When a new member joins Sand & Steel for personal training, they always ask me who is going to be their coach. And I always tell them the same thing — we are all your coach. No one coach is better than the aggregate knowledge and wisdom we share as a team. Sand & Steel works because we are united in our quest for safer movement, healthier bodies, and acceptance of all people and cultures.
Sand & Steel Coaching is many things, but at its heart lies a commitment to teamwork for the betterment of each other and our members. Teamwork is working together to build and secure a common vision. It is the coordination of individual efforts to benefit our members and our gym. Our teamwork-first culture is what provides us the ability to offer a level of personal training service unmatched in our industry.
So, yes, we are all your coach. We are all your team. We want you to benefit from the combined experience and certifications we all share. Learn from everyone, absorb as much as you can, and become the fittest you can be.
Coach Paul of Sand & Steel
Paul Roberts – Owner
Certifications and Credentials
- Biomedical Engineer: Johns Hopkins University
- CrossFit Level 2: Weight loss and Metabolic Training
- CrossFit Powerlifting: Strength Training
- M|WOD ReadyState Movement and Mobility Specialist: Movement and Mechanics
- Kinstretch: Mobility and Flexibility Certification for Group Classes
Dawn Anderson – Owner
Certifications and Credentials
- Muscle Activation Techniques: Corrective Exercise and Therapy
- National Council on Strength and Fitness: Certified Personal Trainer
- Yoga SCW Level II Certified: Hatha Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Chakra balancing, Inversions, Pranayamas
- Feet-Ness Instructor: Feet and Toes Strength and Recovery
Cindy Moore – Senior Coach
CrossFit and Personal Training Certifications
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- National Strength and Conditioning Association Member/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS)
- NETA Personal Trainer
- Functional Movement Systems Functional Movement Screen Level 1
- TRX Suspension Systems and Rip Trainer
Katy Oblinger – Signature Coach
CrossFit Certifications
- CrossFit Programming
- CrossFit Spot the Flaw
- Certified CPR/AED (American Red Cross)
EJ Thompson: Personal Training
Personal Training Certifications
- NASM: Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM: Certified Nutrition Coach
- NASM: Group Personal Training
- NASM: Cardiorespiratory Training for Fitness
- CPR/AED certified
Dani Simcic: CrossFit Coach
Education & Fitness Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Science – Political Science from East Stroudsburg University
- Master of Art- Higher Education Administration from Rowan University
- CrossFit Level 1 Certification
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Hannah Withers: Personal Training and Foundations
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree in Social Work
- ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
- ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor
- ISSA Certified Powerlifting Instructor
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Alicia Jackson: CrossFit and Personal Training
Personal Training Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Science – Health and Physical Education from Old Dominion University
- NASM Personal Training Certification
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification
- Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Alison Liedkie: Assistant Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Professional Studies- Recreation, Adventure Travel and Ecotourism from Paul Smith’s College in NY
- CPR, and AED Certified
Jose Pagán: CrossFit & Personal Training
Personal Training Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a minor in Marketing
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- CrossFit Programming
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Some of our Favorite Coaches that Have Moved to Open Their Own Gyms and Studios
Flavio Spaducci – Kettlebell Strength and Conditioning
🌟 Sand & Steel All-Star Coach. July 2018
Flavio’s Personal Trainer Certifications
- Kettlebell Sport Coach Level 2: Exam passed with highest marks, certified by Oleh Ilikia, World Kettlebell Sport Federation president, multiple time world champion and Guinness Record holder
- Strongman Instructor: Certified by Francesco Gioia, Italy’s strongest man
- Crosslifting: A new sport born in Russia by combining all of the strength sports together. Spent a week in a Russian Olympic facility, training with Klokov, Berestov, Koklyaev and Denisov
- Weightlifting Instructor: Certified by Giles Greenwood in London, UK
- Functional Training Instructor: Certified by Italian Boxing Federation
Robin Marion Strength Training for Triathletes
Strength Training for Triathletes Certifications
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) – Certified Personal Trainer
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) – Certified Health Coach
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) – Strength & Conditioning Coach
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) – Nutrition Certification
- TRX – Suspension Training Certification
- USAC – Certified Cycling Coach
- USATF – Certified Track Coach
- RRCA – Distance Run Coach
- Les Mills – Body Combat & CXWORX Certification
- Strong By Zumba Licensed Instructor
Fabian Row Corrective Exercises and Biomechanics
Certifications
- NASM – Personal Training Certification
- NASM – Sports Nutrition Certification
- B.S. in Execise Science George Mason
Ben Tosto: CrossFit and CrossFit Foundations
Personal Training Certifications
- CrossFit Level 1 Training Certificate
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Matt Ervien
Overall Fitness
Overall Fitness is a passion. Strength and conditioning that will effect your everyday, whether it is related to work or recreational sports. Better fitness will allow for more energy throughout the day helping you excel at whatever you are doing.
Max Rand – Senior Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- NASM – Corrective Exercise Specialist
- ACE – Certified Personal Trainer
Rachel Garmon
Weightlifting and Mobility
My Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, NASM Weight-Loss Specialist, USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach, ISSA Kettlebell Certified
“The greatest feeling is watching a client achieve that which they thought impossible. Challenge yourself and challenge your body.”
