Personal Trainer Bios
Alexie Cumplido (He/Him) - accepting new clients
"If you can see the road, follow it. Cheerfully, without turning back." - Marcus Aurelius
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?
Above all else, my top priority is safety. It's important to exercise carefully to avoid injury. Exercise has its benefits, but you aren't able to enjoy those benefits if you're damaging your body. Secondly, I prioritize enjoyment. It's important to maintain a good relationship with exercise and have fun with it. It shouldn't feel like a chore, but rather something you look forward to every day. Finally, I prioritize challenging oneself. The human body is incredible, an anatomical marvel, and it's capable of doing much more than we would first think. Through exercise, we can discover just how much we are capable of!
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
Since I was in middle school, I have been a pretty active individual. I used to run a lot and was on my school's Track and Field team, then I got into weight lifting and calisthenics, and now I do both. I believe it's important to be well-rounded, and I like to think of myself as a Jack-of-all-trades.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
A good attitude goes a long way when working out. Let's have fun with it! We'll learn from our mistakes and celebrate our successes. We'll push ourselves enough to keep things interesting, but not so much to stress ourselves. Sometimes, what holds us back is ourselves, and the best thing to do is to let go of those doubts and throw ourselves into something new.
Personality Traits: Creative, easygoing, dependable
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, bodyweight training, strength/weight training
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer
Major: Sonic Arts and Music Production
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Brenda Alexander (She/Her) - tentatively accepting new clients
Workouts are like showers. Wet, lather, rinse and repeat.
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?
When contemplating hiring a personal trainer, you should know a little something about them. The best way is via referral. If someone you know and trust has had an experience with that trainer, they could then give their personal and hopefully accurate account. If that method is impossible, then you can either observe the trainer in the gym or read their "Bio". If you're reading this, I'd have to deduce the latter.
What can I say in this format that would help you identify if I might be the “right” trainer for you? I could say that I'm punctual, prepared, personable, polite, positive, practical, (aka professional), passionate, perceptive, progressive, persuasive, proactive, precise, performance-driven, productive, and patient...am I? I believe in all those P's and try to emulate them, but I am NOT perfect. A past client once said that a well-rounded workout with me has 4 components: I must miscount the reps (counting to 10 is hard), planks must be performed (my favorite exercise), I must tell a lie (decide to do more reps or sets than originally communicated) and they must drop an F-bomb. Dare I say more.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I can't possibly do everything all the time, so how does one find balance? I prioritize first (that should've been included in all those "P's"). What's most important to me? Well, that gets pretty fuzzy sometimes. It varies a lot. I must calculate every morning, the thing that will get my attention for that day.
I do use what's commonly known as habit stacking or layering. Building new habits upon established ones. I have to get to work, so I either ride my bike (~5 miles) or walk 3/4 of a mile to and from work. Once I'm at work, I've delegated space on my calendar for the briefest of exercises (6 exercises for 8-12 reps). I have Zoom workouts with my niece on the weekends (yes, I still Zoom). The Universe has forced me to find balance. If I obsess on something, it usually hurts in the long run.
I find moments to relax, restore and replenish. I love gardening, walking, working, and wildlife videos.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
As you can surmise from the reading thus far, I use much humor and storytelling. I use some variety, but not so much that it complicates the workouts or the program.
Personality Traits: Benevolent, humorous and dutiful
Training Specialties: Corrective Exercise, Injury Prevention, Special Populations
Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, YMCA Fitness Testing Specialist
Languages Spoken: English
Brenda Sutton (She/Her) - accepting new clients
Live large, love big, get strong and have fun!
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?:
#1: “Nobody’s perfect, we are all imperfectly perfect.”
Every day we get a chance to do our personal best, and that can change by the day, or even the minute. I will learn, stumble, laugh, grow and change together with you. You are already imperfectly perfect in all the ways. How can we appreciate what our body does for us and accept that it's imperfectly perfect? Strength comes in all shapes & sizes, so our focus will be strength, mobility & stability rather than striving for perfection.
#2: “Change happens slowly, then suddenly.”
