Personal Training

Nina Nguyen is the founder of Palo Alto Fit, a private personal training club in Silicon Valley known for its highly personalized, holistic approach to fitness. Nina’s journey began at age four with Tae Kwon Do, eventually leading her to qualify for the Vietnamese Olympic Tae Kwon Do team at just 15. She has won championship titles in Karate, Kung Fu, and Muay Thai, and was named Miss Body Fitness Asia in Singapore.

Nina developed the vision for Palo Alto Fit while working at Stanford University, supporting both the School of Medicine and the Athletic Department. Her experience there helped shape a training philosophy that integrates movement, mindset, and longevity.

Today, Palo Alto Fit operates out of a brand-new, purpose-built 8,000 sq ft facility on California Avenue, designed from the ground up specifically for one-on-one personal training. The space includes dedicated Eleiko training stations, private locker rooms, cardio and strength zones, and a functional turf area, all crafted to elevate the client experience and results.

Under Nina’s leadership, Palo Alto Fit continues to grow while staying focused on one goal: helping people move better, feel stronger, and live longer through expert guidance, thoughtful design, and genuine care.

Alexa is a Kinesiology Major from Los Medanos College who has now transferred to San Jose State. Growing up, she loved playing basketball competitively. Her fitness journey began after taking Kinesiology classes at Los Medanos College, where she began to show more interest in weight lifting.

Her focus is to motivate her clients and to help them adopt an active lifestyle to benefit their mental and physical health. She prioritizes the basic movements, which shall eventually become the backbone for guiding clients toward their goals in physique, eating habits, and overall way of life.

With her experience in Kinesiology, she has the tools to provide personalized coaching services to help clients improve their quality of life. Her overall goal is to guide you toward a healthier lifestyle by building better habits and staying active regularly outside the gym, which will result in a more fulfilling life.

Mark is a Kinesiology student who began his studies at Los Medanos College and has since transferred to San Jose State. Growing up, he was a competitive basketball player, and it was through his Kinesiology coursework that he discovered a deeper passion for strength training and fitness.

Mark’s focus is on motivating clients and helping them adopt an active lifestyle that benefits both their mental and physical health. He emphasizes mastering fundamental movements first, building a solid foundation that supports long-term progress in physique, nutrition, and overall well-being.

With his background in Kinesiology, Mark brings the knowledge to deliver personalized coaching tailored to each client’s goals. His mission is to guide clients toward a healthier life by building sustainable habits and staying consistently active beyond the gym.

Jesse’s fitness journey began with a simple goal: self-improvement. Through exercise, he discovered that fitness builds more than just muscle; it builds confidence, discipline, and a mindset that stays with you outside the gym. That transformation sparked a passion that led him to become a personal trainer and help others become the best versions of themselves.

As a Certified Personal Trainer and Kinesiology student specializing in Rehabilitation Science, he brings a scientific, results-driven approach to every session. His coaching style is simple, effective, and tailored to the individual.

Clients often describe him as passionate, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. He prides himself on creating an environment that is both professional and motivating, where hard work and fun go hand in hand.

He believes exercise is a form of hygiene, essential for both mental and physical well-being. His mission is to help clients become the healthiest, well-rounded individuals possible, so they can pursue their passions and live their lives without limitation.

Miguel’s passion for sports and athletic performance began when he was introduced to rugby in high school. He quickly fell in love with the game, drawn to both its physical intensity and its competitive demands. That experience set him on a path toward understanding how the body works and performs, which led him to pursue kinesiology.

College brought new challenges alongside new opportunities. As a young father, Miguel learned to balance school, rugby, work, and parenthood simultaneously. Holding himself to high standards through that period led to milestones he’s proud of: captaining his rugby team while raising his son.

During that same time, he had the opportunity to coach rugby at his former high school while continuing to compete as a player, bringing over six years of experience to both roles. That chapter sharpened his leadership skills and deepened his commitment to sports performance and mentorship.

Today, Miguel brings that same discipline and drive to every client he works with. Whether your goal is athletic performance or simply building a stronger, healthier body, he’s here to coach you with the same standards he holds himself to.

Priya is a passionate personal trainer and third-year Kinesiology major working toward her Bachelor of Science degree. A former high school soccer and volleyball player, she developed a deep love for movement, performance, and helping others stay active.

Beyond her own athletic background, Priya has coached middle school girls’ volleyball, where she found her footing as a mentor, building confidence and fostering a positive team environment. She has also volunteered in physical therapy clinics, gaining hands-on exposure to injury recovery, rehabilitation techniques, and the importance of proper movement mechanics.

As an aspiring physical therapist, Priya takes a well-rounded, science-based approach to training. Her focus goes beyond workouts: she helps clients move efficiently, prevent injuries, and build functional strength that carries over into everyday life. Whether your goal is to feel stronger, improve athletic performance, or recover from a setback, Priya is here to support you at every step.

