Allie Andrews

Ballston

Allie is a certified personal trainer with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Years of long distance cross country and track running in high school and college sparked her initial interest in the health and wellness field. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Kinesiology and minor in coaching education. But it wasn’t until she began working in the weight room with all types of athletes and started resistance training more, that she found a passion for helping others. She loves motivating people to put in the work at the gym, to then watch that hard work transfer onto the field in their performances.

Allie believes that fitness is ever-changing- there should be no end goal! It’s a journey, not a destination. We should be constantly pushing the envelope and exceeding our goals. A healthy balance of exercise and nutrition will allow you to reach and maintain any goal, without sacrificing life’s best moments!

Andre Azad

Ballston

Andre has been a fitness professional since 2016 and his passion towards personal training grew while obtaining his B.S in Kinesiology at George Mason University. Beginning his career as a rehab specialist, he gained experience through a clinical setting working alongside Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and Orthopedic Surgeons to ensure his clients’ needs/goals were reached. Andre’s corrective exercise and functional strength background allows him to help his clients reach their goals safely and efficiently.

Playing sports was what really made Andre realize the importance of exercise. The thought of being able to transform yourself into the strongest version of yourself was what motivated him to progress through exercise. Every person’s story is unique so he likes to use a personalized approach and cater to his clients’ needs to maintain consistency and balance throughout the exercise journey.

Blake Jones

Ballston

Blake is a Father, Marine Corps Veteran, and NPC Men’s Physique Competitor. He has worked in the fitness industry for 7 years and began work as a Personal Trainer in 2019. Blake’s goal for his clients is for them to feel confident, educated, and in control of every fitness environment they step into. At his core, Blake is a nerd who enjoys video games and “Batman” as much as he enjoys fitness!

Qualifications:
– Certified Personal Trainer (NCSF)
– Pain Free Performance Specialist (PPSC)
– Nationally Qualified NPC Men’s Physique Competitor

Darnell Hopson

Darnell is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Having struggled with is weight at a young age, he became infatuated with working out and discovered his love for fitness. Growing up in Georgia, Darnell ran cross country, wrestled, boxed, practiced yoga and was a Crossfit member. He is currently pursuing a Master Degree at Georgetown University. Darnell specializes in many different forms of training styles but is best known for cardiovascular fitness, muscle building, weight loss, integrated stretching and mobility. Darnell prides himself in tailoring each of his sessions based off each individual’s goals and fitness level.

Dustin Babola

Ballston

Dustin grew up in Austin, Texas playing football and baseball his whole life. His competitive nature gave him the opportunity to play at Ventura Community College in Southern California. He then transferred to Texas State to get his bachelor’s in Nutrition and fell in love with fitness and implementing lifestyle changes in order to become the fittest version of himself. Dustin became a certified personal trainer with National Academy of Sports Medicine to help others on their fitness journey. He uses a balanced approach to meet his client where they are and help them instill lifestyle changes to achieve their goals.

Jacque Clark

Jacque is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer and a certified Irish dance teacher with 10 years of fitness instruction experience. She combines elements of strength training, cardio, and mobility to create well-rounded workouts that are tailored to each client’s individual goals and needs.

Jacque strives to create a safe, inclusive, and fun fitness environment for all of her clients – whether they’re beginners or lifelong athletes. Movement is an important part of everyday life, and a consistent exercise routine carries numerous short- and long-term health benefits. Jacque will design and guide you through workouts that are relevant to your goals and support your long-term health, all while helping you build a lasting relationship with fitness.

Jonas Price

Ballston

Jonas Price is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He has been an athlete all his life, having played football, basketball, and lacrosse. Most recently, Jonas played collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, where his interest in athletic performance training and body building intensified. He believes in using a variety of training methods to help his clients achieve their personal fitness goals. Jonas’s goal is not only to improve his clients physical health, but also educate them so that their progress in the gym translates into their everyday movements.”

Ken Clair

Ballston

Ken is loving his second career as a VIDA personal trainer. A former paratrooper, attorney, Federal agent, marathoner and rock climber, he is, not surprisingly, experienced in injury rehabilitation, sports conditioning and senior fitness. During his law enforcement career, he spent 16 years as a Physical Fitness, Defensive Tactics and Krav Maga martial arts Instructor. Despite his military and police background, Ken is never militaristic in his approach to training.

