Clara Bassett, Leading Fitness Expert, Choreographer & CEO of Personal Best Enterprises, Inc.

Clara (a.k.a. Clarita) is a Havana-born dancer and fitness expert with over thirty years’ experience in personal training, choreography and fitness programs. As the creator of the Mambo Mania™ fitness programs, Clarita combines her Latin flare and Yankee know-how to develop workouts that explode with energy and fun, while providing healthy results you can see and feel. She is a consummate motivator, driven to help people live their Personal Best through smart and healthy living.

Clarita has been dancing since she was nine years old, first as a classical ballerina, and then as a professional jazz dancer. Her television and film credits include the iconic seventies dance movie Staying Alive, national television commercials, and a series of exercise DVDs. She choreographed and co-starred with fitness icon Kathy Smith in her best-selling Latin Rhythm Workout, and has been featured alongside well-known television hosts like Maty Montfort from HGTV’s Smart Solutions.

Karen L. Braun, AFAA Certified Fitness Instructor

After 25 years teaching aerobics, step, kickboxing, stretch and Pilates classes, local San Pedro instructor Karen Braun knows the value that physical fitness has beyond the physical body. Karen is certain that people who exercise regularly and take care of their bodies are not only more physically fit, but are also more emotionally fit and happier all around. Karen believes that pursuing forms of exercise that are fun is the key to a lifelong commitment to health. Her mission is to provide a strong, energetic workout while bringing fun and laughter into the mix. She takes great pride in utilizing fitness to make the world a better, healthier and happier place... one student at a time!

Lois Thornburg Mambo Mania™ Certified Instructor

As a breast cancer survivor, Lois Thornburg knows the importance of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She has an active voice in the community as a breast cancer patient advocate, both locally and nationally. In 2007, after having spent years searching for an exercise routine that she could truly enjoy and stick with for more than just two months, Lois began taking Clarita's Mambo Mania™ classes. She was instantly hooked! In the spring of 2008, Clarita invited Lois to begin instructing Mambo Mania classes at Personal Best, as well as teaching classes throughout the community. Check out Lois’s classes and see how Mambo Mania can empower your life too!

Kay Garner, Certified Group Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Born in Niigata, Japan, Kay has been dancing as long as she has been walking. She began training in classical ballet at age three and studied tap dance as a teen. By age 18, Kay was deeply immersed in the world of competitive ballroom dance. After graduating from college, she began teaching aerobics in Tokyo while simultaneously managing several popular fitness centers. Since relocating to the United States, Kay has taught almost every type of physical movement you can think of, including cardio-boxing, Spinning®, aquatic exercise, Pilates and yoga. She is also an active personal trainer, serving clients in West Los Angeles for nearly 10 years.

Most recently, Kay served as lead instructor for several infomercials, including Body by Jake, The Hip & Thigh Sculptor, ATC’s Katami Bar and Windjector by Dosho Design. At the 2009 IDEA Fitness Convention, Kay assisted Clarita with the national Mambo Mania Fitness exhibit. Kay is perhaps best known for her radiance and positive energy!

Venus Gotti

 Venus Gotti was born in redondo beach california and has trained in Mixed Martial Arts, Shoalin Kempo, mauy thai and jiu jitsu most of her life. She has over four years of experiance in boxing. She is a cage fighter and is currently training at a MMA facility for her up and coming fights . Venus will be fighting on Strikeforce early next year. She is an excellent trainer and will make you go the extra mile. Venus's work out will empower you, build strength and agility. Venus will motivate you to punch and kick sparring mitts, run cardio drills and stretch your entire body for a complete and total workout.

Kristy Hatton

Kristy (aka “Kismet”) has been dancing her entire life. Her passion for Belly Dance stems from a deep love of ethnic music and feminine movement.

As an AFAA and ACE certified fitness professional, Kristy currently teaches Hip Hop Hustle and Belly Dance throughout the San Pedro community. She’s excited to bring her revitalizing belly dance moves to Personal Best. "My goal is that every class feels like a party. When my students leave, they feel refreshed and exhilarated!”