About The Team

Jim Parker - Owner and Personal Trainer

My name is Jim Parker and I am the Owner and President of Muffins to Marathons: Fit 4 Life. I am also known as Jim Bob or JB. If any of you watch the TV show "Biggest Loser", you know Bob Harper. Well, many of my clients believe I train similar Bob; therefore, the name Jim Bob or JB began.

My personal weight loss journey began in February 2008. I had one of those "eye opener" moments when I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and realized that I was simply not happy with who I had become. I was over-weight, out of shape, and unhappy with myself. A slow jog to the end of the driveway made my breathing sound like I had sprinted three miles. I needed to make a change, not only for myself, but for my family. So, I joined a gym. I tried a number of different routines including walking, running, and lifting weights. Over time, I felt more and more comfortable with routines I could accomplish. In addition, I started keeping track of everything and I mean everything. I wrote down what I ate, how much I lifted, how far I ran or walked, etc. I weighed 240 pounds in February 2008 and by December of that same year; I was down to 165 pounds, losing 75 pounds.

My curiosity set in over time and I started researching and learning more about fitness and having a healthier lifestyle. I realized that I not only wanted to learn more for myself, but I also wanted to help others. I am a Certified Personal Trainer (ISSA, ACE, ACT), Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AAFA) and a Certified Spinning Instructor (Mad Dog). I am also a Certified TurboKick and PiYo Instructor (Powder Blue).

I started Muffins to Marathons: Fit 4 Life in March 2011. Working in the Navy, having a family of eight and instructing fitness classes in my free-time proves that I lead a very busy lifestyle. I wanted to start a personal training business that would allow others to have a personal trainer and yet get the workouts done on his/her own time. Starting an online personal training business seemed to be a good idea and it has been. Our business caters to hundreds of clients on a daily basis for their fitness needs.

My training belief is that in order to meet your fitness goals, you need to do it the right way. Diets and quick fixes may help for the short-term, but in order to have long-term results, you need to do it the right way with eating healthy and exercising properly. Your body is your number one tool. The majority of my training methods use simply your own body to gain physical strength and endurance. With your dedication and hard work, the sky is the limit. My goal as your trainer is to not only help you accomplish your goals, but exceed your expectations. I don't believe in excuses. At times, the training may be hard, but if you stick with it and believe in yourself, you will succeed.

I am 39 years young and I have six children. I have completed 23 Marathons, 15 Half Marathons, 1 Sprint Distance TRI and a number of 5K's, 10K's and 15K's. In 2011, I completed a 12 hour run raising money for Multiple Sclerosis. In those 12 hours, I ran 55.12 miles. In April 2012, I helped raise money for Cystic Fibrosis by running backwards in a 5K race. It inspires me to help others which is why I love my job!

Amy Knight - Administrative Assistant

After having my first child seven years ago, I discovered that as much as I love my children, I still needed my "me time." I needed to find something that would allow me to be by myself for a short period of time. So, I started running. I figured I'd rather run for 30 minutes than walk for an hour. I still wanted as much time as possible with my family, so running seemed to fit my schedule. Eventually, I started running in 5K's and basically just made it a goal to keep on running to stay fit. In 2009, I had my second child. After gaining nearly 50 pounds with that pregnancy, I knew it was time to make a change. It was then that I started to participate in longer distance races such as 10K's and half marathons. After nearly five years of running, I realized that just running for a workout routine wasn't cutting it. I wasn't losing the weight I wanted. Minor injuries kept on flaring up to put a hold on my training and I was getting so frustrated with myself for the simple fact that I had fitness goals and just wasn't accomplishing them due to lack of time, motivation, accountability and fitness knowledge.

In March 2011, I started training for my second half marathon in Fargo, ND. My goal was to beat my previous year's time. It was then that I started working with Jim Parker, Owner of Muffins to Marathons. I am proud to say that I was his first customer. We worked through email and Facebook while he live in Florida and I was in North Dakota. With the guidance from Jim over the next few months, I crossed that half marathon finish line in May shaving off nearly 20 minutes from my previous year's time. Not only did I reach my goal, I was also staying injury free, losing weight and finding myself again. My intentions were to quit using Jim's training services after the half. I figured by that time, I should be able to figure this training thing out on my own. The reality, however, is that I still needed that accountability. I still needed to report to someone and to hear that what I did was a job well done. I just didn't want to take the time to design proper workouts for myself, so I kept Jim as my trainer and I'm so glad I did. I have completed numerous 5K and 10K's, one 15K, 3 half marathons and one full marathon. I have lost 35 pounds meeting my weight-loss goal and have gained greater strength and endurance than I had even in my younger athletic years. I have gained my self confidence back, have enjoyed a great sense of accomplishment and feel that I am the good health and fitness role model I have always wanted to be for my children. Above all, I have found myself again.

I have been an employee of Muffins to Marathons since February 2012. My Administrative Assistant work consists of sending invoices, posting client workouts to the website, assisting with marketing and advertising for the business and keeping the trainers in check.

I am 33 years old and have a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. I live in West Fargo, ND with my two children, Kensey and Jeremy. They are the light of my life! I work full-time at Higher Logic as a Business Development Manager. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, bowling, scrapbooking, spending time with my family and friends and yes, working out.

