It’s the beginning of August, over 100 degrees in Las Vegas, and we’re in the full swing of Back to School month. Parents are in the midst of shopping for school supplies, purchasing new clothes for the kids and everything else that goes along with preparing for the upcoming school year. This is also the time of year when anxiety is heightened for a lot of people. The unknown can be scary. Many of us can remember that first day of high school sitting at an open table in the cafeteria hoping for someone to sit down next to us. I can remember walking in the hallways, trying my best to look confident, as I searched for my locker. Another example will be this year’s freshman college kids who will quickly realize that college is a lot harder than high school. They have more responsibility placed upon them. Teachers will not harp on them to hand in work on time. The deadlines arrive quick and workloads are increased. The first semester for many can set the tone for their entire college experience. I think two of the biggest questions people will wrestle with are, “Will I fit in?” and “Can I do this?” Read More

This week I get to visit New Orleans for the National Strength & Conditioning Association National (NSCA) conference. I attend this event every year. It’s an opportunity for me to sit in on a few lectures. Even after 25 years in the fitness industry, there’s always something to learn. I get to catch up with a few fellow trainers to talk a little shop. I have walked away from conversations outside the lecture halls with some of my best lessons & info. Finally, I’m the state director for Nevada, so I’ll also attend the National director’s annual meeting. This year, for the first time, I will have the opportunity to attend the conference as a studio and gym owner. This has had an impact on how I approach events like this. This conference hosts an exhibit show with many of the top vendors in the fitness industry. It’s always worth my time to see if there are any new and innovative widgets I can bring back to the shop. Read More

It’s going to get to 109 degrees today in Las Vegas. We are officially in the dog days of summer. I compare summers in the Vegas valley to winters when I was back on the east coast. The weather can affect the outcome of your day. You tend to minimize any time outside and it definitely can drain any additional motivational juice you may have. I’m very blessed because, at the studio, we’re still experiencing consistent growth and things are actually busier. Nine months in, and we’re at that point where people have been passing by our store front for months. They have decided to actually stop in, even if it’s just to get in the cool a/c. Read More

This is a big week for me personally. I celebrate my 46th birthday this Saturday. Like many of you reading this post, when passing another milestone I like to reflect on my current status - physically, mentally, and spiritually. This Saturday I will also be participating in the Dynamic Variable Resistance Training (DVRT) certification, which I am hosting at my studio. Immediately following 8 hours of instruction (on the system behind sandbag training) you have to complete a clean and press test using a sandbag. This is to receive the certification. The weight of the bag is determined by your weight. So weighing a lean 205lbs I will have to use an 80lb sandbag. The test will require me to clean and press the bag 40 times in a time period of 5 minutes. This test is a challenge in muscular endurance, strength and precision. Read More

I was recently reading a great book called The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born, It’s Grown by Daniel Coyle. It gives multiple examples of how practice can make you good. Quality practice will make you GREAT! Experts study these talent hotbeds throughout the world to determine that we shouldn’t be surprised by the consistent out pouring of talent from these sources. They discuss that it’s not just practice, but the quality of practice. When they started reviewing practice and what determined a “good” practice they sited one of their monumental studies by two psychologists Ron Gallimore and Roland Tharp. Read More

I recently completed my first formal yoga workout at the studio. It was an amazing experience. I’m a little quirky with my workouts. When I experiment with a new type of workout and it really challenges me… I love it. I’ve made a concentrated effort to work on my mobility the last three years, I’ve shown big improvements, but yoga was like putting kerosene on a fire for me. Read More

One and a half weeks before Christmas and the studio has never been busier. I’m not reporting this expecting a pat on the back, it’s more of an observation. I was trying to determine if it’s busier because I’m making a concentrated effort to reach people, is it due to the past promotions we’ve run (21 days unlimited training, Black Friday Special) or because we now have a physical location? I’ve always made an effort to create successful training programs. I’ve always put the goals and desires of my clients first. My motivation to train people has always been to help them. I’ve spent my life (literally since I’ve been 15 years old) reading and educating myself about exercise & fitness. If I feel I have a few proven methods, it only makes sense that I would want to share these with people desperately seeking them. Maybe it’s the 25 year culmination of everything that’s providing us with momentum. Read More

2015 Men’s Health Magazine “Next Top Trainer” finalist and nationally recognized Personal Trainer Doug Sheppard has opened the J & D Fitness Personal Training studio in Las Vegas. Sheppard has recruited a team of elite trainers to provide the best quality instruction in the Las Vegas valley. “If you walk into any gym in Las Vegas, the first thing they will show you is the equipment or the locker rooms. The last things the salesperson will mention are the trainers. Not in our place” states Sheppard. “It’s all about having a structured program and quality coaching.” Our studio is not general access, meaning you can’t just come and work out. Everyone is given a trainer either semi-private (3-5 people) or privately to guarantee you get results. Read More

I’m finally catching my breath from this past weekend. Last week I hosted the Nevada National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Annual state clinic. Last year I took the post as the state director representing the NSCA in Nevada (a blessing and a curse). I was on the advisory board prior to that. Our past director was a fellow associate from the local fitness community. Being on the board put a definite strain on our relationship. What I didn’t know was that he had appointed me to the board assuming I would like having the title without having to do anything. Once I was nominated to the board I questioned, “What’s the sense of having a board/ state director if we don’t do anything?” After pushing and prodding I got him to set up a state clinic for fellow trainers, strength coaches, ATCs, etc. offering them the opportunity to gain continued education locally. We were able to organize a panel of quality speakers, lock down a venue within our budget restraints, and get the word out in enough time to get people registered. All of this, only to have him resign his post 1 month prior to the event. Read More

It’s been a while since I blogged. We just finished our 2nd week of being open at our new training studio. The dust hasn’t settled, but I’m slowly trying to get back into my normal routine. I typically like to write about observations that I experience in my training practice. As we get new members in the studio I explain that we’re a semi-private training facility. We specialize in having small groups of 3-6 people work out together. They may have a similar program focusing on mobility, strength and fat loss, but we preach that every routine/ exercise can either be regressed or progressed to fit that person’s skill level. I will admit that 80% of the time everyone is doing similar type movements. I did start to think am I a hypocrite? I’ll explain. Read More