Through long and sometimes difficult experience, Ken has come to understand his own limitations, loves to figure out strategies to transcend them, and wants to help you to do the same for yours. He thinks outside the box and draws from an eclectic set of unconventional, functional training approaches that many people, and even many trainers, may think are reserved only for advanced athletes. They are not, and he will show you how and why. Because he loves adventure travel, Ken sees his training role as less of a drill sergeant and more of a backcountry guide, helping you to summit your chosen mountain by a route that is safe and fun, but will leave you proud of your accomplishments as you enjoy the view from the top.

Liam Cousins

Ballston

Liam is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer and graduated with a degree in kinesiology from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has several years of experience competitively wrestling and playing baseball and began strength training at a young age. Throughout college, Liam trained a variety of different athletes in several sports. He strives to motivate and push clients to perform at their best ability, while still having fun during workouts. As a personal trainer, Liam specializes in functional strength, mobility, weight loss, and overall performance allowing clients to reach their goals in a safe and effective manner. Liam believes that you do not have to be an athlete to train like an athlete.

Miz Ali

Ballston

Miz training styles are Sports and agility training along with Functional Training of all ages. Working in the fitness industry since 2008, her passion for health and wellness has only increased. Miz has worked with clients of young ages to senior citizens. Her two main training styles stem from her personal background playing Lacrosse and Basketball since a young age.

Working with her clients she can help develop many skills that are needed for everyday use. Miz is patient and believe in the process of slow and steady growth over time. Working on mobility and flexibility is something always targeted to prevent future injuries.

David Cole

City Vista

David Cole is NASM Personal Training Certified with a specialization in strength, conditioning, speed and agility. David is a state champion in Powerlifting, class of 2008, and he is also a former collegiate athlete at East Central University in Oklahoma. At Oklahoma State, David focused his studies in physical therapy. He has a true passion for helping people develop not only their bodies, but their overall quality of life through exercise.
In contrast to his success in weightlifting, his favorite style of fitness is calisthenics training, utilizing body weight.

Derrick Martin

City Vista

Derrick Martin is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. The personal experience of battling back from obesity and injury has birthed an insatiable curiosity about all things related to sports and nutrition- particularly in the areas of weight loss and injury prevention and recovery. Derrick also excels in training for muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, having trained elite high school football players. One of Derrick’s core principles is, a balanced body acting in concert with a balanced mind can achieve greatness. His training philosophy reflects this by taking a very thoughtful approach to training balancing intuition, common sense along with the latest training research.

Jacqui Beard

Logan Circle

Jacqui has her BS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise and a Certified Aerobics Instructor from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Jacqui first found her love of fitness through belly dancing, she loved it so much that she decided to make fitness and dance her career. She has experienced firsthand the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle and understands the challenges that come with balancing the time for home, work, and fitness. She listens and creates a well balanced workout specifically to fit your needs. With her knowledge, experience, and love of dance she is ready to share her passion and success strategies with you. In addition to personal training Jacqueline teaches both dance and weight based classes such as Zumba(r), VIDA RX, RIP 45, and BARRE.

Lisa Scalzo

City Vista

Lisa uses an integrative training approach working with clients at all fitness levels. An example of an integrated training program is one that includes flexibility, core work, balance training, resistance training, and cardiorespiratory exercises in a single training session or program. Her vision of fitness is holistic including the mind, body, and soul.

Luciane Guilmard

City Vista

Luciane Guilmard has worked at VIDA since January of 2009. Originally from Brazil, she earned her Bachelor’s in Physical Education from the University of South Fatima. She has been working since 1993 in physical education and personal training, both in the U.S. and in Brazil. Luciane became a Les Mills certified RPM and Body Balance instructor in 2002, but her teaching repertoire includes strength training, conditioning, cycling, yoga, aqua-aerobics, pre and post-pregnancy, stretching, and TRX suspension training. She continuously strives to stay current with, and incorporate the newest trends and innovations in fitness.

She is extremely knowledgeable about different body types; whatever your ambitions, fitness level, or age, she will customize a workout to meet your personal goals. She adjusts the training to the needs and desires of each person, from intense to low impact. As someone who loves to push herself to the limit, Luciane knows firsthand what it takes to train to the lifestyle of her dreams. Her workouts can be so intense that you will feel muscles you didn’t even know existed! And make sure you ask about her post-workout stretching; her clients rave about it.

Mike Jones

City Vista

Mike Jones is a results-oriented Personal Trainer who focuses on his clients’ quality of life. He fully embraces a whole-hearted approach to your general well-bing that includes innovative exercise, specific nutritional guidelines, and proper sleep habits.

