Raphael Verela, a six-year United States Marine Corps veteran, created Optimum Boot Camp. Raphael also trained pre-Boot Camp recruits with emphasis on muscle strength development and cardiovascular endurance. His experience and education in the health and fitness industry got him recognized as one of the best trainers in Southern California. Raphael attended Oregon State University, as an Exercise Physiology major, and is certified with the American Council on Exercise, Progressive Fitness accredited training programs, Future Fit, Sports Telesis, as a Nutrition Technician, and Muscle Lab 1 resistance training. Raphael has actively competed in Martial Arts, Baseball, Football, Track and Field, Swimming, Underwater Diving, Sky Diving, Repelling, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Open Sea Kayaking, Hiking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, and Gymnastics. Raphael offers a practical knowledge of the athlete and outdoors person, coupled with laboratory and scientific research findings in designing an effective program to benefit everyone regardless of age, general, level of fitness, weight or personal busy schedule.