By all rights, Jim Chelossi, a former U.S. Marine and inventor of the ubiquitous coffee-cup sleeve, could be quietly retired. Instead, he’s preparing a band of local young people to answer the demands of drill instructors, all on his own dime.
Incorporating intensive strength training, boxing, resistive swimming, rock climbing and wrestling, Chelossi’s Pre-Boot Camp program aims to ready young men and women physically and mentally before they join the military.
He started about a year and a half ago with a young man who hoped to join the Navy and then recruited others through word of mouth. Chelossi’s high school-aged sons, Devon and Charles , told their friends, and it has grown from there.
The 52-year-old Scotts Valley resident, who has experience in bodybuilding and weight training, said he hopes to give young adults a chance to reach their goals in the military, as well as keep them out of trouble.
“This program is not just for big stars. It is for people that want to learn self defense, not just to beat people up,” Chelossi said. “This is for everyone, not just men going into the military. I want to help keep kids on the straight and narrow.”
So far, six young men are working out with Chelossi, though he hopes to add a couple more. His goal, he said, is to teach discipline and mental strength, and the young men under his tutelage say they’ve seen the positive effects.
“I know I can come here and box,” 19-year-old participant Chris Bolanos said. “This is by far the most intense and best workout I’ve ever gotten.”
Bolanos lives in Scotts Valley and attends Cabrillo College. He hopes to pursue a career in boxing or mixed martial arts.
The young men gather at least five times a week, working out an hour and a half to two hours each day at Chelossi’s home. His property now houses recently-constructed boxing ring, a pool, a rock-climbing wall and all the other equipment his group needs. They work on their own, too, focusing on diet and nutrition.
Chelossi also emphasizes the importance of giving back to the young men he works with, encouraging them to pay it forward when they have the opportunity.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this otherwise, financially,” Kyle Hoffstetter, 20, said. “We can all see that Jim enjoys helping people. Anyone going into the service should talk to Jim and get the training they need.”
Hoffstetter has recently signed papers to join the U.S. Navy and expects to be deployed in March.
Helping Chelossi is Emeric Delczeg, a former bodybuilder from Romania, who once held the title of Mr. Romanian. The 58-year-old competed from 1995 until 2002 with the International Federation of Body Building, the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. He placed eighth in the 1998 Arnold Classic and ninth in the Olympia Masters in 2000 and now advises participants in Chelossi’s program on nutrition and physical fitness.
Chelossi’s goal is to continue expanding the program and find sponsors so everything can remain cost-free for the participants and their families.
“Eventually, I could see this program growing nationwide. We also help individuals with any of their goals, such as kids pitching in baseball, fitness needs and just helping kids stay out of trouble,” Chelossi said. “We really need donations for this to grow into the program that I ultimately envision.”
For now, the biggest needs are a cover for the boxing ring, a gym expansion that would accommodate boxing and speed bags and a heater for the pool to allow for year-round training, he said. Volunteers will handle the labor and ACE Hardware has donated some equipment, and all that is needed are the materials.
At a glance
WHAT: Jim Chelossi’s Pre-Boot Camp
DETAILS: The Scotts Valley inventor helps young people prepare for the military and other goals through physical fitness and nutrition. Donations are needed to keep the program free and growing.
SEE MORE: On www.youtube.com, search “Jim Chelossi, Pre-boot camp”
INFO: Jim Chelossi, [email protected]
Dianna White is a senior at Bethany University and a contributor to the Press-Banner. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].
