Gulf War veteran / fitness expert launches all-veteran college providing education and job placement in the fitness industry

Added by on March 27, 2012

Costa Mesa, CA – Transitioning out of the military is difficult enough as it is; add to this veterans are now struggling to find any kind of employment—let alone an enjoyable and financially rewarding employment opportunity. About 18% of veterans, within one to three years of discharge, found themselves unemployed despite actively seeking employment. The 25% who did find jobs were earning less than $22,000 a year.

Veterans are in need of a sustainable and rewarding career option where they can support themselves and their families. As a viable career option many veterans have chosen to pursue a career in fitness which shows average earnings above $53,000 annually. Trainers who build their business and sales skills may also move on to become Fitness Managers that will often make 2- 3 times this amount nearing $100,000 – $150,000 or more in some health clubs.

“Clearly the entire country is struggling with challenges of being overweight and under employed, which is why I became a Fitness Trainer 22 years ago,” said Chris Paschane, Founder and President of Veterans Fitness Career College (VFCC). “In fact, one out of every three American adults is now considered overweight and about 1 in 10 are currently unemployed. But, I feel we have an even bigger problem with our military veterans,” says Paschane.

Elaborating Paschane says, “There are over 870,000 veterans unemployed as we speak. Many of these veterans are suffering from combat related stress, anxiety and depression. They need our help to transition into a career where they can find support, stability, and vitality. This is our mission at the Veterans Fitness Career College.”

Paschane adds, “Our College continues to set up partnerships with small and large health clubs across the nation. We are referring our students to these Veteran Friendly Fitness Organizations (VFFOs) who complete our training program that teaches them how to recruit, accommodate, retain, and profit from hiring veterans.”

“At VFCC, we are ultimately working towards the achievement of two goals: 1) Provide veterans a viable and sustainable career in the fitness industry, while… 2) Helping fitness organizations increase revenue through greater production and improved employee retention. This is a win-win opportunity for everyone that has a exponentially positive effect as these veterans go on to help America lose weight and get fit.”

Paschane comes from a long family line of military veterans in all branches of service dating back to the Civil War. In the late 80’s Paschane joined the USAF and served during Desert Storm, Panama Crisis, Somalia, and the Gulf War. During his service, Paschane developed multiple debilitating back and joint problems as well as other health problems leading to complications with the health of his liver and spleen due to excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.

Regardless of these health setbacks, rating him with an 80% service-connected disability, Paschane remained focused on acquiring the knowledge and doing the work to get and stay healthy and fit. With his own personal fitness success, Paschane began to pursue a career in fitness.

With an impressive career in fitness spanning more than two decades, Paschane has achieved great success in almost every aspect of the fitness industry. His fitness career began towards the end of his military service as a United States Air Force (USAF) Diet Therapist, as well as a voluntary Wellness Committee Chairman for the 435th Supply Squadron at Norton AFB. Not long after his Honorable Discharge from service, Paschane became the Fitness Director for Gold’s Gym in Hollywood where he trained countless individuals of all types including many well-known celebrities and several UFC Fighters.

Taking on greater challenges in his fitness career, Paschane has worked as a Fitness Certification Instructor at Irvine Valley College and Riverside Community College; he owned two well-known fitness studio franchises in California; he was a top producing Regional Fitness Manager for Gold’s Gym overseeing the Exercise & Nutrition departments for forty (40) gyms in the central US; and he was also the number one producer in the nation from 2000-2004 for Bowflex Strength Training Equipment. In the process of all this, he has provided several hundred hours of public speaking, at colleges, health clubs, hospitals, corporations, and in the media.

Paschane, earned an AA with an emphasis in Physical Education along with eight advanced Fitness Trainer certifications, BABC specializing in Entrepreneurship with Summa Cum Laude honors, and will complete his MBA specializing in Entrepreneurship in September 2012.

Paschane can be reached by phone at 714-362-8618 x100, or via email at chris@vfccollege.org. For more information, visit the website at http://www.vfccollege.org.