I have been a personal trainer and coach since 1998. Due to my own sports history and struggles with eating, my focuses are post-injury recovery and coaching clients to help get their eating under control or optimize it for their sport and activities.   I have a Masters Degree in Sports Science, Sports Medicine and have since then also focused on nutrition.

I focus on post-injury rehabilitation, functional training, fat loss in combination with toning and sports re-integration. I love helping people find a space for fitness in their life. We are all super busy, and sometimes it just seems to be overwhelming. I love working on finding solutions with a client together instead of pushing cookie-cutter approaches on clients and see them inevitably failing.

Personally, I am a mixed-bag athlete. I enjoy variety. My training consists of a mixture of Jeet Kune Do, strength training & running. I enjoy running Spartan races and the occasional trail race.

Together, my team of outstanding trainers and I are here to help you accomplish your goals, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Michael Anders

M.A. Sports Science

Precision Nutrition Certified Level 2
FMS Certified Specialist
AFPA Certified Advanced Personal Trainer
AFPA Post Rehabilitation Specialist

My journey to physical therapy was a result of having a severe back injury in high school. During my time as a physical therapist I realized that the field was changing. We had to utilize more and more a one-size-fits-all approach, and patients had to be released before they were able to fully function in their lives. In addition to helping people rehab injuries I enjoy the diverse challenges of working with people who just start out in fitness, long time athletes, and clients who seek to lose some weight.

I have a passion for helping people to discover their talent, show them what they are truly capable of, and see their transformation happening. There is nothing more satisfying than a client realizing they have not just accomplished their goals but superseded them.

I enjoy teaching my clients on training and progression to promote independence in their exercise routine.   I really love training and sharing my enthusiasm with clients as well as help them find a place for exercise in their busy lives.

Looking forward to helping you,

Margo

BS in Physical Therapy
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
CSCS with NSCA
FMS Certified
TRX Certified

I have been a personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach since 2003. Track and Football were my two favorite sports to play, and those activities helped me develop a true passion for health and fitness, and a desire to specialize in sports specific conditioning. While obtaining my degree in Exercise Science, I found my calling as a trainer, and ultimately fell in love with helping people transform, achieve their goals, and experience the joy that comes with that.

I want all my clients to know that it feels like to be at the top of their game, and to reach their potential as athletes. I believe everyone can perform above and beyond the scope of what they think is possible. By working on all of the essential components of fitness, including healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices, I help my clients get in touch with their passions and optimize their performance.

Personal training is my way of giving something back to the community and helping people transform physically, as well as spiritually. It is a true privilege to see my clients transform into fitter, more confident people, and to reach their potential as athletes.

I am an avid golfer, flag football player, and weight lifter.  Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and my son.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Avalos

I have been a personal trainer for the past 6 years. My journey began after 13 years in the civil engineering industry. During this time of desk work, everything but my own health became a priority. I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and asked myself: “What happened?” I weighed over 260 lbs and felt terrible. A physician examination found my blood pressure and cholesterol to be at very unhealthy limits. The doctor suggested medications to correct the problems. I was not able to accept that for myself and decided to make a change.
I attempted to regain my health on my own through diet and exercise. My doctors’ check-up revealed very little change, despite losing some weight. I knew then I needed more support and got a personal trainer. Within 6 months I dropped from 235lbs to 195lbs, 25% body fat to 12% and my cholesterol and blood pressure were back within healthy limits.
After seeing my transformation, dedication and understanding for exercise science, my trainer encouraged me to consider a career in the fitness industry. I did, and never looked back. Since that time, my focus as a personal trainer moved towards helping my clients suffering from muscular ailments, physical limitations and chronic health issues. I became a Corrective Exercise Specialist and immersed myself into musculoskeletal research and education seeking out scientific truths, alternative methodologies and integrated therapies in order to accurately progress my clients to better health.
This journey has not been just a physical one, but also a spiritual transformation. I have grown by following my passion and this is what drives my career. I would like to help you to discover your potential and be a guide for you toward sustainable health and fitness both in and out of the gym environment.

Looking forward to helping you,

Troy Groce

NASM Personal Trainer
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist

I have been in the health and fitness field for over 9 years. I am an exercise physiologist and lifestyle specialist at an age management medical center, at a personal trainer.  I originally became interested in the health and fitness field after years of sport injuries, rehabilitation, and knee surgeries of my own. I grew up in a very active household and embraced a busy sports focused lifestyle.  I ran track during middle school and high school, while also running in road races with my parents and brother. I was a soccer player for most of my life starting at age 5 through my competitive years playing club ball and high school varsity.

