Christian always knew he wanted a job where he can make a difference. Ten amazing years in the Marine Corps were great but it was time to serve his local community. When he rediscovered himself after jumping headfirst into marathon running, he realized he wanted something where he can consistently work with the same people through health and fitness. Shortly after finding his calling, he received his Kinesiology B.S. from San Francisco State University. As an ACE certified instructor, Christian wants nothing more than to be a part of a tight community that helps everyone be the best version of themselves through great programming and an emphasis on safety and fun. Empowered Fitness could not be a better fit! Christian's favorite component of fitness is pure unadulterated strength. He currently splits his active time between barbell work, getting his High Intensity Interval Training on, walking dogs, and forever running.

Growing up, Joe has always been driven by his passion for sports and physical activity. Throughout his life he's played many sports, but took a more particular interest in soccer, swimming and Martial Arts; participating in all 3 through college and even after. After college he shifted his focus into another individual competition, triathlons. He has been competing in triathlons over 10 years, even competing in the Ironman triathlons as well. It was through competing in triathlons that he discovered that he wanted to make a career of training people to push their boundaries and accomplish things they never knew they could. Joe is looking forward to combining all the knowledge he's accumulated over the years through sports, Martial Arts, and his certification as a Personal Trainer through NASM to help others reach and exceed their goals.

I’m so grateful to be part of the EF team! I love inspiring others through fitness to show up as their strongest selves, so they can feel great inside and out. I come from a family in which exercise was foreign and emotional eating was the norm. We did lots of talking, not a lot of walking. It wasn’t until well into my adulthood that I began to realize how much I relish movement, physical challenges, and feeling healthy and strong. Now, I have a passion for helping others, no matter where they are in their fitness journey, feel the same way! I’m experienced in leading a variety of strength-cardio formats, HIIT, TRX, and mat Pilates, as well as being a certified spin instructor and Behavior Change Specialist. I have a Ph.D. in Political Science and, when I’m not training, I work full-time as a Manager of Content Strategy for Optum Health. For fun, I paint, hike, run, travel, and spend time with my two amazing sons and two adorable cats.

I am really excited to be a part of the EF team and to have this amazing opportunity to share the gift of fitness with all of you. I have always had a passion for helping people and my career as a scientist in cancer research has allowed me to make long term contributions, but what I have been craving is the that face-to-face interaction which would allow me to directly impact the lives of people I meet. I am a true believer in the philosophy that all people from all walks of life can improve their fitness and reap all of the benefits, whether they are reclaiming their health and strength or finding them for the first time ever. As a mom of two very energetic young boys, I understand the struggle of postpartum rehab and the importance of staying strong so that I can keep up with the daily craziness! I look forward to meeting each and every one of you, to hear your stories, and to help you reach your fitness goals!