Meet the team

Chris Stevenson - a former Power Ranger stuntman - founded The Empower Group. The Empower Group is a full-service consulting firm with services ranging from individual coaching, staff training, workshops, full facility management, and more.  His expertise stems from his past hands-on experience in all aspects of the health club industry. For almost 20 years, Chris and his team successfully owned and operated Stevenson Fitness, a full-service boutique health club in Southern California. The club’s success was based on providing an unparalleled member experience centered on proper staffing, systematic operations, and world-class leadership. This success was reflected in the club’s NPS, consistently in the 90s (the industry average is in the 40s). In addition, Chris is an international speaker who regularly presents at IHRSA, Athletic Business, IDEA, and many other events. He is also a columnist for the Athletic Business Journal,  sits on the board of directors of IHRSA, and is a member of the IDEA Club and Studio Owners Committee.  Chris has the unique ability to instantaneously connect with people and to present viable, applicable lectures that resonate with every audience. 

    Named one of IHRSA’s Women Who Inspire in 2019, Marisa Hoff is the Director of Operations at The Empower Group, a full-service consulting firm based in Westlake Village, Californi,a specializing in employee engagement. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and then continued her education to receive a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Her career began as an elementary school teacher, but her love of fitness led her to get certified with AFAA as a Group X instructor. Marisa was brought on to Stevenson Fitness six months before it opened in September of 2010.   As General Manager, Marisa laid the foundation for what became a  successful, independent club. Marisa oversaw all club operations and worked to build a membership of over 2000 members with an NPS (net promoter score) consistently in the 90s, retention rates over 70 percent, high active user rates, and a booming group exercise program. Both the personal and small group training departments thrived under her leadership. Marisa is an international presenter at fitness conferences, including IHRSA, The Retention Convention Beijing, Club Industry, and IDEA.