She came into the business “just to answer the phone” when Charles was in Italy several years ago and never left. Married with 3 children, she is also the grandmother to a boy who is the same age as her youngest daughter (7). She enjoys reading, shopping, art, travel and collects purses. A benefit of working for Charles is that he brings her back a new purse from his travels abroad. Thanks to Charles and the friends she has made through him throughout the world she has a collection of over 100.

Phil Stevens (Director of Operations)

Phil, while attaining both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in studio art found another passion, that of training and nutrition. A constant student, his real-world under-the-barbell and behind-the-fork approach has led to many an opportunity, experience, and change in his life as well as those he has worked.

Phil has transformed his own body in numerous ways from an initial soft 300 plus pounds, to a 165 running enthusiast, and currently 240-260 pounds competing as a strongman and powerlifter. Phil is constantly picking, meeting, and reaching new goals; happy but never content, always striving to perform, learn, build, and pass on past lived experience. He has attended, competed, and hosted various seminars, workshops, and strength events. Met, befriended, worked for, and with many of the tops in the fields of training, sports, and nutrition. Phil consistently and compassionately passes on his lessons learned and knowledge gained to anyone in need, or to those whom simply expresses a desire, passion to better them selves. His experience is varied, having worked both distance via the internet, and hands on. From consulting with high caliber competitors and athletes, training support on a women’s weight loss forum, to volunteering with children in high risk neighborhoods, he has helped any and all walks of life get closer to and achieve their personal goals. All the while insisting he has and will continue to learn at least two fold in return from those whom he has / will help.

Phil currently, aside from his varied work with Team Staley, is a working and showing artist (http://www.philstevens.com). His current personal fitness goals are to become a competitive force as middleweight strongman competitor, while building upon his power lifting experience in which he has seen as high as a top ten national ranking; with a two year goal of obtaining an elite ranking as a 242 or 275lb weight class RAW power lifter.

Eric Stiegman, ATC, CSCS, RKC - (Director of Golf Fitness)

Eric, a two sport athlete in college (basketball and golf), attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis for his undergraduate degree in biology and then Brigham Young University for his graduate studies in sports medicine/athletic training. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a Certified Russian Kettlebell Instructor (RKC).

Currently, Eric is seriously pursuing the growing sport of long driving. This past year was his first competing as he qualified for the Illinois and Missouri Districts, but fell short of making the “Big Show"-The ReMax Long Drive World Finals in Mesquite, Nevada. This year he is training and practicing hard in order to reach his goal of hitting the golf ball 400 yards and to qualify for the World Finals. Eric also trains golfers to achieve added distance, greater stamina, improved health, and ultimately an overall better golf game.

Nick Nilsson (Director Of Online Operations)

Ever since Nick first touched a weight, he’s been hunting for new and innovative ways to build muscle and strength fast. Nick has a degree in physical education and psychology and has been a personal trainer for the past 10 years. He also runs a training website (Fitstep.com) and has authored 7 books on weight training, all available at Fitness-Ebooks.com.

Joaquin Griego (STS Performance Coach)

Joaquin is currently pursuing his degree in Kinesiology at Arizona State. He offers a wide array of knowledge in performance enhancement as well as many years participating in competitive athletics. Joaquin has spent countless hours interning in the collegiate strength setting and initially started as an intern for Charles. His ambition, persistence and will to learn are what he says “drives him day in day out.”