Every action, reaction and choice in every moment creates our experience. When we get clear on what’s most important to us, then it becomes the compass guiding our journey. Small changes slowly add up to sudden results. What is most important to you? Why? Let’s get clear on those priorities and develop a plan to make them happen. We will celebrate each win along the way, so you stay motivated to continue creating the results you are looking for on your lifelong health & fitness adventure.
#3: “It’s never too late to start, and you can always start again.”
I had a foot issue as a child that kept me from participating in PE. After I got my foot fixed in my 20’s, my own limiting beliefs kept me from not realizing my potential for over a decade. I ran my first ½ mile at age 39, and since then I’ve run the Hood to Coast three times, backpacked some of the most challenging terrains and finished 2nd in my first triathlon at the age of 50! What’s been holding you back? Let’s break down those barriers and get started together. It’s never too late to begin a fitness journey so you can feel your best and live a long, healthy life.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
Remember, my fitness journey didn’t start until I was 40, but today, activity is like brushing my teeth, it’s just a way of life. TRUTH… I LOVE being way up high, deep in the mountains, but it’s A LOT of work hiking/backpacking to get there, AND it’s not fun AT ALL if I’m not in shape. So, I am committed to a base level of exercise so that backpacking trips are easier for me, otherwise I wouldn’t want to go.
What’s your “WHY?” Let’s work to discover the driving force for “why” you really want to get strong and/or fit, and how it will change the way you feel in your body and the experience of your life.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
Really, I hope we laugh! We will try new things and change it up regularly to keep it fun. Some things will be easier than others. I hope we can lighten challenges and see our way through them with a shared “magic chuckle.” Learning to laugh through challenges, mistakes and hard times can make “growing” more fun.
Being curious helps too. How can we be more curious? Fun is a necessary part of the recipe to create a sustainable plan that becomes a lifestyle. Let’s get curious together and figure out how we can make exercise more fun for you!
Personality Traits: Curious, compassionate & communicative.
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, bodyweight training, and pilates.
Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Trained Balanced Body Pilates Instructor, ICF Certified Professional Coach
Major: Business Management & Communications, Psychology and Behavior Change (Concordia graduate)
Languages Spoken: English
Cian Dimmick (He/Him) - accepting new clients
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”- Muhammad Ali
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?
When considering fitness and wellbeing, my top three values are consistency, balance, and progression. Consistency is crucial because being able to achieve long-term results requires dedication and a lot of effort over time. Consistency also means having the resolve to get back into your routine despite short-term setbacks, which will happen and that's okay. I also prioritize balance because it’s really important to me to not focus too strongly on a single goal like strength. Fitness and wellbeing involves everything from strength to mobility, mental health, nutrition, and plenty of rest to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Progression is my third chosen value because I’m always striving to improve. Whether that’s lifting more weight, pushing my endurance further, refining my form, or getting a better mind-muscle connection, I'm always trying to push myself to be the best I can be. I want to see what I'm capable of, and I want to help you see what you're capable of too.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
What helps me to pursue an active and balanced lifestyle has been finding what I enjoy. You probably won't love every form of exercise that you try, and that's okay. Finding the specific movements and challenges that really click with you is an incredibly fulfilling feeling, and it has really helped me stay consistently active. When I'm having a bad day, I can count on my favorite exercises to help make up for it, and when I'm feeling good and up for a challenge, branching out and trying new exercises is always a fun experience.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
I want to show my clients how fun the gym can be. It's hard work of course, but it can be so much more than that. Everyone is welcome in the gym and we're all trying to create an environment where we share advice and help encourage each other. I would also try to create a fun environment for my clients by introducing them to exercises that they've never tried before, and helping them find the ones that click with them the most.
Personality Traits: Diligent, compassionate, supportive
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, strength/weight training
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer
Major: Environmental Science
Languages Spoken: English
Eddie Morales-Baca (He/Him/His) - accepting new clients
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?
Sustainability – Fitness should be a lifestyle, not a short-term fix. I focus on creating routines that are practical and easy to stick with, so you can maintain progress without burning out. The key is to build habits that integrate seamlessly into your everyday life, so fitness becomes a part of who you are, not just something you do temporarily.
