Meet The Team

Sam a University of District of Columbia graduate, and two-sport NCAA athlete, he has always loved sports and competing. During those 4 years, he developed a unique love and understanding of fitness and the challenges that came with it. With over 20 years of experience in nutrition, and as a certified personal trainer and conditioning specialist. Sam has coached athletes, coaches, competitors, grandmothers and grandfathers, amputees, pregnant women, and everything in between! ​ He enjoys helping people better their lives by improving their nutrition and fitness through his educational coaching methods. His goal is always to help his clients understand the journey and understand how to create the lifestyle they crave. Book a free consult now! Sam@dmvpt.com Education Background ​B.S University of the District of Columbia CPT NSPA CCS NSPA

Favian Villalobos is an International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Professional (IFBB-Pro) in Men’s Physique Division, while also serving as active duty in the United States Marine Corps. He is a former Division 1 NCAA athlete where he played football as a defensive back at the San Jose State University. He also competed two years at the boxing collegiate level as an amateur fighter. During his collegiate athletic journey, he developed a profound understanding of health and fitness that laid the foundation as a fitness coach and personal trainer. He transitioned into the role of a group fitness instructor, catering to diverse age groups and fitness levels. Notably, he specialized in training selected candidates for Officer Candidate School at the United States Marine Corps Officer Selection Office in San Jose, California. In 2016, he began personal training an online coaching in Southern California where he also started competing at the local and national level earning his IFBB Pro qualification in July 2022. With 12 years of experience in certified personal trainer a group fitness instructor specializing in strength and conditioning and 7 years of nutrition and online coaching specializing in bodybuilding competition preparation, lifestyle optimization, and weight management. Throughout his journey, Favian has collaborated with a broad spectrum of clients, diverse in demographics and backgrounds, guiding them to attain their health and fitness goals. It is his genuine mission to make a positive impact within the local community. His coaching and educational initiatives aim to empower individuals to enhance their overall lifestyle, both physically and mentally.

Jesika is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with an athletic background in competitive powerlifting. She first started her own fitness journey in 2015 and have been obsessed with getting stronger and transforming her physique ever since! ​ Jesika is now helping individuals achieve their fitness goals by instilling lifestyle changes and healthy habits to create long-lasting results. She specializes in fat loss, muscle building, and strength training with an emphasis on technique and form. ​ Education Background ​ NASM

Katherine has been in the fitness industry for 10 years so far and is loving how much there is still to learn! She has her personal training certification through ISSA and currently working on her Nutrition Coaching Cert through Precision Nutrition! ​ The biggest thing Katherine loves about the fitness industry is that you aren’t just working on your physical appearance but also your mental and emotional well-being as well! ​ Katherine is doing a mix of bodybuilding and powerlifting for her workouts at the moment but has done both styles separately and loved the results she got from both! ​ Education Background ​ ISSA

Born in Alexandria, Virginia, but raised in the vibrant culture of Brazil, Halie grew up with a passion for movement, strength, and the outdoors. A lifelong soccer lover, she naturally found her way into the gym, balancing her love for fitness with beachside relaxation. With seven years of coaching experience, Halie has worked with clients of all levels—from complete beginners to advanced lifters. She understands that stepping into the gym can feel intimidating, which is why she’s dedicated to helping newcomers build confidence, master proper techniques, and feel at home in any fitness environment. Her goal is to make every client feel strong, empowered, and excited about their fitness journey. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your training to the next level, Halie is here to guide you with expertise, encouragement, and a passion for helping others succeed. ISSA CPT

Rich is a dedicated personal trainer with over 15 years of experience and a proud Air Force member. His passion for health and fitness shines through as he helps clients improve their well-being both in and out of the gym. Specializing in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Rich enjoys working with everyone from seasoned athletes to beginners, guiding them on their journey to strength and fitness. Whether it's strength training or general fitness, Rich is committed to helping others achieve their goals and become their strongest selves

Brandon is a dedicated trainer specializing in functional training with over 10 years of experience. He has a passion for helping both the general population and athletes, whether they’re just starting out or competing at a professional level. With a focus on improving everyday life through fitness, Brandon is committed to his clients towards their personal goals and enhancing their overall well. His expertise and enthusiasm make him a valuable partner on the journey to a healthier lifestyle.

