James J.F. Manipis, MSc
CEO/Owner - Division 1 Fitness
I began my fitness career when I was a Soldier in the US Army. I was stationed at Fort Drum, NY when my supervisor appointed me to instruct physical training for the week. Ever since then while I was in service, I enjoyed being an instructor and strived for certifications to gain credentials so I can officially instruct as a Sergeant. When I was stationed in Yongsan, Korea, I gained another interest in tactical combatives and tactical physical fitness training. I also achieved two certifications in combatives with the emphasis of Jujitsu from the Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP). I used my expertise to design tactical fitness training to my unit by utilizing PRT (Physical Readiness Training) and Tactical Combatives exercises into one program for whenever I was appointed to instruct. In my last duty station at Fort Polk, LA, I became the subject matter expert for tactical fitness. Now that I am a veteran, I took up a masters degree in sports and health sciences with the emphasis on exercise science. I gained a certification as a certified personal trainer (CPT) with specializations in tactical conditioning (TCS) and strength and conditioning (SCC) from the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) and corrective exercise specialist (CES) with specializations in stretching and flexibility (SFC) and virtual coaching (VCS) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). It does not stop there, I am currently studying to be a certified athletic trainer from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Never stop learning.
My Mission
I understand that losing fat and gaining muscle can be challenging on your own and my goal is to help you overcome your struggles and reach your outcome. I also understand that adapting new fitness habits is difficult and often fails. I do a thorough assessment that will help you reach what you desire by delving deep with your roadblocks and according to your immediate, short-term, and long-term goals using a unique mechanism and tools you can utilize daily. At the end of your game plan session, we will find out what program you are a good fit . Each program comes with meal plans tailored to your diet, recommended supplements, easy to follow food portions guidelines, recipes, weekly Q&A, community forum, and health hacks email newsletter. My mission is to change your view on fitness and how you tackle each training day so that it becomes part of who you are and your lifestyle. I strongly believe that if you practice healthy habits and follow through with the program and system, you will be able to reach your goals faster.
My Vision
I believe that all persons whether fit and unfit has the ability to reveal their true self. I remember from my Army days, all the NCO I have ever met have reminded junior enlisted personnel, "all challenges are all in the mind." It is a matter of mindset, because it just depends how badly you want to achieve it. My favorite quote comes from 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Your Body is a Temple, for your Soul that Resides in." Once my clients have changed their view on fitness, they can strive to build their body as healthy and fit as a temple for their soul to take pride to live in. I am proud of my expertise gained when I was in the Army and my vision is to be recognized as an outstanding training provider to anyone who feel stuck and don't know what to do to improve their current fitness level.
My Values
You know what they say: once a Soldier, Always a Soldier. My values continue to revolve around the Army core values: Loyalty: a matter of believing and devoting myself to the success and improvements to all clients that I train. By showing up to your weekly check-ins, and dedicating my time and energy developing a workout plan and nutritional plan tailored to you. Duty: is my responsibility that the program you signed up for, and what was promised, is what you will achieve. I will fulfill my obligations by taking no shortcuts to achieving your fitness and health goals. Respect: allows me to appreciate the best in others by trusting you put your best effort. It also allows me to make changes to your program if I see some time in your training you are struggling and you need an alternative exercise that works the same muscle at a different level of intensity. Selfless-Service: is putting you before my own. By setting priorities, it helps me help you achieve your outcome faster. All programs are outcome-based, and my priority is that you have everything you need to achieve it. Honor: is a matter of carrying out all my values in everything that I do. By making it a daily living, it solidifies the habit of making every value choices I make. Integrity: is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. It is a quality adhering to moral principles which requires me to do nothing that deceives others. At the beginning of your program, everything will be discussed to you so you have a clear and transparent understanding to what you can expect in your training program. Personal Courage: is facing fear and challenges. This is the mindset part of my values. The ability of what you can do is all in your mind and a matter of enduring what you feel that are your weaknesses.
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