Mindset – Fitness is as much about your mental game as it is about your physical one. I believe that with the right mindset, anything is possible. By cultivating a positive attitude, resilience, and mental toughness, we not only overcome challenges but also grow from them. A strong mindset is the foundation for lasting success, and together, we’ll work to build your confidence and mental strength.
Holistic Health – Fitness isn’t just about breaking a sweat it’s about nurturing your entire self. True wellness comes from a balanced approach that includes physical activity, stress management, and caring for our mental health. I believe that when all these elements come together, you’ll feel stronger, healthier, and more energized—inside and out.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I used to think fitness was all about just exercise, lifting weights and sticking to the chicken and broccoli routine. But as I’ve progressed through my journey and gotten into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and worked closely with Physical Therapist and Athletics trainers, I’ve learned it’s so much more than that. It’s about finding the right balance between physical health, mental health, and emotional health. All three of these play a vital role in our overall well-being, as our health isn’t just determined by going to the gym.
I’ve also found value in the stuff outside of the gym. I love the gym and challenging myself and trying new things. But I enjoy what I call my “health walks and talks”with friends and family, an easy way for me to stay active, clear my mind, and connect with others. Adding in playing soccer and pickle ball regularly with family and friends.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
One of the key strategies I use to create a fun environment for my clients is taking the time to really understand who they are. By getting to know their personalities, I can tailor workouts that allow you to shine. I love adding variety, whether it's introducing a new challenge, creating friendly competitions, or setting fresh goals that keep things exciting. I love to let you know how you have progressed.
I also don’t take myself too seriously. We're not perfect, and I think it’s important to let loose and create an atmosphere where you can truly be yourself. Fitness should be enjoyable, so I make sure our time together is about progress, fun, and a lot of laughs.
Personality Traits: Authentic, openness, empathetic, passionate, encouraging
Training Specialty: Strength Training & Functional Fitness, Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation, Conditioning for Everyday Life (ADL’s)
Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Major: B.S. in Applied Health & Fitness, Minor in Aging Services
Language Spoken: Spanish
Erica Richardson (she/her) - accepting new clients
“When we live afraid to fail, we don’t take risks, [and] we end up failing before we even begin.” ― Abby Wambach
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?:
Your relationship with your body and exercise is the most important focus for me. Finding the reason behind your drive to move your body and finding what movements help you feel connected to your body helps me foster safe and engaging workouts. These are things we will look at and talk through when we first meet so your workouts are catered to you. Your goals are also fundamental to me. I am a goal-oriented person; I like developing and seeing growth. If goals aren't your thing, I am here to help you decide your goals and break them down into bite-sized pieces. On that same note understanding what motivates you is just as important. This gets you through tough days and will help you get through tough workouts! Lastly, tracking your success is where we see how far you've come. From taking a few seconds off your mile to squatting your goal weight, recognizing you for being awesome is my favorite part!
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I like functional fitness. I take the stairs or walk and I love hiking. When I am working out in the gym I am usually weight lifting or circuit training. Making exercise a part of my daily habits is how I have found balance.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
Making your workouts fun means doing what you think is fun! We have a lot of different ways to move our bodies and trying new things is always an option. If you're not sure what you like yet, that's ok, we can try out different things until we find something that helps you feel excited to exercise.
Personality Traits: Compassionate, reliable, open-minded
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, functional training, behavior change
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer
Major: Applied Health and Fitness
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish (some)
Jonathan Mccanless (He/Him) - accepting new clients
You are your best when you try your best.
