Meet the Bay Functional Fitness Team

PERSONAL TRAINERS

DON MANGAYAYAM has over 15 years of personal training experience. With a bachelors degree in kinesiology from San Francisco State University and certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Don specializes in training for balance and posture, sports, pre- and post-rehab, overall cardio and strength and conditioning.

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JAY MERCADO has been training for 10 years, focusing on sports specific training, functional strength and conditioning, cross training and Speed Agility and Quickness Training (SAQ). He holds certifications from National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Total Resistance Training (TRX). He is currently expanding his practice to include: Crossfit, HKC/RKC training, Paul Chek, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement training.
"Encourage others and share in the fortunes of success."

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MELANIE HILARIO is an instructor, trainer, and BFF's Corporate Operations Manager. She has certifications from NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), TRX, and Spinning. A reformed klutz who loves teaching fitness, Mel trains in the martial art wun hop kuen do (it was love at first kick), runs occasional trail races, engages in her worldwide mission of sharing the correct form for plank and push-ups, writes essays and fiction, and is currently working on a novel about women superheroes (when she can stay awake long enough). As a writer, she believes in the connection between a healthy body and healthy mind. As a trainer, she believes understanding your body gives you both a sense of power and a sense of peace.

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RONI STERNBERG MS, CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), is self-proclaimed high school gym rat whose passion for fitness has evolved as the field itself has matured. Roni majored in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Florida, completing her studies with an internship at Stanford University. Her experiences have ranged widely from coaching local and college teams, training a German baseball team, personal training and management. Whether sedentary, rehabbing from an injury or a fellow exercise fanatic, Roni strives to inspire the athlete in clients at any fitness level.

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BRIANNA BRANDOW is a Certified Expert Rating Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor holding certifications in Essentrics™ Classical Stretch and Booty Barre. Brianna's passion for fitness originated on the dance floor. She spent eight years performing and traveling as a ballerina. Ballet lead her to explore other activities including kickboxing, yoga and hip-hop dance – all providing inspiration for her fun unique workouts. Check out one of her group classes or contact for personal training!

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PETER FINNEY has been part of the fitness industry for over 15 years. A US Masters National champion in swimming, he understands and is passionate about empowering people to be mentally, emotionally and physically present during their training. It’s not about just working out, it’s about working out with a purpose! He’s dedicated, and will keep the spirit of healthy living alive.

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LIZ LLOYD is certified through NASM, ACE and TRX. She trains clients of all ages and fitness levels, with a special focus on women’s fitness and health and wellness for older adults. She believes in a fun, progressive approach to fitness, using functional movement. When she isn’t at the gym, Liz can be found soaring through the air on the Flying Trapeze and choreographing routines on aerial hoop.

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PAUL FITZSIMONS is a Personal Trainer from Dublin, Ireland. He became certified by Lifetime Fitness in Edinburgh, Scotland before moving to the US and becoming NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified. He spent the next 2+ years working as a Tier 3 trainer for Equinox Fitness clubs in both New York and San Francisco, where he worked with a wide range of clients to help achieve their goals. He is also certified in Kettlebell training, ViPR training, Pre/Post Natal and is in the process of becoming a Corrective Exercise Specialist with NASM.

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ALICIA R. ROZUM is a NASM certified personal trainer, with 10 years experience teaching TRX, indoor cycling, and group exercise classes. As a full-time school social worker, she incorporates physical activity and health education with her students, and leads sports team conditioning at school. In her free time, Alicia is often running, cycling, swimming and practicing yoga in her adopted hometown of Oakland. She believes fitness and strength-training should be accessible to everybody, and is an essential component of a balanced lifestyle.

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LAURA BERRY draws from her experience as a life long dancer to make her training style fun and challenging. She loves to help people understand how training can help prevent and rehab from injury as well as correct muscle misalignments and build strength and flexibility, as well as burn fat. She holds a Bachelors degree from SFSU in Dance and Holistic Health, California Certified as a Massage Therapist, and is a Certified Personal Trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine.

INSTRUCTORS

KRISTA KNUDSEN holds a comprehensive certification as well as a pre- and post-natal certification from BASI Pilates. Krista graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in theatre and a minor in dance, and has written and performed theatre-based health education programs for young people and their families for many years. She believes that mind-body pursuits can transform people both mentally and physically. Her approach to Pilates (and life) emphasizes moving with integrity and incorporates flow, focus, flexibility, and fun!

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LAILA TOV has been performing in various dance genres for over 20 years. She currently dances with Rara Tou Limen, an Afro-Hatian Dance Company and choreographs for Hip-Hop to Latin Popular dance ensembles. In 2009, she brought her love of rhythm and movement to the fitness world and since then been delivering high-energy classes through out the Bay Area. Her infectious energy and humor will leave you smiling, sweating and ready to conquer!

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JANET WELSH – dancer, choreographer, educator – is the creator of Core Flow Fitness™, a revolutionary approach towards fitness blending the elements of Dance, Pilates, Yoga and Body work. She has an MFA in Dance from Mills College and her under grad work at Cal Arts. Janet has worked closely with chiropractors and Feldenkrais practioners, striving to bridge the gap between the healing arts and fitness. Janet lived in L.A. working in the film industry, with Elite Models, dancers and at-risk youth. Viewing the body from an architectural perspective, Janet is looking always towards an increased capacity for precision, range of motion, spatial awareness, core initiation of movement, efficiency and overall ease and balance. In conjunction with teaching with BFF, she teaches Core Flow™ at the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center and works as a Somatic Arts practitioner at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley.

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TIM WISNIEWSKI has over 20 years of professional experience, with a Masters Degree in Health Education, and Physical Education. Tim is nationally certified by NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and by USAWL as a USA weight lifting club coach. He has taught lifetime fitness strategies to children and adolescents in public schools for over 15 years. Whether teaching large groups or personal training one-on-one, Tim realizes the importance of creating a safe, dynamic and engaging learning environment. In the corporate sector, Tim infuses this approach with companies such as Kaiser Permanente and Pixar Studios. Set your goals, Tim will tailor an approach to reach them!

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

JAMIE NORIEGA incorporates traditional Swedish massage with Deep Tissue therapy and common injury treatment. He attended the accredited Fuller School of Massage Therapy in Virginia Beach, VA. His approach to bodywork emphasizes bodily awareness and concentrated pressure combined with calming touch encouraging total relaxation. He utilizes deliberate strokes and techniques to aid in reeducating muscles in order to promote mobility and flexibility. He has been practicing massage in the Bay Area for over 12 years.

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TAMARA HERENDEEN has practiced her healing massage for over 20 years. Her practice combines deep tissue and a firm style of Swedish with lighter, relaxing movements to promote circulation, relieve tension and promote healthier tissue. Tamara listens to each person's energy level and helps the body heal while the mind escapes. Her intuitive style, tailored to your specific needs, will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

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LAURA BERRY has been working in the health and wellness field for over 13 years. She began studying massage as a tool to heal herself after suffering from a back injury when she was 17. Her bodywork style is therapeutic, focusing on providing movement and flow in the body. Her finely tuned hands have the wonderful ability to do deep work while facilitating a very relaxing session. She holds a Bachelors degree from SFSU in Dance and Holistic Health, California Certified as a Massage Therapist, and is a Certified Personal Trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine.

ACUPUNCTURE

KENNETH LUKE began his healing career as an Athletic Trainer. Certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Board of Certification, he has over 20 years experience providing care to high school and college athletes, has served on the medical staffs for a number of professional and U.S. Olympic teams, and administered orthopedic rehabilitation in outpatient physical therapy clinics.

 

 

©2012 Bay Functional Fitness