I first met you in December of “08” at the Gold’s Gym Christmas party that my husband and I crashed. We were up in Connecticut for the holidays and worked out at Gold’s Gym in New Haven for the first time and loved it. This gym is the bomb!! We saw a sign about a Christmas party for the members of the gym and decided to go. Glad we did because I was able to meet a few great people and one of them happened to be PJ.

I have been working out for about 15 years and didn’t get serious about it until about 5 years ago. To me going to the gym is something I enjoy doing and make it a part of my life. I have always thought about stepping on stage but never got the courage to do it. I started training with my husband about a year ago and he kept on me about going into a figure competition. So finally in February of 2010 I decide to do it. I took a diet out of a magazine and started it March 1st and contacted a trainer I knew. Well that didn’t work out to well and I was getting no where with this diet and trainer. My husband says to me “Let’s contact PJ and see how he can help”. I can remember my husband sending PJ an email and his response was “I would be offended if she didn’t want to work with me”. Well, I started the diet and training program PJ gave me on April 1st which made me win my class and the overall at my first show on May 22nd. I work with PJ through email, text messaging and by pictures (we are about 1400 miles apart). One of the things I really like about PJ is that he is upfront and honest with me. My biggest problem is my posing and I would here about it every week. Every time I would have to send pics I remember thinking “I hope PJ emails me back and says my posing is getting better”. Instead I would get “you need to work on your posing”. He would always stress that every week to me and I’m glad he did. This is one area need to work on. My goal now is to become a pro with PJ by my side.

I want to thank you PJ for all your help, knowledge, and encouragement and just for being there for me. I am grateful to have met you and appreciate how quick you are to respond to all my emails regardless if I ask the same questions over and over. YOU ARE THE BEST AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

Jill Tellefsen-Crean NPC FIGURE COMPETITOR

Testimonial

Flash forward to September when I parted ways with my old coach. I am a "creature of habit" and not very big on change, so I was a little out of sorts with how I was going to achieve my goals of improving my physique getting back on that stage. So I took to the internet and started researching coaches. Looking for which coach I felt would be the "best fit" for me. With all the coaches I was researching, I kept finding myself coming back to you. I was reading your thread on RX, and reading your testimonials, and I decided to email one of your current clients National level competitor Jillian Reville. Her physique(which spoke volumes to me) was nothing ,compared to what she had to say, about all that she had achieved through your guidance.

I as you now know I am 41 years old and a two time cancer survivor (ovarian cancer and non-hodgkins lymphoma) as well as having had 7 shoulder surgeries....I needed a coach who not only understood my physique goals, but took into account my health concerns and needs as well as my shoulder problems. So I made the call....and I never looked back!!!!!

You understood the difficultly I had with "change" You helped me see that "change" is good!!! You not only transformed my physique for the better in under 7 months, but you helped change me mentally! I am doing exercises I never thought I could do, I am lifting weights I never thought possible. I have a new found confidence that I would not have if I had not made that call to you. You made my training programs challenging. They focused on bringing up my weak points and accentuating my strengths. You made me a meal plan, that took into account my likes/dislikes, food allergies, health problems AND my work schedule. (I work shift work)

I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me. Its been 7 months and the changes are AMAZING!!!!! I CAN NOT WAIT to see what more we can do as time goes on. You are someone that I not only call coach, but that I call my friend!

I cant stress enough what a fantastic coach you are. You answer my E mails, texts, or calls in a timely manor. No question is ever stupid or annoying. You encourage me. Push and inspire me. And with all the clients you currently have, you make me feel like I AM THE ONLY ONE!

To anyone reading this, I CAN NOT stress enough what a great coach PJ is. I URGE you to hire him!! Believe me when you do, you will find not only a great coach, but a better and healthier YOU!!! With PJ as your coach you will achieve all your fitness goals what ever they may be. P, you have a client for good with me!!

Jill Tellefsen-Crean

NPC Figure Competitor

age 41

PJ was there for me when I needed him most.  I was going through a bad time in my life when I got my heart broken right in the middle of my  contest prep! My boyfriend was the one doing my nutrition for my first big contest in the NPC and he left me stranded. PJ came to my rescue and was there to pick me up when I got left hanging cold, keeping me strong, motivated and keeping my head up to continue my journey to reach my dream.  He gave me advice, gave me a diet and training program and started right away, he constantly checked up on me making sure I was on the right track. He is such a caring guy and made sure I was always ok. Always had me sending him updated pictures and I even got to meet up with him even though we are hours apart from each other during my prep to see me in person. I recently placed 3rd in the 2009 NPC NJ Tri-State Championships and 2nd Place in the 2009 NPC East Coast Championships, thanks to PJ. He has been a great coach.   Not only a great coach/trainer to me but also a real friend. He is very knowledgeable in his field of nutrition and training.  It comes so easy to him, and I learned so much more from him.  PJ was always there for me and answered me promptly when I would email, call or text him.  I recommend him highly. Thanks again PJ, and I wouldn't have been able to place in my shows without ya!

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to PJ. Under his guidance he took me from being very overweight to reaching my goals and competing in my first bodybuilding show, all within the space of one year.  

To give a little background, I went on vacation in early 2009 and was pretty shocked when I returned home and looked at my pictures. I lifted weights, but had no idea about proper nutrition, and had ballooned to a very overweight 255 pounds with around a 43 inch waist. I then realized I needed to make radical changes to my diet and workout program. 

A few weeks later I was talking to a gym friend who had starting working with PJ, and he was making great progress. PJ seemed like the ideal person to get in touch with to change my physique. He had great credentials, being a top NPC competitor, having a degree in sports nutrition, and I knew I would get the personal attention to detail that I was after. Add to that PJ  is a genuinely nice person and his prices are very reasonable for the service he provides - in particular the amount of time and energy he invests in his clients.  

