Rob Yontz, co-Owner, Studio Manager
Program Designer (Fitness & Nutrition), Lead Fitness Coach
Sports and fitness have always been an integral part of Rob’s life. Both parents were collegiate level athletes and graduated with Physical Education degrees. He has been a team and individual athlete since the second grade. His activities have ranged from playing and lettering in football, baseball, wrestling, and track & field; to water and snow skiing, racquetball, running, and weight training. Rob is a Virginia Tech alumni and a U.S. Navy veteran who had a distinguished career in Reliability Engineering before partnering with Shannon to build the vision of True North Pioneering, Inc.
Rob knows that its the ability to get up when you are down and keep driving for your goals that defines a true champion. He believes that everyone has a champion in them - some people just need little help to call that inner drive or to listen to it. He finds it amazing how simple it is to get the body fit and yet so many struggle to do it. The science is quite straightforward. It’s SIMPLE, but simple does not equate to EASY. The lifestyle change necessary can be challenging so many people choose to sell out their long term health and quality of life for near term convenience.
A lot of our clients ask where he gets his passion. Rob will tell you that it comes from many places. He absolutely loves the physics and mechanics behind fitness coaching and the biochemistry behind nutrition. But, what he loves most is seeing someone "get it", and then "make it", and be profoundly changed (in thought pattern and quality of life) forever.
Being active is a great gift, and he wants to help each and every person to optimize their ability to move, and enjoy life on their own terms, the way they want to, and do it pain free - that truly is leaving a worthy legacy!
Shannon Yontz, co-Owner
Fitness Coach, Certified Fitness Nutritionist, Youth Fitness Instructor, Certified BootCamp Instructor
Shannon graduated from the University of San Diego where she majored in International Relations and French minor in French. When Shannon was in her late 20’s she finally overcame her own personal long time struggle with weight concerns. Shannon became very passionate about learning and practicing good fitness and nutrition and wants to inspire those around her to improve their health. She has maintained her weight loss for over 15 years and knows that if she can do it - anyone can! She knows that there are no quick fixes to fat elimination and good health; it takes patience and consistency, time and time again to make lifestyle changes. She has made it her professional and lifetime mission to educate and coach others in their weight loss and physical conditioning goals.
It was in 2003 that Rob and Shannon purchased Stretch-n-Grow franchise and their fitness career began. Stretch-n-Grow is the world's largest children's fitness program, the mission of SNG is to ensure that children get an early start in establishing fitness and wellness habits as a foundation for healthy lifestyles for the rest of their lives. Since beginning True North Fitness in 2003 they have continued to add more services to enhance and grow their fitness business.
Shannon loves the outdoors; her biggest accomplishment was completing the 1999 LA Marathon. Her other passions include cycling; both indoors on her spin bike and out along our beautiful Ventura coastline. She has entered and enjoyed numerous 5k's, 10k's, duathalons (bike & run), and multiple charity events for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.
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We jointly or individually hold certifications as: Certified Personal Trainer, Advanced Personal Trainer, Certified Adventure Fitness Trainer/BootCamp Instructor, Fitness Nutritionist, Yoga Instructor, Biomechanics Specialist, Functional Training Specialist, Fitness Assessment Specialist, Senior Fitness Instructor, Youth Fitness Instructor, Youth Nutrition Specialist, and in Pediatric and Adult CPR & First Aid. We are also each currently progressing toward certifications as Pilates Instructors, Certified Fitness Chef, Sport Yoga, Sports Hypnosis Performance Specialists, and Core Training Specialists
