MEET OUR COACHES

Hannah performing a deadlift at her national competition
  • Hannah’s interest in fitness stems from years of Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting experience. She started competing in Powerlifting in 2018 and earned a spot on Team USA after winning gold at the national championships.

    Hannah studied at Bellevue College and received the Personal Fitness Trainer Certificate of Completion. She holds certifications through NASM, USA Powerlifting, and StrongFirst.

    Hannah believes strength training can benefit everyone in making long-term lifestyle changes. Helping people reach their goals is very important to her, as she makes effective and individualized programs for all clients. She is very excited to share her love of health and wellness! 

    Outside the gym, Hannah enjoys going on road trips, camping, fishing, and spending time with her dogs.

    NASM Certified Personal Trainer, StrongFirst Lifter Barbell Instructor, USA Powerlifting Club Coach, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist

Coach Blake smiling while leaning on a barbell.
  • Blake is often referred to as the kettlebell guy. While quite true, he is well-versed in many modalities ranging from barbells to yoga.

    Early in his career, Blake learned the importance of correct movement patterns and strength training as he experienced the ability to heal and overcome past injuries (the side effect of early life in ‘extreme’ sports and motorsports). In addition to movement, he has a good understanding of the interconnectedness of the body and can use trigger points to rapidly decrease pain, tension, or discomfort.

    Besides personal training, Blake has spent time administering movement screens on labor forces and assigning correctives to decrease workplace injury, assistant coaching at StrongFirst certifications, and working alongside many other healthcare professionals. Helping people get out of pain, move better, and feel better is the primary goal of Blake’s training. 

    Outside the gym, Blake likes to listen to music, read, go to the mountains, lakes, and woods, or just sit back and relax. 

    B.S; Exercise Science. m; Athletic Training, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, TBMM Corrective Exercise Specialist, Functional Movement Systems Lvl II, Ground Force Method Instructor

    Former; StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor II, 200RYT Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, CHEK Holistic Lifestyles Coach, Plan Strong with Pavel Tsatsouline.

Coach Charles smiling while eating at a restaurant in Leavenworth
  • Charles began his journey into fitness and weight training back in 2011. Terrified initially and overwhelmed by the idea of going to the gym, he took an energetic and positive approach to learning the basics and became addicted to building muscle. Since then, he has adapted that into his coaching style and strives to help others feel welcome in the gym environment. 

    Charles sees fitness not just as a way of gaining muscle or losing weight but rather as having the ability to use your strengths outside of the gym to create a healthy lifestyle. Being active is not only amazing for your physical health but for your mental health as well! To him, it’s an excellent way to escape the “real world” and truly focus on yourself.

    Outside of the gym, Charles enjoys playing video games, playing/watching football and baseball, hiking, camping, and exploring this beautiful planet.

    NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Stretch & Flexibility Coach, Body Building Meal Prep, CPR & AED

Coach Aynika in overalls at a park in front of green grass and trees
  • Aynika is a certified personal trainer through ACE and has a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Seattle University. She is currently working on getting certified to become a nutrition coach. 

    After playing basketball for over 15 years, she shifted her focus to strength training and long-distance running, which has changed her view on her health and fitness journey. She has a passion for running half marathons and 5k/10k races for fun!

    Aynika views exercise as a privilege and believes it can solve many health challenges. She emphasizes the presence of fitness in everyday tasks and believes that anyone can engage in exercise through functional movements. With commitment, support, and focus, exercise can yield substantial benefits.

    In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, hiking, and spending time taking her son to the park

Coach Sarah standing in front of a desert backdrop.
  • Sarah is a certified personal trainer through NASM and is finishing her kinesiology degree at Seattle University. 

    After focusing primarily on cardio for her own training, she found strength training 4 years ago and it completely changed the course of her fitness journey. This led to her passion for helping others to become the strongest versions of themselves. 

