There has been some chatter in the gym recently about a new version of the Whole30, and the cryptic post on our facebook page last week. I am here to tell you that it is indeed upon us! WE WILL BE STARTING MONDAY FEBRUARY 4TH. This challenge will be more involved,...
Let's Get Cookin'!
Many of you have heard from me that the easiest way to be successful at this "no grains thing" is to prepare your menus and meals in advance so there are always options available for you in the refrigerator. This will prevent you from eating "whatever" is around, or...
How the Trainers Eat, vol. 4
While long overdue, I wanted to share a little dish that is sure to warm the soul and give you the fuel to power through those first few workouts of 2013. This soup will make a great post-workout dish, as well as something to keep you warm on these cool and damp...
Egg Yolk Consumption: Article Review
Spending several years in a medical setting, I have become acquainted with reading research studies and identifying the conclusions and ramifications - even if they are not completely the same as those published by the authors in the paper. There has been a study...
How the Trainers Eat, vol. 3
And now for another look at my tasty eats... As summer is winding down (or just picking up here in the foggy environs of San Francisco), I wanted to get as much mileage as I could out of all the wonderful corn from Eating with the Seasons. It is also the time of year...
How the Trainers Eat, vol. 2
So it's been a while since I posted any of my culinary explorations, but here is the most recent: While we here at FIT generally recommend staying away from grains, this corn might be an exception. It comes courtesy of our wonderful CSA friends over at Eating with the...
Jeff P. Embraces New Strategies for Fat Loss
At FIT, our trainers take their education seriously. We pride ourselves on seeking out the best information available to continually serve our clients better. On occasion, our trainers take time to attend education. Today's post is brought to you by Jeff P. who...
How do the Trainers Eat
Here are a collection of my more recent culinary endeavors to get your mind going in the kitchen. Please email me at matt@focusedtrainers.com for recipes or for nutrition/cooking consultations. Enjoy
What lessons do we teach our kids in the cafeteria?
We tell our kids to go to school to learn. And they do. Even in the cafeteria. In a TED talk a few years ago, renegade lunch lady, Ann Cooper made an impassioned appeal for attention to the lessons we actively and passively teach our kids every day in the school...
New Family Favorite
It's always a special evening when setting the nights meal on the table does not illicit a chorus of "I don't like that" quickly followed by "how much do I need to eat?" Even better when, following that chorus, the first bites are taken and quiet 'yumm's are heard...
Kristin Pampeyan
Dae-Von Bishop
All the way from East Palo Alto, Dae-Von was an avid basketball player and fan since the age of 10. From Eastside College Prep to Sonoma State to Foothill where he received his AA in psychology. Dae-Von developed a passion for training and helping others stay active and healthy after a bad ankle sprain in high school that occurred during the basketball season. Dae-Von received training the following summer at The Riekes Center, leading him to have a healthy senior year season as well as making 2nd team all league.This is what inspired him to become a trainer and help other athletes stay in great shape. At 20 years old, Dae-Von’s personal training journey began at The Riekes Center, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Dae-Von holds certifications in personal training through NASM, archery, as well as speed and agility and weightlifting both through NSPA. He even will do some basketball skill development on the side for young hoopers. His goal is to help people stay as fit and active as possible with little to no complications. I love training groups of athletes in either middle or high school. Those age groups tend to be the best time for athletes to get faster and stronger, as well as they begin to understand movement patterns which allow them to perform at an elite level. There is also a natural competitive aspect of training in groups that pushes kids to go harder during drills.
In his free time, you can find Dae-Von shooting hoops, working out, playing video games, spending time with friends, trying new foods(as long as there is no avocado), or hanging out with his frenchie, Trouble.
