Brian, author of Back Exercise; Stabilize, Mobilize and Reduce Pain is the owner/operator of Fit 4 Life DC, was born in Kailua, Hawai‘i, and graduated from the University of Hawai‘i with a B.S. in Exercise Science/Kinesiology. Brian is certified as a: • Medical Exercise Program Director through the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals (AAHFRP) • Medical Exercise Specialist through AAHFRP • Post Rehabilitation Conditioning Specialist through AAHFRP • Certified Instructor of the M.E.L.T. Method • Certified Power Plate® Instructor Brian is also a graduate of the Honolulu School of Massage and was a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Hawai‘i. He has worked as a personal trainer since 1993 throughout Hawai‘i and Washington, D.C. Brian is also an instructor for the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals and lectures nationwide. Although he was raised in paradise, Brian’s childhood wasn’t all fun in the sun. He was an obese child, and by the age of 18 was topping the scales at more than 420 lbs. "For me it was an addiction issue—I was addicted to food and couldn’t get enough. Now, I can’t blame anyone but myself. I had great role models; in fact my mom has been in the fitness industry since the late 70’s. After graduating from high school, I began seriously trying to lose the weight. And I did it in a unique way: diet and exercise. I started with exercise, five miles of walking around Diamond Head Crater in Waikiki everyday. While the walk itself was difficult, the hardest part was the ridicule I endured from the perfectly sculpted surfers I passed on a third of my route. But that steeled my desire. And I say desire because I wanted it; it went beyond just determination at that point. My weight began to come off slowly, but within three years I was under 200lbs. Now, I am almost 40 years old and my weight is around 220."