Meet Lisa + Priest
Lisa Priestly
Co-Owner
After many years of working for large fitness companies, Lisa co-founded Studio in the Heights with her partner, Priest. Lisa started her career in fitness but quickly saw the need for whole life fitness for her clients. She expanded her studies with Ayurvedic Nutrition, Image consulting, Reiki, Yoga and Holistic Lifestyle Coaching (physical, mental, spiritual and emotional) so that she can help her clients better understand their bodies and take the stress out of fitness. She has published articles on health and wellness in Essence, Prevention, and the New York Times, among others, and contributed to Stepping Stones for Success, a book that centered on strategies and insights for mastering business and life. Lisa has appeared on a number of television shows to promote health and wellness, including NBC’s Today Show. An avid cyclist, Lisa had the honor in 2010 of being featured in Competitor Magazine as the first African American woman to compete in the Race Across America, the toughest cycling race in the world, a 3005-mile team relay race across the USA. Shortly after this, Lisa had open-heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. This ordeal provided a shared experience with her clients of starting her health and fitness from the beginning. Now fully recovered, Lisa has taken this triumph, combined it with the Priestly Process and designed a holistic program for women- ReVITALize: The Secrets of an Ageless Woman.
Fitness Accreditations + Certifications
Holistic Lifestyle Coach II & CHEK Integrated Movement Science 1 from CHEK (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) Institute; Ayurveda & Holistic Nutrition for American Drugless Practitioners; YogaFit, Prema Yoga; National Academy of Sports Medicine & American Council on Exercise CPT, Pre-Post Natal, Spinning
Advanced degree: BA from Spelman College
Roderick “Priest” Priestly
Co-Owner
As a master trainer and lifestyle coach, as well as a martial arts and meditation instructor, Priest brings a diverse set of skills to each client relationship. He integrates the focus and discipline of martial arts with the results-orientated goals of fitness. As a result of his unique talents, he was selected by Town Sports International to be part of the founding team that launched the corporation’s first cardio-kickboxing program. At Town Sports he developed signature martial arts-based classes including Kick It and Kick It Live (with live drums!). Priest holds 2nd degree black belts in three different styles of martial arts, and his integrated approach to teaching is based on Jeet Kune Do, Ju-Jitsu, Judo and Shotokan Karate. As a martial artist, writer, musician, and cycling enthusiast, Priest is known by his peers and clients as a mentor, role model, and coach. During his 20-plus years in fitness, teaching, coaching, and training, he has been a catalyst for change in the lives of many. It was dream come true to open Studio In The Heights with his wife and business partner Lisa, to bring their unique approach to holistic well-being to a broader community.
Fitness Accreditations + Certifications
Holistic Lifestyle Coach II & CHEK Integrated Movement Science 1 from CHEK (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) Institute; American Council on Exercise, East Coast Alliance
Advanced degrees: Jeet Kune Do, Jujitsu, Shotokan, Studied Music at The Ohio State University, Computer Animation at The Fashion Institute of Technology