I knew at an early age the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle and injury and disease prevention.  However, I never saw the true dangers of an unhealthy lifestyle until I started working with seniors during my graduate studies.  From that point forward, I decided I wanted to be on the preventative side of medicine and incorporate that through exercise prescription and training. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from the University of Tampa. After undergrad, I moved to Charlotte to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. I lead a grant funded program through Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Centers and I interned in many areas of rehabilitation including: cardiac, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation.  After completing my Master’s degree, I worked in bariatric medical wellness, group fitness training, and private personal training, before taking on a clinical exercise physiologist role in age management medicine. I am happy that I not only get to use my clinical skills at the office, but I am able to translate this into one on one training with clients.

I am passionate about helping others and getting them to their goals!  Life is about enjoyment and doing all the things we love.  Fitness is the gateway to maintaining that balance of enjoyment and health.

In my spare time, I enjoy teaching group fitness classes, running races with my husband, and traveling. I also enjoy a good hike, a hot yoga class, a glass of wine, and a quality time with family and friends.

M.S. – Clinical Exercise Physiology
B.S. – Exercise Science and Sports Studies
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Les Mills Certified Body Step, Body Attack, and CX Worx Instructor

I have a B.S. degree in Finance, and after being in the financial services
industry for over 20 years, I decided it was time to follow my passion and
try something new and different.  I have always had an interest in health
and fitness as I lost my mother to cancer when she was in her early thirties.
I was determined that I would live a longer and healthier life.  By helping
others realize their personal health goals, I can now fully realize my lifelong
passion.

Because of this lifelong passion to live a healthier life, I became an ACE
certified personal trainer in 2014 to focus my efforts on servicing others.  I
enjoy challenging myself so I obtained a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate
in 2005, and like to add martial arts into my training programs.
My hobbies include lifting weights, spending time with friends and family,
and good red wine.  I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Deidre L. Thomas

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

I began my fitness career in 2012 while studying Physical Therapy in Pori, Finland. I got a job teaching circuit training at a local gym and from there progressed to teaching and earning various group fitness/instructor certifications.

My own fitness journey began as a bumpy ride until I found the joy that I have now and I strive to help others find their joy with exercise and fitness. I believe everyone can become fit but how they do it is individualistic and my goal is to help each client find what works best for him or her.

After graduating from Finland with my B.A in Physical Therapy, I moved to North Carolina to be closer to my fiance (now husband) and began working on my Personal Trainer Certification. Although I love group fitness, the one element I miss is the individual attention for my clients to help them with the extra details to make their movements more fluent and effective.

Currently, I am a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and group fitness ministry leader. I spend my free time with my family and friends, exploring new coffee shops and reading books. Although I enjoy many exercise formats, my favorite training format is Kettlebell Training. Cannot wait to meet you and get you started on an awesome lifelong fitness journey!

B.A of Healthcare with specialization of Physical Therapy
NASM Personal Trainer
Beachbody PiYo Instructor
LesMills Bodypump Instructor
HKC Kettlebell Instructor

I’ve been a Personal Trainer for 20 years, but my lifelong love of exercise began with the start of the fitness craze in the late ‘70’s when I became an aerobics instructor/juice bar manager in a new Charlotte gym.

This interest led me to obtain my BS in Food and Nutrition with an Athletic Training Minor. After working for years as a consulting dietitian for Long-term care facilities, I pursued my passion for fitness and wellness by becoming a Certified personal trainer. I believe that exercise is the true “fountain of youth” that can slow the aging process, protect the brain and enhance the body’s ability to cope with stress. The mind-body connection is powerful!

Striving to live a healthy lifestyle has guided me through difficult circumstances in my life. I’m grateful for my health and want to help others on their journey to make wellness a way of life so they can discover their inner strengths while improving their fitness level. Most of my clients are baby-boomers who want to feel better, improve conditioning and stay healthy by training for strength, better balance, and mobility.

Each day is a training session for me, and I’m fascinated to learn all I can about various aspects of physical fitness. I also enjoy hiking, tennis, rehabbing wildlife and chasing my three kids.

Sincerely,
Kim McQuay

B.S. Food and Nutrition
Functional Aging Specialist
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
RKC Kettle Bell Trainer
Level 1 Cross Fit Coach