Ellen Pielstick Craig.  is an elementary school teacher, a fitness instructor, wife, a mother of two and a kidney donor. She was born in Aspen Colorado. Her family moved from Aspen to Claremont, California when she was in junior high school. She received her BA in Public Relations from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and  her California Teaching Credential from Cal State Northridge.  She has been an elementary school teacher in Burbank, CA for 14 years.  She has two kids ages 8 and 11.  Both of her children are part of the Spanish dual immersion program in Monrovia.  In the fall her daughter will be a third grader at Monroe Elementary and her son will be a sixth grader at Clifton Middle School. In addition to teaching elementary school, Ellen is a certified TRX Suspension training instructor and a certified Rock Steady Boxing instructor at Kaizen Martial Arts and Fitness here in Monrovia. In April of 2016 ,along with Jody Hould, Ellen traveled to Indianapolis where they attended a three day training at Rock Steady Boxing Headquarters.  Rock Steady Boxing is a non contact boxing program for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Rock Steady has become a tremendous part of her life.  The changes that she has witnessed have forever changed her attitude about ability and how much one can truly accomplish when motivated.

Rocksteady boxing classes are taught by certified personal trainers and coaches, they include an exercise program that attacks Parkinson’s at its vulnerable neurological points. While focusing on overall fitness, strength training, reaction time and balance, workouts include: ring work, focus mitts, heavy bags, speed bags, double-ended bags, jump rope, core work, calisthenics and circuit weight training. No boxing  experience is necessary and people of all ages are invited to participate. Boxers, both male and female range in age from mid-30s to early 90s.