- Personal Trainer (NASM)
- Certified Speed and Agility Coach (National Sports Performance Association)
- Certified Weightlifting Coach (National Sports Performance Association)
- Archery Lvl. 2 (USA Archery)
Megan Justice
Jon Angeles
James Frederick
Trainer
Spirit Animal: Orca
Contact
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Dynamic Variable Resistance Training (DVRT) Level 1 Certification
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Certificate in Nutrition (FAB Academy)
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Certificate in Applied Stretching Theory and Practice (FTP)
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NASM-CPT
Jake Verhulp
Hannah Golden
Serena Earwicker
Operations Manager
Spirit Animal: Owl
Contact
Serena manages the day-to-day operations at FIT. If you need help with something apart from training, she is the one to get it done.
Outside of FIT you will find Serena hiking, biking and playing at the beach with her family.
What I love about FiT: FiT is welcoming and supportive to all. It feels like a hug, a sweaty one. Haha
Favorite sports: Anything I get to see live! Love the energy.
Tracey Downing
Owner
Spirit Animal: Owl
Contact
Tracey Downing has dedicated her life’s journey to empowering individuals to discover newfound confidence in their physical abilities and take command of their long-term well-being. Together with her husband, Thom, she established FiT, a health promotion company, in 2000, impacting numerous lives by guiding them towards positive lifestyle shifts and instilling the importance of prioritizing their health.
Her academic journey at the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a degree in Kinesiology, was complemented by a vibrant period of exploration. Tracey’s adventures took her across the globe to live in places like New Zealand, Ireland, and Scotland. These enriching experiences allowed her to indulge her passion for travel while simultaneously nurturing her professional growth, with roles in clinical and professional sports settings.
Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Tracey treasures her role as a mother to two wonderful children. Outside of her business endeavors, she has completed an Ironman Triathlete, a testament to her unwavering determination, had the incredible honor of being an Olympic Torch Bearer for the Salt Lake City Olympics, and is a 20 year survivor of breast cancer.
In Tracey’s world, fostering physical wellness is not just a profession; it’s a lifelong vocation driven by a genuine desire to inspire and uplift others on their unique journeys toward lasting health and vitality.
What I love about FiT: Seeing people change: doing more than they thought they could, learning more than they thought they would, and showing up to make themselves better.
Favorite sports: Playing tennis and watching anything my kids are playing
Brett Lando
Physical Therapist
Spirit Animal: Cheetah
Contact
Brett grew up in San Francisco and attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory where he ran cross-country and track and field. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of California, Irvine where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology. While at UC Irvine he competed on the cycling team in road and cyclo-cross races and helped manage the campus bike shop.
Brett graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of California San Francisco/San Francisco State University. He is a graduate of Agile’s yearlong Orthopedic Residency, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and most recently completed a yearlong Fellowship in sports and manual therapy.
In his free time, Brett enjoys road cycling, the occasional triathlon, alpine skiing, surfing, backpacking, traveling and cooking with his wife.
What I love about FiT: The TEAM, Learning new exercises from the trainers, and a variety of fun, innovative exercise equipment.
Favorite sports: Cycling, Skiing, Surfing
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Board- Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
- Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Kendra Wagers
Massage Therapist
Contact
Kendra Wagers has been a Massage Therapist since 2001. A native to California, she began her massage career in the Central valley working with various injury and chronic pain methods under experienced Chiropractors and physical therapists. In 2003 she relocated to Las Vegas, NV to attend the Nevada School of Massage Therapy’s accredited massage program which led to obtaining her National certification from NCBTMB. For over 13 years she worked as a licensed massage therapist in Nevada, including employment at top rated Spas on the Las Vegas strip. Receiving training in various modalities over the years including; Hawaiian Lomilomi, Thai, Sports and Shiatsu. In January of 2017 Kendra decided to return to California and is currently enrolled in the Traditional Chinese Medicine program at Five Branches University, furthering her education on overall health and wellness. With more than 17 years of experience and over 1500 hours in training Kendra has been able to hone in on her passion for healing while combining multiple techniques to provide a personalized and detailed massage to every guest. Her serene approach combined with her roots in structural techniques, offers harmony, balance, and ease to injuries or everyday stresses.