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?:
Enjoyment: I value the enjoyment of exercise. I especially find enjoyment in lifting weights. Doing exercises in ways that aren't fun can feel discouraging and isn't something anyone would want to spend time doing. I want to prioritize my clients’ enjoyment with exercise above anything else so that they feel happy in the gym and outside of the gym. There is evidence that shows enjoyment in the gym can stem to enjoyment outside of the gym too. Determination: I highly value determination. Even though I love exercise, I understand that sometimes there are days where we just don't want to go, but through determination we can push ourselves to go anyway and find that we feel better for it. It is important to stay determined and consistently exercise to achieve goals in exercise and goals in other aspects of life too. Getting school projects and work projects done feels easier when on a consistent workout schedule because of the mental benefits that come from exercise as well as the boost in confidence. Overall Health: I value the physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise. Movement is key to a healthy body and as a result a healthier mind. There are studies that show mental health benefits from physical exercise by lowering anxiety and boosting cognitive function.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I often look forward to the gym, especially weight lifting as it is my favorite form of exercise. I feel better after a good workout and feel like I am better able to take on the other challenges of life. Sometimes if I'm having a rough day or feeling overwhelmed with school there is a temptation to just skip out on the gym, but I push through and go anyway because I know that after the workout I'll feel better, happier, and ready to take on all of my challenges. I try to eat mostly whole foods, drink plenty of water, and sleep at least seven hours a night. I also make sure to leave some time to hangout with friends and relax with tv.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
I will give every win, small or large, recognition. Small wins being things like completing the rep and set goal for an exercise and a large win being new records in progress. I want to make my clients feel welcomed and proud of the work they're doing, give them reason to come to the gym again, and a sense of progress. To make things fun for my clients I will incorporate a fun challenge in their sessions that works towards their goals.
Personality Traits: Supportive, determined, optimistic
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, strength/weight training, functional training
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer
Major: Public Health Studies: Pre-Clinical Health
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish.
Vinod “Vin” Kumar-Bandela (He/Him) - not accepting new clients
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”- Winston S. Churchill
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?
When considering fitness and wellbeing, my top three values are balance, consistency, and mental resilience.
Balance is crucial in maintaining overall health. This involves not only striking a balance between different forms of exercise—such as strength training, cardio, and flexibility—but also between physical fitness and mental wellbeing. For example, I believe that pushing my body through challenging workouts is important, but equally necessary is giving it rest and recovery through yoga or meditation to prevent burnout and injury.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I pursue an active and balanced lifestyle by integrating fitness, mindfulness, and healthy habits into my daily routine in ways that feel sustainable and enjoyable. For physical activity, I make sure to mix up my workouts, combining strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises. This variety keeps me engaged and helps avoid overuse injuries. I also schedule active rest days that might include yoga, walking, or light stretching to ensure I’m staying active without overexertion.
Balance for me also means being mindful of how I fuel my body and mind. I prioritize healthy, nutrient-rich foods while still allowing myself the flexibility to enjoy meals I love. This helps me maintain a positive relationship with food without feeling restricted. Along with physical activity and nutrition, I incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling to manage stress and ensure my mental wellbeing is aligned with my physical goals.
Finally, I make sure to listen to my body and adjust my activities based on how I’m feeling. Some days might call for a challenging workout, while others might require a gentler approach. By tuning into what I need, I’m able to maintain consistency in a way that feels sustainable long-term. This allows me to stay active and energized while keeping both physical and mental health in harmony.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
To create a fun and engaging environment for my clients, I focus on variety, positive reinforcement, and personalization. I believe that fitness should be enjoyable, so I incorporate different types of workouts that cater to the client's preferences, skill levels, and goals. Whether it's switching between strength training, circuit workouts, or adding fun challenges like obstacle courses or partner exercises, the variety keeps things fresh and exciting. Clients look forward to their sessions because they know no two workouts will feel the same.
I also use positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivate clients. Celebrating small wins, whether it's completing an extra set or improving on a previous performance, helps create a sense of accomplishment. When clients feel proud of what they've achieved, they are more likely to associate exercise with positivity and fun.
Lastly, I personalize the experience to make it relevant and engaging for each individual. Understanding their interests, hobbies, and fitness goals allows me to tailor workouts in ways that connect with them. For example, if someone enjoys dancing, I might include dance-inspired cardio routines. For clients who thrive on competition, timed challenges or personal best goals can add excitement. By aligning workouts with their personalities and interests, I ensure that fitness becomes not just a task but something they genuinely enjoy.
