TEAM

Nina began learning Tae Kwon Do at the age of four. As a teenager, she participated and competed a variety of martial arts competitions and eventually joined the Vietnamese Olympic Tae Kwon Do team. She has won several championships in the United States including Box Fu, Muar Thai, and the world championship in Karate.

She was also a fitness model for Quicksilver and Nike, and winner of the Miss Body Fitness Asia title for these separate countries. After college, she traveled the world working as a volunteer to help orphans who were victims of natural disasters such as tsunamis, where she experienced many different cultures in Asia. It was through this experience that Nina began to embrace the importance of health and strength. She founded “I Love Wellness International” organization and Palo Alto Fit after working for Stanford University the School of Medicine and Stanford Athletic Department.

EDUCATION:

• B.A. Psychology
• Sports Management
• Personal Trainer
• Sports Nutrition
• Yoga Teacher

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Miss Body Fitness Asia in Singapore
• 1st place in Kung Fu Weapons World Championship 2005
• 1st place in May Thai Light Weight Championship 2005
• Miss Body Fitness Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, 2004-2006
• Miss Nike USA, 2003
• 1st place in Karate Championship in Northern California 2001

John is a former collegiate athlete that began playing sports at the age of eight and has been in competitive athletics for over 20 years. He has competed and coached at the highest levels of competitive athletics from football, baseball, and CrossFit. He has always been a student first and coach second. His philosophy as a coach and athlete is always “get 1% better than you were yesterday. Add up all those daily wins, and you will honor your journey”.

He has worked under and learned from some of the highest-level coaches from interning at the Riekes Center, EXOS Sports Performance, Academy of Arts San Francisco and Training Think Tank. His specialties include helping people achieve their competitive aspirations, becoming pain-free and teaching them how to properly move through sound movement efficiency, lifestyle development, and optimal nutrition practices.

EDUCATION:

• Kinesiology at University of Nevada
• NASM Master Trainer
• EXOS Performance Enhancement Specialist
• NSCA CSCS
• Lee Taft Speed and Conditioning Coach

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Strength and Conditioning
• Athletic Development
• Flexibility and Mobility
• Sport and Performance Nutrition
• Functional Movement

Dr. Taylor began his love of anatomy and physiology after taking a sports medicine class in high school. From there he delved into science and biomechanics earning a bachelors in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise and sports science. After graduating Dr. Taylor worked in both hospital and out patient physical therapy settings seeing a wide array of patient populations and conditions.

During this time he shadowed a chiropractor and fell in love with the ability to treat not only the musculoskeletal aspect of a patient but impact their overall health and well-being. Taylor received his doctorate of chiropractic and since then has opened up his private practice in mountain view along with providing corporate care to numerous Fortune 500 companies in the bay area. He has a passion for educating and empowering others to increase not on their knowledge but understanding of movement and function. His motto is “movement is medicine”. Taylor is the head instructor of our Personal Trainer Academy.

EDUCATION:

• D.C., Doctorate of Chiropractic
• B.S. Kinesiology, Exercise and Sports Science

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• ART – UE, Spine
• Rocktape – PMT, FMT I & II
• FMS certified
• Professor of anatomy – yoga teacher training

Leeann’s Philosophy: Make your time spent at the gym effective and efficient, so you can have time to do all the fun things in life. Every daily activity can be made more enjoyable when you have the strength, flexibility and especially stamina to keep up with it. “Healthy body equal Happy body”.

EDUCATION:

• BS Microbiology, California State University San Luis Obispo
• Sports Performance Coach, USA Weightlifting
• Certified Personal Trainer, NASM
• Living Strong Living Well Cancer Survivor Trainer, Stanford

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Weight Loss
• Strength Training
• Conditioning Circuits
• Flexibility and Stretching
• Interval Training
• Youth Fitness

Michelle received a B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Science. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She began training in the physical therapy setting rehabilitating elite athletes to pre and post-surgery patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries or neuromuscular deficiencies. Her multidisciplinary approach to personal training incorporates total body exercises that optimize human movements and enhances strength.

Through her sports coaching background, Michelle specializes in speed and agility training for the recreational athlete. In addition to strength training, she incorporates corrective exercises that help resolve pain and dysfunctional movement patterns. She involves stability exercises in every workout to develop vital core strength. As a health coach, Michelle aims to educate and motivate clients to implement healthy exercise habits in their everyday life.

EDUCATION:

• B.S. Kinesiology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Science
• Certified Personal Trainer, ACSM

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Rehabilitation
• Flexibility and Mobility
• Speed and agility training
• Strength Training
• Muscle Building

As a studied practitioner of the art of holistic wellness through mind and body development, Dr. Clifton guides participants towards discovering tranquility in the tempest. He has tailored his blend of Vinyasa Flow and Power Yoga styles for all experience levels, and focuses on fluid transitions, core engagement and controlled breathing to yield increased strength and endurance.

Dr. Clifton’s sequences of classical and creative poses along with his singular mix of soothing, meditative and energizing music allow his participants to explore their unique journey of wellness. He enjoys performing the poses alongside participants and teaches them how to continue their yoga journey off the mat. His hope is that others can learn to glide through a world saturated with stress.

Clifton holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and owns a counseling private practice in San Jose. He is also an avid swimmer, runner, and enjoys community involvement with disadvantaged youths.

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.

