John playing at his NJ studio.
John Tsafos of Holistic Wellness Network in New Jersey is no ordinary personal trainer. Not only has he become one of my closest friends in recent years, but he's a trusted colleague of mine when it comes to helping clients deal with stress and emotional issues that are holding them back. I usually tell people that whatever your problem is, John can help. It doesn't matter if it's pain in your shoulder or some sort of emotional stress, John can help lead you on a path to self-healing. But, it begins with the desire to change and the effort needs to come from within. Without actually doing the simple things John asks of them, clients will not see the results that they want or expect. The power is in the “doing.”
1. What's the number one problem that clients have when they come to you for help?
“I want to lose weight and have more energy. Oh, and by the way, I am depressed, anxious and have chronic pain.”
2. Why do you find that most people have that same problem?
They all have the same lifestyle. They work harder than they have energy for, for people who don't care anything about their wellbeing, to impress people they don't care about. Because of that, they rely on simple sugars, stimulants, and anti-depressants.
Hiking is one of John's favorite ways to be active.
3. What's are the top 5 things that you recommend that people do in their lives to help to heal themselves of that problem?
1) develop a more simplified lifestyle
2) love themselves more
3) pay attention to their bodies
4) meditate more (be at peace alone)
5) love everyone more and have no judgement/resentment. Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting your enemies to die.
I was once the same type of person that my clients are. Because of that, I can now take them somewhere they need to go. In my experience, you can't lead someone to a place where you have never been. Since all disease is a manifestation of stress, lowering the typical daily stresses will only allow the human body the ability to heal and repair. The body only knows repair and growth or fight or flight. It cannot focus on repair and growth if it's focused on fight or flight responses 24/7.
4. How is your practice/what you do with clients different than a standard personal trainer?
We do a full evaluation of a clients readiness for what their goals/expectations are. We look at what they eat, when they eat, stress levels (emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, and thermal), digestion, parasites/fungal infections, hormone profiles, glucose tolerance, and much more. Our questionnaires and tests can take over 2 hours to finish. Standard weekend-taught trainers ask about 20-30 of almost useless questions which can get trainers into a fast malpractice lawsuit due to not knowing what to do with clients.
John, taking the time to relax after a hike.
5. How do you work with clients to help them both locally and remotely via phone and Skype?
I offer in-person sessions to local clients and Skype sessions as well as online nutrition and wellness/training programs through ptEnhance. It's the most comprehensive online training tool used by C.H.E.K certified professionals. Even local clients can take advantage of online sessions and training if they would like to.
About John Tsafos
Certifications:
BS Exercise Physiology from East Stroudsburg University PA, Posturology from St. John/Clark pain treatment center Tampa, FL, C.H.E.K level 3 Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Fitness Leader Certification from County College of Morris
Specializations: corrective exercise, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), infant development for adult rehabilitation
Studio Name & Location: Holistic Wellness Network, Chatham, NJ 07928.
Get in Touch With John to Set Up a Consultation
Phone #, Email & Skype Name: (973) 220-0220, click here to email John or contact him as holisticwellnessnetwork on Skype
Here's John talking about his business in a short video below:
Enjoy & be well!
Diane Sanfilippo
BS, Certified Nutrition Educator, C.H.E.K. Holistic Lifestyle Coach
San Francisco Nutritionist & Paleo Nutritionist serving the Bay Area and beyond via phone & Skype consultations.
Comments 5
Nice list 🙂
I love to see info like this. You get some people who preach that diet is the end-all, but there are so many factors involved in health. You’ve got diet, exercise, posture, stress, sleep, toxin exposure. So narrow-minded to me when it gets boiled down to one or two things. But maybe I’m just zen-paleo and don’t even know it.
Totally 🙂
John is amazing! He is also in my circle of trust, a very good friend and a colleague of mine. He walks his walk and talks his talk. He has also helped me in my healing process. For that I feel so blessed and am truly grateful.
John John is the man <3
Just saw that John went to school in my home town. Small world!