About

About

Dr. Maria Stevens is a physician and fitness industry leader whose work sits at the intersection of clinical medicine and fitness industry practice.

She serves as Director of Fitness & Education at FITNESS SF, where she oversees the fitness department across nine Bay Area health clubs. In this role, she directs a team of over 120 personal trainers — with responsibility for recruitment, educational oversight, sales training, and performance analytics — as well as overseeing safety and compliance training for 340 employees, and the strategic development of FITNESS SF's presence in the medical fitness space.

As Director of the Live Fitness Program at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center (2017-2023), Dr. Stevens personally designed and directed a 12-week fitness and health education curriculum for participants in a 180-day substance abuse recovery program. She has served on the center's Advisory Council during that time. This work formed the basis for a research collaboration with UCSF School of Nursing, examining the impact of structured exercise on recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder. The resulting paper, "Tools You'll Have for the Rest of Your Life: A Qualitative Evaluation of a Fitness and Vocational Training Program for Substance Use Recovery," was published in the peer-reviewed journal Substance Use & Misuse, for which she continues to provide peer review.

Dr. Stevens has two decades of experience in fitness leadership, having directed group exercise departments and designed enrollment-based health programs in Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco, including programs that achieved full redemption rates on training sales. She is the author of five accredited continuing education courses (1.9 CEUs each) for fitness professionals: Lifestyle Medicine Specialist, Metabolic Health Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, Corrective & Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, and The Anatomy of a Personal Trainer.

She currently serves as a volunteer Health Educator at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, presenting an "Exercise Is Medicine" series on exercise as a tool for chronic disease prevention and management. In collaboration with the Franklin County YMCA, and with grant funding from LifePath and the Age & Dementia Friendly Council, Dr. Stevens created "Stay Fit. Stay Connected." — a program designed for seniors with access and mobility limitations, built to facilitate functional strength while directly addressing the loneliness epidemic among older adults.

Dr. Stevens is a practicing family medicine physician who holds a medical degree from the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine, a post-baccalaureate from UC Berkeley Extension, and a BA in Philosophy from Yale University.

Athletic Background

Dr. Stevens was a Division I Varsity Athlete with Yale Women's Crew (2002-2006), where she rowed to four NCAA Championships, won the Concept 2 World Indoor Rowing Championships in 2004 and 2006, and earned multiple All-American and All-Ivy titles — training under more than a dozen elite coaches and strength trainers. She subsequently trained full-time with the United States National Rowing Team in Princeton, NJ (summers 2003-2004, 2006-2007) as an Olympic hopeful preparing for World Championships, including a two-month residency at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. In 2011, her performance in American Kettlebell Club Long Cycle was assessed by a Master of Sport-ranked athlete as exceeding that rank's standard; Dr. Stevens is Nationally Ranked in Pentathlon under International Kettlebell Organization standards.

Certifications & Trainings

• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (2007

• Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, American Council on Exercise

• Medical Fitness Director, Medical Fitness Association

• Advanced Health & Human Performance Specialist, Levels 1, 2, & 3, Institute of Motion

• Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, American Council on Exercise

• Corrective Exercise Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine

• Corrective Exercise Specialist, The BioMechanics Method

• Yoga Teacher Training (200-hour), Yoga Alliance

• Indoor Cycling Certification, ICG

• Level 2 Instructor in Kettlebells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation, Kettlebell Concepts

• Active Isolated Stretching Specialist (The Mattes Method), Stretching By The Bay

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided by EverydayAthleteMD—including articles, newsletters, videos, illustrations, exercise demonstrations, social-media content, downloadable materials, and other resources—is intended for general educational and informational purposes only.Nothing published by EverydayAthleteMD constitutes individualized medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation to begin, discontinue, or modify any medication, exercise program, dietary practice, supplement, or healthcare plan. Use of this website or subscription to its newsletter does not establish a physician-patient relationship with Dr. Maria Stevens or any other contributor. Health and exercise recommendations must be considered in the context of an individual’s medical history, current health, medications, symptoms, physical abilities, and personal circumstances. Consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or beginning a new exercise program, particularly if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, are recovering from an injury or procedure, or develop symptoms during physical activity. Exercise carries inherent risks, including the possibility of injury, worsening of an existing condition, or other adverse events. Stop exercising and seek appropriate medical attention if you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, sudden weakness, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read, watched, or received from EverydayAthleteMD. If you believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency service immediately. Every reasonable effort is made to provide accurate, evidence-informed, and current information. However, medicine and exercise science continually evolve, and EverydayAthleteMD makes no guarantee that all information will remain complete, current, or applicable to every person. References to particular products, services, organizations, or external websites do not necessarily constitute an endorsement. Unless otherwise stated, the opinions expressed through EverydayAthleteMD are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any employer, hospital, medical practice, academic institution, fitness organization, or other affiliated entity. By using this website or its content, you acknowledge that you do so at your own discretion and risk. Last updated: September 2026