Personality Traits: Reliable, motivated, empathetic
Training Specialties: General health/fitness, bodyweight training, injury prevention
Certifications: DPT from K11 School of Fitness and Sciences
Major: Engineering- electronics
Languages Spoken: English, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Japanese (some)
Zéa Abreu, Personal Training Student Coordinator (She/Her) - accepting new clients
"Your past is a tool, not a definition"
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?:
Fitness to me is finding movement that benefits all three aspects of personal wellbeing- physical, mental and emotional- in and outside of the gym. It is important to hold all three at equal value to improve overall health for now and the years to come- life is long, but only when we make an effort for it to be. By prioritizing sustainability, functionality and performance in my training style, I strive to make each client feel better than when they first arrived. Exercise should be enjoyed, not a chore, and it should make us feel strong in all aspects of our life.
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I pursue an active and balanced lifestyle by defining success as progress. “Balance” is very subjective, so it is important to individually define it. My “balance” is regular movement, making “to-do” lists to keep me organized, following a routine that encourages positive habits, cooking at home and making time for friends, family and creative hobbies each week. Whenever I feel unmotivated, I remind myself of my long-term goals and the kind of life I want to live for my health. I love trying new things and learning even more- there is no such thing as a bad lesson, challenge me! I value leading my life through example by actively being what I ask/expect from others. I practice patience, kindness and forgiveness with myself often.
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
With clients I like to keep their routines consistent while still switching up exercise selection through movements that target the same muscle groups in different ways. I like to provide unique exercises that recruit multiple systems at once- cognitive, coordination, balance and muscular engagement. I guarantee you’ll try a movement with me that you’ve never tried before! I like to ask insightful questions, use metaphors, tell stories and have a witty, sarcastic sense of humor- my clients say conversations with me are like “therapy”. Improving and establishing wellbeing can be difficult, but I'll make it a time well spent- let’s have fun!:)
Personality Traits: Sincere, thoughtful, passionate, optimistic, open-minded.
Training Specialties: Functional training, strength/weight training, athletic performance.
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer, OSAA certified Coach.
Major: Applied Health and Fitness- Health Coaching, Minors: Spanish and Business Management.
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Jenna Siegel, Fitness Coordinator (She/Her) - tentatively accepting new clients
“Success isn't about the end result, it's about what you learn along the way.”- Vera Wang
When considering fitness and wellbeing, what are your top 3 values and/or priorities?:
My top three values when it comes to fitness and wellbeing are safety (physical, mental, and emotional), authenticity, and variety.
Health and wellbeing is about feeling and accepting our emotions, letting them run their course, and being our authentic selves through whatever comes up in our life journeys. Allowing yourself to take the journey and feel like you have someone to help guide you in every step of the process is how I want each of my clients to feel. Fitness and wellbeing, in my opinion, should be about treating yourself as you would your best friend. Ideally you support yourself through kind words, actions, reassurance, and love. Together and in this fitness journey we figure out who you truly are and what your goals are, instead of living as you think other people want you to be. I will be your biggest cheerleader as we navigate your fitness journey together! :)
How do you personally pursue an active and balanced lifestyle?
I am so lucky that my full time job allows me to incorporate some aspect of physical activity into my daily life! My favorite form of exercise is taking a group fitness class. I love the community atmosphere! I also teach a few group fitness classes a week. When I’m not teaching or taking group fitness, I love to swim and play tennis or pickleball. I was a competitive swimmer and tennis player when I was younger. I believe that if you find the type of physical activity you enjoy most (which can be a process!) you’ll always look forward to it and it will naturally grow into other interests!
What strategies do you use to create a fun environment for your clients?
I believe the biggest strategy a trainer can use to create a fun environment for their clients is communication! I like to really get to know someone so that I can cater to their needs. I love to ask questions as I feel that’s the best way to really get to know someone. I also LOVE to acknowledge wins/progress! Big or small - it’s worth celebrating! When you train with me I hope that you will feel like you’re talking to your best friend, someone that you know has your best interests at heart and is always in your corner!
Personality Traits: charismatic, optimistic, passionate, empathetic, encouraging
Training Specialties: general health/fitness, behavioral change, HIIT/circuit training, strength training
Certifications: ACE certified Personal Trainer, ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor, Schwinn Cycling certified Instructor
Major: B.S. in Community Health Education and Exercise Science (OSU graduate), Minor: Physical Education
Languages Spoken: English