About Shawn

Dedicating my life to health and fitness wasn't a hard decision to make. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in economics and philosophy, I was bent on making a career as a successful financial advisor. I interned at Merrill Lynch for about four months, and consequently received an offer as an assistant institutional broker. A year and a half later, I decided to switch companies and begin my career as a financial advisor at Smith Barney. At the time, I thought I was on my way to financial independence and success. Unfortunately, in 2001 the market took a turn and my business began to evaporate. The stress on my body and mind was relentless. 

Eventually, my body broke down and I began to suffer from physical fatigue and needed longer periods of rest to recover for the next day of work. I left Smith Barney on disability and decided to get help. I felt really depressed and had no energy to do anything but sleep. I was consistently sleeping around 14 hours a day and had no energy to hangout with friends or family - all I wanted to do was to be alone. These were darkest days of my life. This lasted for about a year.

Once I went on disability I decided to get help and initially I went to several traditional western medical doctors. Strangely enough my tests were normal. This process was extremely frustrating because I knew what I was feeling was not normal. I finally went to several integrative medical doctors who diagnosed me with chronic fatigue syndrome and hypoadrenia which was caused by a combination of stress, allergies and severe adrenal fatigue. 

At the same time during my recovery, I began to read countless books on nutrition, supplements, spirituality, and body building. I began to realize how much I enjoyed health and fitness and decided to switch careers. Initially, this was a really tough decision to make. For the past 7 years my only focus at UCLA, Smith Barney, and Merrill Lynch had been economics and business. I was very tentative about making the change. Also, my ego was saying that I was crazy. My ego or mind would say silly things like "why go from a really prestigious job to something like personal trainer" or "isn't that a step back?" But after some soul searching I came to the conclusion that this career was the best fit for my talents. It went from being a difficult decision to an easy decision once I considered that this was a viable career and that I would be making a real difference in peoples' lives.

Even now I realize how important it was for me to go thru my personal health crisis. I used to be the corporate guy who woke up every morning at 4:45AM and would say to himself "I hate my life". I was that guy and I can relate and empathize with professionals in the corporate america who are dealing with an exorbitant amount of stress, some of which have adrenal fatigue.

I've had many new clients with severe health challenges that I can relate and empathize with them. It really shakes me to my core because I know how it feels to be physically challenged in a way that you feel that you're sleep walking through life. Given this background and debilitating health issues, I've had the pleasure of helping clients with their health challenges. I've established a team approach by working with several integrative medical doctors to address many health issues for my clients such as adrenal fatigue, physical fatigue, high cortisol levels, hormonal imbalance, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and many more. With a healthy diet, sound exercise program and a really good medical doctor, I feel confident that I can help a new client with their specific goals and challenges.

Currently, after trying different treatment protocols I feel like a completely different person. Periodically, I go to my doctor to do various tests which show significant improvement. I am happy with the change in my life and career. 

Having adrenal fatigue is somewhat like sleep walking through life. Never really having the full experience that life has to offer. That chapter luckily has past and now and I'm wide awake and ready for a new chapter. Based on my spiritual beliefs, I believe things happen for a reason. I felt like after experiencing such severe symptoms, I could better empathize with people who suffer physically, mentally, or emotionally - whatever the source. Given today’s fast paced high stress world, it gives me great pleasure to help people not only cope with their lives, but also enhance their well being with health and fitness.

Biography

Shawn is one of the most popular trainers in Los Angeles with a  client list that includes various celebrities and athletes. He is the founder of Perfect Body, Inc., has been a fitness spokesperson for Time Warner, manages three health and fitness web sites, was featured four times on KCAL 9 news “9 on the town”, was featured on CBS radio 97.1 numerous times, has appeared on a variety of cable shows, and runs a successful personal training practice.

His approach to fitness is both unique and compelling.  He uses a three dimensional approach which includes the mind, body, and spirit.  This approach has been extremely useful and effective to help people lose weight. 

Shawn’s background is wide and diverse.  He attended UCLA graduating with honors in Economics and Philosophy.  While attending UCLA, Shawn was a model with the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency.  After graduation, he was hired by the esteemed investment bank, Merrill Lynch, as an institutional broker and then subsequently transferred over to Smith Barney to become a Financial Advisor.  After his 4 year stay in finance, Shawn’s health was suffering from hypoadrenia so he left the industry.  After struggling with his own personal health challenges, he decided to dedicate his life to health and fitness and started a new career to help others.  Shawn is now an entrepreneur in the fitness industry focusing on personal training, public speaking, fitness modeling, and media.  Shawn is certified with the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine and trains at Power House gym in West Los Angeles.  He also does in–home training sessions in the following areas: Los Angeles, Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Marina Del Rey, Century City, and Beverly Hills.