CA State Massage License #73011
Katie Deangelis
- American Council on Exercise
- Crossfit Level One
- NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, In Progress
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified, In Progress
Kevin Martin
Strength and Wellness Coach
Personal Trainer
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
OPEX CCP
Spirit Animal: The Lorax
Contact
Kevin graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX with a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus in marketing. As a student, Kevin was a five-time conference champion in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard diving events. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He has a particular passion for rehabilitation and improving overall functional status. He enjoys identifying and correcting areas of the body that are not operating at their full potential so that everyone can live life to the fullest!
Kevin has completed a full ironman, multiple 70.3 triathlons, 2 full marathons, as well as several shorter distance triathlons and road races. In addition to triathlon, he has a background in gymnastics, swimming, diving, and volleyball. He enjoys helping everyone find the athlete within themselves and find a love for movement and exercise.
When Kevin isn’t training at FiT or exercising, he enjoys cooking, surfing, hiking, and spending time with his wife and dog. He especially loves being a father his young daughter Mayley.
What I love about FiT: Community, Hard work, Supportive, Fun
Favorite sport: Volleyball, Surfing, Diving, Running, Cycling, Swimming (triathlon), Weight lifting. I love watching all sports.
Tyler Pinkney
- 4 years of collegiate coaching experience
- Former Division I Athlete
- Assisted multiple athletes to the professional level
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and
- Conditioning Association
- Basic Olympic Lifting Certification, Totten Training Systems
- Bachelors of Science in Psychology
- Masters of Education in Coaching, Sport, Recreation, and Fitness
- Administration
Juliana Oliveira
Trainer
Spirit Animal: Dolphin
Contact
What I love about FiT: I love the schedule flexibility.
Favorite sports: Snorkeling and swimming
Angelo de la Cruz
Orthopedic Massage Therapist & Personal Trainer
Spirit Animal: Wolf-bear-dragon-unicorn beast
Contact
While studying biological sciences at Cal Poly SLO, it became clear that my health was suffering. I was always tired, I couldn’t sleep well, I had digestive issues, and my emotions would swing dramatically at times. The realization came that in order for me to enjoy life to its fullest, I had to get serious about improving the quality of my health.
Since then, I’ve studied with doctors, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, physical trainers, bodyworkers, and top innovators in the field of health & wellness. Instead of chasing the symptoms of illness, the most effective approaches to well-being are those that work to eliminate things that degrade health AND instill lifestyle habits that allow the natural environment of our bodies and mind to operate as efficiently as possible. In this way, we can be lead lives with less pain & sickness.
My work aims to use the technology of the body to help you live a more vibrant & productive life.
Some of the things I have fun doing are Olympic Weightlifting, breakdancing, parkour & free-running, snowboarding, creating electronic music, digital art photography/ videography, competing in American Ninja Warrior (My competition run is here) & learning about quantum physics.
What I love about FiT: Uplifting, motivating, supportive
Favorite sport: Martial Arts, ninja warrior obstacle courses, break dancing
- Former Life Science Support Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center
- Certified High Performance Coach
- 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
- CrossFit – Level 1 Certification
- USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification
- Intrinsic Coach Certification – Life & Health Coaching
- BS Anatomy & Physiology
- American Massage Therapy Association – Professional Member
- Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
- Certified Hendrickson Method Instructor
- Primal Reflex Release Instructor
- Certified Massage Therapist
- Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Shaun Conness
- USAW Club Coach
- NASM Certified Trainer
- TPI Golf Fitness Instructor
- CHEK Practitioner Level 1
- CHEK Certified Golf Biomechanics Specialist
Jennifer Mulry
Personal Trainer
Spirit Animal: Bear
Contact
What I love about FiT: I love the family atmosphere at FiT and the collective effort to all be the healthiest version of ourselves.
Favorite Sport(s): Basketball & Swimming
Jeff Samson
Trainer
Martial Arts Trainer
Assisted Stretch Practitioner
Spirit Animal: Blue Whale
Contact
What I love about FiT: Great space, staff, clients, ability to pursue my passions
Favorite sport: Jiujitsu