Training Experience
Marc Alabanza has trained thousands of people in the fitness/wellness programming industry for over 14 years. Marc has created and overseen Immersion Wellness programs at world known wellness retreats such as The Ashram in Calabasas, CA; The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu in Malibu, CA; and GroundSea Fitness in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Marc’s programs have won awards such as “Best Weight Loss Spa” by SpaFinder Magazine; Silver Sage Reader’s Choice Top 5 Weight Loss Spa; World’s Best Spas Award - Top Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure Magazine; and #2 World’s Best Luxury Boot Camp by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel.

Education
Marc is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritional Therapist, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a focus in Archeology (North American Southwest), and Minors in Art (Sculpture) and Psychology. His experience in Anthropology/Archeology have fueled his desire to understand the evolution of our modern Subsistence Strategies & Practices, namely how our food system has evolved into it’s current state of low nutrient value, but highly processed, highly adulterated, and high calorie food.

Outdoor & Physical Training Experience
Marc brings a balance of theoretical fitness/wellness knowledge, with “in the field” experience using that physicality safely. Marc himself is an avid hiker, backpacker, kayaker, mountain biker, rock climber and SCUBA diver and has participated, coached and taught in the Adventure Sports for over 20 years in competitions such as the Fogdog 24 Adventure Race, Cal- Eco Adventure Race, and Hi-Tech Adventure Race Series. Marc is also a PADI Certified Rescue Diver with over 70 logged dives throughout North and Central America. Marc has over 20 years of experience in the martial arts, holding ranks in Dux- Ryu, Ukidokan Kickboxing, and Tang Soo Do Karate.

Medical & SAR Experience
Marc is a nationally registered (NREMT) & Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the county of Ventura, CA and an 10+ year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team 3 (VCSAR3), participating in rescue and recovery operations throughout California. Marc has been trained and certified by the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) in areas such as wilderness search techniques & management, urban search & rescue (USAR), snow & ice operations, communications, wilderness orienteering, backcountry tracking, technical rope rescue, and swiftwater rescue.

Preparedness & Community Experience
Marc also has spent years working within the Preparedness Field since the early 1990’s, from being involved in FEMA’s Comnmunity Emergency Response Team (CERT), working as a Preparedness Specialist for Black Umbrella (a disaster preparedness consulting company), to training at the Department of Homeland Security’s “Cobra Alley” for technical emergency response to Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear/Explosive (CBRNE) incidents.

Gardening, Animal Husbandry & Subsistence Practices
Marc is passionate about speaking to others about health, wellness, and food production. Marc has personally delved into the world of backyard food production, maintaining the Alabanza Family Farm since 2011 to produce healthy food for his family and to educate himself & his children in old school homesteading skills. Learning and refining the skills necessary to maintain small crops both hydroponically and through SMall plot, INtensive (SPIN) farming, producing meat and eggs from a small flock of heritage chickens, and butchering/processing wild game has enlightened his perspective on the “Whys” and the “Hows” of what actually makes food healthy, and what makes food convenient.

 

Marc continues to educate and inspire others to discover the capacities of their bodies and minds through creating Immersion Wellness Programs. These multi-day retreats allow people to experience a balanced practice of fitness activities, nourishment through wholesome food and introspection to find our true personal happiness.