    Sarah believes that when one takes up strength training or another form of exercise that resonates most with them, you not only become physically strong, but develop a great appreciation for your body.

    It is a privilege to exercise, and Sarah wants to guide others in taking advantage of their ability to strengthen their bodies and minds, setting them up for a healthy, functional, future.

    Outside of school and work, she enjoys golfing, hiking, jazz music, and of course, exercising!

Coach Moses posing in a "ready to train" stance.
  • Moses attended Western Washington University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. He is a certified Senior Level Weightlifting Coach with Team USA. Aside from more than 10 years of strength training experience, Moses has many years of boxing and sprinting experience. He has been mentored by doctors in the field and Team USA athletes.

    Currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Sports Science, Moses enjoys studying functional anatomy. He trains with a very scientific approach, choosing the best parameters that fit the needs of his clients.     

    Along with his passion for studying human anatomy, Moses is an intermediate-level Japanese speaker and has recently started learning Korean. In his free time, he likes to eat extremely spicy food, and write poetry.

Coach Hallie in her Seattle University soccer uniform
  • While being a member of Seattle University's women's soccer team, Hallie first graduated from Seattle U with her BA in Kinesiology and is now pursuing her MBA there. As an ISSA-certified personal trainer, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to coaching.

    Her background as a student-athlete has allowed her to experience the demands and rewards of competitive sports and the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. Having faced and overcome inevitable injuries as a D1 athlete, she understands the critical role of strength training to protect herself, stay game-ready, and maintain functionality in all aspects of her life. She aims to make strength training enjoyable yet effective while having a goal-oriented mindset. She strives to create a balanced environment where her clients at bStrong can thrive!

    Outside of the gym, Hallie loves spending time with family, playing soccer, lifting, hiking, biking, enjoying summer bonfires, and exploring new places. These activities not only keep her active but inspire her training methods. Believing in a well-rounded and joyful approach to fitness, she ensures that staying fit is not just a goal but a rewarding lifestyle.

Coach Tru holding a dumbbell during a workout.
  • Tru has always been passionate about martial arts. Growing up, he immersed himself in various forms of martial arts such as Wrestling, Taekwondo, and Sanda. It was Taekwondo that left the most profound impact on him. Through his journey, he not only honed his physical skills but also learned valuable life lessons such as respect, patience, and confidence. 

    Recognizing the importance of enhancing his physical abilities to excel in Taekwondo, Tru delved into the world of weightlifting. Initially, he focused on improving his performance in martial arts, but he soon realized the broader significance of strength training.

    Tru’s commitment to personal growth led him to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Seattle University. With his expertise in programming workouts, he aspires to help others achieve their fitness goals and surpass their limits.

    Beyond his fitness pursuits, Tru enjoys playing video games, indulging in Anime/Kdrama, and exploring beautiful sceneries with his loved ones.

Coach Aaron posing in front of water during a hike.
  • Aaron’s fitness journey started as a way of finding balance in his life. While studying Computer Science at the University of Washington, he started bouldering and hiking to stay active and manage stress. After dealing with injuries and looking for new ways to keep in shape, he signed up for small group workouts at bStrong.

    From never having done a deadlift or back squat, Aaron has made strength training an essential and enjoyable part of his fitness routine. He still attends small group sessions even after becoming a coach - if you see him in your workout, don’t hesitate to say hi! 

    As a NASM-certified personal trainer, Aaron is excited to share his knowledge and experiences with the bStrong community. He believes finding a variety of enjoyable ways to stay active is the best long-term approach to maintaining your health.

    He also works full-time as a software engineer and understands the challenges of incorporating fitness into a busy schedule. He is excited to work with you to make exercising at bStrong one of your favorite ways to improve your health! 

    Outside of work and the gym, Aaron enjoys hiking, trying a variety of sports, and exploring different restaurants. 

  • Austin grew up playing competitive soccer as a youth. As he began strength and functional training to improve his game, he realized its positive effects on performance, confidence, and overall physical and mental health. 

