TEAM

Nina is the founder of PA Fit, which is the culmination of a distinguished career in fitness. She began her fitness journey at age four with the study of Tae Kwon Do, she competed in a variety of martial arts competitions as a teenager and qualified for the Vietnamese Olympic Tae Kwon Do team at the early age of 15. [She won the world championship title in Karate in 2003 in Las Vegas], won the Miss Body Fitness Asia tile in Singapore in 2005 and has won several national championships in the United States in Box Fu and Muar Thai.

Nina developed the vision for PA Fit when she was working for Stanford University the School of Medicine and Stanford Athletic Department. She has designed a holistic wellness program that can be tailored to clients individual fitness goals and ability. PA Fit recently expanded operations to a 10,000 square feet functional training facility where clients work with expert trainers to reach their personal goals.

Nina’s fitness advocacy extends overseas. She founded ‘’I love Wellness International” in 2010. The non-profit organization promotes wellness education and provides playground equipment to underprivileged children in Vietnam and Indonesia.

EDUCATION:

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

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• 1st place in Karate Championship in Northern California 2001
• Miss Nike USA, 2003
• 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

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, Training Think Tank and OPEX. He was also the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at The Academy of Arts San Francisco.

He has completed a coaching Apprenticeship Program with globally known performance center ALTIS and is currently enrolled in the Charles Poliquin Institute Level 1 Coaching program.

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
• EXOS Performance Enhancement Specialist
• NSCA CSCS
• Altis Accredited Coach
• Lee Taft Speed and Conditioning Coach
• Precision Nutrition Level 1
• National Sports Performance Association – Program Design Specialist/Certified Sports Nutrition Coach/Speed and Agility Coach
• Poliquin Institute Level 1 Coach – In Progress

SPECIALIZATIONS:

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

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:

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

Julia wholeheartedly believes that health is a journey and not a destination. She sees physical activity as a continuous path that leads to improved health, longevity, and happiness. She is passionate about empowering individuals to grow in their physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. 

As an undergraduate at Miami University, Julia studied psychology & nutrition, and completed an honors thesis on how exercise impacts happiness. She is also a NASM Certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and ACE Health Coach. Accomplishing goals is one of Julia’s favorite parts about training. Some of her personal goals have been competing in the NPC bikini division, mud runs, a triathlon, and a half marathon. She values a holistic approach to health, and loves getting to share her passions with others. 

EDUCATION:

• B.A. in Psychology with a Nutrition, Miami University
• Certified Personal Trainer, NASM
• Health Coach, ACE
• Group Fitness Instructor Training Program,Miami University
• Indorow Water Rower Instructor

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Strength and Conditioning
• Long Distance Running
• Weight Loss
• Muscle Gain
• Circuit Training
• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

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

Archie is passionate about promoting health, and wellness among the individual who suffers mentally, emotionally and physically. His goal is to inspire and motivate others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more through health and fitness. Let me guide and help you move better without pain. 

He graduated with a degree of Kinesiology with an emphasis in Therapeutic studies. Interned as a Physical therapy aide at Pacific Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy and shadowed an athletic trainer at CSU East Bay. During his college year, he interned at “Get Fit Stay Fit” kinesiology program at CSU East Bay, training kinesiology professor and the president of the University focusing on rehabilitation.

EDUCATION:

• The American College of Sport Medicine
• National College of Exercise Professionals

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Injury prevention
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• Corrective Exercise
• Postural Correction
• Functional Movement
• Mobility and Flexibility 
• Weight loss

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:

• Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex (P-DTR) Practitioner
• Muscle Activation Techniques™ (MAT) Certified Specialist
• NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
• B.S Kinesiology – SJSU

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Positional Isometrics
• End range strength
• Mobility training
• Navigating/treating neurological dysfunctions

Anna Tara has loved the outdoors and athletics since she was put on a pair of skis at age 2 in Jackson Hole, WY. Soon after, she learned how to kick a ball and played soccer through college. After sustaining two ACL injuries, health and fitness became an ever-present and important part of her life. 

In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles where she studied Biology at Occidental College. She took several kinesiology courses, which quickly inspired intrigue for the human body and performance, biomechanics, and athletic training. Through college she worked as a physical therapist aide and rehab technician for inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care therapists.

For her, being physically active isn’t solely about physical fitness, but also is an important aspect of mental and emotional health. She wants to use her passion for fitness to help people succeed, realize their capabilities, and recognize that there is always room for improvement.

EDUCATION:

• B.S. in Biology – Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
• Certified Personal Trainer – NASM

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Youth Fitness
• Weight Loss
• Conditioning Circuits
• Interval 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

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

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

Devyani believes that fitness is something that can be accessible to everyone, and that proper coaching and care can jumpstart your path towards long-term progress. Her interest in fitness began high school, where she was a tennis player and track athlete. In college, she received her yoga certification and taught Vinyasa classes while receiving a degree in biology from Stanford University. Post-graduation, she spent the past year teaching math at a middle school, where she coached the track team and took several athletes to states. Her specialties are in conditioning and strength training, and can’t wait to help you towards your lifestyle goals.

EDUCATION:

• B.S in Biology from Stanford University
• 200 RYT Certified Yoga Teacher
• Youth Track Coach

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Youth Fitness
• Weight Loss
• Conditioning Circuits
• Interval Training
• Yoga and Alignment