Survival of the Fittest Health and Wellness

I’ve tried gym memberships all over. I’ve worked with trainers before… The ones that sit there staring off into space with no real interest in you except that paycheck. You lose interest and focus. I know I did. So I gave up. Bad choice… I have a hobby that requires me to be in good shape.
I met James O’ Rourke through some other friends that were training with him. I tried a Boot Camp with him… I joined that day. That was 5 months ago. I’ve lost weight, and my strength and stamina is up. I notice the difference. So does everybody else. I enjoy going to the gym. I look forward to it. Let me tell you why.
Because here you have the best personal trainer you can hope for. His attitude and his energy make working out fun… Yes… I said it… Fun. Because of his attitude, James keeps you motivated. You WANT to go work out. James constantly is changing the routine so we don’t get bored. He gets you on a fitness and a nutritional plan, so that your at your full potential for whatever you’re trying to do… Lose weight, get in shape, or both. You are held accountable for not showing up, or not following your eating plan. Why? Because James truly cares about his clients. You’re not a paycheck to him. He genuinely cares about you as a person and wants you to succeed in your fitness journey. He’s actually invested in you, and every body that trains with him. And we have fun… Yes… Fun. James has started a fitness group that everybody encourages each other. There’s friendly competition, but because of James and his positive attitude, this is a group like no other. I guarantee you will not find anything like James or Survival of the Fittest anywhere.
So, if you’re done being just a membership, you should come try Survival of the Fittest and James.
I promise you won’t want to go anywhere else.

Prior to my arrival at Survival of the Fittest Health and Wellness I spent 3 years going through major life events and I lost track of diet and exercise.
By the end of 2015 I needed to get back on track and find a new fitness home. I never liked the box store gyms, I wanted a gym like my last gym, one that was serious and focused and felt like a family. After some searching I found James O’Rourke and Survival of the Fittest Health and Wellness. In little time, I knew this was the right place for me.
So far, I have lost over 12 pounds, my body fat went down 13.9 pounds, my fat % went down 6.6% and my BMI went down from 35% to 27.3%. I was elated to see the progress since my first weigh in when I started with James O’Rourke.
James O’Rourke is very knowledgeable and motivational. His expertise not only lies in fitness but in nutrition as well. I also needed a trainer that felt like a friend. James is all of these and that makes for a well rounded trainer.
I have now been with James for four months and plan on continuing permanently. I have a great nutritional program that is not a diet, rather a way of life. I have motivation, accountability, proper instruction and a friend. I couldn’t be happier about my health and fitness level, I am certain I will continue and achieve my goals.

I’m not a newbie to gyms or anything, but a few months ago I found myself in a rut. I was working out on my own and thought I was eating right. However, I wasn’t seeing much improvement. My weight would fluctuate and I was beginning to feel extremely frustrated. How could I be exercising and eating relatively healthy and still not see results? When the day came that I couldn’t button my jeans I was almost in tears. I contacted a friend who has been working out with James for a while and that’s when I decided to contact him and give SOF a try. I’ve been working out at SOF for 2 months now and am getting great results. What I like is that the groups are small and you get a lot of personal attention. It’s not like one of those classes at the bigger gyms where the instructor doesn’t even notice if you’re there or not. I am someone who can be a bit timid but everyone is super nice and I have fun going. James has created a fitness program that works extremely well based on his knowledge, experience, and ability to connect with his clients on a personal level. I also like that he changes it up quite a bit and that he sometimes takes us outside for our work outs. I’m really happy here and strongly recommend for anyone who is turned off by most of what’s out there and looking for something different.

I have been training with James O’Rourke for quite some time now! And I have loved every second of it! He is dedicated to helping people with their weight loss and nutrition its incredible! I am so happy to be a part of it and to be able to call him my friend! I used to be 280 lbs and I went down to 230lbs! He has helped me become a better me! I highly recommend giving him a call today so he can help you become a better you!

When I started with James, I think I was at a very low low spot in this journey. I had a major injury that laid me up for a long time. This only pushed me farther into my path of an unhealthy life. I looked and felt like someone that had pretty much given up. With his knowledge, understanding and most of all PATIENCE, he literally brought me back to life. With the help and training along with his dietary skills I have received from James, I am feeling better, stronger and younger then I have felt in years. I thank James for coming into my life and helping me realize that there is a way to a better life. I just needed the right person to show me. He has also created an amazing group of individuals that support each other and that is so important.

I found Survival of the Fittest, SOF as we call it, on Facebook in the summer of 2015. James (as well as MANY others) responded to my post looking for a trainer. However, James stood out as he completely followed through and after meeting him and seeing the gym I was set. I allowed my work, bad habits and traveling to get the best of my health and my relationship, I was at a point where I physically felt miserable all the time and was ready for a complete life change. SOF provided me with a healthy nutrition plan, achievable exercise goals and just the right enviorment to continuously perpetuate my personal improvment. I enjoy the variety of different work outs James lines up for us; hiking, running stairs, hitting/​kicking bags, battle ropes, kettle bells, ect. My quality of life has significantly improved since I began at SOF over 6 months ago.

I have been working out for many years and recently became bored and unfocused using the gym on my own. I noticed that a few of my Facebook friends were talking about James and decided to try it out. What a great find! James has created fun, structured and accountable groups that have become my extended family and friends. On the days I miss the gym, I really «miss» the gym. I would highly recommend this for ANY fitness level as you will find the attention and support you need.

What a great trainer and such a welcoming group. all fitness levels would be comfortable and challenged being part of James’s workout groups. So many trainers in SCV and I’m fortunate to find one of the more caring and motivational. Pricing and class size are very fair and reasonable. You certainly don’t get lost in the crowd.