Mike takes a functional approach to exercise that revolves around the movements you use in your daily life. There are no gimmicks with Mike as he continuously finds fun and innovative ways to increase your overall level of fitness.

In fact, Mike is more than just a personal trainer, he is a life coach. He focuses on the full body during each and every workout with a full array of plyometric exercises including kettlebells and the TRX.

Mike’s clients also do their fair share of traveling, so he also provides full-body workout routines for his clients to do within the privacy of their hotel room while they’re away on the road.

Pruitt Brown

City Vista

Your body is a machine, and to keep it running smoothly and successfully, it is imperative to have an expert who knows how to maintain and improve the performance of that machine. As a lifetime athlete and bodybuilder, a professional personal trainer, and an amateur physique competitor, Pruitt has the knowledge to help you reach any goal you may have. Whether you are looking to add muscle, lose weight, work on conditioning, or get back to a sport, he can work with you to create a plan tailored to your individual needs. Pruitt is dedicated to working with you to achieve your goals. With hard work and consistency, you can achieve your vision with a coach who is willing to go the extra mile to help you reach your desired end result. If you work with Pruitt, he can guarantee to be 100% on your team and will work as hard as you do to achieve those goals ensuring your success.

Pruitt has been in the fitness industry since 2006 as part of the athletic training staff at a small college in North Carolina for the soccer and basketball team. He has worked with a broad spectrum of clients over the years from teaching senior mobility courses, progressing that golf swing, dealing with nagging lower back and hip pain, to helping models and professionals achieve their aesthetic desire.

Rachel Sheahan

Rachel is an energetic Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Registered Dietitian and with a passion for weightlifting, long distance running and acting. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and attended Virginia Tech for her Dietetic Internship. Rachel’s Personal Training style works great with clients looking to build strength and work on body composition changes. Nutrition and sports have always been a large part of her life and she is very excited to help members reach their dream exercise and nutrition goals. When Rachel is not at the gym, you can find her following her passion for acting and improv or relaxing in the sun.

Stephanie Rosenbloom

City Vista

Stephanie is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer who takes a holistic approach to fitness. Having always been active, she grew up playing sports and dancing in musical theatre. Her love of fitness emerged while she was studying Graphic Design and Media in college, when she started a part time job at the university’s gym. While working there, she learned about resistance training and developed a passion for weightlifting that helped her through ACL surgery and recovery.

Fast forward to now, she has surrounded herself with fitness in and out of the gym through roller skating, pole fitness, running and resistance training. With her clients, she emphasizes consistency, balance and aims to establish an open and friendly environment for her clients to achieve their goals. She believes in establishing a good mindset and relationship with yourself to sustain lifelong healthy habits and understands that it takes practice to get there!

Steven Savage

City Vista

Steven has a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University. He is a certified personal trainer through ACSM and hold a certification in TRX suspension training. His passion for exercise grew through playing sports in his youth. Steven enjoys working with all different kinds of people as long as they have a set goal and are motivated in working toward achieving that goal.

Alexandra Green

Alex is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer. Growing up she played soccer and ran track and field, but she didn’t find a true passion for fitness until a little later in her life. She graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Exercise Science. After college, Alex started weight training more and found a true love for the fitness industry. She loved the new challenges that weight lifting brought and how empowering being strong felt. Now she wants to help others find ways to challenge themselves, stay motivated and feel empowered through their own fitness journeys.

Alex has trained a variety of clients, including: clients transitioning from physical therapy, pre/post natal women, high school athletes and weight loss clients. She loves using a wide variety of movements and exercises to keep her training fun and interesting. Her philosophy is that we aren’t just training for that one event or competition, we are training for life – to live happier and healthier. No matter what your goals are they can be achieved with hard work, motivation and the right guidance.

Alyssa Gonzalez

Gallery Place

While completing her bachelors in Psychology at Florida International University, Alyssa discovered her passion in life through exercise and nutrition. She decided to turn her passion into a career and became a certified personal trainer through NASM and is currently working towards a Masters degree in Nutrition in pursuit to become a Registered Dietician. Alyssa preaches adherence, sustainability, and balance. She believes although there may be optimal routes to achieving a goal, if it isn’t something you can stick with, it isn’t optimal for you. She is truly fascinated by not just the physical changes, but more importantly the mental improvements a life of fitness brings. She has had the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele and is committed to helping others achieve a happier and healthier life.