Vlad has always been passionate about movement and fitness. Originally from Ukraine, he developed a strong background in dance, which gave him a deep understanding of body mechanics, movement quality, and physical performance. His passion for health and fitness led him to pursue a career in personal training, where he enjoys helping people become stronger, move better, and build confidence.

With experience in strength training, posture improvement, and functional fitness, Vlad creates personalized programs tailored to each client’s goals and lifestyle. He believes fitness should be effective, sustainable, and enjoyable. Whether your goal is to build strength, lose weight, improve posture, or simply feel better every day, Vlad is committed to helping you succeed.

Sierra has a lifelong passion for fitness and movement that began through years of playing sports, especially soccer, and competing at the collegiate level. Being an athlete for most of her life sparked a strong interest in training and overall physical well-being, which led her toward a career in physical therapy.

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with the goal of attending physical therapy school. Sierra has gained hands-on experience working in a physical therapy clinic and at a sports performance training facility, where she learned how to apply proper movement and strength training to support long-term health.

Sierra specializes in strength and conditioning. Her approach emphasizes consistent training, quality movement, and building strength that carries over into everyday life. She enjoys working with individuals of all levels and is committed to helping clients feel stronger, more confident, and supported in their fitness journey.

Rafael discovered his passion for movement by playing soccer at a very high level through high school and two years in college. The sport taught him the value of discipline, and if you wish to master your craft you must show up consistently and fall in love with the process. Rafael carried his passion into his studies and obtained a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise and movement sciences from San Francisco State University

Using the principles of biomechanics, strength and conditioning Rafael enjoys taking clients from non-weightlifters to athletes. With 4 years of experience as a physical therapy assistant, Rafael provides a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and performance.

Loni has 15+ years of experience in personal training and group exercise, Loni continues to have a thriving passion for the fitness industry. In college, she studied Athletic Training for her undergraduate degree and Exercise Psychology and Exercise Physiology for her Master’s. Growing up she was an avid dancer in ballet, jazz, and hip hop then soon became obsessed with fitness.

Ale has been playing sports her entire life and her passion for health and fitness stems from the world of sports. Her experience with sports has helped her build up her mental toughness and discipline in and out of the gym. Ale believes that movement and nutrition are the building blocks for overall longevity and maintaining a sustainable healthy lifestyle. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise and Fitness. She hopes to spread her knowledge of fitness to help others embark on/ further their journey of exercise and health.

Clyndel is a Kinesiology major from San Jose State University. His passion for movement began during his childhood. As an energetic youth, Clyndel enjoyed competitive sports. He participated in football, wrestling, and track. Aside from high school sports, he competed in amatuer boxing at a local boxing club (2011-2014) in his hometown in the Central Valley. He is currently active in boxing and is also a boxing coach. Clyndel believes that movement, when used correctly, is the best medicine for preventative injuries and a fulfilling lifestyle.

Joe grew up wrestling and built a passion for fitness at an early age. Understanding the importance of fitness and developing a well rounded lifestyle he began learning how to apply his knowledge by helping others achieve their own physical goals. Joe is a Weight Loss Specialist with a NASM CPT graduated with a bachelor’s in Kinesiology. His background experience in wrestling led him to help build and coach the SJSU club wrestling team. Having a background in wrestling has allowed him to understand how to build mental toughness, and push through barriers. Joe is looking to uplift and encourage those around him to become 1% better every day.

Zade is an avid athlete who found his passion in fitness and movement after playing elite level soccer throughout high school and 2 years of college. During his time as an athlete, he discovered the value of hard work, discipline, and working in a team environment. Zade went on to pursue his passion in human movement by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University. After his degree, he worked 4 years as a physical therapy assistant and personal trainer. He then decided to continue his education in London, England, where he attained a master’s degree in Physiotherapy.

Zade’s goal as a movement scientist is to maximize people’s ability to move pain-free in all activities that bring them joy. He emphasizes the importance of mobility, strength training, functional movements, and conditioning to get his clients to reach their goals. Zade provides progressive rehabilitation and sport performance programs of all ages.

Jason has always enjoyed being active from a young age, playing football and running track in high school. This led him to pursue a fitness career. He graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Kinesiology and currently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His passion is to help integrate exercise into clients’ lifestyles, opening up the countless physical and mental benefits it provides. With experience in personal training, rehabilitation, and sports performance, he is here to train and support you at whichever stage you may be in your fitness journey.

Jacob joins Palo Alto Fit after an impressive five-year career coaching college football — three seasons at the University of Georgia with the tight ends and two seasons at Stanford with the inside linebackers. Currently a master’s student at Stanford, he is also working on a book about the philosophy of sports. With a passion for coaching, Jacob is eager to bring the skills he developed on the gridiron into the weight room, helping clients succeed in their goals and achieve new heights.

