Committed to Your Success

Ceci was born and raised in Eureka. After leaving the area for a few years to attend college, she realized that she is a Humboldt county girl at heart and returned to finish her college career and make her home.

Ceci’s work experiences have be in some form of physical activity or health from the time she was 16 year old. She has served as a supervisor, program coordinator, and co-director for various local fitness and wellness programs. Ceci has been involved specifically in the fitness/physical training industry for 15 years. While completing her Bachelors degree in Exercise Science at Humboldt State University she received hands on experience working for physical therapy clinics, and after graduation was a member of a hospital clinical Nutrition Department. While working towards her Masters degree in Exercise Science she served as a personal trainer and nutrition counselor at a local health club. These experiences sparked her passion for and belief that physical activity is the cure for many of society’s ills. In October of 2001 she left the health club to start an in-home personal training company, which she owned and operated until the opening of Praxis Fitness. She is a American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified Personal Trainer and a American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certified Health Fitness Specialist®. Ceci credits all the great physical therapists she has worked with in the past as the reason she focus on instilling the importance of proper mechanics and body Her passion for improving the lives of others and her desire to make her hometown a better place to live drive her in her professional career.

Tracy Stone graduated from Humboldt State University with a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology in 1994. Since becoming certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1992, Tracy has worked in the physical therapy field as well as working as a fitness director and a personal trainer for more than 15 years at a local health club. With her background, Tracy has a clear understanding of injury prevention and exercise progression. Her experience includes working with individuals following heart conditions, stroke, orthopedic injuries, and a variety of other health conditions. She places a great deal of emphasis on proper mechanics and postural alignment, and believes that core stabilization is an essential element of every exercise program.

Having worked in the health and wellness field for over 20 years, Praxis Fitness is the next progression in Tracy’s developing career and goal of providing clients with an atmosphere where people can enjoy getting fit. Her belief is that fitness is a way of life and a choice that we make, not something that we have to do. She believes firmly that fitness should be fun for all ages. Tracy’s goal is to provide clients with the knowledge and foundational skills needed to enjoy a healthy, happy life, and the facility to do it in.

Pam Jennings, a native of Eureka, graduated from Eureka High and then obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science from Willamette University in Salem, OR. With a degree specializing in sports medicine and with minors in Psychology and Spanish, she started her career at a local health club where she worked for seven years before moving to Praxis Fitness. Pam has worked as a master personal trainer, fitness director, group exercise instructor and coordinator of classes, and a swim coach and instructor. Pam holds an ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist® certification, a cycling certification, and is both certified in mat and small apparatus pilates and on the pilates reformer. She specializes in teaching cycling and pilates classes, and working with individuals to reach their personal lifestyle goals.

Pam first started her fitness career at an early age of 8 when she competed on a local swim club, after which she progressed to collegiate swimming. After swimming through college she switched her focus to road bike riding which has been very successful. She has participated in three of the Tour of the Unknown Coast Century Rides, and is currently the female course record holder. She has recently combined her swimming and cycling experience together to compete in triathlons. As a new triathlete, she has accomplished a great deal in a short period of time by winning her first four triathlons and qualifying to compete in Age Group National Championships. One of Pam’s goals is to become a professional triathlete.

Pam’s diverse experience has made her a great asset to Praxis Fitness. She enjoys working with people of different ages and of any fitness level. Over the years as a personal trainer she has worked with individuals who have suffered strokes, had spinal injuries, hip and knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, etc. For such individuals, she has designed pre-surgical and post-rehab programs. In addition, she has worked with many athletes to set up individualized sport specific training regimens to prepare for an upcoming season and/or to simply maintain or improve their strength and aerobic conditioning. When training clients, Pam stresses the importance of functional training, performing specific exercises that enhance the individual’s quality of life by making daily activities easier to accomplish.

When someone comes to Pam with a goal in mind, whether it’s a short or long term goal, it is a priority of hers to help them reach their fitness and lifetime goals. She believes that a healthy lifestyle should be a priority for everyone. Making proper nutritional choices and having a regular fitness regimen is essential to staying healthy and happy. Pam looks forward to meeting you and helping you take the necessary steps to improve the quality of your life.

Mary Niles-Stewart acquired her Bachelor’s degree from Chico State University with an emphasis in Exercise Science. She returned to Humboldt County to continue her education and completed her Master’s degree with an emphasis in Kinesiology from Humboldt State University in 1991, at which time she became certified through the National Athletic Trainers Association. While working for Arcata High school she paired her job as Athletic Trainer with work in a local physical therapy office. Her experience with these two organizations included injury evaluation, rehabilitation, and program design for both athletes and patients. Mary then moved on to St. Bernard’s high school where she filled the roll of Head Athletic Trainer for 2 years. During this time, she also worked at a local health club where her passion for fitness was combined with her passion for rehabilitation. A 1999 move to Arizona found Mary as the Head Athletic Trainer for Camelback High School for 7 years. In addition, she worked for a season with the Arizona Nighthawks women’s NFL team. Having returned to Humboldt County to be closer to her family, Mary is currently the Head Athletic Trainer for Fortuna Union High School. Her experience in athletic training has kept her very active in the world of injury prevention, injury evaluation, and rehabilitation. She is also a certified CPR and First Aide instructor. She has multi-faceted experience in working with physicians, physical therapists, parents, coaches and athletes. Her knowledge in this field is extensive and she looks forward to helping you accomplish your goals.