Amanda Schmidt

Gallery Place

Amanda is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer and VIDA Master Trainer with over a decade of experience. Several years ago, Amanda rebuilt her own life and reclaimed her physical and mental health through a commitment to fitness and movement. After experiencing her own transformation, she decided to dedicate her life to helping others do the same. She believes that working out should be a fun and joyful expression of self-love. Depending on a client’s needs, Amanda brings a wide variety of specialties to her sessions including Strength Training, Women’s Fitness, HIIT, Barre and Yoga. Amanda is also a devoted long-distance runner. When she’s not in the gym, you can find her meditating, hanging out with her rescue dog Gordon and dancing as much as possible.

Brian Kolb

Gallery Place

Brian strives to help clients achieve overall well-being in addition to meeting their individual physical goals. That means every session is focused on strengthening a sound body and mind. He actively listens to clients’ needs, restrictions, and aspirations to ensure they are always getting the attention they deserve and never “just going through the motions.”

Brian received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University in 2008. He has been a fitness trainer for nine wonderful years. Running through Rock Creek and spending time with his son are his two favorite things to do when he is not training Washingtonians.

Danielle Cunningham

Gallery Place

Danielle is a certified personal trainer with National Academy of Sports Medicine. Helping others has always been a passion of hers since grade school. From ballet rehearsals to gymnastic practices to softball huddles, she was fascinated with physical ability. Suffering from her own injuries, she became extremely interested with anatomy and physiology. Today, Danielle shares the same interest with her clients. Her goal is not only to train herself, but others for longevity. Danielle believes you need a strong work ethic and determination in order to overcome and/or prevent physical limitations. Danielle’s training style is designed to promote strength and conditioning techniques, along-side enjoyment. She loves seeing her clients not only improve but smile while doing it.

Gene Sun

Gallery Place

Gene believes that the cultivation of a strong, capable body is fundamental to a high quality of life. While “strong & capable” varies depending on the individual, the learning journey that takes place builds energy, confidence, and appreciation of one’s own body. Gene employs a blend of strength & conditioning techniques, proportioned specifically to help his clients meet their fitness goals. He has worked with clients from all walks of life, across a broad range of ages, athletic interests, and health backgrounds.

Gene is a certified personal trainer under the National Academy of Sports Medicine, with secondary expertise in Olympic weightlifting, corrective exercise, and habit-oriented general lifestyle change. Formerly a student and practitioner of architecture, he has translated his passion for creative problem-solving into the realm of health & fitness. Gene has also worked previously as a Spinning instructor as well as a swim coach.

George Cruz

Gallery Place

George is born and raised in the Philippines. He has been in the health and fitness industry since 2008 and has come to realize the importance of approaching health and fitness by addressing the mind and spirit as well as the body. Specialized in functional-custom training routines and group fitness. He likes to challenge and encourage his clients to surpass their physical and mental boundaries by using high intensity and function exercises. His motto is if you invest time and energy and you are willing to do the work you will achieve your goals.George is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, TRX certified as well as a group fitness and boot camp instructor. He also loves to dance and is a Zumba B1 and B2 License Instructor.

Medina Roberts

Gallery Place

Medina has been working as a Certified Personal Trainer since 2004. She uses these years of experience to design personalized fitness programs to achieve the best results for each individual client. Medina uses a wide variety of different training styles based on the goals and needs of each client, but specializes in weight loss and endurance training as well as post- and pre- pregnancy training. She has worked with a broad clientele including athletes and body builders and well as clients with shoulder, knee, ankle, back and hip injuries and surgeries. Medina is very active in the body building world being a prep and posing coach for bikini, figure, women and men’s physique and body building.

Medina is certified by NASM-National Academy of Sports Medicine, WITS-World Instructor Training Schools and AAAI/ISMA-American Aerobics Association International/International Sports Medicine Association as a personal trainer and is also certified as a spinning instructor, Dynamex trainer, Trigger Point specialist and Stretching specialist

Morgan Vaca

Gallery Place

Morgan, originally from Charlotte, NC, graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Kinesiology. She is a National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer and has a passion for health and fitness due to her many years as a competitive gymnast and runner. In addition, Morgan possesses rehabilitation knowledge due to her experience working in a physical therapy setting and is fascinated by human anatomy and physiology. She believes that while training should be challenging, it should be just as enjoyable. Morgan enjoys using creativity when training and is always searching for new and unique exercises to introduce to her clients. She believes in implementing both strength and conditioning practices into training in order to optimize results.

