Renea Aswegan
- Personal Training Client

In today’s world, people tend to be quick to criticize and slow to offer praise (if at all). I want to take the time to express my respect, admiration and appreciation for Marko Sanchez and his personal training program.

Prior to training with Marko, I worked with a few different personal trainers at a well-known gym franchise for a year. As a result, I wound up in physical therapy with Mike Van Gilder for treatment of an ACL tear in my knee. After deciding on surgery to repair my ACL, Mike recommended that I take some personal training sessions with Marko so that I could strengthen my legs and improve my overall balance since I would have to be on crutches for six weeks.

Marko’s sessions made a big difference while I was on crutches. And that difference convinced me that his program was something out of the ordinary – something that could improve my day-to-day life without the complete and utter drudgery and misery demanded by other personal trainers at the gyms I had used in the past. Marko’s knowledge, experience, and training was the ideal solution – I had finally found the personal training program that would exceed all my expectations and have such a dramatic impact on my health and well-being.

Initially, I didn’t really understand functional training or it’s benefits. There were times when I felt downright silly doing some of the exercises Marko recommended – until I started noticing the improvements in my daily life. When I realized that I could turn my upper body without pain, I could stand and wash dishes without pain, I could load groceries in the car without pain, I finally got it!

I have been training with Marko for two and a half years and in my mind, the results are remarkable. I have lost almost 40 pounds and am no longer on blood pressure medication. I look and feel the best I have felt in many years. And while I still have physical issues and limitations, I no longer use them as an excuse to not exercise. Working out several times a week has become a routine I now look forward to instead of dread – thanks to Marko and his “personal torture” program! For the first time in my life, I have found an exercise program that I can stick with, be successful at and truly enjoy!

Warmly,

Renea

Kristin Mayer
- Elite Masters Triathlete

I am blown away by the knowledge of the RU Sports Performance Center staff. As a Masters athlete, my goals are to remain healthy so I can continue to race and improve. After 10 weeks of Tri-Strength classes in the off-season, I can tell I am poised to have one of my best seasons to date. When starting back to my swim-bike-run routine I felt stronger and more balanced.

Kristin

Karen Ronney, USPTA and PTR
- Patrick Henry High Girls Varsity Tennis
- Lake Murray Tennis Club - Teaching Professional
- National USTA RCW and QuickStart Trainer
- National Special Olympics Coach
- LA84 Foundation - Coaching Education
- Author: Proud Parents' Guide to Raising Athletic, Balanced, and Coordinated Kids Triathlete

Hi Bryan,

Phil was fantastic with the kids at soccer - he is an asset to your company! My daughter (9-years-old) had fun with Phil's activities, and was sore the next day. It was good for her!! Her competitive team had been off soccer for the last month, so it was time to get back into shape.

She is also a tennis player, ranked #35 in Southern California, and I think the fitness training helped her footwork, which was getting a bit slow. This weekend, she won the Balboa Park Satellite Girls-10 Singles Championship. She played the best tennis of her life. It was unbelievable. On Sunday, she played two matches back to back - four tough, competitive sets. The first match lasted two hours and the second was about one hour and 45 min, with only a 15-minute break between matches. That's a lot of tennis for a little kid. You can never know for sure, but I believe the footwork session totally jumpstarted her balance and coordination.

I am very interested in your program on so many levels - as you know, I am the Girls' varsity tennis coach at PHHS, and would love to work with you in some aspect for this upcoming season. We were Eastern League Champions, and have potential to repeat. Way better chances if we can get the girls fit and ready well before August!

Thanks and take care,

Karen Ronney

Nestor Lozoya
- Race to Stop MS Program - Mentor

Over the past year I have been working with Rehab United trough the Race To Stop MS program. I set a goal for my self about two years ago to complete a triathlon and working with coaches Justin Robinson and Brian Wilson has made my dream come true. Last summer I completed my first race and now working hard with the team at Rehab United to make this upcoming season even better.

Working with RU has been a life changing experience. I could not have done it with out them.

Thank you Rehab United!!

Nestor

Check out a "Fox 5 Sports" Segment featuring Nestor

Paul Peterson
- Triathlete

Bryan,

My coach, Lesley Paterson and I decided that during the off season I needed to focus on core strength and proper nutrition. My 70.3 times have been between 6:10 and 7 hours - I get through the swim and the bike portions in pretty good shape, but then the run comes and I tend to fall apart.

Lesley suggested that I attend your Tri-Strength class and I have been coming twice a week for the past three months. I have to admit that initially I was a tad skeptical; the exercises that you and your staff have us do seem unconventional at times. But, I decided to put my opinions aside and just go with it.

In the past month I have noticed some great results, I seem to be biking and running with a lower heart rates and faster times and I feel stronger in my workouts. This last week I put it to the test with a 56 mile bike and then a 13.1 mile run. The surprise came when I started my run - I couldn’t believe how good I felt! My legs were strong! As I started the run and I found myself running an 8:30 pace, which is too fast for me if I want to survive the 13 miles. I tried to slow it down for a couple of miles but was feeling so good that I decided to see what I could do. I completed the 13.1 miles in 2 hrs 1 min – this by far my best time ever! To top it off, I ran the last two miles at an 8:30 pace! I finished the run feeling really good.

I want to thank you and your staff for the intense strength classes. It is making a huge difference for me and I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to build core strength and improve their performance. I am looking forward to Ironman 70.3 California to set a new PR and later this year to complete Ironman Coeur d’Alene.

Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Paul

Jacque Harvey
- Triathlete
- 2nd Overall - 2008 KOZ Triathlon Series

Thank You RU Sports Performance Center!

Your sport performance programs for functioanl strength has been fantastic for me. I had slowly lost core and upper body strength that was hurting my overall performance. By going to the weekly Tri-Strength and Pedal Power workouts I was able to improve in all aspects of triathlon and feel better every day. I know this was my best year ever! I stayed injury free and enjoyed the season from start to finish.


Sincerely,

Jacque Harvey

Bianca Saad
- San Diego State Track & Field
- College Bound Athletes - Class of 2008

Hey,

It’s all going GREAT to say the least.  I have so much to tell you guys – I talked to the coach today, and if I keep up how I am doing, then he likes what he’s seeing.  He actually knows my name – that's right!

One more thing . . . THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!  Please tell all the guys I say thank you, every one of them for everything they did. The hell workouts are paying off like no other – it’s hard, but I handle it, and I handle it strong.  Seriously, I could not have been more prepared.  Track has been SO tough, especially weights (for me at least).  I swear, if I hadn’t done College Bound with you in the summer, I would be screwed  . . .

Thank you again and I will keep in touch!

Bianca

Paul Sanit
- Head Coach Men's Lacrosse - Poway High School
- CIF Runner Up 2006
- CIF Champions 2002

What a year! Thank you so much for what you have done for not only our high school program but also for our youth development program at the middle school level. The boys have never been more fit. More players passed our two mile test this year than any other since since I have been head coach. I love the lacrosse specific weight training program that you guys have run the boys through. We have definately seen a drastic improvement in our players strength and power in front of the net. It is nice to know that as long as you guys are running our offseason program, we will always be the most fit team on the field.

Thanks Again,

Paul

More Great Stories about RU Sports Performance Center Athletes:

- "Accident Brings new Perspective to Senior" - Dallin Hayne

- "Why We Race" - Mike Hazelton

- "Social Worker Earns more than Medals..." - Melanie Benn