Vikki Schneeberger - Personal Trainer

My name is Vikki Schneeberger and I guess I'm close enough to 38 to actually say I'm that old…or young. J I live in West Fargo with my two beautiful boys, Parker and Cade. In my "real life" I've been an elementary school teacher for the past 13 years. I truly love my job! The kids are amazing!!

Fitness Background:

I've always been extremely active in sports and working out. In high school I was in track and always enjoyed any outside physical activities. That love of staying active and being physically fit continued on as I went to college. I've been an avid runner for the past seven years, completing numerous 5 and 10k's as well as 4 half marathons. However, I didn't really have that "passion" for fitness until about 5 years ago. I had always gone to group fitness classes at the YMCA and I enjoyed them, but one day I tried some different classes and it was like magic. The classes were good, as always, but the difference was the instructors! The instructors had such a way of motivating the classes and making them fun! It was at that moment I knew I wanted to do that…I wanted to be that motivator, the reason why people came and worked their butts off!! It all started with group fitness classes. I have been teaching body pump and cycling for about 3 years and I've just started training in yoga. I so LOVE helping people reach their fitness goals in a class setting, but as I'm always striving to challenge myself, I wanted to do more. I had toyed with the idea of doing personal training and it never seemed like the right time. Then one day, everything just fell into place, the stars were all in alignment, and here I am, excited for what the future holds!!

My Fitness Philosophy:

I believe ANYTHING is possible if you put your mind to it! What I will tell you, which is the same thing I tell my students is this: If you don't try, you've failed. If you give up, you've failed. However, if you try and fail, but GET RIGHT BACK UP, you can move mountains! Positive mental attitude and self-image are both HUGE in reaching your fitness goals, and that's where we start, believing in the power of YOU! I know it can be discouraging at times. Believe me, I've been there; from trying to lose that baby weight to wanting to be quicker, stronger, faster. I understand what it's like to have goals. I can't do the work for you, but I can motivate you, educate you, and support you as you work your way to achieving all of your fitness goals. You are not alone, but part of an amazing team!

Nicholas Hewitt - Personal Trainer

Group Trainer

Martial Arts Instructor

Aquatics Instructor

Yoga Fit Instructor + (Seniors/Pre & Postnatal)

My name is Nick Hewitt, I am a 35 years young proud United States Marine. My story is quite simple I was that kid that seemed to play with everything. One day I was talking to a recruiter and he asked me if I wanted to be the best? I have been blessed to have some of the best mentors a guy could ever ask for and my hero, my Papa pushing me all the way to Meritorious Staff Sergeant. I have got a lot of medals and ribbons but decided to go a different life route when I got my greatest reward, my beautiful wife Michelle who gave me my first boy “Legend Isaiah Hewitt” My wife is the Fitness Director for the Navy’s Fitness program and we decided it’s time to go to Spain, so I plan to take several trips on my journey to find the world’s healthiest eating, the craziest fitness studios , train along the way and bring everything I am to you through Muffins to Marathons.

My training belief is that you need to diversify your fitness portfolio, create an arsenal of exercises and routines, performed correctly in order to achieve your perfect balance in life. There is no magic pill and you can’t pay anyone to do it for you, it all comes down to if your ready to get in the ring and fight for what you want. I will hold you to my highest standards , push you further than you think you can go, and in the end I guarantee you achieve your personal goal.

My training philosophy is simple: “It’s not what you have and how much you know, it’s how many people have you helped with what you have and how many have become even greater than you. If your heart is in the right place than there is not a single obstacle you can not overcome” Don’t get me wrong when you come to train with me, you better bring you’re (A –Game) we can smile when the work is done, meanwhile stand by…. There’s a Train coming!

I have amassed several certifications and have been instructing for over a decade so encourage all potential clients to research me at visualcv.com/j2roh74

Jenny

I moved to Chicago, Illinois from England in 2008 when my husband relocated with work. For the first year of living here I concentrated on my two daughters making sure they were happy at school and that they were involved in fun activities. It wasn’t long before I realized I had started to gain weight.

I quickly found a kickboxing class, which I had enjoyed in England and soon the weight started to drop off. In just under a year I lost 45lbs.

In November 2011 I had nerve entrapment release surgery on both legs and had to learn to walk again. I really missed being active and as soon as I could, I took up running and joined my local running group. The stronger my legs became the further I began to run, until I completed my first marathon in October this year and 27 days after I ran another marathon in Indianapolis.

I run because I enjoy spending time with friends and being outdoors. I am not competitive and so when I stumbled upon my first virtual race I could not wait to sign up.

I have a strong background in technology and working as a graphic designer and assistant to the Technical Director of the Press Association, I worked on some of the very first websites that were developed when the Internet turned commercial. I rely on the Internet now for keeping in touch with family and friends and spend the majority of my free time social networking, usually with other runners and fitness enthusiasts.

My goals for 2013 are to complete the Walt Disney World Marathon in January and a triathlon in June. Fitness is no longer a chore for me but a daily way of life, which I encourage my friends and family to take part in. I enjoy being a member of a team and watching my daughters cross the finish line.