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Diet Accountability and Support

Make Real Connections

Research has shown repeatedly that team-based activities is more sustainable and promotes greater achievements than training by yourself. Kenzai uses the same team work philosophy to help you stay committed to your health goals. We believe this team-based approach is the key to your success.

With Kenzai you’ll have several layers of community support. You’ll be placed into a small virtual group of 10-14 people from around the world led by one of our certified trainers. There will be opportunities to get to know your teammates and the common goals you share. We encourage you to take part in the social contract by participating in the group introductions and reading/ commenting on your teammates’ blog posts. It’s a great way to see how other people navigate the challenges of their Kenzai training and to build camaraderie with other on a similar experience.

Beyond your own team, there will be other teams all going through the same course. You’ll also find the larger Kenzai community engaged and active on the website. It is our experience that the the more you engage with the community, the stronger your social safety net will be when training gets difficult.

Diet Accountability and Support Connections | Kenzai App

MULTIPLE WAYS TO CONNECT

Group Activity Stream | Diet Accountability and Support | Kenzai App

Group Activity Stream

View an aggregated list of activities of your teammates and engage with them through comments and responses.

Status Updates and Blogs | Diet Accountability and Support | Kenzai App

Training Journal & Social Stream

Keep a journal about your fitness journey and share your thoughts with the Kenzai Community. Stay accountable to your fitness goals by posting weekly updates and sharing your experience with your teammates.

Q&A Diet Accountability and Support | Kenzai App

Q&A

Have a training question? Post it on the Q&A forum where a member of our training staff will get back to you, normally within 12 hours or less.

Direct Messaging | Diet Accountability and Support | Kenzai App

Direct Messaging

Your trainer can be reached privately using our internal message system if you have any specific concerns or questions. Group messaging is also available for team-based communications.

MEET OUR TRAINERS

Kenzai trainers have deep understanding of human motivation and have collectively spent thousands of hours coaching people to build sustainable lifestyle changes and a thriving, healthy body.

All of our trainers are certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and many hold advanced credentials in wellness, health, and human psychology. Assistant Trainers are recent Kenzai graduates who offer invaluable peer support to keep you motivated through your training program.

WARD

MORE ABOUT WARD
 

Ward

Head Trainer

Ward has devoted his life to helping others discover their best selves. This journey has led him from getting a nursing degree to helping underprivileged California youth in Americorps, to designing the experiential education program for troubled students in public schools of Maine. He continued this journey as a Kenzai trainer, and then as our head trainer developing the Kenzai trainer team to help thousands around the world.

Ward’s training style can be summed up in two words - validate and educate. Everyone comes to their fitness program with their own challenges, hang-ups, and strengths. He works to meet trainees where they are, understand their situation, and collaborate to find the solutions that get results. Empowerment and knowledge is always the goal.

When he’s not training Kenzai trainees or organizing the training staff, Ward can be found ripping up the ski-slopes and mountain-bike trails of New England. When he’s not outside he’s often in the cinema catching up on the latest art house films or whipping up fresh, delicious food for his family.

Location: Portland, Maine 

Training philosophy: “Approach fitness with a harm-reduction model. Eliminate the things that are causing the most damage first, and focus on progress, not perfection. Everyone has a different starting point. Don’t compare your starting point with another person, just get started!”


Life experience

  • Masters Degree, Counselor Education
  • Bachelor of Arts


Kenzai experience

  • NASM certified Trainer
  • Training with Kenzai since 2012
  • Joined Training Team 2013
  • Head Trainer since 2016
 

ED

MORE ABOUT ED

Ed

Assistant Trainer

Hailing from Hawaii and San Francisco, Ed has spent his life helping others be their best. He worked as a high-school teacher and soccer coach before taking on his current role at a San Francisco based non-profit addressing the challenges of low income families in California.

Everyone who works and trains with Ed is touched by his warmth, enthusiasm, and positivity. He’s a self-described motivational powerhouse who gets his trainees through tough times and over the goal line.

When he’s not fighting poverty or rallying Kenzai trainees, you can find Ed out on the coastal headlands bird-watching for eagles and hawks, playing soccer with his local club, or perfecting his grilling skills with his 2 kids at home.

