MEET OUR FITNESS TEAM

Kelly Nickel - Owner / Program Director / Head Coach

Kelly Nickel is the owner and CEO of Kelly Nickel Fitness Adventures, LLC, and is an avid fitness enthusiast.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration and Music, and was honored as a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, one of the most prestigious awards the academic community bestows.  Kelly traveled as a full time recording and concert artist for 6 years in a group she and her husband started called CenterPoint.

Kelly was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and fitness and nutrition has always been a part of her healthy lifestyle. In her college days she was an athlete and team leader for her basketball and soccer teams.  Kelly loves fitness and always looks for a challenge.  From personal experience, she has learned how day-to-day challenges play into our self-improvement process, and she now brings this concept to her clients in a safe and controlled manner. 

Married for 14 years and the mother of three children, Kelly understands the balance needed in striving to maintain a strong level of health and fitness while fulfilling other responsibilities as well as the challenge of getting back into shape after multiple pregnancies.  She enjoys running, hiking, and camping in the beautiful Yosemite valley with her family.

Kelly has lived in the Central Valley for 4 years, and her passion for fitness has led her to pursue fitness training on a new level.  She proudly obtained what was by far one of her most challenging certifications with Billy Blanks® as a certified Tae Bo® fitness instructor.  She also completed training for her black belt in Tae Bo Kwon®, a form of Tae Kwon Do.  She is a NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainer) Certified Adventure Boot Camp Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, and is CPR certified. She currently teaches Tae Bo® fitness classes at Fresno State University.  For the past 2 years, Kelly has continued to extend her knowledge of health, nutrition, and fitness by constantly continuing her education in these areas.  She is dedicated to helping each and every one of her clients capture their fitness goals through proper training, form, and nutrition.  She strives to empower people to believe in their potential and in their ability to reach their goals and is a firm believer that fitness is for everyone and it’s never too late to get started!  Kelly is very excited to be offering this new and exciting fitness program in the Fresno area.

Karey Nickel - Marketing Director / Assistant Trainer

Karey Nickel, husband of Kelly, acts as Marketing Director and assistant trainer for Fresno Adventure Boot Camp.  Owner of graphic and web design company, Imagine It Digital, Karey helps with all the technology, website design and development, and other marketing aspects of boot camp.  In addition, Karey and Kelly form a dynamic team, and work together to coach and encourage boot camp recruits to reach their goals and potential.

Karey has a masters degree in piano performance, and spent 6 years traveling with Kelly as a full time concert team.  He has also been involved as a worship leader at several large churches in Florida and California.  As actors and musicians, Karey and Kelly have played leading roles in several major productions of Shakespeare and Gilbert and Sullivan musicals.  They were recently featured at Roger Rockas Dinner Theater as Harold Hill and Marian the Librarian in The Music Man.

Karey brings a background in athletics, having played high school and college basketball and volleyball, as well as track and field.  Now with a strong emphasis on fitness, Karey and Kelly train together for various races, recently completing the Nike 10K Race in August 2008, and training for the upcoming half marathon in November here in Fresno.

Michelle Fox - Boot Camp Instructor / Personal Trainer / Nutritional Specialist

A new addition to the Fresno Adventure Boot Camp team, Michelle Fox brings confidence, enthusiasm and a strong passion for fitness. Michelle has her certification as a Fitness Trainer and Nutrition Specialist from the US Career Institute, and is presently working on two new certifications to improve her understanding of all things fitness.  

Michelle has been heavily involved in athletics throughout our life, including basketball, volleyball, softball, and her first love, soccer!  She is an official referee of soccer, and can be found coaching or playing on one of her co-ed recreational teams.

As the mother of two active boys, Michelle appreciates how critical it is for families to stay healthy and in shape.  She loves working with individuals and groups of all ages and fitness levels, and believes strongly in the power of investing now in wellness for people to enjoy long term happiness.  

Michelle considers it her personal mission to do whatever she can to assist people in reaching and maintaining their fitness goals. Like she says, "It is NEVER too early or too late to 'take charge' and own your wellness!"

Dr. John Spencer Ellis - Support Staff

Each week, over one million people around the world enjoy a fitness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His fitness programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. John is the President of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association) and the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching. These two professional associations have 45,000 members in 30 countries. John is on the Advisory Boards of the National Health, Wellness and Prevention Congress, Exercise TV, Conference for Healthy Living, Irvine Valley College, Get America Fit Foundation, and is a Fellow of the National Board of Fitness Examiners. He is the author of "How Badly Do You Want It? - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Fitness," and a contributor to "Power of Champions." He created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp program in the world. His signature series of outdoor fitness equipment is used in communities worldwide. John has been featured or quoted in every major fitness publication, and held the post of Fitness Editor for OC Flair magazine. John has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, SPIKE, ESPN & Bravo. He serves as an on-air expert for Life & Leisure Television and Health Journal Television with General Norman Schwarzkopf. He is the producer and host of The OC Body on The Healthy Living Channel. John is a Nautilus sponsored athlete and stars in the workout DVDs Playground Boot Camp™ & Kung-Fu Fitness™. John created the fitness program used by the U.S. Secret Service and he consults the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships).

John has been continuing his professional education since 1987, and holds bachelors degrees in business and health science, an MBA, and a doctorate in education. He is currently completing a second doctorate in naturopathy. He has fifteen certifications including massage therapy, plyometrics, self-defense, fitness kick boxing, fitness boxing, water fitness, exercise rehabilitation, golf conditioning, Pilates, personal training, clinical hypnotherapy, sports hypnosis, PACE circuit training and yoga. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in kung-fu, has completed the Ironman triathlon, and finished 5th at the U.S. National Biathlon Championships. His medical training includes a license in radiological technology, a medical assisting certification, and training in McKenzie rehabilitation. John was nominated for the California Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.