Nate Carter

Gallery Place

Nate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He loves helping his clients achieve their goals and enjoys accompanying them on their journey. Nate advises his clients that the first set, first workout, or even the first initial consultation can be scary to someone who is new to training. Sometimes we as individuals can be our own obstacle to success. Once you have given up on a situation there is no way anything positive can develop from it, which is why Nate believes that motivation is the key factor in exercise. He believes that coaching his clients to maintain a positive attitude can serve as the catalyst to a healthy lifestyle and increased longevity. Nate specializes in weight loss, muscle toning & development, speed & agility, core training, functional training, and sports performance.

Ahmed Zalat

Logan Circle

Ahmed is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), known by his clients as “Z-beast”.

After practicing law for 10 years Ahmed decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a personal trainer. Ahmed has been active since he was a child, playing competitive soccer and handball in high school, and now enjoys swimming, running outdoors, tennis, horseback riding, and kickboxing.

Ahmed has a client-centered approach to fitness, and believes that no matter what your goal is, it is achievable. All human bodies are different, and Ahmed focuses on tailoring his coaching based on the individual needs and limits of his clients. He focuses on helping clients become the best version of themselves, providing the knowledge, motivation and support.

Ali Umar

Logan Circle

Ali is a fitness professional with over 10 years of experience dedicated to helping people reach their health and fitness goals. He is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and is well-versed in a variety of training methodologies. Ali’s other certifications include Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and TRX Suspension Training Level 1. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Istanbul Bilgi University in Turkey and a Master’s in business from Coventry University in the UK. Ali is an expert in creating customized, intelligent and motivational programs for all levels. He loves educating people while training, whether you’re a professional athlete trying to perform better, a sedentary office employee who wants to have a beach body, a mom-to-be wants to prepare for a healthier pregnancy or an active individual that needs post-surgery rehab. Regardless of your goals, you’ll be in good hands!

Andrew Przybylek

Logan Circle

Andrew is a competitive Olympic lifter with a history in strength sports and athletic coaching. Andrew worked with crew athletes at Briar Woods and Loudoun County High School, and with swimmers at NCAP and Snow Swimming. He has been a trainer since 2014, with experience in all areas of the industry.

Andrew’s style is reflective of his background in strength and conditioning; with a focus on moving well and correctly before

Austin Wilson

Logan Circle

Austin is a dual certified personal trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT). As a native Washintonian, he grew up practicing soccer, gymnastics, cycling, swimming, cross-country, and rock climbing; disciplines which he continues to particie today. Austin’s personal training career began after he discovered the practice of calisthenics while studying for his bachelors in business. After receiving his degree, he began training clients in calisthenics part-time at the Rock Creek Exercise Course. This background has inspired his holistic training philosophy which emphasizes functional movement, mobility, core strength, HIIT, and targeted hypertrophy training.

By incorporating minimalism, body positivity, and good ole fun, his clients are empowered to successfully cultivate healthier, upgraded lifestyles and mindsets. Austin strongly believes the gym should be a fun, uplifting experience for everyone no matter their current fitness level and makes it his goal to help clients enjoy their workouts, look forward to them, and of course, experience life changing results.

Branden Jones

Logan Circle

Branden is a national Academy of sports medicine Certified personal Trainer. His journey in fitness began in high school where he participated in wrestling and baseball. He enjoys a friendly competition and pushing his body for both strength and endurance. Branden attended University of Baltimore where he studied Business Management with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. After completing his undergraduate studies, Branden quickly transitioned into the fitness industry professionally and has been training since 2014. Branden truly enjoys helping his clients inside and outside of the club to ensure that meet all of their fitness goals, to make sure they become the best version of themselves. On his free time, you can catch him eating at a local DC restaurant or cruising the DC streets on his bike.

Chris Young

Logan Circle

Chris has been a professional in the fitness industry since 2017 – beginning his career as a strength and conditioning coordinator at Towson University before moving into private personal training in late 2019. With a Bachelors in Kinesiology and a Biology minor from Towson University, Chris is sure to find an intuitive, scientific, and personalized solution to any problems his clients may face. As a functional strength and mobility expert, Chris specializes in ensuring his clients reach their goals in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

A lifelong athlete and coach, Chris brings intensity and enthusiasm to each and every session! Chris has worked with a wide variety of people, ranging from children to collegiate athletes to retirees. Chris provides the perfect blend of hard work and individualized training methods for anyone who wants to better their physical body and push their limits!