Location: San Francisco, California

Training philosophy: “Eat good things, move everyday, and get enough sleep.”


Life experience

  • B.A. from UC Davis

Kenzai experience

  • Training with Kenzai since 2015
  • Joined Training Team in 2015
 

ELISSA

MORE ABOUT ELISSA

Elissa

Trainer

Elissa grew up in Texas and lived in New York City before moving to Hong Kong. After years in the dog-eat-dog world of finance, she started searching for a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle. Working as a Kenzai trainer, she loves being a part of people’s transformations and is inspired each time she logs on.

As a mother of two, Elissa understands the pressures of eating right and exercising when there’s little time for yourself. Having dealt with knee and shoulder issues she’s also familiar with the challenges of getting healthy after an injury. With her firm but empathetic style she gets trainees to their goals.

Outside of training, Elissa is one of Hong Kong’s top dragon boat racers, leading her team to consecutive gold medals in the Stanley International competitions. When she’s not paddling with her team, she enjoys travel and adventure with her family or curling up with a good book at home.

Location: Hong Kong

Training philosophy: “Getting in shape is about simple choices. Diet comes first. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Add in exercise to build muscle, not as a way to lose weight. Keep getting these simple things right and you’ll see results!”


Life experience

  • Bachelor of Science in Economics, The Wharton School


Kenzai experience

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer
  • Started training with Kenzai 2012
  • Jointed training team 2015
 

JESS

MORE ABOUT JESS
 

Jess

Trainer

In her mid-20s, Jess discovered the power of nutrition to heal her mind and body. Within just a few months of eating correctly she was able to overcome significant health challenges and refocus on the important things in life. This change was so profound that she changed the course of her career, leaving the field of animation and filmmaking to pursue a degree in nutrition in the UK. In 2018 she became a certified Nutritional Therapist and now runs her private practice in addition to her work at Kenzai.

In her free time Jess can be found on the pitch playing lacrosse with her local team, walking her dog, or in the kitchen trying to learn the ins and outs of Indian cuisine.

Jess’s training philosophy in a nutshell: “Identify specific goals and methodically work towards them.”

Location: Midlands, England


Life experience

  • BSc Hons Nutritional Therapy (in progress- will complete May 2019)
  • BCNH (UK College of Nutrition and Health)
  • Level 2 Ski Instructor


Kenzai experience

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine
  • Level 2 Fitness Instructor, TRX coach, Kettlebells instructor
  • Level 3 Personal Trainer
  • Started training with Kenzai 2013
  • Joined the training team 2015
 

MALIA

MORE ABOUT MALIA

Malia

Trainer

Born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii, Malia has a lifelong passion for outdoor sports and adventure. She’s always been driven to help others achieve health and wellness in their own lives, earning a PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of Illinois. She pursued clinical health research in both the Chicago, San Francisco and Hong Kong before recently returning to Hawaii with her husband and 2 children.

When she’s not working with Kenzai trainees, Malia volunteers with the Women’s Fund of Hawaii securing grants for community initiatives empowering women and girls. In her free time, you can find Malia digging deep with her ocean canoe paddling team, hiking the volcanoes and craters of Hawaii, or participating in marathons and ultramarathons around the world.

On less active days, Malia loves to cook fresh food for her family and friends, do the NYT crossword, and weave intricate hawaiian “haku” leis with plants and flowers from her own backyard.

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Malia’s training philosophy in a nutshell: “Getting in shape isn’t sexy. It’s the steady, unexciting effort you put in each day that gets results.”


Life experience

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology
  • Post Doctoral Fellow


Kenzai experience

  • First started training with Kenzai in 2012
  • Joined Training team in 2014
  • Certified Kenzai Program Architect
 

CECILIA

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Cecilia

Trainer

Cecilia found Kenzai after years of trying various exercise and diet fads. With just three months of eating and exercising the Kenzai way her body was transformed. The diet and training changed her body, but it was the Kenzai community that left a lasting impression. Her experience was so impactful that she jumped at the chance to guide others through the process and became an assistant trainer in 2015.

