Colby Donaldson/Actor, Co-Host - 'The Rachael Ray Show'
In less than a year, Colby radically altered his physique. While training together, we took him from 11.9% body fat to 4%, as he added 15lbs. of muscle, and at the same time lost approximately 14lbs. of fat! A complete and TOTAL transformation. To say that his workouts were super-intense would be an understatement. This dude trained like a champion, and he didn't take any shortcuts. He is one of the only clients I've ever worked with who actually followed my advice perfectly, and his results and physique speak for themselves. We recently teamed up again before he left to compete in the 'Survivor All-Stars' (Filming currently). He again brought his 'A-Game', and once the show airs early in 2010' you will see what we did with his physique. Even at 36, we still easily added muscle while losing body-fat. Way to go, Colby. Kick some 'Survivor' ass, bro! ~DConn
WHITNEY PORT, Star of 'The Hills' and 'The City'
Whitney and I have been working together for several years, on and off. She first came to me when she was still a student at USC and only trained for a brief time prior to her landing a role on 'The Hills'. Several months prior to this Rolling Stones Cover, she returned to PRO Gym and we again resumed her regimen. Whit really wanted to focus on her arms, and we really were able to sculpt, shape, and strengthen them along with her core and legs until she had to leave for New York to Star in her OWN show called 'The City'. The 2 photos (below) were taken about 3 months apart, (Top photo/most recent) and the tone in her arms became more apparent every week. She is one of my most dedicated clients, as she would train 3-4 times per week when she was in L.A. In addition to doing weights, she also walks the 'Stairs' in Santa Monica periodically and attends yoga classes. Fit and beautiful, inside and out... Whit's my champ! -D
May 09' Cosmopolitan Magazine
It has been so cool witnessing this girl's transformation, firsthand. She is blossoming before all of our eyes! We just did an article for the April 09' SEVENTEEN Magazine on her leg workout entitled 'Get Hot Legs' which appears on pages 92-93, and now she is rockin' the COVER of COSMO for the month of May! Crazy! Way to go, Whit!
[The picture below is for a photo shoot we did at PRO Gym for her website www.officialwhitneyport.com . It was based on some of her favorite, and 'not so favorite' exercises that I have her perform regularly.]
Tom Epley/Retired C.E.O., Author
Mr. Epley has been such a joy to train for me. I affectionately refer to him as 'the Terminator, as he is truly indestructible. We've worked together at PRO Gym and his extensive home gym where this photo was taken for several years now. I have helped Tom to rehab his body through multiple shoulder surgeries, AND a lower back surgery, and he is now playing singles tennis again. (This guy sometimes plays up to 4 times per week with no pain, or so he claims!) Amazing. His work ethic, dedication, and pain tolerance are second to none. -DC
Inspiration~
We all know people who inspire us. This guy is 54 years old, and doesn't even look 40! He is a life-long 'all-natural' athlete, like me. That means NO steroids, ever! I still don't believe Mark is 50 plus. (Not that 50 is old!) In fact, he is proof that age is not only a number, but a state of mind. He is one my fellow trainers at PRO Gym in Brentwood, and is one of the best in the fitness business! I have witnessed him lifting weights many times after 8 P.M. at the gym, which is no big deal unless you consider the fact that he has been training clients since 4 or 5A.M. daily! Several days per week he will actually run the Santa Monica stairs with a client, and/or jog on the beach with another client, before hitting the weights himself late-night. I admire that! Everytime I see him I am reminded that there is no finish line. -DC
Santiago Arana
Santiago wanted to focus primarily on his deltoids and arms. We were able to not only put some serious size on them, but were also able to chisel them simultaneously. With his busy schedule as a Real Estate agent in our area, he was unable to implement aerobic conditioning at the time we trained together, yet we were still able to sculpt AND build his physique in the exact spots he requested. Great job, bro! -DC
" I have always had a difficult time developing my shoulders, until I met Danny Connolly. In a few months, he was able to help me grow and shape my deltoids like I had always wanted. He also taught me about (proper) nutrition to complement the training. As a black belt in Tae Kwon-do and Full-contact, I never thought that I would hire a personal trainer, and now I am glad I did. Thank you, Danny." ~Santiago Arana (Sept./08')
TEAM Novian
Farhad Novian and his brother and business partner Farid Novian @ Novian and Novian Law, L.L.P. have been my most loyal and dedicated clients for over 7 years. We have trained at least 2 mornings a week (6AM.) at Farid's home gym in Beverly Hills since 2003', and I have witnessed an amazing transformation from both of these cats during this period. Core strength has always been a focus, in addition to improved posture, flexibility, muscular strength, and body-fat reduction. I can attest that these two men have accomplished our goals, and THEN SOME! The Novian Brothers remain to this day, a favorite part of my week. (And I am stoked that they have recently Copyrighted, Trademarked, and protected my new logo, etc.) -DC
My first workout dvd is coming soon!
I recently shot footage for a workout (Instructional) dvd! (It is being edited currently.) One of our trainers at PRO Gym helped me out. Anastasia is very skilled at her profession and is equipped with one of the most amazing figures you'll ever see! (I was grateful to have had her participation.) She is also super-cool and will be a major component to the video's success. Check out her website at~ www.stasiafitness.com !
[The content of the video is informative and instructional. It is NOT the typical workout dvd! I designed it to be based on 'maximizing your efficiency' on some of the standard lower and upper body moves, and is intended to 'teach' the viewer the science behind the exercises. (Sculpting the abs, waistline, etc. will be discussed, too.) My goal is to educate. If you can understand what is going on beneath the skin, then you can attain maximum benefits for your effort! Why do more reps than you need to? Why not sculpt and define with each and every rep? D