Our Team

  • Melissa Ruiz

    Our Head Coach Melissa loves helping people get stronger so they can show up better in their every day lives. She is a corrective exercise specialist and certified in pre and post natal group exercise. If you are new to strength work, returning to exercise after having a baby, or just curious about the benefits of functional movement, Melissa is the trainer for you!

  • David Tepattaporn

    David is a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer who also holds an Associate of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Beginning his fitness journey as a teenager when he began bodybuilding, he has years of experience exploring different training modalities including powerlifting, cycling, running, and swimming. Utilizing NASM's Corrective Exercise specialist (CES), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), and Weight Loss Specialist (WLS) programs, David specializes in weight loss, bodybuilding, functional movement, strength and conditioning, and corrective exercise. Whether you're a beginner looking to establish a health and fitness routine or an advanced athlete looking to maintain and develop your fitness, David designs training programs for all levels of fitness and ages.

  • Julia Lisi

    Julia is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist born and raised in New York. Primarily a strength and conditioning coach, Julia has taught classes and trained clients in a number of different settings and formats including strength & conditioning, weight lifting, boxing, HIIT, and active recovery. Julia is passionate about helping clients manage and mitigate pain. She does this by addressing faulty movement patterns that prevent full range of motion and painless mobility and by assisting in full body strengthening.

  • Wendy Chu

    Wendy comes from a strong movement background as an artistic athlete, and her professional credits include stage, film and television, media and print for campaigns like Reebok, Sony, Cadillac, Goodr, Beachbody, Pvolve, and Hanky Panky. Certified by NASM, Wendy has coached at The People's Bootcamp, The New York Roadrunners Run Club, Athleta Studios, Lululemon, and is a guest Strength and Conditioning Coach for the American Ballet Theater Studio Company. She works with private and semi-private clients as well as group classes, and welcomes clients from all walks of life. Her ideal client is anybody who wants to IMPROVE.

  • Marcus T. Tavarez

    Marcus has been Personal Training for 15 years! His history helps him to understand your journey, as he lost over 140 pounds at the age of 16. He loves engaging with people of all ages, and the majority of his clients are over 50. He enjoys the people connection of training and watching the volume turn up in strength. He always give the client the credit. His style of training is very “Meat and Potatoes” -- the classics still work, it’s just a matter of doing them. He has a background in Professional wrestling and Olympic lifting, competing in both, and holds the following certifications: NCSF-CPT, UsaW-1, Gym Jones-1, KBA-2, Pre-Post Natal

  • Clare O’Malley

    Originally from Ireland, Clare has been teaching at Studio in the Heights since 2017. As a National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer, Clare also leads HIT and Barre classes. She recently became specialized as a Pre- and Post-Natal personal trainer. Clare is also a singer and actress. She enjoys combining her theatrical skills with personal training. Whether it’s class or a personal training session, working out with Clare feels safe, sustainable, and most importantly FUN! Random Fact — Clare can fly!! She trained at Circus warehouse in Trapeze, Lyra and Silks.

  • Alison Whitehead

    Alison is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer. Alison grew up playing sports and is still an avid runner and soccer player. For her, yoga and athletics continue to be a great combination for the body, mind, and spirit. Alison loves sharing this passion and encouraging and coaching others to find their own form of self-care. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is a data and health policy nerd. She is a lifelong learner and is currently working towards her certification as a yoga therapist.

  • Shawna Emerick

    Shawna is a trauma informed yoga instructor with well over 800 hours of certifications and coming up on 20 years of teaching. She is a Thai massage therapist, Life Coach for Transformation, and an integrative somatic healer who comes from a B.S. in Dance. She is passionate about supporting others' healing and drawing out their Inner Wisdom in order to live from their most authentic place of heart. She comes from multiple lineage lines of heart-centered healers, givers, and hard workers and is grateful, humbled, and honored to be carrying on the traditions in her own unique ways. Shawna could not do any of this without the support of her partner, two children, and dog!

  • Brandon Olivero

    With over a decade of experience in the fitness industry, coach Brandon has honed his expertise in injury prevention, boxing, and athletic performance. As a passionate advocate for holistic health and wellness, he believes that a strong foundation in injury prevention is crucial for achieving long-term fitness goals. Drawing on his previous experience as a physical therapist aide and stretch specialist, coach Brandon brings a unique perspective to his coaching. His understanding of rehabilitation techniques allows him to provide tailored training programs that address specific needs and help prevent injuries. By incorporating athletic drills into his training sessions, coach Brandon helps clients improve their athletic abilities and coordination. Whether you're a competitive athlete or simply looking to enhance your overall fitness, his approach can help you reach your goals. Through personalized training programs, expert guidance, and a supportive atmosphere, coach Brandon is committed to helping you achieve your full potential.

  • Andrea "Drea" Smith

    Drea loves training women who are looking to improve their health and wellness, improve their strength, overcome fears, and dispel misconceptions about strength training! Clients like working with her because she makes them feel seen and heard. They know that she will support them on their fitness journey through consistency and leadership by example. Drea is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and holds a Level 1 Nutrition Coach Certification from Precision Nutrition. Her hobbies include running of all kinds--trail, road, and Spartan obstacle course races. She also loves to bake!

  • June Li Lo

    June Li is a 200-hour RYT certified yoga instructor with a focus on Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. With an extensive background in martial arts, especially Capoeira, she has found yoga to be a great way to bring balance and focus to the body and mind while building strength and flexibility. June Li strives to offer a welcoming environment in each of her classes while creating a sense of empowerment for her students.