Kristi is a graduate of the National Personal Training Institute in Orlando, Florida. There
she obtained her Master Certification in Personal Training and a Certification in Massage
Therapy.  She has over 200 hours of practical training experience and more than 300
credit hours in Biomechanics, Anatomy and Nutrition. Kristi is also certified in Standard
First Aid, Infant and Child CPR, and AED.

She joined Excel Fitness Center in 2006 and is glad to be part of a great team of highly
motivated individuals. Kristi plans to continue to study the human body and the benefits
that exercise and massage have on it.
Kristi is a graduate of the National Personal Training Institute in
Orlando, Florida. There she obtained her Master Certification in
Personal Training and a Certification in Massage Therapy.  She joined
Excel Fitness Center in 2006 and is glad to be part of a great team
of highly motivated individuals. Kristi plans to continue to study the
human body and the benefits that exercise and massage have on it.
KRISTI
JEN ROMANO
Jennifer Romano is a National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) Certified
Personal Trainer. Jen’s training career began five years ago while completing her
degree in Economics from the University of Rochester. What began as a hobby
grew into a passion after transforming her own physique and seeing how such a
transformation could inspire others. She immediately began immersing herself in
the health and fitness world, performing ad-hoc research, attending conferences,
and achieving multiple certifications, including AFAA group fitness, BOSU, PHI
Pilates, and Body Training Systems.
By the time she graduated, Jen had successfully trained several aspiring Navy
pilots, being instrumental in their passing of the stringent Naval physical fitness
test. Shortly after graduating, she began working as the Group Fitness Director in
a leading adult private fitness club, where Mrs. Romano implemented several
successful programs leading to a 40% growth in her department. During this time,
Jen also competed in her first triathalon winning a second place medal. She soon
realized that she needed to pursue a full-time training career to make the biggest
impact on the lives of others.  
Jen is currently working on her Clinical Nutrition License.

MARK NEILAN, DPT
Mark has an exceptional background in physical therapy and personal training. As a
graduate of Blair Academy and The College of New Jersey, Mark was well prepared to
enter graduate school. He graduated with a Master's Degree of Physical Therapy from
the University of Saint Augustine in 2000 and was soon employed by Morris Area
Rehabilitation Association (MARA) as a physical therapist. He was quickly promoted to
Clinical Director. While Mark enjoyed working with rehabilitation patients, he wanted to
work with people on injury prevention and maintaining fitness. He became certified as a
personal trainer through the National Council for Sports Medicine Education and began
working part-time as a personal trainer at the Total Wellness Center in Bernardsville in
2001. In 2003, he left MARA to work full-time as the Director of Personal Training at the
Total Wellness Center. After two successful years as director, Mark decided to open his
own business, Excel Fitness Center, in Bernardsville, New Jersey. While training takes up
much of his free time, Mark also dedicates time to further his education. He graduated in
May 2006 from Temple University with his doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Mark's clients are inspired by his dedication to his own fitness. He has competed in
eleven marathons, a team triathlon, and numerous 5K runs. He has run the prestigious
Boston Marathon twice, and did a personal best 2:50:42 at this year's Race for the Red
marathon in PA.  
SARAH CAROTHERS
Sarah Carothers is certified by the NASM as a personal trainer and cardio respiratory
trainer. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Point Park University with a BA in Dance.
She has performed with Paramount Pictures, Silvertree Productions, Alliance
Productions, and Off-Broadway at the Elan Awards honoring dance legend Anne
Reinking. Sarah has appeared in television spots on FOX, ABC, WB, PBS, and NBC and in
commercials for Six Flags. She has also toured with Emmy Award winning special events
producer David Thomas in “The World of Magic.” Sarah has choreographed pieces for
performances in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and has toured
the US as a master class instructor and judge for the Universal Dance Association and
Dance USA. She has taught dance at the Somerset County Performing Arts High School
and at two private studios in New Jersey. In recent months, Sarah has also competed in
a duathalon and a half marathon at the NJ shore.

At Excel, Sarah fine tunes training sessions to match client’s fitness goals. She has also
introduced the Great (Heart) Rate program which has taken a number of clients to the
next level of fitness, cardio-respiratory health, and body weight and fat reduction.
GRACE deMARRAIS
Earning 12 varsity letters in 3 different sports during her high school career, Grace’s life
has always revolved around athletics and her commitment to achieving excellence.
However it was her decision to pursue a swimming career at the Division I collegiate
level for James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA, that led her to find her
true strengths and passion in the field of exercise science and leadership. Grace
graduated in May 2008 with a BS in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition. While at
JMU Grace was recognized as a scholar athlete all 4 years while also achieving the
Deans List multiple times. She was the women’s swim team captain during her senior
year. She is currently certified in V02 max testing as well as acquiring one's resting
metabolic rate (RMR).

Grace says, “With the use of Excel's new metabolic cart, I am able to help individuals
better understand their own resting metabolism as well as their specific level of aerobic
fitness and corresponding heart rate zones. With this new science, I am able to create
a very individualized training plan that focuses on both obtaining higher levels of
cardiovascular fitness as well as providing people with a very accurate weight loss plan.”
EXCEL FITNESS STAFF
 
Jennifer Romano is a National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal
Trainer. Her training career began five years ago while completing her degree in
Economics from the University of Rochester. What began as a hobby grew into a passion
after transforming her own physique and seeing how such a transformation could inspire
others. She immediately began immersing herself in the health and fitness world,
performing ad-hoc research, attending conferences, and achieving multiple certifications,
including AFAA group fitness, BOSU, PHI Pilates, and Body Training Systems.
By the time she graduated, Jen had successfully trained several aspiring Navy pilots and
was  instrumental in their passing of the stringent Naval physical fitness test. Shortly after
graduating, she began working as the Group Fitness Director in a leading adult private
fitness club, where she implemented several successful programs leading to a 40%
growth in her department. During this time, she also competed in her first triathalon,
winning a second place medal.
Jen is currently working on her Clinical Nutrition License.
JEN ROMANO



Kristi’s fitness career began in high school where she was on the Dance Team all four years,
culminating in her senior year as captain of the team and leading them to states. Before leaving
for the National Personal Training Institute of Orlando, Florida, Kristi finished with two second
place awards for the 2004 Fall Out Championship at the Untied Tae Kwon Do Academy.

At the National Personal Training Institute, Kristi obtained her Master Personal Training and
Massage Therapy diplomas. Her studies have included Biomechanics, Anatomy, Physiology, and
Nutrition. After graduating in 2005, she continued her education at the Swedish Institute of
Massage in NY. She is currently enrolled in the Advance Sports Massage class and will be receiving
her Sports Massage certification in July 2009.

Since October of 2008 Kristi has been competing as a Pro Figure Competitor in the USBF, placing
in the following categories:

2009 NYS Empire Bodybuilding & Figure Championship, Women's Pro Figure 1st Place
2009 INBF Northern State Super Natural, Women's Open Figure 2nd Place, Ms. Fit 3rd Place
2008 USBF NYS Bodybuilding & Figure Championship, Women's Pro Figure 2nd Place.
2008 USBF Jersey Shore Natural II, Women's Figure Novice 1st Place, Women's Figure Open 1st
Place, Women's Figure OVERALL 1st Place.
2008 USBF NJ Natural Classic, Women's Figure Open 3rd Place
KRISTI KILHULLEN