    Austin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Chemistry from Western Washington University. While an undergrad, he received his ACE Personal Training certification and has been training 1-on-1 and group fitness for the last five years, working with clients ranging from middle schoolers trying to improve their sport, to elderly patients trying to combat the inevitable age-related changes in life.

    Through his experience working as an orthopedic medical scribe, personal trainer, and physical therapy aide, his understanding of the musculoskeletal system and peak performance constantly evolves. He has worked in collegiate recreational centers, orthopedic clinics, and physical therapy clinics. His ultimate goal is to return to school for his Master’s degree as a Physician Assistant.

    Austin is very meticulous in his approach and objectively assesses each situation. He uses research-based evidence to create an optimal plan to reach the desired goal. Whether your goal is weight loss, longevity, strength, injury prevention, or rehabbing from an acute or chronic injury, Austin will be a catalyst in your health and fitness endeavors and help you return to the activities that you are most passionate about!

    In his free time, Austin likes to perform all exercise styles, spend time with his friends and family, watch and play sports, nerd out over anatomy and orthopedic injuries, and hang out with his French bulldog, Lani.

Coach Christian standing in front of a view over a lake during a hike.
  • Christian's fascination with sports performance started in high school when he started lifting weights for wrestling and tennis and saw how big of an impact training could have. This interest led him to study exercise science in college. 

    After a short career as a college tennis player, he received his master's degree in exercise science and worked as a strength coach in collegiate athletics. 

    He currently runs an online training business for combat sports athletes and spends most of his free time coaching high school wrestling and doing jiu-jitsu. 

    He also likes to play pickleball, read in his hammock, and hunt. An interesting fact is that he always wears his left sock inside out. 

Coach Michael smiling during a race.
  • When he asked his parents when he started to be interested in sports, they answered “since you could walk. Once that started, there was no stopping you!”

    Michael fell in love with sports and moving his body at a very young age. This love for movement has led him to be active in cycling, swimming, cross country, lifting, hiking, mountaineering, and triathlons. With this love for sports, he wanted to learn more about “HOW” the body allowed him to move.

    Michael studied at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. He graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and discovered he was good at helping people achieve fitness goals they never thought possible.

    This newfound skill led him to become a personal trainer and coach, which he has done professionally for the last 22 years. He holds certification through ACSM-Exercise Physiologist, NSCA-CSCS, USAT, and USA Cycling Level 1 Coach.

    He learned at a young age you can never stop learning. There is always more to learn. He continues studying and attending CECs to keep his knowledge current. As a Coach, he enjoys working with every athlete. His motto is “if you have a body that moves, then let’s put it to use.” If you are a beginner athlete or professional, he looks forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

Coaches Kyle and Ben smiling on top of a mountain during a hike.
  • With more than 30 years of combined experience in the fitness industry, Kyle and Ben have seen a lot of trends come and go.

    One of the biggest problems they’ve spent their careers solving is getting people safely introduced to strength training. Everyone knows there are massive benefits to building strength, but most people don’t know where to start.

    Through years of trial and error, they’ve created their version of Small Group Personal Training to maximize results and create a fun, supportive community.

    Fitness is about more than a good workout. It’s about creating a healthy relationship with your body and mind through education. The “perfect workout” won’t do a lot of good if you can’t build the habit into your life. 

    Consistency is the most important factor when it comes to long-term health. It’s essential to feel safe, welcome, and motivated in your environment if you’re looking to develop sustainable habits.

    bStrong is a constantly evolving program. We’re always working to improve the workouts, improve the member experience, and continue to keep everyone engaged in their physical and mental health.

    Joint Experience: MS Kinesiology, BS Exercise Science, BS Exercise Physiology, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, ACE Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, Weight Management Specialist, Youth Fitness Specialist, Functional Movement Systems Level II Certified, Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Online Trainer