Craig Davenport

Craig has been feeding his love for personal training and assisting clients in their fitness regimens for over 10 years. He earned a degree from Howard University in Nutrition. His personal training certificates include National Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as certificates in Kettle Bell Training, TRX Suspension Training, and Functional Movement Screen. His love for activity and fitness has included years of track and field, basketball, and baseball while growing up, and has continued into adulthood with his participation in several local D.C. tennis clubs. While he has trained every type of client available, his specialty is the senior population. His belief is that while you may be in your golden years, and you may not be as fast or strong as the younger person, you are definitely still in the fitness game!

His philosophy and approach towards training is, as cliché as it may sound, in all endeavors including training, all goals can be achieved with hard work and dedication. It starts in the mind and works its way down. Sacrifices and smalls steps are needed to reach your goal, but each step should be taken one at a time. Put in the hard work, gradually progress and reap the benefits and the rewards that come with it!

Dave Rice

Logan Circle

David Rice is a certified personal trainer with the Natioanal Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He has an avid interest in athletic activities, playing baseball and football while attending school. It was during his conditioning phase to prepare for football that he was introduced to the weight room. It was love at first lift. With over 35 years experience with weight training, cardiovascular fitness and more recently yoga, his job as a personal trainer is to share the experience and knowledge he has acquired over the years to help his clients build a healthy and strong body. Sessions are tailor made to each individual’s fitness level and goals. He believes that a healthy body means a better quality of life.

Dave Roberts

Logan Circle

Dave Roberts specializes in coaching functional movements that provide real life adaptations. Beyond the basic squat, pull and pressing mechanics, he also has 7 years experience teaching Olympic Weightlifting and Gymnastics skills. Current certifications include Crossfit Level 1, Crossfit Olympic Weightlifting, Crossfit Powerlifting and Crossfit Gymnastics. A former D-1 soccer player, Dave has also competed several Crossfit competitions including qualification for the Central East Regionals in 2011. He graduated with a B.S. in economics from the University of Delaware and earned his Master’s in economics from Boston University.

Embry Wolf

Logan Circle

Embry’s road to fitness began in college when he would hit up the campus gym with his best friend as a stress reliever. That developed into a passion for a more active lifestyle that involves hiking, running, backpacking, and traveling. Embry believes in combining fitness and nutrition to live a healthier, more robust life. After spending most of his work background in sales management, he decided to take his passion for fitness and nutrition and turn it into a career by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Embry enjoys learning and absorbing new information and this is how he approaches his training sessions. He wants to make sure that his clients understand the mechanics behind their movements so that they can implement this knowledge in their daily lives. Embry focuses on slowing down movements to concentrate on form and all the muscle actions taking place during the movement. Making fitness easy to understand makes his sessions fun and educational. Embry is here to guide you towards achieving all your personal fitness goals.

Ari Davis

U Street

In 2010 Ari relocated to the DC area from Virginia Beach to persue a career in fitness, along that journey he has continued to grow and learn with every client. His passion has developed a unique mind, and skill set amongst the training staff here at Vida, focusing on proper muscle unit recruitment, strengthening limb support structures, and developing a fully functional core. With a background in sustained weight loss, and post physical therapy training programs; Ari enjoys the challenge of helping clients come to terms with physical limitations, while simultaneously exceeding their expectations. Don’t be scared though, Ari is great at reading people, and will change a workout on the fly to generate stress relief, or even laughter.

Ashley Delosh

Ashley is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer and pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise specialist. As a health care policy professional by day, Ashley can relate to the desires of many of the people working in DC who are eager to incorporate fitness into an already very busy lifestyle to improve overall quality of life. She believes that a successful trainer-client relationship begins and is determined by taking an individual holistic approach. Her overall objective is to help clients hone in on the most meaningful specifics in relation to training to help them truly achieve the best version of themselves.

Aubrey Sawyer

U Street

Originally from Chicago, Aubrey is a NASM certified trainer, GGS Certified Pre & Postnatal Coach, and ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor who also holds certifications with Les Mills and TRX suspension training. She is a U.S. Navy Veteran who earned her degree in Criminology with a minor in Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University. Her love of exercise began during her time in Naval ROTC and she first became a certified trainer while on deployment. Aubrey believes being “fit” is not just what you look like but how you feel: strong, healthy, and empowered. Her training experience spans from working with pre & postnatal women, aspiring athletes, and clients focused on conditioning and weight loss.

Austin Wright

U Street

Austin is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer. Coming from a heavy sports background, Austin’s training style emphasizes functionality, strength and versatility. He was a semi-professional soccer player in Paris and an amateur boxer while living in London. He loves to trainer former athletes or those looking to continue sports recreationally as well. However, Austin’s talents are not limited to athletes. As a government worker with a larger sedimentary career, he understands the strains and stress of everyday life. Austin strives to help those in similar roles ensure they live an active lifestyle, maintain a healthy weight, and develop the proper stability and postural awareness to live a mobile life without limitations. Outside of VIDA, Austin is an avid reader, speaker of languages and world traveler.