Jacob’s background in individual sports like wrestling, rowing, and running gives him vast personal and professional experience in exercise and developing strength, endurance, and overall health. He was a member of the crew team at Harvard University and has a passion for team wheelchair racing with his friend from home, Patrick Dewey.

In addition to working with adults, Jacob specializes in youth performance training, helping young athletes improve their strength, agility, and overall performance in their respective sports.

Jacob is dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals, whether it’s weight loss, strength training, improved mobility, flexibility, better posture, or enhancing overall quality of life with longevity. He is committed to supporting each client on their unique fitness journey and helping them reach their full potential.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys jujitsu, golf, hiking, reading, writing, drumming and exploring new areas around the Bay. He looks forward to getting involved in community sports events, which will help him stay connected with his clients and the local community.

Kirby is a former track and field athlete and a current national Olympic weightlifter. Kirby has been involved with different types of sports throughout his life, making him a multi-sport athlete. Being in sports allows Kirby to share his knowledge and personal experiences in sports and general fitness. Kirby is excited to share and help everyone and support their journey to a better lifestyle.

Kirby graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, emphasizing Exercise Science at the California State University – San Marcos. Kirby also conducted labs teaching students about care and prevention of athletic injuries by demonstrating different types of special tests on a specific area of the body to inspect if there are any signs of muscle, ligaments, or bone injuries and plans to go to graduate school to earn his Master’s in Athletic Training.

During his time at Cal State San Marcos, Kirby joined an Olympic Weightlifting team called The Strength Tank Weightlifting Club, where he trains daily and also received a USAW L1, coaching multiple age groups in Intro to Olympic weightlifting and the safety weight training.

Prior to transferring to CSUSM, Kirby attended De Anza College where he competed in track and field, his main events were the 100M, 200M, Long Jump and Javelin. He was later recognized that he is versatile in multiple events and moved to competing in decathlon his last year at De Anza. During his time at community college, he was appointed “Assistant Coach” in track and field at Wilcox High School where he graduated from and where his love for track and field began.

Kirby also has a 6 year experience working with the youth and seniors working as a Recreation Leader for the City of Santa Clara.

During Kirby’s free time, he loves to work on his lowrider, watch Warriors, Giants and 49ers games, watching the sunset, and watching Spider-Man.

Tyler is a Kinesiology major from San Jose State. Growing up, he enjoyed playing basketball recreationally and in the youth league. His fitness journey began after classes in sports medicine, leading to his interest in weight lifting. His focus is to motivate clients to implement an active lifestyle to benefit their mental and physical health. Tyler prioritizes building from the ground up by creating an identity first to guide clients through their goals in physique, eating habits, and overall way of life. With Tyler’s experience in Kinesiology, he has the tools to provide any client with personalized coaching services to improve quality of life. As life goes on, it may become harder to complete the simplest task. His approach emphasizes training for functionality and longevity so clients are able to enjoy life to the best of their ability. Tyler understands how difficult it is to build a positive relationship with the gym. He is able to guide clients through proper technique and form to lower the probability of injuries, which enables clients to pursue their fitness journey and gain independence. Overall, Tyler’s goal is to find the spark for individuals to build healthy habits and stay active outside of the gym, resulting in a more desirable life.

Nathan played football and ran cross country, and track and field in high school which sparked his interest in optimizing performance. He went on to study Kinesiology at Humboldt State University, earning his bachelors and master’s degrees within 5 years. After graduating, Nathan worked over five years in corporate wellness where he helped optimize health and performance outcomes for employees at tech companies all over the Bay Area.

Nathan’s coaching philosophy centers around guiding clients through personalized training programs designed to enhance movement efficiency, strength, and longevity. He prioritizes proper technique and injury prevention, ensuring that clients build confidence in their abilities while minimizing setbacks. More than just physical fitness, Nathan helps individuals establish an identity around health—creating lasting habits that extend beyond the gym and into their daily lives.

Erik started his fitness journey with football and wrestling in high school, discovering strength training to maximize his athletic performance.

Erik has been a personal fitness trainer for 5+ years. He enjoys working with all kinds of people, and is inspired by his clients who are working achieve their fitness goals – whether it is gaining muscle, losing weight, or improving their mobility and functionality.

Charlie is a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Duke University. He earned his B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of San Francisco in 2024, where he also competed as an NCAA Division I goalkeeper. With a deep passion for movement science and performance optimization, Charlie gained hands-on experience as a biomechanics teaching assistant in the kinesiology department.

His background includes six years of coaching youth soccer and a year as a physical therapy aide, equipping him with a strong foundation in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and athletic development. Whether working with athletes or clients looking to improve mobility and strength, Charlie tailors training programs to meet individual goals with a science-backed approach.