In the 8 or so months which followed we first went though an off-season plan which saw me both drop body fat and add muscle mass. I then decided to set myself the high (but achievable) target of competing in my first bodybuilding show, which was just over four months away. PJ made the necessary adjustments to my diet and training which made the transition into competition preparation much easier than I expected. 

Throughout the preparation PJ made constant adjustments to my diet and training to ensure I was constantly progressing. His timing was perfect, and in November 2009  I competed in a local show in Vancouver, BC, coming in at a peeled 175 pounds, finishing 3rd in the middleweight class. 

I would like to again emphasize how much time PJ puts into his clients. At no point during my preparation did I feel like my questions were too simple to ask. PJ struck the perfect balance between giving an honest appraisal of my progress and reassuring me along the way. For anyone thinking of hiring a coach, I can't recommend PJ highly enough.

I have included a few pictures which show how I looked before working with PJ and on me stage. 

Adam Moss
Vancouver, BC

Getting older is never easy.  Things begin to change, especially a woman’s body once she hits 40.  But in preparation for my big milestone birthday, I decided that I was going to make myself the best that I could ever be.  Being a mother of three children and a full-time middle school teacher, I have always taken care of everyone in my life, other than myself.  Although exercise and fitness have always been a part of my life since I was 14 years old, I found it more difficult to make it a priority with all that I had to accomplish on a daily basis.  Therefore, I simply settled for my athletic frame holding the extra few pounds.

However, after relocating my family, and settling into a new neighborhood, I decided to reclaim my interest in weight lifting and joined Powerhouse Gym.   Being a highly competitive person by nature made me want to bring my training to a higher level.  With the help of my husband, I was set on a routine and lifted every morning from 5-6am.  But it wasn’t until I was approached by a gym-goer who asked if I competed.  Not having a clue about what he was talking about, I researched the topic of figure and bodybuilding competitions and quickly realized that it was the ultimate compliment to me.   Becoming somewhat obsessed with the idea of competing, I was directed to PJ Braun, who ultimately changed my life forever. 
PJ’s physique, alone, clearly states his passion for the sport of bodybuilding.  However, his amazing ability to show concern for others inspired me.  He took me as seriously as I took on my challenge to myself.  He sat with me for over two hours and devised an in-depth, pre-contest diet and exercise regime.  Not knowing me well, PJ understandably questioned my seriousness about competing.  By presenting the contest preparation as a challenge made me decide right then and there that I HAD to compete.  PJ’s incredible knowledge of nutrition and weight training and approachable nature helped keep me striving for the best I could be.  PJ’s honesty and ability to determine a personal lifestyle plan for me to be able to walk out on stage, half naked in 4 inch stiletto heels made me work the hardest I ever have in my life.  Competing became my obsession and I couldn’t get enough of the industry.  PJ continuously monitored my body fat percentage, assessed my physical strengths and weaknesses, tweaked my lifting routine as well as my form while training, and gave me endless tips for success.  The transformation was amazing!  My confidence in EVERYTHING had sky-rocketed and I quickly attained my goal.

I placed 2nd in my very first figure competition this past April but could NEVER have achieved this level of fitness had it not been for the incredible talents of PJ Braun and his prescription for success.  Thank you, PJ, for changing my life!  

            I always wanted to compete, but didn’t have the knowledge, support, or the focus to enter a competition and realize this dream.  When I met PJ Braun, he saw potential in me that I otherwise wouldn’t have recognized.  I had always worked out and I stay in good shape, but I needed help taking my physique from decent to competition ready, PJ did just that.  He mapped out a training routine, complete with cardio assignments, and a diet which would be modified according to my progress.  I did the 2006 Bev Francis Atlantic States and won my class!!! I won my first show.  I knew I would need PJ’s help for a National level competition, and I knew he would have me step up my game.  I competed this year at the 2007 NPC Jr. USA’s in Charleston, SC, and I came in 3rd of 23 girls in my height class.  I want a pro card, I know that PJ is the man to get me there.
            PJ has a distinct , “no bull”, approach when he is preparing me for a contest.  His honesty, sometimes brutal, is what woke me an hour earlier each morning and got me running at the track before a full day of work( I didn’t mention that I loathe cardio) .  He has so much training and nutritional knowledge that I would never want to call anyone else my coach...Or my boyfriend...We’ve been together for two years, and live  in Danbury , CT.  He has changed my life in so many positive ways; he is my coach, my best friend, the love of my life, and he continues to impress me.  I have seen how he transforms bodies firsthand, and by doing so, he changes lives.  He is an amazing coach, and a respectible man. I have watched his career for the last two years, and the integrity, fortitude and passion he posesses has inspired me, he captivates me each day!

A little over a year ago I opened the Danbury News Times and stopped at the full front page photo of PJ Braun, and the accompanying story titled “Tough Guy”.  He was pre contest at the time the story was written, and detailed his diet and training routine, and I knew that I wanted to train with him.  I pride myself on always trying to attain what’s best, and I knew that this guy was exactly  what I needed to restore my physique.  I read how he was a trainer at Powerhouse Gym , I called and the rest is not really history...it’s my new reality.  I am in the best shape ever because of the lifestyle changes PJ has helped me make.  I was a 43 year old single father of two kids, just skating through life.  I have since become healthier, happier, and more focused on what’s important...staying healthy for Brittany and Kyle, being a better worker with more energy, maintaining this new level strength and stamina, and staying happy.  PJ has taught me that there is so much more creating the overall package than simply “going to the gym”, diet, smart and calculated training, and internal drive are all necessary to make such drastic changes...A year ago, I weighed 190 lbs and had 18% bodyfat...After sticking to PJ’s program, I weigh 180 lbs, and currently hold 6.5% bodyfat!