Bill Thompson

U Street

Bill has been a personal trainer with VIDA Fitness for four years. Bill strongly believes that the body should be trained as a complete unit and thus performs many total body workouts with his clients. Regardless of the exercise type or intensity Bill believes that proper posture, alignment and body mechanics should always be adhered to. Bill challenges his clients to continually improve upon their flexibility, strength and overall body condition. You will be hard pressed to train with anyone who will provide you with the depth and quality of personal attention as Bill offers.

Chelsea McCoy

U Street

Chelsea is a NASM certified personal trainer with a passion for fitness and well-being. She has experience as both a kickboxing and tennis instructor and plays soccer with DC Fray. With a degree in architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park (Go Terps!), she applies her unique set of skills to creatively design impactful programs for her clients, as they build the body and lifestyle of their dreams.

Partner with Chelsea and be empowered to reach new heights. Make fitness a lifestyle today!

Chris Chu

To Chris, fitness to him is everything. With a long history of being overweight and obese, exercise actually saved his life. Around 2010 he was his heaviest being around 250 lbs. However, with a strong epiphany and developing self discipline while staying committed to the grind, it gave him confidence to learn to push himself into a mindset where he created a lifestyle about sacrificing the comfort zone and turning it into growth. He has learned that there is no true strength without struggle and that is what shaped him into the man he is today. As a fat loss specialist, and with a background of group bootcamp training, he is a lover of calisthenics, HIIT, and core circuit training as well. He is a firm believer in leading by example and after being certified through NASM in March, he has been blessed to now make an impact on other people’s lives in to making them the best version of themselves. Some of his recent fitness accomplishments over the years have been 2 marine corps marathons (2017, 2019) and a Spartan beast obstacle course (2018). The act of change does not happen overnight, but it does happen when you put effort in front of excuses. So no matter what, keep moving and keep improving.

Daniel Huynh

U Street

Daniel is an ex software developer originally from Norway, and a 6 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise. Daniel specializes in strength training, muscular hypertrophy training, weight loss, and conditioning. He believes that every workout should be challenging but also enjoyable.

His mission is to help clients reach their long and short term goals, but also to prepare them for beyond that.

Devin Conway

U Street

Devin attended Towson University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. After his college career, he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Devin pursued a career in coaching individual athletes and teams before partnering with local Physical Therapists to create a “Return to Play” program for athletes rehabilitating from an injury. Since then he has expanded to working with all populations to bridge the gap between physical therapy and fitness. Devin enjoys leading his clients through their journeys of transformation, whether that is weight loss, athletic ability, or living injury free, and finds that to be the most rewarding aspect of his work. Devin’s personal fitness accomplishments includes climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, competing in American Ninja Warrior, Worlds Toughest Mudder and a 24-hour obstacle course race. In his free time, Devin also enjoys trail running, hiking, and going on adventures with his Corgi puppy Theo.

Emma Krieger

U Street

I am a functional strength trainer. I mainly focus sessions on posterior chain strength. There is no one standard way on how to do a movement. Our bodies will always find the path of least resistance. I’m here to help you figure out the best way your body moves. One of the best tools I teach is the mind-muscle connection.
I like to encourage movement. We are made to move! It should be something enjoyable. The more enjoyable it is the more likely you will be consistent.

Allen Blanks

The Yards

Allen is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Trainer. His journey in fitness began in High School where he participated, in football, wrestling, and track and field. He enjoys competing and pushing his body to its limits. Allen attended Morgan State University where he studied Physical Therapy and ran Division 1 Track and Field. Upon completion of school he worked in sports medicine for one year and then transitioned into personal training. Allen enjoys helping his clients reach their fitness goals and live a healthier lifestyles. In his free time he enjoys coaching high school track and field for Maret in NW DC.

Bakari Taylor

The Yards

As a former Division-1 athlete playing basketball at Hampton University, Bakari developed a passion for strength and conditioning. Following graduation, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Kinesiology & Fitness Management from Indiana University – Bloomington. Bakari brings over 7 years of experience in personal training and group fitness instruction, including boot camps, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, high intensity interval training, and CrossFit. He believes that a fit and healthy lifestyle starts with a strong foundation of consistency, hard work and discipline. Bakari often tells himself and his clients to “Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do!”