As Cecilia puts it, she was “Made in Taiwan, raised in California.” She currently lives in Hong Kong, working with a tech start-up and training with Kenzai. As a sufferer of long term chronic back-pain, she’s always exploring science-based methods to relieve pain and care for the body. Her empathy and positivity have helped many trainees through rough patches in their programs. In her free time you can find her hosting dinner parties, practicing free form dance, or working on her meditation practice.

Location: Hong Kong

Training philosophy: “A balanced diet is the key. Carbs, proteins and fats all have a place on your plate. Small daily doses of effort will always beat one time efforts.”


Life experience

  • Masters in Social Work (MSW)
  • Bachelors in Arts (History)
  • Certificate in Compassion Meditation
  • Director of Customer Success

Kenzai experience

  • NASM Certified Trainer
  • Started training with Kenzai in 2012
  • Joined Training Team 2015
 

JIM

MORE ABOUT JIM
 

Jim

Assistant Trainer

Originally from Rochester, New York, Jim has moved around the US Midwest throughout his life. His first career was as an organic chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, then he found his passion using his lab skills to facilitate a career shift into the beer brewing industry. With a poor diet and too many beers, Jim was amazed how much better he looked and felt after getting his nutrition right with Kenzai, so much so that he joined the trainer ranks himself.

Jim brings the straightforward, factual approach of a scientist and combines it with high energy positivity to get his trainees to their goals. He believes that getting in shape can be a thoughtful, intellectual journey, not just mindless sets and reps.

When he’s not brewing great beers or training with Kenzai, Jim stays busy hiking, doing yoga, traveling, roasting his own coffee, or whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen.

Training philosophy: “People will ask what you’re training for. You should take on the mindset that you’re training for LIFE. Everyone will face stress and duress during their lives, but good nutrition and real exercise will get your mind and body ready for whatever comes.”

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio


Life experience:

  • BA Chemistry
  • MS Chemistry
  • BJCP Master Beer Judge
  • Currently the Chief Science Officer at a rapidly growing brewery in the midwest


Kenzai experience

  • Training with Kenzai since 2017
  • Joined Training Team 2018
 

KIM

MORE ABOUT KIM

Kim

Trainer

Originally from New Jersey, Kim has lived in the mountains outside Boulder Colorado for more than 15 years. She gets out in the nearby nature as much as she can, running, hiking, camping and skiing through the seasons. You’ll also find her on the dance floor several nights a week. She works as a children’s speech language pathologist along with her Kenzai trainer duties.

As a mom, teacher, and business owner Kim knows the challenge of balancing family and career with personal health. With humor, compassion, and firmness she gets trainees the physiques they’re after.

Training philosophy: “Consistency and routines are what get results!”


Life experience

  • Bachelors and Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology
  • Certificate in clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association


Kenzai experience

  • NASM certified trainer
  • Training with Kenzai since 2010
  • Joined Training Team in 2014
 

NATE

MORE ABOUT NATE

Nate

Trainer

As a Pharmacy Technician, Nate brings a unique perspective to staying fit and healthy. Every day at his pharmacy in upstate New York he sees people dealing with the effects of poor food and exercise patterns. He knows the small daily choices people make in their younger years result in the health outcomes of their later years, for better or worse.

As a Kenzai trainer, Nate combines compassion and good-natured firmness to get his trainees through the rough patches to reach their goals. Not only does he skillfully coach trainees, he single-handedly created the Kenzai Kettlebell advanced program track.

In his free time you’ll find Nate honing his skills in the kitchen. His latest challenges include brewing beer, wine and liqueurs, and studying the mysteries of breadmaking. As his batches are brewing, he explores the forests and rivers of his hometown on runs, hikes, climbing outings, or kayak trips. And of course he’s happy to swing a kettlebell anytime.

Training Philosophy: “Being in good shape isn’t about extremes. Find a balance of things that work for you mentally and physically. This makes your progress sustainable. Start small and do something every day.”

