Doc's Weight Loss Challenge Spring 2013
Doc's Weight Loss Challenge (DWLC) is a 10-week fitness competition created by Dr. Kurene Ma'o and administered by Ohana Wellness Center. Teams of four compete to lose the highest percentage of total body weight — not strictly by pounds lost—during the competition. Cash prizes are disbursed to the top Individuals and Teams.
Our Spring 2013 Season is underway! Subscribe to the Ohana Newsletter (box on the right) or Like Us on Facebook to keep updated on the Fall 2013 Season.
Doc's Mission
The mission of Doc's Weight Loss Challenge
is to encourage and support the community
to attain and maintain a healthy, successful lifestyle.
Dr. Kurene Ma’o created Doc’s Weight Loss Challenge to promote a healthier lifestyle in the community. As a medical doctor, he has seen the devastating consequences of obesity firsthand. An unhealthy body weight is associated with major health risks including diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, gout, cancer, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease and sleep apnea. Through Doc’s Weight Loss Challenge, Dr. Ma’o and Ohana Wellness Center’s team of affiliated practitioners will provide the tools and information you need to help you reach your weight loss and fitness goals!
Dr. Ma’o knows that one of the most effective ways to stay motivated is by seeking support from others. That’s why he designed the challenge as a team competition. Team members can encourage one another while also holding each other accountable.
Our Team of Experts
Steven C. Schoger, Psy.D.
Marriage & Family Therapist
For over two decades, Dr. Steven Schoger has worked with hundreds of people who are balancing many things in their lives and need a little rebalancing. Dr. Schoger's greatest strength is helping clients find a center from which to balance life, relationships, and careers. He specializes in relationships, whether the relationship is with yourself, between you and a loved one, or in your professional or public life. In therapy, Dr. Schoger uses a supportive, easily accessible approach that brings rapid healing.
Diana Vogel, M.S., MFTI
Marriage & Family Therapist
A third-year Doctorate Candidate with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Diana Vogel provides counseling and therapy to communities with myriad needs and in a variety of settings. Diana works with clients of all ages and has expertise in connecting with diverse communities. In fact, she was named the 2011 Outstanding Community Leader for Little Lake School District in Santa Fe Springs. Under the direction of Dr. Schoger, Diana offers weight loss and weight loss surgery support classes, life coaching groups, and marriage, family and individual counseling through Ohana.
Trina Popowich, M.A., MFTI
Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
Presently working to complete her Doctoral Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Trina has over 6 years of experience providing counseling services for individuals, couples, families, and children. Trina approaches her clinical work with a passion for cultural sensitivity, and works within her clients’ unique worldviews to help them achieve positive change. She has completed graduate immersion programs in both Mexico City and Chennai, India. In addition, she is currently researching issues of well-being for Hawaiians living in Southern California. Under the direction of Dr. Steven Schoger, Psy.D., Trina conducts counseling services through Ohana.
Fa'avae Fa'avae
Motivational Coach, The T.U.T. Foundation
At a young age, Fa’avae faced the loss of several loved ones, including his eldest brother, due to gang violence. This adversity inspired him to seek higher education. Fa’avae earned a full ride football scholarship to University of California Berkeley, where he competed at the Division I level and graduated in June 2000 with a B.A. in English. In 2005, Fa’avae finished the 2005 L.A. Marathon, and a year later was accepted to medical school. Working alongside Dr. Kurene Ma’o with diabetes research in the Samoan community fueled his fire for medicine. Fa’avae launched two startups, “purementality.org” and brandbrokerbottomline.com,” and a non-profit on behalf his eldest brother, The T.U.T Foundation. As a motivational coach, Fa'avae has spoken at colleges, churches, and sports leagues. He attributes his success despite extreme adversity to his spirituality and mentality. Fa'avae provides motivational coaching during Doc's Weight Loss Challenge.
Dr. Farid Zarif
Director of Bariatric Nutrition and Dietetics, Top Surgeons, LLC
An expert in the field of nutrition, Dr. Farid Zarif holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Nutrition and in Human Nutrition Science, with a double focus in bariatric medicine (obesity and weight loss) and sports nutrition. Currently, most people eat according to outdated methods (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and they share the same challenges in managing health and fitness. Dr. Zarif is founder of "The Rhythm Diet," which is formulated to encourage eating according to your body clock (The Circadian Rhythm). He specializes in customizing meal plans to the individual. Dr. Zarif provides Nutritional Workshops and Nutritional One-on-Ones for Doc's Weight Loss Challenge participants.
Michael McClure
Certified Personal Trainer
Michael McClure is a certified International Sports Sciences Association Trainer, USA Track & Field Level I Speed Coach, sports rehabilitation specialist, and sports therapist. He is the current conditioning and performance coach for Banning High School football and South Bay Rugby Spartans (U16 State Finalists 2012) and former conditioning coach for the U12 Dolphin Park Raiders (2010). Michael leads Family Walks, directing stretching and warm-up exercises, during Doc's Weight Loss Challenge.