S.A.G.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center

Joseph Celis

MS, CSCS

Joseph is the Co-Founder and Director of Physical Wellbeing at S.A.G.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center in Tustin, CA. He is the creator of the S.M.A.R.T. B.E.T. self defense program that has equipped hundreds of helpers and healers to feel more safe, protected and empowered in their work, fulfilling an important part of Joseph’s mission and purpose of keeping others safe. Joseph also teaches Spiritual classes and offers Spiritual Direction/Coaching at S.A.G.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center in Tustin, CA.

Meet Joseph

In his role as Director of Physical Wellness at S.A.G.E., Joseph believes that the foundation of our physical wellness is directly related to the level of safety that we feel in our bodies; he also believes that this correlates with our Spiritual wellbeing, and that by putting these awareness and safety measures into practice, one can create empowerment and strength as a platform to continue building overall wellness.

Areas of Expertise

  • Women's Empowerment
  • Men's Empowerment
  • Safety Concerns
  • Self-Esteem
  • Spiritual Development
  • Spiritual Connection

Certifications and Trainings

  • MS Kinesiology, Emphasis on Strength & Conditioning and Periodized Program Design, California State University, Fullerton
  • BS Kinesiology, Emphasis on Sport Psychology, California State University, Fullerton
  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
  • Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA)
  • Former Police Officer, LAPD & Anaheim PD
  • Creator of S.M.A.R.T. B.E.T. Self-Defense Training

How I Work

As a community educator and professor for over 25 years in the field of Kinesiology in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, he creates a learning environment where he distills his broad knowledge base into easy-to-learn and understand methods that are immediately useful.  

Spiritually speaking, Joseph brings a wealth of lived and learned experiences. Joseph studied world religions and has participated in several cultural and spiritual practices throughout most of his life where he has sharpened his ability to utilize this knowledge and his spiritual practices to help others find their own path. Being highly intuitive and connected to Spirit from a very young age, this pushed Joseph to learn about this connection and make sense of it. Joseph helps others do the same with his services in Spiritual Direction and guides others to their own unique spiritual connection, helps them learn how to connect more deeply to Spirit, and start living in their higher purpose.

Who I Work With

  • Self Defense for Teens
  • Self Defense for LGBTQ+
  • Self Defense for Women including College Age Women
  • Self Defense for Clinical Therapists, Helpers and Healers
  • Self Defense for Older Adults
  • Self Defense for AAPI and Other Groups Battling Racism and White Supremacy
  • Spiritual Development and Direction for All Ages: Children, Teens, Women, Men, Non-Binary

Training and Spiritual Coaching With Me Feels Like

Self Defense Training with me is trauma informed and at your pace, yet you will be challenged because I want you to create new experiences for yourself to pull from during training (when you are not in actual danger) so you can pull from your training if anything really does happen in real life. 

Spiritual Coaching is a personalized spiritually guided journey to help you uncover what you really want and to take actions that will help you shed ego and step into alignment with Spirit and your life path.

Services + Fees

  • Individual Spiritual Coaching
  • Individual Self Defense Trainings
  • Group Trainings for Self Defense
  • In-person sessions in Tustin, CA 
  • Session fee: $200 for individual sessions*
  • Trainings: $199+* (Varies by Level, Training Setup)
  • Sliding scale available*

*S.A.G.E. offers sliding scale fees determined upon your financial need. Please contact us to discuss your particular financial situation to determine the session fee.

Schedule an initial consultation

Let'sGet Started

Joseph is ready to guide you on your spiritual path or to a more profound feeling of safety on your physical path. Reach out today to S.A.G.E. Holistic Health & Wellness Center in Tustin, CA whether for you personally or to schedule a group training.

“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one.”

– HENRY DAVID THOREAU

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Wondering how it all works?

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Common Questions About Our Services

Absolutely. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to benefit from support. Many of our clients come in feeling “stuck,” overwhelmed, or just wanting a safe space to process life. If you’re curious — that’s enough.

We combine evidence-based therapy with holistic support like Reiki, spiritual care, and community education. As a nonprofit, we focus on healing — not hustling. You’re not just a number here.

Our holistic therapists are trained to hold space for you no matter where you fall on the spectrum of religion or spirituality – or absence of it. We have worked with a large number of folx who are recovering from spiritual abuse, religious trauma or who are having a faith crisis, but that doesn’t mean we have to even talk about spirituality/religion at all during your therapy sessions. If it’s important to you, we create the space for you to explore it in our work together.

It means we treat you as a whole person — not just a diagnosis. We look at mental health, emotional wellbeing, nervous system support, and a variety of other holistic approaches including consulting with your other holistic professional team members if you desire.

We currently accept insurance from:

Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Cigna
Kaiser
Optum / United Healthcare

We’re committed to making care accessible. Our nonprofit model allows us to offer affordable session rates and sliding scale availability when possible.

We’ll help you match based on your needs, goals, and preferences. Our free 15-minute consult is designed to help you find the right fit — no pressure, no awkward guesswork.

Yes. That’s why we offer a free consult — a short, no-pressure call to ask questions and explore next steps together.

Our team works with anxiety, trauma, grief, identity shifts, burnout, relationship challenges, faith transitions, and more. You’re welcome here — whatever you’re facing.

Absolutely. We are a safe, affirming, and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.

Yes, we offer online sessions for clients across California. You can receive care from the comfort and privacy of your own space.

LET’S CONNECT

Schedule Your Free Consult