About Our Staff

Valerie Pawlowski earned her B.A. degree in Communications from William Paterson University, Paterson. Valerie is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Licensed Nutrition Manager with Lifestyle Management Associates and Certified in Pilates and Flexibility Training. She is also certified as a Medical Exercise Specialist by AAHFP, and as a Personal Trainer through ACE and AFAA. Additionally, Valerie is a NESTA Certified Adventure Boot Camp Instructor.

With more than 14 years of experience and expertise, presently the Owner of The Body Barn and previously serving as the Wellness Director of the Somerset Hills YMCA, Valerie is dedicated to inspiring others to pursue and achieve their goals for a more healthy and improved lifestyle.

Additionally, Valerie is personally involved in many diverse activities ranging from Triathlons, Adventure Racing and Mountain Biking to placing first in 1998 in the New Jersey Natural Bodybuilding Championship. These achievements not only satisfy her drive for success but also serve as an example for others to "believe it and achieve it". Helping others to build confidence in their own abilities, and exceeding their own expectations is her ultimate goal!

Shari Sperandio has been a fitness enthusiast all her life. She has enjoyed a variety of team sports, as well as running, cycling and strength training. Shari is a NESTA Certified Personal Trainer and Biomechanics Specialist, a Certified EZ8 Running Coach, and is currently pursuing a specialized certification in Core Conditioning - she is certified in First Aid and CPR. She gained her experience in group education as a motorcycle safety instructor. Shari's formal education includes an AAS in Mechanical Engineering, and a BA in Liberal Arts from Centenary College, Hackettstown.

Stephanie Abrusia has been involved with fitness training for over 10 years and during that time has accrued certifications from major organizations within the industry such as NASM, AAHFP as well as ACE and NESTA. She participates in a number of local races and events and earned a 2nd place finish in The Ultimate Fitness Challenge and 2001 ITC Triathlon.

In conjunction with fitness training Stephanie is also a Connective Tissue Therapist specializing in injury prevention, pain relief and postural restoration and has been in practice for 7 years.

I enjoy the full spectrum of fitness and integrate not only safe and effective exercise, but a variety of components which promote balance, well being and long term success. Health has always been the center of my focus and finding dynamic new ways to assist my clients in achieving success and improving their lives continues to inspire me.

Mary Piirsalu OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist for over 10 years specializing primarily in geriatric care in acute and home care settings. She has worked with a wide and varying range of diagnosis including but not limited to; Orthopedic, Cardiac, Neurological, Outpatient hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, as well as Lymph edema with a focus on cancer patients.

Currently assisting in conducting NJ Adventure Boot Camp’s morning program for women, Mary, a Personal Trainer, certified by the American Council on Exercise, continues to be active in the fitness field. She is a certified Nutrition Specialist, teaching Healthy Balance and provides informative and educational grocery store shopping tours.

Working extensively with a mostly geriatric population and observing how difficult the aging process can be, fuels my goal in life to educate people on the importance of vital nutrition. As we age, without exercise and good nutrition, muscle mass decreases substantially, balance decreases, and appetite decreases so the body is not fueled with energy. A majority of my patients experience a generalized pain from inactivity and weakness, from lack of exercise and poor nutritional intake. Don't let this be you!

Essential exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction will let us "age like a fine wine". My goal is to age enjoying my family, friends and work. Let's make that all of our goals! It’s also been said that, "A little knowledge can go a long way". Several helpful hints can make huge changes.