Will Nelson and his company, Vitalogy, are increasingly impacting both the landscape of American lifestyles and its healthcare system. He is an author, public speaker, teacher, personal trainer, massage therapist, and life coach. His success and accomplishments spring forth from a fundamental philosophy; providing people uncomplicated information that makes it easier for them to navigate life. Life today has become mental and physical self-management, and the one factor that consistently affects both is technology.

“Technology has changed every fabric of the human experience. It is now our servant and master… as ubiquitous as the air we breathe and the water we drink. Its magnitude of impact is on a very short list that includes the wheel, fire, the printing press, and the Internet. As its impact continues accelerating, what is it doing to our minds and bodies?  I created Vitalogy to manage those realities.”

Will’s father suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, and his mother from depression. These conditions impacted every aspect of his family’s life. Along the way, he discovered his gift for “listening to the body,” an intuitive ability that allows him to see people’s greatness, yet understand their fundamental life experiences and the issues they are currently facing. As he says, “Through the years I have been privileged to have an intimate relationship with hundreds of people, along with their bodies and life stories.”

This inspired Will to focus his life on consumer-based, hands on approaches that improve lifestyle management. In pursuing his dream, he worked as a medical office manager, X-ray technician, exercise therapist, public relations director, facility administrator, and consultant.

“In listening to people and their bodies, the message I kept getting was that our bodies are now vastly underutilized, and we have to create activity for them. Otherwise, the physical embodiment of youth, pain-free movement and range of motion is replaced by stiffness, fatigue, headaches, backaches, and reduced physical abilities.”

Along with practicing his unique form of massage therapy, Will also received an associate’s degree as a health and fitness instructor, and later a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Currently he is both a certified health and fitness instructor and massage therapist. Will has a unique “behind the scenes” understanding of healthcare. He recognizes that not understanding the care their bodies need makes people overly dependent on doctors, who are paid to treat rather than teach, and medicate rather than educate.

Education and self knowledge was the motivation behind Will’s first book, The Real Truth About Health, a practical health care guide designed to empower people. Published in 1986, it was used by nursing schools, libraries in the self-help section, and various health care providers.

In 1996 he published “Listening To Bodies,” which later became the VitalMind course. The VitalMind course reflects Will’s passion and expanding research into the creative process, human behavior, conflict resolution, mental/emotional self-care, and the effects of technology on society, culture, individuals and families.

His lecturing style is entertaining, unassuming, spontaneous, and focused. He brings out the warm personality of others through his frank, candid, lively and entertaining demeanor. In delivering his material to live audiences, Will becomes an actor and storyteller, breathing vibrancy and energy into his message. His easygoing personality makes people feel comfortable and allows them to freely converse with him.

In the 1990’s he created the “Gymnasia,” a research facility that offered private consultations, exercise programs, self-improvement workshops, special events, and social gatherings. It was here that the two flagship courses of Vitalogy, the VitalBody and the VitalMind, became formalized. The Gymnasia served to translate the work Will was doing with people into ways they could do it for themselves. Today, Will and his staff of Life Performance Specialists  bring the “Gymnasia Experience” to audiences all over the country. Currently his base of operation is in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as through his on-line courses and various internet sites.

Will Nelson

Licenses & Certifications:
American College of Sports Medicine - Certified Health/Fitness Instructor
1988 to present.

American Massage Therapy Association - Licensed Massage Therapist
1989 to present.

Author:
“The Real Truth About Health,” Costa Mesa, California: Kaptur Press 1987.

Combines a definitive study of the history and current delivery of health care and extensive information about the proper maintenance of your body as it relates to diet, exercise, and mental attitude. Emphasizes self-responsibility, practical knowledge, and common sense. 280 pages, 55 illustrations, index and glossary.

“Listening To Bodies,” Costa Mesa, California: Vitalogy 1996.

250 page workbook documenting the fundamental principles behind the Vitalogy VitalMind course. Similar to an accountant taking a snap-shot of your finances, VitalMind does so of your whole life. In doing so, you separate your determinants (what is fixed and permanent about your life) from your influences (changing environments and current possibilities). This makes it objectively possible to comprehend, connect, and interpret the facts of your life. Think of first deconstructing, and then reconstructing your life. The results are recorded in a “truth sheet,” which acts as the running playbook of your life.