Let’s see, where do I start. Oh yeah with a phone call. Once I made that call life just got a little healthier. James O’Rourke invited me to come by and see if his type of training was what I was looking for. I was hooked by my first visit. Not only did he make me feel it was ok that I didn’t work out for a year, he was there to help. By week one not only did I feel stronger and better about myself, I was becoming part of a family. I luv his knowledge and the positive synergy he helps create in our semi private group classes.
If you are willing to step up to the plate, swing the bat, hit the ball and run, you will win the game!
Make that call to a healthier, happier you!
Survival of the Fittest Health and Wellness. (661) 713‑7576.
Thanks James you ROCK!

Working out in the semi private class with James is the best «gym» experience I have ever had. He does all the thinking for you! I get in, I work out hard, and get it done. He is consistent, reliable, and very knowledgeable. It’s not just about working out, it’s a lifestyle. James has provided me with a vegetarian diet that is very manageable, easy to shop for and simple to cook! I attend the 6am class, starting my day off feeling strong and confident! James keeps a positive attitude and also posts motivating weekly inspirations on the group FB page to remind us to stay focused! I highly recommend his services if you’re looking to get healthy and stay healthy.

I started training with James O Rourke about 3 weeks ago. He is very motivating and patient. He is very helpful in making sure that we not only do a series of challenging exercises but that we do it correctly using good form. I am really looking forward to some great results in the future! I highly recommend joining his fitness program at Survival of the Fittest! James is the real deal!

I was referred to James via Facebook by a friend. I had written a post on Facebook that my 18 year old daughter had been getting harassed by the trainers at LA Fitness and a friend said we should call James.
We called and met with James at Big John’s and James gave us a tour and explained his training programs.
I had initially not considered doing training, rather was just looking to change gyms to get away from all the crowds and so my daughter wouldn’t be bothered. However after meeting with James, both my daughter and i are taking his semi-​private program for 3 months.
Today i just got handed my first can of whoop ass, but it was to be expected considering it has been about a year. My daughter is very happy and loves the gym as well since it is not very busy at all, there are no waits and they have plenty of equipment.
We checked out all the other fitness or group classes in SCV and did not want to be a part of a large group. They all seemed so cult-​ish. We liked the small 5 person group we were in and what is best is you don’t have someone yelling in your face trying to motivate you. I never liked that.

I have been training with James since February 2015 and I never felt better in my life. I am getting the results I want and more. He is not only an amazing trainer but great motivator too.

I started training with James since February of 2015. I’m very pleased with the training although the beginning was rough since, I had not worked out for years. I am up for the challenge. Since training I have lost 5 pounds of body fat. I have noticed a change in my body such as more toned and i feel fabulous. He provides you with a nutritional plan to follow your goals. If your confused or concerned like I was about how to get healthier and in shape you need to hire him. James takes you step by step to reach your fitness goals. Hes also a very inspirational positive person which I enjoy. Good Luck on your fitness journey and don’t forget to hire him.

I have been training with James for a few months and I couldn’t be more pleased. I used to work out consistently on my own and realized that over the course of a couple years my motivation and discipline had dropped significantly. I had seen James working with clients around the gym and he had always had a very open and approachable feel about him, so we started discussing different options for training. He has lots of different choices. I decided I would go and try a class… and I’m hooked, I have lost 14 lbs and 10.75 inches as well as lowering my body fat percentage. I feel good about myself and how I look. James gives a theme to focus on every week to follow for life and training. He’s so positive and motivating. I enjoy the workouts I get each time, the team feel that comes from each class, and especially the feeling that he actually cares about you reaching your goals and the milestones in between. He’s real and knows that his clients are as well, and that isn’t something I’ve encountered anywhere else.

James is very knowledgeable about health and fitness and creates a plan that fits every individual’s needs. When I started with James I thought I was already physically fit but he has shown me better techniques and training that is taking me to a totally different level. The best of all James cares about his clients and holds them accountable through nutrition plan, diets, I love my training and highly recommend James and SOF.

James is a great trainer and runs a great boot camp and personal training sessions. He is super knowledgeable when it comes to nutrition and work outs. His schedules are flexible and he will work with you to make sure you get yourself to the gym! I would highly recommend him to friends and family. You won’t be disappointed!

James is extremely knowledgeable in the world of health and fitness and is a pleasure to train with. He’s really great at listening to the needs of each client and tailoring his workouts accordingly. I’m pretty active and fit but he was able to challenge me and help me see improvements with toning and sculpting. I highly recommend SOF!

I have been training off and on with James of Survival of the Fittest (SOF) for about a year and a half. It has been slow and steady since I didn’t take my diet or workouts seriously at first. For the last eight months I have been dedicated and I could not be happier with my progress. He pushes me to always do better because he knows that I can. I’m losing weight, inches and building muscle. After seeing my results, my mom and sister have joined the classes. We love his group classes and feel guilty when we can’t make a class. James set us up with a meal plan that we are doing together. What I love most about training with James is that he truly cares about his client’s health and well-​being.
I was intimidated about working out at Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy (where SOF is run out of), but everyone is so nice, helpful, and motivating.

I’ve known James for a little over nine years now and would highly recommend him to anyone who’s looking for a trainer. I know that I can come to him for any fitness pointers or guidance when it comes to nutrition because he’s so knowledgeable and passionate about health and fitness. What makes James so special in such a competitive business? Well, he’s been able to take his own personal experience and help others be happier and healthier (how cool is that)!
I see him as a positive person… a true motivator with a huge heart, and a great sense of humor, and it’s so nice to see him excel at something that he truly loves! I have the utmost confidence that anyone who comes to him will leave happy and will not be disappointed.
GOOD LUCK!!!