Location: Rochester, New York

Life experience:

  • Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPht)


Kenzai experience

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer
  • Training with Kenzai since 2008
  • Joined Training Team Feb 2015
  • Certified Kenzai Program Architect

SCOTT

MORE ABOUT SCOTT
 

Scott

Trainer

Originally from England, Scott has lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. He started his own technology recruitment company in 2004 and began working with Kenzai in 2016.

Scott helps break down the complicated aspects of training into simple, practical steps. He’s able to meet the trainee where they are and help build their routine for success. Scott loves nothing more than seeing the vitality and joy that trainees feel when they get the results they worked so hard for.

Outside of his business and Kenzai training duties, Scott enjoys sharing education activities with his children (they’re currently learning how to design and create with a 3D printer). He’s also an avid reader of science and sociology non-fiction. He also likes playing football, hiking, and exploring Hong Kong’s islands on his paddle board.

Training philosophy: “You can’t out-train a bad diet. Cut out processed food and find an activity you can do 3-5 times a week. Make sure you enjoy the activity so it doesn’t feel like a chore.”

Location: Hong Kong


Life experience

  • BA Hons Russian Language & Literature
  • Managing Director, Five Asia


Kenzai experience

  • Training with Kenzai since 2014.
  • Joined Training Team 2016
 

SARA

MORE ABOUT SARA
 

Sara

Assistant Trainer

A native of London, Sara has traveled around the world and is fluent in Italian and French. After a career in finance Sara settled in Kent with her family and is now a marketing manager for independent schools in the greater London area.

With her warm and caring style, Sara guides trainees through the process of changing their habits and crafting new healthy patterns around food and exercise. She has specialized experience working with older clients as well as pre and post-natal women.

In her free time Sara enjoys running, going to the theater, cooking big meals from scratch and savoring good wine.

Training philosophy: “Forget gimmicks! Sort your diet out and the rest will follow. There’s no need to endlessly go to the gym, instead focus on eating good fresh food first and foremost.”

Location: Kent, England


Life experience

  • English and Italian Literature BA


Kenzai experience

  • Level 3 Personal Trainer specializing in clients 50 and over
  • Began training with Kenzai in 2014
  • Joined the training team in 2015
 

MATT

MORE ABOUT MATT
 

Matt

Trainer

Matt has led an active life since childhood, always involved in outdoor adventure and team sports in the upstate New York area. After finishing business school and putting more than a decade in the finance sector, he became a stay at home dad to raise his three children and enjoy each day.

Matt leads his Kenzai trainees by example, walking the talk on nutrition and exercise every day. His favorite part of being a trainer is seeing people surprise themselves by finding out they’re tougher and more disciplined than they ever gave themselves credit for.

When he’s not guiding users through the challenges of Kenzai Body or Kenzai Iron, you’ll find him enjoying a round of golf with friends or his kids, or on the road on a family road trip.

Training philosophy: “Find something that piques your interest. If you’re social find a group or club, if you’re a loner find an organized program, but no matter what you have to feel some joy around your exercise. If it’s a chore you won’t do it!”

Location: Glenmont, New York 


Life experience

  • Bachelor of Science, Accounting


Kenzai experience

  • NASM-CPT (National Academy of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer)
  • CPR/AED Certified (American Red Cross)
  • Boston-Qualified Marathoner
  • First program with Kenzai 2015
  • Joined the training team 2016
 

ANGELA

MORE ABOUT ANGELA
 

Angela

Trainer

A native of the UK, Angela has lived in Hong Kong since 2002. She’s a lifelong devotee of sports and physical exercise, and spends her days as a PE teacher and counselor for 11-18 year old students.

Angela’s enthusiasm for nutrition and exercise is contagious. She’s always there for her trainees to give them a boost when they’re down or cheer them on when they’re hitting their stride. With her teaching background she’s able to both motivate and educate her Kenzai crew through their programs.

In her free time, Angela enjoys running, hiking and playing competitive netball with her team the Stingrays. She also loves supporting her two daughters with their triathlon training.

Training philosophy: “Diet is 80% of your outcome. But the best results come when both food and exercise are working in combination. We all know life is busy, so get creative with your time and don’t let your health take a backseat to your job or family. Without your health, nothing else is possible!”