EDUCATION:

• B.S. Kinesiology Athletic Training
• M.S. Exercise Physiology and Exercise Psychology
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Performance Enhancement Specialists
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• NASM Behavior Change Specialist
• NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Rinku’s philosophy: Fitness is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle. Like any goal, achieving it takes coaching, education and discipline. As your coach, it is my job to guide you with my knowledge and to develop a safe program tailored to your needs. I am here to assist you in reaching your goal and all I need from you is to try harder today than you did yesterday. As Mark Twain said, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”

EDUCATION:

• De Anza College – Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM – Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM – Corrective, Youth, and Senior Exercise Specialist
• AFPA – Pre and Post Natal Exercise Specialist
• RKC Hardstyle Kettlebell Trainer
• Tabata Bootcamp Trainer
• SCW Kettlebell Trainer
• SCW Sports Nutritionist
• RX Trainer
• Functional Movement Screen Level 1

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Weight Loss and Management
• Corrective Exercise
• Pre and Post Natal Fitness
• Functional Training
• High-Intensity-Interval-Training (HIIT)
• TRX Training
• Kettlebell Training

Byron is amazed and humbled by the complexity of the human body. He believes that there’s no such thing as one size fits all and that you deserve a fully customized exercise program. His greatest strength is his ability to perform muscle tests to over 400 muscles. His ability to assess so specifically gives significant purpose behind every prescribed exercise because it’s tailored towards your unique needs.

He takes pride in his desire to always ask “why?”. He constantly challenges the status quo of the fitness industry and he understands that there is no end to his learning. Byron’s hope is that you will walk out of Palo Alto Fit feeling better/stronger than when you walked in that day.

EDUCATION:

• B.S Kinesiology – SJSU
• NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
• Muscle Activation Techniques™ Certified Specialist

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Optimizing muscle recruitment
• Eliminating muscle imbalances
• Weight Loss
• Strength Training
• Eliminating compensatory patterns
• Positional Isometric training

Julianne believes optimal well-being is the fusion of health in all areas: body, mind, and spirit. Her personal journey led to her discover the powerful combination of whole food, plant-based nutrition, nature therapy, and mindfulness. By teaching and coaching her clients using specific tools and techniques, they experience higher levels of physical and emotional health. Her greatest joy comes from partnering alongside her clients and helping them reach their goals.

Julianne received her Masters of Public Health at Loma Linda University and her 11+ years of experience working as a clinical dietitian provide her with an extensive understanding of nutrition across all ages and disease conditions. Julianne currently works for Stanford Health Care, provides health/wellness coaching as part of Vida Health, and consults for Palo Alto Fit. She enjoys writing and speaking, racing triathlons, and exploring in nature where she is continually inspired.

EDUCATION:

• Master of Public Health, Registered Dietitian – Loma Linda University
• Bachelor of Arts, Communication – University of California, San Diego

Victoria is an energetic and dedicated trainer who’s goal is to bring out the best in people.  She has worked in a high volume Chiropractic clinic running the exam department, working with professional athletes, children, and the elderly alike – dealing with sport injuries, preventative care, rehabilitation, stabilization and overall health.  She has extensive field training working on patients with plantar fasciitis, scoliosis, lower back pain, neck pain, migraines, pre and post operation.

She grew up with the eastern medicine approach – that the body heals from the inside out.  She believes that a quick fix is not sustainable and that slow steady progress yields results.  She traveled to Singapore after Chiropractic school to explore and spread the knowledge that she had learned, teaching all ages the benefit of a healthy lifestyle which includes nutrition, proper posture, and a clear nervous system.

EDUCATION:

• B.A. Social Relation
• D.C. Palmer West Chiropractic College
• ISSA Certificate Personal Trainer

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Rehabilitation
• Sport Injuries
• Stabilization
• Lower back pain

Trevor has a life full of fitness. From the early years as a student of Mixed Martial Arts to adult time spent working out in the gym, he knows and enjoys exercise. As a personal trainer for five years, Trevor has had hundreds of clients from age 9 to 85 years.

Trevor, energetic and passionate, believe in various concepts to keep his clients motivated. He can work with you to reach your goal whether it is strength, weight loss, cardio or just feeling better

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s of Science in the Administration of Justice- CSU East Bay
• NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association) Certified Personal Trainer
• ISMA (International Sports Medicine Association) Certified Personal Trainer
• Strongfirst Kettlebell
• TRX Qualified

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Flexibility and Mobility training
• Weight loss
• Strength training
• Endurance training
• Corrective Exercise
• Lower back health
• Mixed Martial Arts

Rafael’s passion for movement began at the age of seven when he joined his first soccer team. In time the sport taught him the value of teamwork, discipline, and that if he wanted to succeed he had to constantly practice to perfect my skills. 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, Rafael enjoys combining corrective exercises with strength and conditioning to provide a comprehensive approach towards fitness. His goal is to share his passion for fitness with clients and help them unlock their physical potential.

EDUCATION:

• BS Kinesiology San Francisco State University
• NSCA CSCS

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Injury prevention
• Rehabilitation
• Functional movement
• Strength and conditioning
• Corrective exercise
• Weight loss

Elena has more than 10-years of experience, teaching public, corporate and private classes. As a child Elena was always fond of sports and in college she was trained as a semiprofessional athlete which later helped her with being disciplined and establishing her personal yoga practice. She also practiced dance and choreography where she learned about the grace of body movements.

Elena is registered with Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor and she studied the whole spectrum of yoga art – philosophy, pranayama, chanting, and meditation.

She knows how to reach to all levels of students, from beginners to very advanced. Elena is famous for her effortless inversions and inspiring arm-balances. Focusing on alignment, breath and mind in her classes, Elena also helps her students to discover deeper aspects and benefits of yoga practice, such as peace, appreciation and contentment in life.