mission Statement

Dungeon Fitness is dedicated to serving the Lakewood community and beyond. We are committed to transforming and empowering people’s lives through fitness, health, and wellness.

Dr. Maria Silva-Palacios

For over 20 years, Dr. Maria Silva-Palacios has served in many leadership roles in the health and safety industry. She is a culture change-agent dedicated to fostering trusting relationships with those she encounters. She rallies employees and leadership of all levels, toward a shared vision, to transform organizations, while upholding her values and providing exceptional service and solutions. She is also a subject matter expert in office and field ergonomics to ensure client safety and compliance with Cal-OSHA health/safety regulations. As a published author of “Safe Zone: Cultivating Engagement One Leader at a Time”, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the safety, leadership, and organizational culture change space.

Dr. Silva-Palacios received her doctoral degree in organizational change & leadership from the University of Southern California. She holds a Master of Science in leadership and management with a concentration in organizational development and human resource management from the University of La Verne and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in business management. Additionally, Dr. Silva-Palacios is a certified graduate of the Latina Global Executive Leadership Institute and of the Women in Negotiations (WIN) from UC San Diego Rady School of Executive Development. She also holds a certificate in Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety from California State University, Dominguez Hills Cal-OSHA Institute.

Dr. Silva-Palacios has been a speaker, presenter, and moderator at multiple safety, health, and women’s empowerment conferences. Her passion for safety, health, and fostering organizational trust and engagement has resulted in creating Dungeon Fitness - a non-profit organization and Ergon Culture Solutions LLC, which are both dedicated to transforming and empowering the lives of people in organizations and in her community and beyond.

Meet the team

Dr. Maria Silva Palacios

FOUNDER
Dr. Silva-Palacios has been a speaker, presenter, and moderator at multiple safety, health, and women’s empowerment conferences. Her passion for safety, health, and fostering organizational trust and engagement has resulted in creating Dungeon Fitness, which is dedicated to transforming and empowering the lives of people in organizations and in her community and beyond.
Vonya McCoy

CFO/TREASURER
Dungeon Fitness and Wellness has positively impacted my fitness journey. Being a member of the Dungeon family is both fulfilling and fun, thanks to Dr. Maria and her dedicated leadership team who support the Lakewood and the surrounding communities.
Colleen Shea

ACTIVE MEMBER
I joined Dungeon in March 2015 when I was half way through a one-year, 100lb weight-loss journey. I’d reached a plateau and knew I needed to start strength training. I met my goal 10 months after starting to train with her. I eventually became a Dungeon instructor, then joined the board.
Since joining and reaching my weight-loss goal, I have competed in 17 physically demanding events ranging from triathlons to Tough-Mudder races.
I’ve made several long-lasting friendships and connections. We have become a tight-knit community of women (and some men), and together we’ve gone through births, deaths, weddings, and graduations.
Lourdes Baez

ACTIVE MEMBER
The timing was perfect when Dungeon Fitness came into my life in 2016. It was after what should have been an easy hike to the top of the Hollywood sign, I saw a picture of myself and I had to step back and ask "What happened?" Since then, Dungeon Fitness has given me a positive environment filled with supportive women allowing me to achieve the goal of becoming the healthiest and best self I can be.
Every year I'm happy to say "I'm never going back!"
Kristin Cramer

ACTIVE MEMBER
Kristin Cramer is a dedicated community leader passionate about service, leadership, and advocacy. As the Director of Community Relations at Artesia Christian Home, she fosters meaningful connections in the senior living sector. She is currently pursuing her MASLH at USC, further enhancing her expertise in leadership and communication. Kristin is also deeply involved in local service initiatives, including Artesia Cerritos Distinguished Young Women and Dungeon Fitness Health and Wellness.
Lesley Cramer

ACTIVE MEMBER