Faculty & Presenters

John Platero Definition of a Personal Trainer and Exercise Application

John Platero is a fitness educator who has consulted both nationally and internationally. He is the director of education for the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers, an organization that has certified thousands of personal trainers all over the world. He is the "trainer to the trainers."

He has obtained 34 personal training certifications, filmed over 30 fitness videos and infomercials, has been published or featured by most of the fitness magazines and authored the book "Yes You Can - Fitness After 40 - A New Beginning."

As an athlete, John was a champion bodybuilder who turned cyclist and has won 21 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals in cycling and mountain biking in the Senior Games, and Master's Pan American Games. He is the current (2009-2010) Master's National Champion in cycling for the Senior Games.

Cathy Miller Definition of a Personal Trainer

A dedicated fitness enthusiast and personal trainer for the past 15-years, Cathy Miller has competed and coached a multitude of school and club sports ranging from gymnastics to volleyball. Cathy is also an accomplished fitness model and competitor. She is a two-time Ms. Fitness California winner and has graced the pages of numerous national and international fitness publications. Cathy has taken this dedication and passion for fitness and shared it with her personal training and boot camp clients for more than a decade. In addition to her fitness expertise, Cathy has been studying nutrition for more than 10-years and holds a B.S. in Holistic Nutrition.

Scott Gaines, MS Exercise Physiology

Scott Gaines has been in the fitness industry for more than 16 years as a personal trainer, fitness manager, educator and martial arts instructor. Scott is an adjunct professor of Functional Biomechanics at A.T. Still University and as well as an instructor of Advanced Program Design at Chapman University. Scott holds a bachelor's degree in biological sciences and a master's degree in human movement. His passion for new and innovative ways for teaching fundamental science led to the start of 3DBioMech, an animation company that specializes in 3D visuals for teaching biomechanics.

Lucho Crisalle Basic Nutrition

Lucho Crisalle has a degree in Food Science & Human Nutrition and a Minor in Exercise Kinesiology from the University of Florida. He completed his Dietetic Internship through Cal State Long beach and worked as a Registered Dietitian at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles from 1997 thorough 2003 when he decided to go back to his true passion, the fitness industry. In the fitness industry, Lucho created a Nutrition Certification for personal trainers, life coaches, and fitness enthusiasts while being the head Dietitian for The Sports Club Irvine. He now sees clients ranging from professional athletes to stay at home moms for weight management and sports nutrition at his office in California.

Desi Bartlett M.S., CPT Flexibility

Desi Bartlett M.S., CPT, has been teaching health and wellness for over 18 years. Her innovative approach to teaching is to tap into one's inner joy and let movement be an outer expression of that state. Originally from Chicago, she has earned a degree in Kinesiology, a minor in dance and her Master's degree in Corporate Fitness. Desi holds advanced certifications in Yoga, Personal Training, Pre & Post Natal Fitness and Group Fitness. She is also a continuing education provider through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Council for Personal Trainers.

Desi's inspiring and unique classes have been featured on networks such as ABC, Univision and Lifetime. In 2005, Desi was named ambassador for Lululemon Athletica. In that same year, she helped open Equinox Fitness in Santa Monica as their Group Fitness Manager. In early 2006 she was a presenter for NikeFitnessAcademy at the University of Southern California and also worked as the product director of fitness for Gaiam, teaching 'Yoga Dance Fusion,' at Gaiam's 10th annual LOHAS conference.

As an extension of her relationship with Lululemon Athletica, Desi designed the first round Yoga mat on the market, the 360 mat. She created a special class format based on the design of the mat, which is called 360 Yoga-Flow. Desi also filmed her 2009 Prenatal Yoga DVD on the 360 mat, inviting in a feeling of freedom to the movement for expecting moms.

In 2008, Acacia released two DVD projects created by and featuring Bartlett. The first title,' 3 in1 Total Body Fitness,' is a triathlon style, full body workout, the eclectic DVD combines 30 minutes of strength training to sculpt and tone; 30 minutes of cardio to train your heart, boost your energy and endurance; and 30 minutes of flexibility training and stretching to lengthen muscles and open stiff joints. The 2nd title,' Yoga for Beginners,' includes two unique practices, one an active, easy flow for complete body toning, the other slower and deeper for building long, lean muscles. There is much more to come from Desi, so sit back, relax and stay centered.

Ruben Salinas, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, CSCS Special Populations

Ruben is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, founder and director of Salinas Physical Therapy / Sports Medicine. He specializes in the treatment of the spine, knee rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction and managing shoulder injuries of overhead athletes. His diverse background ranges from successfully rehabilitating Olympic, professional and high school athletes to restoring the function of seniors and children.

Ruben was born in Los Angeles who after serving in the Medical Corp of the U. S. Army earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from California State University Long Beach in 1987. He continued his education earning both his Masters in Biokinesiology and Doctor of Physical Therapy Degrees from the University of Southern California in 2001. He has presented or co-authored several studies and or courses related to lower extremity biomechanics and rehabilitation.

Ruben's professional background includes certifications from the American Physical Therapy Association as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Ruben has a passion for sports and is a competitive tennis player. His interests also include playing golf, racquetball, and coaching youth baseball.

Tom DeLong, MA, C.S.C.S. Anatomical Terms and Anatomy

Tom DeLong, MA, C.S.C.S. is a 25 year veteran of both the strength and conditioning and the health/fitness industries. He graduated from Ball State University with a BS in Exercise Science and Wellness then obtained a graduate degree is in Kinesiology with emphasis in Biomechanics and Program Design from California State University, Long Beach. His accomplishments include teaching at the university level (UCLA Extension for 11 years, California Lutheran University for 7 years), strength and conditioning coach/specialist (22 years), 25 years as a competitive lifter in the sport of Powerlifting, Director of Research and Development for NESTA (National Exercise and Sport Trainer's Association - one of only 10 accredited personal training certifications in the country), published author, national speaker (Arnold Strength Summit with Strength Pro™, NSCA Conference, IDEA Personal Trainer Institute), and is currently writing a chapter entitled "Biomechanics of Power" for Human Kinetics with David Sandler and Strength Pro™.

David Hoptar Program Design

David Hoptar is the President of Performance Health & Consulting and is currently under contract with PureFitness Health Clubs in San Diego, providing his expertice as the Regional Fitness Director and Senior Trainer/Nutritionist.

David's experience includes over 40 years of weight Training, a BA in Health Education /Nutrition a Masters in Nutritional Sciences and he has achieved the rank of 5th degree Black Belt in GoJu-Ryu Karate.

David is passionate about Health and Fitness. He not only "talks the talk" but "walks the walk" which is why we have engaged him as an educator for the NCCPT.

David is in the final stages of launching his own website HoptarBeyondFitness.com to share is Philosophy of overall "Fitness Balance",he is single and makes his home in Encinitas, California.