Fitness Testimonials

Stacy asks everyone to write down her goals at the beginning of each Boot Camp. My goal (along with the usual “lose a few pounds” and “get into shape”) was to be able to run around the warm-up loop without stopping. That was the goal I wrote for my first session of Adventure Boot Camp and I didn’t really revisit it until the other day.

As I was leaving camp, Stacy called to me and asked how I was doing on running that loop. I told her I was doing better every day and that I was getting closer and closer to achieving my goal of being able to run around it without stopping. And then I realized something. It’s not really about “achieving” the goal. It’s about always having something out there to work towards. I actually started thinking that maybe someday I could even run around it twice without stopping. And it made me feel so good to think that!

That’s what Adventure Boot Camp is all about – making progress at your own speed. It’s more than just “doing” what you write down that first day. It’s about realizing that you can do lots and lots of things that maybe you didn’t ever think you could.

I am in my 2nd week of my 3rd NYC Adventure Boot Camp. For 3 sessions, I have gone to Central Park every weekday morning from 5:30 – 6:30 AM. I have only missed two days. I think that in itself is a testimony to how I feel about it!

Linda Hemphil


“Stacy, I just wanted to say that this last camp was amazing. Even after all this time…you’ve surprised me and pushed me further than I thought I could go. Just thought I should let you know;) (12/11/09)
I hope you have a fabulous weekend!”

Isora Bailey
Camper since May, 2007


Some of our favorite NYC Adventure Boot Camp Fitness Testimonials

Bootcamp! WoW! Something I never thought I would do, and then I saw NYCAdventurebootcamp on NY1 and decided to give it a try. I had been exercising and needed to kick it up a notch. Well it worked. The change in my physique is quite noticeable. I have lost only 10 pounds; but I have lost 12 1/2 inches off my body with 5 inches being from my waist. This has helped to make me a size smaller. Initially being a scale freak, I was not happy with the scale weight; but as I realized and saw the improvements in muscle tone, stamina and body strength, endurance and a smaller pant size; I feel great!

I won’t lie, the first 3 days were rough. I could barely breathe by the end of the day, but I stuck it out-made no excuses and came every day and it paid off. I have completed 2 boot camp sessions and 1 1/2 boxing camps. 11 weeks of body restructuring. Getting up at 4:30 am was another great challenge for this night owl, but I did it and you can too! Now the rest of the day is before me. I feel energetic and accomplished. LADIES IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT TILL IT WORKS!!! Thank you so much Stacy!

Bettie M.

fitness testimonials


NYC Adventure Boot Camp has been an amazing life changing opportunity! I’ve been coming to camp for about 6 months and I’ve never had so much energy. Before I started coming to the camps, I never thought that I could be a morning exercise person. But after the first day, I realized how much better I felt by giving myself that hour! Moreover, I lost .weight, gained muscle, and I am sleeping better than ever! One hour in the morning has made a HUGELY positive impact on the rest of my life.

Isora Bailey


This fitness and weight loss program is honestly the best gift I have given myself. It is motivating, stimulating and challenging…everything my old routine lacked. It jump starts my day and I have met a wonderful group of women from all walks of life. I receive dedicated personal instruction – I couldn’t ask for anything more in an exercise program. You need to do this for yourself.

Kristin Daniels


I have somewhat of an unusual testimonial I thought I’d share with you. On Wednesday after our hike, I had a dentist appointment to have a crown work up on a tooth that broke. My dentist is here in Yorba Linda, and her name is Caroline Dang…..she’s a great dentist. She was drilling away on my tooth when the anesthetic started to wear off…..I motioned her, and she stopped and gave me another shot and continued. She still wasn’t finished when I felt the pain coming back again…..she had to stop again and give me yet a third shot to numb me so she could finish. She couldn’t understand why the medication was going through me so quickly because I had to have a crown once before and that didn’t happen. I mentioned that I had just gone on a “climb up Mt. Everest” that morning and she said that was it…..my metabolism was running so high that the medication was running through my body faster than normal. She was impressed…..so was I!

I really enjoyed the hike….even though I am so badly out of shape, I just hung in there and made it to the top…..like everyone else…..and boy was that view gorgeous! I appreciate that you lag behind for us slower ones…..you make us feel so good about ourselves…..I can’t wait for next Wednesday’s hike!

Thank you,
Barbara Taylor


I was completely bored with exercising. I have exercised my whole life and needed a change. It’s great to be excited about my workout program again. I’m beginning by 3rd camp soon!

Pat Beckman, age 68


The Adventure Boot Camp is simply the best! I particularly like the variety of activities and the sense of fun that’s built into the program. I really felt like I was getting the maximum benefit out of the program. I highly recommend the program to anyone wanting to improve their fitness and overall health.

