About Us

Dr. Jack Barnathan and
myself in Westlake
Village, Ca. 6/07

Page Title

Tom Shoffner
Certifications Earned:
NESTA, Personal Fitness Trainer
ISSA, Fitness Trainer
NESTA, Sports Hypnosis
New York Strength, Muscle Mastery
New York Strength, Performance Nutrition
Membership:
Fitness Professionals International
National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association

I have spent my adult life researching techniques that lead to
mental and physical health and well-being. Learning and applying
a variety of these techniques have led me to a greater
understanding of the mind/body connection and the importance of
balanced strength.

Strength, in both body and mind, is a fundamental indicator for
confidence, peak performance, and longevity. I have observed
that people who have balanced a strong mind with a strong body
display qualities of dependability, confidence, fairness, and joyful
living.

Physical strength alone, while important and useful, is limited if it
is not accompanied by mental, or perhaps a better term would be
inner, strength. Likewise, inner strength, while being perhaps the
noblest type of strength, is of limited use if it is housed in a frail
and short-lived body.

Balancing both types of strength is often difficult in our modern
world which demands so much from our minds, often at the
neglect of our bodies. The stresses that build up in the home and
workplace need to be offset by regular care of our physical body
through exercise. When we exercise regularly studies show that
our parasympathetic nervous system, which governs rest and
recovery, operates more efficiently.

My education background has included a comprehensive study of
world history in which I earned a B.A.degree in historical studies
with an emphasis on ancient civilizations. As a post-graduate I
attended seminars and workshops in the Yucatan and Peru where
I studied the centuries-old arts of authentic curanderos/healers.
Their knowledge of the psycho-physical connection of disease and
healing have taught me that when we seek simple, honest and
contemplative lifestyles we foster longevity, health and peace of
mind.

I have also engaged in one on one training with masters in yoga,
tai chi chuan and martial arts, and completed my study of Eastern
philosophy in which I graduated with distinction in 2005, earning
an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of the West.

My studies and hands on training with the International Sports
Sciences Association (ISSA) led to my first certification as a
fitness trainer. It was with the ISSA that I met the internationally
known "Dr. Strength" - Dr. Jack Barnathan creator of New York
Strength and Fitness Professionals International. I have assisted
Dr. Barnathan at ISSA seminars and have earned his prestigious
Certificate of Muscle Mastery and completed his Performance
Nutrition workshop.

Adding to my foundation in Buddhist psychology and Eastern
meditation I completed my studies with the National Exercise and
Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) and earned certification in
Sports Hypnosis in order to better understand modern
methodologies for improving confidence and performance.

Most recently I decided to expand my exposure to different
approaches to fitness science and earned a nationally accredited
certification with NESTA in Personal Training.

Contact me at thestrengthworkshop@verizon.net for
information on training packages.