For the past 8 years, Myisha Churchwell has dedicated her career to helping women feel strong, confident, and unstoppable both in and out of the gym. As a certified personal trainer through ISSA, Myisha specializes in strength training, fat loss, and nutrition coaching, creating programs that help women build lean muscle, improve performance, and sustain real results. Her philosophy is simple: fitness isn’t just about changing your body it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. Myisha’s sessions are designed to challenge, motivate, and empower, while teaching proper form and nutrition fundamentals that lead to long-term success. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or ready to take things to the next level, Myisha brings the energy, accountability, and expertise to help you crush your goals. She currently trains clients out of Alexandria and Falls Church, offering both personal and small group training, where every woman is reminded that strength is the new standard. Education Background: ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Kalil has always had a great passion for fitness. He is most definitely a deadlift & strength specialist dedicated to helping athletes and everyday lifters unlock their full power, both physically and mentally. From bench-warmer to world-class lifter, his journey taught him that strength is more than numbers, its mindset, consistency, and purpose. He coaches powerlifting, strength training, and performance development with a focus on technique, progressive overload, and injury-smart programming. Whether you’re chasing a new PR or building confidence under the bar, He tailors training to your goals and capabilities.

As an All-American and former professional football player turned personal trainer with over ten years high level training experience, my mission is to inspire and help guide clients on their path to bettering themselves. I am committed to helping guide clients in build consistent healthy habits, with goals such as are muscle growth, weight loss or improving overall wellness, leveraging insights from my competitive sports background. With a heightened awareness on functional and unique movements, my objective is to maximize potential with minimizing injury risks for clients in and outside the gym. My goal is to create about an encouraging, uplifting gym experience where all can thrive, inspired by my experiences as a college and professional athlete at the best gym in the DMV.

Keisha is a graduate of West Texas A&M University and a proud veteran of the United States Navy. She discovered her passion for fitness after discovering that her family genetics was plagued by hypertension and diabetes. These personal struggles led her to complete several online fitness challenges before venturing toward competitive bodybuilding in 2013. She earned her pro status in OCB Women’s Physique in 2014. She would also go on to compete in several powerlifting meets, including RAW Worlds in 2018 and then switched over to the NPC where she nationally qualified and competed to gain her IFBB Pro status. Since then, Keisha has transitioned towards helping other athletes have healthy improvement seasons for bodybuilding and powerlifting. Her genuine love of performance and physique sports is evident in the care she exhibits towards her client’s overall well-being. She seeks to elevate the confidence of her clients by encouraging them to become the best version of themselves one rep and one meal at a time. Her favorite training phrase is “Thou shalt do pull-ups” because they (pull-ups) encourage strength, confidence, and accomplishment in her clients. Education Background • ASFA CPT • NASM FNS

For as long as Liz can remember she has been fascinated by the human body – how it functions, what it can achieve, proper mechanics, etc. This fascination, combined with all of my sports-related injuries growing up, led Liz to a career in Sports Medicine and later realized that she wanted to have more of an impact on the entire body, not just injured body parts, so she made the transition to personal training. Throughout her life, Liz has been involved in many different facets of fitness: played numerous sports – including collegiate basketball, run marathons and half marathons, worked in Sports Performance, coached Olympic lifting and I’ve been lifting weights since she was 15 years old. After 3 years in the personal training industry, Liz decided she wanted to try something new – compete in her first figure competition and it changed everything. It wasn’t until then that she realized how much nutrition and mental preparation go into building a strong body. Not only did competing make Liz a (much) better trainer, it made me a stronger, more confident person. As a personal trainer, Liz aims to build a close, trusting relationship with each client. Through education, encouragement, and accountability, Liz dedicates herself to every client and their goals. Watching clients transform in all areas of their lives as they get closer to, and achieve their goals is the best part of the process to Liz. So many of us don’t realize how strong we truly are – mentally or physically. Liz is dedicated to help you ignite that strength deep inside you; to help you become the best version of you. Whether that involves losing 20lbs to get off medications, becoming a competitor, or building your mental toughness to take that next big step in your life, Liz can help you ignite that fire and get you there! Education Background MS in Recreation and Exercise Science BS in Health and Physical Education (Sports Medicine Concentration) Certified Athletic Trainer – ATC Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist – CSCS Certified Personal Trainer - NASM – CPT Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist – NASM-CES

Cesar Mora has been in the fitness industry for 4 years. He focuses on functional strength training and bodybuilding. Cesar's journey began when he initially started coaching family and friends for fun and developed into his chosen career path in 2018. Cesar's career path was an obvious choice for him as he has a natural ability to coach and motivate people. As a coach he understands there is more to fitness than the gym by focusing on helping clients develop better lifestyle habits to be able to achieve their goals. Cesar truly believes it is all about balance. ​ Education Background ​ ACE - CPT, FMS Level - 1, NESTA KETTLEBELL COACH

Woody is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and a competitive Men’s Physique bodybuilder since 2012, Woody brings over two decades of experience in balancing fitness with the demands of a full-time corporate career and family life. Specializing in lifestyle transformations, proper exercise form and technique, and fostering a positive mindset, Woody is passionate about helping clients achieve sustainable results, no matter their busy schedules.

Mikaila is a NASM certified personal trainer who is dedicated to helping women get stronger, build confidence, and feel like they belong in the gym. Through consistent training, discipline, and a supportive environment, she helps clients develop both their bodies and their mindset. Her goal is to empower women to push past their limits, build lasting healthy habits, and unlock the strength and confidence needed to reach the next level in and out of the gym.

Zach Hackerson has been in the fitness industry for 14 years. He focuses on strength training, powerlifting, sports performance, post rehabilitation training, general hypertrophy and body recomposition. ACSM CPT Mike Boyle CFSC Precision Nutriton

Farnaz is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer with several years of experience in fitness and coaching. She is passionate about helping you build strength, confidence, and healthy habits that create long-lasting results both inside and outside of the gym. Her love for fitness comes from believing that training is about more than physical change — it’s about becoming the strongest version of yourself mentally and physically. Through consistency, encouragement, and a positive coaching style, Farnaz is dedicated to helping you feel empowered, motivated, and proud of your progress every step of the way. She specializes in strength training, fat loss, functional fitness, and lifestyle transformation with an emphasis on proper form, technique, and sustainable progress. Whether you are just beginning your fitness journey or looking to take your training to the next level, she creates a supportive and motivating environment where you can feel comfortable, challenged, and confident in yourself. Education Background ISSA Certified Personal Trainer.

Fitness has been a cornerstone of my life since I was 8 years old. I’ve worked in gyms since 2010 and became a certified trainer in 2014. Over the years, I’ve helped transform lives, built lasting relationships. I specialize in strength and cardio endurance, with a strong passion for small group HIIT-style training. I’m AED and Blue Cross certified, and I hold a fitness certification through AMFPT. Whether you’re just starting or pushing to the next level, I’m here to help you reach your goals with energy, experience, and a relentless drive to see you win.

Zinaid has extensive experience in the fitness space, including several years as an athlete, online prep coach, personal trainer, and owner of his own physical therapy business. From an early age, Zinaid was involved in basketball, which sparked his interest in sports and fitness. He studied physical therapy and worked as a personal trainer at Washington Sports Club, gaining valuable hands-on experience. As the CEO of ZSPT, his physical therapy company, Zinaid combines his knowledge of physical therapy with his passion for fitness to help clients achieve their goals. With over 10 years of experience working with athletes, he has honed his skills in training, personalized nutrition, and rehabilitation. Zinaid enjoys mentoring his athletes to success. His goal is always to provide educational and effective coaching to empower his clients to reach their full potential. Educational Background: - NASM - ISSA - Corrective Exercise Specialist - Diet/Nutrition - Bodybuilding - Exercise Therapy Certification

Jasmine's training approach is all about crafting personalized workout plans tailored to an individual's specific goals, be it weight loss, muscle gain, improved endurance, or overall fitness. She believes that fitness should be both enjoyable and sustainable. This is reflected in her commitment to not only instructing individuals on effective exercise techniques but also teaching them how to develop positive habits. This turns fitness into something they look forward to, rather than a chore. ​ But for Jasmine, it's not just about lifting weights or running miles; it's a mindset makeover. She serves as a motivational coach, a nutritional guide, and a trusted partner on this exhilarating fitness journey. Together with her clients, she sculpts physiques with workouts that leave them feeling exhilarated. With her guidance, they break through plateaus they once thought insurmountable. ​ Education Background​ ​NASM-CPT Percision Nutrition Certified

With over 9 years of experience in the fitness industry, I’ve worked in both commercial gyms and as an independent trainer, helping clients achieve their fitness goals. My resume includes training high-profile YouTubers and local celebrity chef Matt Baker. Specializing in group fitness, personal training, and corrective exercise, I provide a personalized approach to every client. Having undergone my own fitness journey, I’m passionate about helping others reach their full potential and build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Emily is a current medical student and online lifestyle coach, combining her passion for health with a commitment to helping others improve their physical and mental well-being. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, accomplished two years of research at the National Institutes of Health, and is currently at the Georgetown University School of Medicine pursuing her M.D. degree. She has been passionate about fitness since 2017 and was an NPC Bikini competitor with two overall wins and recently earned her IFBB pro card in the women's bikini division. Over this time, she developed a unique understanding of fitness and nutrition through research, her time bodybuilding competitively, and her pre-clinical medical studies. Emily’s passion for science and service drove her into medicine and into coaching. Her mission as an online lifestyle coach is to be her clients' biggest advocate, providing customized, evidence-based training and nutritional guidance while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make lasting lifestyle changes.

Ian Torres isn’t just a coach—he’s proof of the transformative power of personal training. A Georgetown-educated neuroscientist and NSCA-Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, he works in clinical musculoskeletal research for the Department of Defense. But his strength wasn’t handed to him—it was built from adversity. Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and later Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Ian spent his youth reliant on a cane and wheelchair. Traditional therapy failed him, so he took charge. With the help of a dedicated trainer, he achieved in a month what specialists couldn’t in years—ditching the cane and beginning his journey to peak performance. Today, Ian defies limits—handling 150-pound dumbbells, performing 42-inch box jumps, and squatting over 400 pounds. His training blends old-school tendon and muscle fortification, explosive power, and functional longevity. Having battled from paralysis to peak performance, he understands strength at every level—overcoming weight struggles, mastering nutrition, and bulletproofing his body. If you want a coach who fuses neuroscience with a relentless, results-driven approach—and has lived every stage of the journey—you’ve found him. "God doesn’t recruit the flawless, He redeems the fallen."

As a dedicated fitness personal trainer with a background in kinesiology my mission is to empower individuals both women and men to reclaim their bodies and confidence through a holistic approach to fitness. I believe that true strength comes from within, and I am passionate about helping my clients discover their inner power. Together, we work to enhance physical health, build self-esteem, and cultivate a positive mindset. I tailor each program to fit your individual needs, ensuring that you feel supported and motivated on your unique path to fitness. In addition to personal training, I share my fitness journey and tips on social media, inspiring others to lead healthier lifestyles. Join me in this empowering journey, and let’s unlock your full potential together! Major: Kinesiology ISSA Certified