Linda Landers


I have to admit I was a little skeptical about something entitled “Boot Camp”. I envisioned a lot of yelling and not the most nurturing environment. However, since day one of camp, I have been nothing but thrilled to wake up and hang out with my newly acquainted friends. After two camps, I have learned so many new exercises that have stirred muscles I didn’t know I had! The biggest change for me has occurred in my arms, hips and abs. I feel so much leaner and firm. I’m into a size 4 and my energy level has seen a significant boost. So, whether it’s interval training with weights or yoga and Pilates, I look forward to every morning’s new adventure.

Lisa M.

fitness testimonials, nyc adventure boot camp


Wow! What can I say about Boot Camp. I can say so much I don’t know where to begin. I am 32 years old and have tried many different things to try and get myself into shape. Including working out with a personal trainer that cost me ALOT of money and just ended up hurting my knees. When I thought about doing Boot Camp the idea of getting up to workout at 5:30 in the morning freaked me out a little. Well, I am currently involved in my second camp. After the first 4 week camp I noticed a difference in my body composition that I never had prior. I have never really had a weight problem, yet was never really toned either. My legs and butt were on the flabby side, and as I get older I noticed it getting worse. Right now I feel so good in my clothes – I can’t believe it. People have noticed a change in my body. My hips had started getting little fat pockets on the sides and those are GONE! I am amazed at the results of the training that Stacy gives us. Getting up and working out at 5:30 has been easy to adjust to and believe it or not, I have lots of energy throughout the day. I Love Camp and Stacy is one of the nicest girls I know. They are so knowledgeable and so helpful in the morning to everyone in the camp. I can’t say enough good things about them. I love camp and I love what is happening to my body as a result of it!

Thank you for the dedication to all of us! You are awesome!
Lisa Gray


In February of this year, I started my first boot camp with John Ellis, I must say I was a bit unsure of my strength and abilities. Could I even keep up? Boot Camp? I’ve been there before! In 1988 I left the United States Marine Corps after serving eight years and being in the best shape of my life. Now, I’m a 47 year old female, 50 pounds overweight and in the worst shape of my life. I allowed the corporate demons to suck up my soul for the past 12 years. I have tried every diet in the book from Weight Watchers, Fit For Life, drugs and personal training – unsuccessfully. Now it was time for a rebirth and I knew boot camp would do it. But could I handle it 22 years later when waking up at 430am is a challenge in itself . Well Laura and Stacy make sure everyone at camp finds their personal success as he lifts our spirits and demands that each of us embrace our personal strength to the best of our abilities. As this was accomplished so was a gradual physical, emotional transformation. Now while attending my third boot camp, I am stronger, healthier, with noticeably increased energy levels and have dropped one dress size. I have achieved my personal goals and much more. My weight, I no longer worry about because I feel too good to be preoccupied my with negative thoughts. This is truly a life changing experience and if your ready for the commitment, join the journey, come aboard. If not, stay home and sleep your way through life! I did it for 12 years. 🙂 !!

Sempre Fi
Pat Ortegel


I have been away from a fitness lifestyle for years. I replaced fitness for watching my bottom lines grow. I saw John’s ad and was compelled to act for two reasons: #1: it didn’t sound like a sissy camp. #2: I had no time management rationalizations to use against exercising locally from 5:30-6:30am, a time slot previously reserved for snoring. What is the result? I have more energy and I am proud of myself for getting something started. I did not choose this program because of John’s extensive credentials. Now that I have done this for two weeks, I know that it is his expertise at working different muscle groups every day & incorporating different exercises that has made the workout difficult, and yet possible for me. The variety keeps it fresh and makes it a total body workout. I would highly recommend this program for anyone seeking to rekindle their love for a fitness lifestyle.

Melinda, Coto de Caza

I arrived at boot camp overweight and out of shape – a true couch potato who loved food and hated exercise. But, I knew it was time for a change and Stacy and Laura’s boot camp sounded like just the cure. What I was really looking for was something to jump start me into better fitness and eating habits. What could be better than four weeks of intense fitness training with other women under the guidance of an experienced trainer? And the classes were great! The variety of activities and pace of the class made the hour fly by each day. Don’t get me wrong, it was a lot of hard work. They pushed me harder than I would ever push myself working out alone. But they also allowed for the individual abilities of each participant. It didn’t matter that I was the slowest or the weakest. What matters is that I worked at and improved at everything. And the results are impressive. During the four weeks, I lost eight pounds. I lost two inches each around my chest, waist, and hips. I also lost over one inch on each arm and leg. I improved my one mile run time by 10%. Plus, I have more energy than ever. Best of all, it has given me just the boost I was looking to attain. I’m now eating better, sleeping better, and exercising regularly. I have the hope and belief that I can continue my new fitness habits and my journey to a leaner and healthier me. And I’m looking forward to returning to future boot camps to challenge myself again.

Thanks!
Diana, New York City