Brian Leos – Senior Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- USA Boxing Coach
- ACE Certified Personal Trainer
- TRX Suspension Trainer Qualified
- CPR Certified
Jesse Williams
Prenatal and Postnatal
Certifications
NPTI – National Personal Trainer Institute
TRX – Suspension Trainer
NPTI – Prenatal and Post-natal
NASM – Certified Personal Trainer
Mark Rebok – Senior Coach
Personal Trainer Certifications
- ACE Certified Personal Trainer
- ACE Nutrition Specialist
- Certified CPR/AED (American Red Cross)
Jenn Morrow Powerlifting
Jen’s Personal Training Certifications
Level 1, Junior Personal Trainer
- NPTI National Personal Training Institute: Kettlebell Certification, Nutrition Certification
- LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
- P-DTR Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex
Marlena Wikander Registered Yoga Teacher
Yoga Teacher Certifications
- Registered Yoga Teacher 200 RYT
CrossFit Coach Josh
Personal Training Certifications
Junior CrossFit Coach
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Gisele CrossFit Coach
Personal Training Certifications
Junior CrossFit Coach
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Expected January 20, 2020
Monika Ljungquist Yoga Teacher
Yoga Teacher ERYT500
Yoga Teacher – Various Disciplines: Hatha, Recovery, Vinyasa
- Ashtanga yoga primary series: 2010 David Svensson, Istanbul, Turkey
- Yinyoga teacher training: Ann Arnesson, 2010, Sweden
- Pre and postnatal yoga training: Karin Bjorkengren Jones, Båstad, Sweden
- Swedish massage and trigger points treatments: 2010,Friskvårdsgruppen, Lund, Sweden
- Bachelor in nursing science, registered nurse in Sweden: 2013 Lund University
- Yoga teacher ERYT 200 Yoga Alliance 2012: Alan Finger, Sarah Platt-Finger, Ulrica Norberg and Katrina Repka, Stockholm, Sweden
- DOULA training: 2013 Goteborg, Sweden
- Teacher training in restorative yoga: (2014, Stockholm)
- Ayurveda lifestyle coaching certificate: 2015 Markaryd school, Sweden
- ERYT 500, ISHTA yoga: Training taught by Alan Finger, Sarah Platt-Finger, Ulrica Norberg and Katrina Repka, Stockholm, Sweden)
- Integrative nutrition health coach: 2019-2020
Paris Yoga Teacher and Spine Specialist
Yoga Teacher
Yoga Teacher Certifications
- 200Hr RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher)Kripalu Yoga Center
- Chiropractor Assistant Cert: Maryland Chiropractic Board
- First Aid and CPR: American Red Cross
- Reiki Degree Level 1: Shabach Yoga Studio
Kim Ruiz Yoga Teacher
Kim- Registered Yoga Teacher RYT 200
Yoga Teacher – Alignment & Vinyasa
- Vinyasa Yoga RYT-200
- Zumba Basic 1,
- Zumba Basic 2,
- Zumba Gold and Zumba Toning
- AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
- CPR/AED
Ira Giovanetti – Master Yoga Teacher
Certifications and Credentials
- 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification: Yoga Alliance
- Yoga Styles: Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and Chair Yoga
Adam Spector: Personal Training
Certifications and Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: George Mason University
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS): NSCA
- Certified Personal Trainer: NASM
- Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT 200: Yoga Alliance
- First Aid/CPR/AED: Certified
Kyle Stefanye – Signature Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- CPR/AED Certified
- First Aid/ Child First Aid Certified
Patrick Tarman – Signature Coach
Personal Trainer Certifications
- George Mason University: Bachelor’s of Science, Community Health with a concentration in clinical science
- CPR/AED Certified
- First Aid/ Child First Aid Certified
Kati Gunn Personal Trainer
Personal Training Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Science – Exercise Science from University of North Carolina
- NASM Personal Training Certification
- NASM Group Personal Training Specialist
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Jonathan Cardenas: Signature Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- NASM Personal Training Certification
- CPR/AED Certified (American Red Cross)
Amanda Vega: CrossFit Coach and Registered Dietitian
Certifications and Credentials
- Bachelor’s of Science – Dietetics from Kansas State University
- Registered Dietitian (RD)
- CrossFit Level 1
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Coach Spotlight: Jonathan Cardenas
My Fitness Journey with Jonathan Cardenas at Sand and Steel Fitness by Shelina Merchant. Jonathan and I talk often about how meditation, a positive outlook, and fitness all connect in overcoming pain (both emotional and physical). This helps you become a happier, more self-loving, and more self-confident version of yourself. He’s helped me change my perspective on working out so it’s not a chore, but rather an investment in myself that will pay off in so many ways. Sand & Steel has so many great trainers, but I wanted to take a minute to share with you why I choose Jonathan.
Krista D’Archangelo: Assistant Coach
Personal Training Certifications
- Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration – Management Information Systems from West Virginia University
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified