Meet Our Trainers
Tell us your goals and we will match you with the best fitness professional—along with the latest results-based technologies and tools—to help exceed your expectations. Get to know our trainers and learn how they can help you.
Eli Nylund
Fitness Director
Location: Petaluma
Email: Eli.Nylund@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: I believe in incorporating proper form and foundation exercises into your daily routine. The more you adopt these practices into your life, the more enjoyable it becomes, and the more positive results you will see. This will ultimately lead to a more efficient, fit, and healthy life.
Certifications & Education:
- Bachelor of Science Kinesiology, Sonoma State University
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- ACE Senior Fitness Specialist
- ACE Cancer Exercise Specialist
Specializations
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Corrective Exercise
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Functional Training
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Injury Management
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Rehabilitation Training
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Strength and Conditioning
Jeremiah Johnson
Personal Trainer & Group Ex Director
Location: Petaluma
Email: Jeremiah.Johnson@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: Fitness is more than getting a nice body. It’s about taking charge of your life and improving your physical & mental health. Exercise should leave you smiling and feeling good, not discouraged and hurt. I feel many people don’t understand that fitness is not a one size fits all approach. An efficient fitness program is one that is tailored to your goals, lifestyle, and body. I believe in taking an in-depth look at your goals, creating a detailed plan and taking action. Let’s have fun and get fit!
Certifications & Education:
- NFPT Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- NAFC Group Fitness Trainer
- ACE Senior Fitness Specialist
- AA Fitness, Health, Nutrition, Santa Rosa Junior College
Specializations
- Functional Strength Training
- Sports Specific Training
- Powerlifting
- Bodybuilding
- Weight Loss
- Small Group Training
Cory Griffin
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Cory.Griffin@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: Train smarter not harder. It doesn’t take hours in the gym to achieve optimal levels of health, wellness, and ultimately performance. Everyone is unique and their body’s requirements and needs differ. Consistency, technique and exercise selection allow you to achieve your goals. Train accordingly.
Certifications & Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Sports Science
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
- NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
- PTA Global Certification
Specializations
- Corrective Exercise
- Performance Enhancement
- Muscle Inhibition/Activation
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Lifestyle Modification
Janessa Dusek
Personal Trainer & ZONE Lead
Location: Petaluma
Email: Janessa.Dusek@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: Our bodies are capable of far more than we think! The mind is a powerful and sometimes underutilized tool in people’s fitness journey. I enjoy helping my clients remove the limitations they have created for themselves to help unveil their try strength. Have you struggled with injury? Need help with pre or postpartum fitness? Just starting your fitness journey? Or have you hit a plateau and need some motivation? I would be honored to help you reach your goals and will be by your side the whole way through.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Women’s Fitness Specialist
- Retired Law Enforcement
Specializations
- Pre and Post Partum Training
- Weight Loss
- Injury Prevention
- Strength Training
- Small Group Training
Ashley Petersen
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Ashley.Petersen@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: What we consider possible or impossible is rarely a function of our true capability, rather a function of what we believe we can or cannot accomplish. My goal is to help my clients reach their full health and fitness potential by creating personalized programs that are fun, challenging and specific to their needs. I hope to share my passion for health and fitness with each and everyone one of my clients, to help them create a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Weight Loss Specialist
- NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
- NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
- AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
- AFAA Indoor Cycling Instructor
Specializations
- Strength and Conditioning
- Weight Loss
- Senior Fitness
- Small Group Training
Jennifer Buol
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Jennifer.Buol@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: My goal is to help you learn what is necessary to improve your quality of life by combining healthy eating and the exercises you need with the proper form to maximize your results. I specialize in weight loss by strength training, core conditioning, cardio, balance, flexibility training and health coaching. It’s important to find enjoyment incorporating what you learn into a lasting lifestyle.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Weight Loss Specialist
- Certified Health Coach
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- NASM Behavioral Change Specialist
Specializations
- Weight Loss
- Strength Training and Conditioning
- Balance and Flexibility Training
- Corrective Exercise
- Lifestyle Health Coaching
Michael Vaughan
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Michael.Vaughan@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: You have to leave your comfort zone in order to change. I have built a reputation changing clients bodies with sound fundamentals grounded in exercise science, biomechanics, and integrative techniques. I apply that knowledge to create tailored exercise program recommendations for the client. Identifying patterns that may be limiting results and progress is my responsibility. Then, give the clients the tools to succeed.
Certifications & Education:
- IFPA Certified Personal Trainer
- IFPA Senior Fitness Specialist
- IFPA Special Populations Specialist
Specializations
- Functional Training
- Sports Specific Training
- Bodybuilding
- Powerlifting
- Photoshoot Prep
- Diabetic Nutrition/Training
- Cancer Training
Cassandra Alley
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Cassandra.Alley@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: I believe that life is about finding balance while striving to improve ourselves every day and pushing through when it gets tough. I have a strong passion for encouraging others to achieve their overall fitness goals through personalized training. I have found tha getting results is about communication, finding the right combination of strength, resistance, cardio, and of course nutrition, while keeping focused on the overall goal of living a healthy lifestyle
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Youth Exercise Specialist
- NASM Speed and Agility Specialist
- Certified TRX Instructor
- Zumba Fitness Instructor
Specializations
- Strength and Conditioning for all ages
- Youth Fitness
- Women’s Fitness
- Small Group Training
- Speed and Agility Training
- TRX Training
Jesse Ryan
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Susan.Ryan@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: I believe exercise is medicine. The most important type or exercise we can do is strength training. It is a remarkably effective way to improve and protect your overall well-being, both physically and mentally. I got started with it to overcome a debilitating lower back injury and it changed my life. That inspired a career change and I have made it a lifelong practice. It is essential as we age. And for women to offset age related muscle and bone loss, it is imperative. Empowering healthy lives is my mission. Learn how a smart, doable routine can give your body and brain a real lift.
Certifications & Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Rockford College
- Certified Personal Trainer, Cooper Institute
- Certified Physical Fitness Specialist, Cooper Institute
Specializations
- Women’s Small Group Training
- Functional Strength Training
- Sustainable Weight Loss
- Injury Management
- Rehabilitation/Osteoporosis Training
Oscar Diaz
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Oscar.Diaz@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: There is not one ideal way of achieving health and fitness. It is something that takes on many different forms, based on individual needs. Achieving your goals requires hard work and a lot of effort. I am passionate about helping motivate people and assisting those who need guidance. My ultimate goal is to help people transition into a healthier, happier lifestyle!
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- Medfit Medical Fitness Specialist
- Fitness, Health and Nutrition Certification, Santa Rosa Junior College
Specializations
- Strength and Conditioning for all ages
- Weight Loss
- Youth Fitness
- Medical Fitness
- Small Group Training
Kaila Vangell
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Kaila.Vangell@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: There is always room for improvement.” No matter where you are in your fitness journey, there is always something more to learn! I approach fitness as a balancing act; staying active, eating well, and having fun is the ideal break down. With our world becoming more automated my focus is to assist individuals to maintain ease of movement and strength in their daily life.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
- IDEA Grid Foam Rolling/Trigger Point
- IDEA Fat Loss Programming
- IDEA Cardio Circuit Training
- Battle Rope Certified
Specializations
- Women’s Strength Training
- High Intensity Interval Training
- High Intensity Steady State Training
- Functional Training
- Weight Loss
- Circuit Training
- Group Training
Anthony Mendes
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Anthony.Mendes@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: The NAVY seals have a 40% rule: When you feel mentally finished, you feel exhausted and ready to quit, you’re only 40% done. I enjoy training because it teaches many life skills, including self-discipline. I also believe in safe progression. Every phase of your fitness journey has a prerequisite, and proper progression begins with optimal posture and proper form. Corrective exercises (to correct muscle imbalance) and stability training (to increase core strength and balance) create the foundation upon which our movement system performs, and should be a priority. Perform at your best but progress when you are ready.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise specialist
- NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
- NASM Weight Loss Specialist
- NASM Stretching & Flexibility Coach
- NASM Behavior Change Specialist
- ISSA Powerlifting Specialist
Specializations
- Posture Correction
- Sports Performance
- Weight Loss
- Flexibility Coaching
- Behavior Change
- Powerlifting
Leslie Merritt
Personal Trainer
Location: Petaluma
Email: Leslie.Merritt@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: In order to achieve true wellness, we must consider the various cornerstones of health. I value this holistic approach in working with individuals at all levels of wellbeing and fitness. We each come with a unique set of needs, which challenges me to stay fresh and innovative as a trainer. I love it! Being well and fit is achievable for all and it is my passion to help people overcome any barriers they may be facing on their journey to being the best version of themselves.
Certifications & Education:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Nutrition Consultant Bauman College
- Bachelor of Art Psychology, Sonoma State University
Specializations
- Strength and Conditioning for all ages
- Weight Loss
- Functional Movement
- Corrective Exercise
- Small Group Training
Kathy Hutchinson
Medical Integration Coordinator
Location: Petaluma
Email: Kathy.Hutchinson@activewellnesscenter.com
Philosophy: Whether teaching a spin class or working with a cardiac patient 2 months post surgery, I’m all about supporting people where they are. I work to get the information I have learned out of my head in a clear concise way so that I can help people on their path to health and wellness. I believe an educated mind leads to a healthy body.
Certifications & Education:
- ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- Precision Cycling Instructor
- Master of Science Exercise Physiology, CSU Hayward
Specializations
- Clinical Populations
- Heart Disease
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Medical Fitness