The History of Swat Fitness

Ron’s fitness accomplishments during that time included running 14 marathons worldwide, as well as being assigned responsibility for airmen who were in danger of being discharged due to obesity and poor physical fitness. In nearly 7 years of working with thousands of overweight Air Force personnel, Ron can proudly say that he never lost one person.

After the Air Force, Ron continued inspiring and helping people live healthier, happier lives in his position as a Sergeant and fitness instructor in the U of A police department.

Ron was an integral part of the development of the University of Arizona Bicycle Patrol, and received his Master Trainer Certification as a Fitness Specialist for the Police Department. When Ron met Jana Beutler in 1989, neither guessed what the future would hold. They became great friends and remained so for years.

In 1992, he made the difficult decision to give up law enforcement and pursue health and fitness as a career. He began by training a few friends at first, and then their friends, and within a year of becoming a civilian, his schedule as a personal trainer was full and he had helped dozens of people lose weight and improve their health. Before long, Ron had earned respect as one of the most well known and sought after fitness professionals in Tucson. He didn't have anyone to learn from; didn't work for a successful studio where he learned what to do and what NOT to do. Many of the advantages of being a traner now, just didn't exist back then. It was forge forward, and invent it as we went.

in the meantime, I was busy searching for my calling as well. I got a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1991, and spent 5 years as a High School English teacher, Pom Coach, Dance Teacher, Flag Team Advisor and Wrestling Cheer Coach – all while working part time at night for the County Juvenile Probation department and studying Juvenile Delinquency. Yes – I was exhausted!

After leaving teaching, and working full time in law enforcement for a number of years, I desired a change of pace, too, receiving a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an Emphasis in Counseling. Always wanting to use my skills and knowledge to help others improve their lives, it wasn’t long before I found a way to do so, by marrying fitness and counseling, quite literally. After a 5 year breakup, we found each other again, and within 8 weeks we had run off to Vegas and eloped. We got were married in 1996, and after 15 years of marriage, it seems to have worked out, haha. (For details on our elopement after years of being apart, just ask - it's a really happy story!)

With a total commitment to our clients as our primary mission and purpose, we formed SWAT (Strength Wellness Athletic Training), and the ideas and programs came quickly, using Ron’s knowledge and expertise as a fitness professional and my own expertise in psychology and the process of change.

In 1996, SWAT "Boot Camps" were born. Being among only 2 programs like it in the Nation (yes, we were pioneers!) , at first people thought we were crazy. Outdoor fitness programs at 5 am? Running? Singing? Pushups? People would sign up for that? But they did. And over the next 15 years, SWAT became a pioneer in the field of boot camp fitness, offering a model for hundreds of fitness boot camp programs in existence today.

Next, marathon training began, and soon small group training followed. SWAT Fitness opened its 1200 square foot group training studio in 1998, with just two trainers, eight benches, and a few dumbbells bought from the local Sports Authority. I still remember those long days, working as a school counselor by day, and spending countless hours in our teeny studio before and after the school day. In 2000, we expanded our little group training room to include personal training, and by 2006, SWAT had two new locations, BEAUTIFUL personal training and group training facilities, (called "boutique studios") and over 15 of the most highly qualified personal trainers in Arizona.

It wasn't long before the demands of the business required me to be there to help. And so together, Ron and I, a trained Masters Level Counselor turned Life Coach, have been able to help thousands of Tucson clients change their lives for the better – through proper nutrition, physical fitness, and healthy lifestyle habits.

Together, we have developed some of the most comprehensive wellness, fitness, and nutrition programs available in the Southwest United States. We're very proud of that. And if you ask us? We owe it all to the inspiration and support of the many clients and the friends we’ve made over the years, many of whom still train with us today.

If for some reason you want to hear even more of our story, hear about Ron's history and how he came to be a personal trainer, check out his history on his SWAT GUY BLOG

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