Location: Hong Kong


Life experience

  • BEd (Hons)
  • Physical Education. PE Teacher


Kenzai experience

  • First program with Kenzai 2014
  • Joined the training team 2015
 

BRETT

MORE ABOUT BRETT
 

Angela

Trainer

A native of the UK, Angela has lived in Hong Kong since 2002. She’s a lifelong devotee of sports and physical exercise, and spends her days as a PE teacher and counselor for 11-18 year old students.

Angela’s enthusiasm for nutrition and exercise is contagious. She’s always there for her trainees to give them a boost when they’re down or cheer them on when they’re hitting their stride. With her teaching background she’s able to both motivate and educate her Kenzai crew through their programs.

In her free time, Angela enjoys running, hiking and playing competitive netball with her team the Stingrays. She also loves supporting her two daughters with their triathlon training.

Training philosophy: “Diet is 80% of your outcome. But the best results come when both food and exercise are working in combination. We all know life is busy, so get creative with your time and don’t let your health take a backseat to your job or family. Without your health, nothing else is possible!”

Location: Hong Kong


Life experience

  • BEd (Hons)
  • Physical Education. PE Teacher


Kenzai experience

  • First program with Kenzai 2014
  • Joined the training team 2015
 

KIM

MORE ABOUT KIM
 

KIM

Trainer

Kim grew up dividing her time between Japan, the US, the UK, and Australia. After a varied career spanning New York City finance to labor union organizing, she settled in Hong Kong to raise her family.

Kim knows how hard it is to keep career, family, and personal development balanced and is always happy to work with trainees to help them find that balance in their own lives. With a positive, gentle attitude she gets results.

When she’s not training Kenzai users, Kim can be found hiking around the landscape of Hong Kong or manning her paddling station on a dragon boat. She’s also got a mean Sourdough bread recipe!


Location: Hong Kong

Life experience

  • BSc Industrial and Labor Relations
  • MA International Affairs


Kenzai experience

  • NASM Certified
  • Joined training team - 2015
  • First program with Kenzai - 2013
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does Kenzai keep me accountable?

We keep you accountable in several different ways.
  • With your blog, you make a public commitment to the Kenzai community. No one trains in the shadows.
  • Your trainer will be working closely with you, encouraging (and sometimes prodding) you to not give up and be your best.
  • Every week you upload a body photo, visible to your training team. This keeps you motivated to stay on diet and keep up with your workouts.
  • We also give you the chance to recruit a few special people from your life to support you through the ups and downs of your training journey. Each week these Boosters will receive a mail explaining what challenges you’re going through.

How can an online trainer possibly be better than in-person training at the gym?

We too had this question when we began training online. And to our surprise, we find that we consistently get BETTER results working with people on the internet than our in-person clients. Why? When you train over distance, you remove many of the barriers to success. There’s no need to schedule a session, go to the gym, or stop training while you travel. But even more important, when you train online, you learn to rely on an internal sense of motivation. Only YOU can complete those sets and reps. Only YOU can stick to your diet. Intrinsic motivation will always lead to better results than the external motivation of a personal trainer at the gym.

How do I talk to my trainer?

Everyday interactions happen on your blog, where your trainer will follow along with you and comment on your progress and issues that you’re wrestling with. Your trainer can also be reached via our internal messaging system, our Q&A board, email, or even a scheduled video call. We’ll meet you on the platform of your choice!

How is Kenzai sustainable?

Most fitness programs focus on workouts alone, with lip-service paid to the importance of diet. Better programs provide both nutrition and exercise advice, but lack specifics and want to string you along for years at a time. Kenzai doesn’t cut cut corners, we give you detailed diets, workouts, and accountability systems, led by qualified trainers and nutritionists. In addition, we focus strongly on educating you to take care of yourself, with daily lessons and multimedia explorations of what goes into being truly fit. Our goal is that at the end of your Kenzai program, you don’t need Kenzai anymore! The day you fire us is the day we’ve done our job. This approach means that results are much deeper than losing a bit of weight with a fad diet or exercise routine. Kenzai graduates often describe the completion of their program as the beginning of a new chapter in their life. This adds up to deep, sustainable results that stand the test of time.
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