Hailey’s passion for fitness was formed through playing volleyball and dedication to weight training—experiences that ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in fitness. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Cal State East Bay and is a Certified Fitness Professional through Ohlone College.

Specializing in strength development, weight loss, and mind-body coaching, Hailey takes a holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing the powerful connection between physical and mental well-being. She believes lasting transformation begins from within and is deeply committed to helping clients become stronger both inside and out.

Hailey meets every client where they are, guiding them to build confidence, discipline, and sustainable healthy habits. At the core of her coaching is a genuine desire to help others grow into the best version of themselves far beyond the walls of the gym.

A lifelong learner, Hailey plans to pursue a master’s degree to further deepen her expertise and expand her impact in the fitness and wellness space. Whether you’re just beginning your fitness journey or striving to reach new goals, Hailey brings structure, support, and positive energy to every session.

Mordecai has been passionate about sports and movement from a young age, starting competitive club soccer at just five years old and continuing through high school. His love for performance and athletic development led him to study Kinesiology in college, where he discovered a deeper interest in strength training and powerlifting—eventually competing in a local meet and earning 3rd place in his weight class and division.

With hands-on experience working in rehabilitation settings as an occupational therapy aide, Mordecai has developed a strong foundation in injury prevention and mobility training. He specializes in helping clients move better, feel stronger, and perform at their best. Currently finishing his degree in Kinesiology, Mordecai plans to pursue licensure as a physical therapist assistant to further expand his ability to help others live active, pain-free lives.

Jenny is an NFPT-certified personal trainer with a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing from the University of California, Riverside. Her fitness journey began as a high school cross-country runner and evolved through years of dedicated weightlifting.

She specializes in strength and conditioning, mobility, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), offering a well-rounded approach to fitness that meets clients wherever they are in their journey. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your performance to the next level, she’s committed to guiding you with personalized training programs and motivational coaching. Jenny believes that even simple daily movement can significantly improve longevity and is excited to help you get started.

Through years of consistent training, she learned that real strength goes beyond the physical — it’s built through discipline, daily habits, and the quiet victories of showing up when it’s hardest. This mindset is at the core of her coaching: strength isn’t just measured by what you can lift, but by the ability to show up for yourself. Every rep, every early morning, and every moment of pushing through resistance has taught her that strength is built just as much mentally as it is physically.

Now, she is driven to share her journey and knowledge to help others discover their own strength, confidence, and potential through fitness. Her mission is to ensure every client feels empowered, capable, and seen— building lasting physical and mental resilience in and out of the gym. With every session, she guides individuals toward becoming the strongest, most confident version of themselves, one rep at a time.

Derek has competed in powerlifting and arm wrestling, which shaped his commitment to discipline, progression, and long-term development. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and approaches coaching through an evidence-based, biomechanics-driven lens supported by academic research experience.

With a background in coaching collegiate club athletes and working with youth, adults, and competitive lifters, Derek specialises in helping anyone progress from everyday training to high-level performance. His individualised, science-backed approach blends strength development, movement quality, and injury prevention to help clients move better, get stronger, and reach their full potential.

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree with plans to continue toward a PhD, Derek is committed to advancing both his coaching and academic expertise in human performance.

Mia is a dedicated fitness enthusiast whose passion for movement began at a young age and has continued to guide her path as both an athlete and coach. She competed in wrestling throughout high school and college before transitioning into competitive powerlifting. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from SJSU and is currently pursuing her M.A. in School Psychology.

Mia has extensive experience working with clients across all age groups and integrates her background in human development, athletics, and strength training to create a thoughtful, well-rounded coaching approach. Mia believes that consistent, intentional training is foundational for achieving results and maintaining long-term health. She specializes in teaching fundamental movement patterns and helping clients build functional strength, confidence, and sustainable habits that support their overall well-being.

Mia enjoys working with children, teens, and adults alike, and is dedicated to guiding each individual through their unique journey of discovering their physical capabilities and developing strength that supports them in every aspect of life.

Joshua is a certified personal trainer and educator with a strong background in human movement and athletic performance. Growing up playing various sports fueled his passion for exercise and motivated him to help others achieve their goals through fitness. He continues to expand his knowledge by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at San José State University. Currently, Joshua works as an assistant high school track and field coach, where he utilizes his experience as a former student-athlete to help athletes improve their speed, strength, and running mechanics, while also supporting their academic success. His role as a catechetical teacher has further strengthened his ability to connect with and mentor youth in both educational and athletic settings. These experiences have enabled Joshua to develop a strong focus on youth training, instruction, and mentorship. As an NCSF-certified personal trainer, he specializes in various aspects of exercise, movement quality, and technique refinement for both youth and adult clients.

Dynamic professional with 4+ years experience in effective communication with various clients. Diverse experience in helping clients reach physical strength and health goals with tailored programs and vigorous goal-setting. Learned additional, relevant coursework via Google’s Product Management certificate course.