Ben Rothkin

The Yards

Ben is a certified personal trainer through the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and has been training since 2013. Starting at Boston University as a personal trainer while in college as an economics major, he found his lifelong passion in fitness. Today he uses his FMS (Functional Movement Screen) and TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certification to help a variety of clients ranging from Division 1 Athletes, to rehabbing clients after knee or hip surgery, and everything in between. He believes that everyone is unique and should not only exercise with what is best for their body and their goals, but also what they enjoy the most so fitness can be an enjoyable lifelong pursuit. If he is not in the gym, you can most likely see him out on the golf course, walking his 2 dogs, or trying to break records solving escape rooms.

Chris Parkison

The Yards

Chris is Group Program Manager at VIDA Yards, City Vista and Gallery Place where he teaches Yoga, Pilates, Group Fitness, and Cycling classes. He is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Lead Trainer of VIDA’s Yoga Teacher Training School. Chris trains his clients for the long term to promote stability, range of motion, conditioning, strength and power focusing on the core muscles that make all the other ones stronger and more efficient. Chris helps his clients design a sustainable fitness program with a weekly rhythm that leaves them focused and fresh on Saturday instead of distracted and exhausted.

Diana Chalikova

Logan Circle

Russian born and raised, Diana is a certified master trainer with NASM and former Tennis Pro with the WTA World Tour. She began playing tennis at the age of 5. After finishing her pro career, she went on to coaching top juniors at Bollettieri Tennis Academy, and then on to becoming the Head Tennis Professional at Barry Buss Tennis Academy. Many of her juniors went on to get their pro card with the WTA and ATP. Her love for fitness and athletics carried over into personal training, and she takes her role of helping clients achieve their goals seriously. Her skills include, strength training, overcoming injuries, fat loss, Olympic Weightlifting and sports specific training. Diana enjoys helping all her clients achieve their fitness goals through individualized, customized programs.

Dillon Smith

The Yards

Dillon is getting his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The George Washington University. He is passionate about creating a safe space for clients to learn, challenge themselves and develop a healthy relationship with fitness. By helping clients develop functional strength and address muscle imbalances with corrective exercises, Dillon progresses clients through phases of structured programming to achieve their fitness goals. By emphasizing mobility, stability, and powerlifting clients will see the difference between “working out” and training for body composition transformation.

Enrique Perez

The Yards

Enrique is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified personal trainer and a VIDA Expert trainer. He helps his clients define their goals; then assess their abilities to perform a range of exercises and create a pathway for his clients to achieve their goals. As a Corrective Exercise Specialist, he emphasizes the correct form, movements and techniques to reduce risk of injuries, avoid muscle imbalances, and to increase muscle strength and endurance. Enrique has over 8 years’ experience in personal training and group fitness instruction including all forms of conditioning, small group training, TRX and Pilates Reformer. As a Cancer Exercise Specialist, Enrique is qualified to assess, design, and implement individual and group exercise programs for individuals diagnosed with cancer. He is skilled in evaluating heath behaviors and risk factors, conducting comprehensive fitness assessments, writing appropriate exercise recommendations, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintaining positive lifestyle behaviors for health promotion. As an Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, Enrique has the expertise to help those who report to be affected by knee, hip, lower back or shoulder pain, as well as those hindered by muscle imbalances or musculoskeletal disorder, or simply want help restoring function following orthopedic rehabilitation. As a Sports Conditioning Specialist, his strength and conditioning workouts combine intensity and creativity to make the program effective and enjoyable.

Javier Mata

The Yards

Javier studied Exercise Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and is a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He assists clients in identifying needs and achieving their goals through structured programming. Javier specializes in strength and performance training with an emphasis on the use of proper form to reduce the risk of injury. Javier has experience with a wide range of clients which allows him to present programs that are as unique as the clients he works with.

Kalil Zaky

The Yards

Kalil Zaky is an experienced trainer as well as a professional powerlifter. His approach to training his clients is a progressive process of identifying weaknesses in the body and turning them into strengths. He has trained athletes for National level competition as well as individuals to walk down a set of steps pain free. As a results driven trainer, Zaky focuses on quantitative data to assure that you are making progress and every day, getting to a happier, healthier version of you.

Milos Misic

The Yards

Milos is originally from Serbia where he went to the University of Sport and Physical Education and also played professional volleyball. After retiring from volleyball he got a master’s in sports and physical education and found his calling helping people get or stay in shape and be healthy. Milos has been training since 2007 and still loves it. He is a social butterfly who loves to meet new people.