MEET OUR TEAM
With over 55 years of training experience and a lot of us on our 2nd (or 3rd) careers, we have a unique set of skills to help our clients.
Here are some of our specialties:
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Weight Loss
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Joint Pain/Injuries
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Neuromuscular Diseases
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Strength Building
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Pregnancy & Postpartum
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Running Improvement
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Fitness Nutrition
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Teaching Alternative, Healthier Habits
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Plus, so much more!
Stefanie Callens
Owner, Certified Personal Trainer
Voted top 10 Personal Trainers on Denver's A List 2018 & 2016 (under Trained By Stef)
What made you become a personal trainer? After years in the corporate world where it seemed that all my effort was for nothing, I wanted to be able to really make a difference in people's lives. What better way than to teach them tools to live a healthier, more active life?!
What's your favorite exercise? running (I'm a distance runner) or any strength training with dumbbells or kettlebells
What's your least favorite exercise? yoga or the assault bike. I get bored easily and that machine is ridiculous!
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? That moment when a client realizes that can actually do something they hadn't been able to do before or in a long while.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I love training everyone but have 2 favorites. 1) Pregnant and postpartum women. As a mom of 2 small kids, I get there are so many changes physically and mentally to our bodies when we have a kid. I love helping moms safely stay active while pregnant and how to resume to their favorite activities once they are cleared from their doctors. 2) Women and men in their mid-40s-60s who either never made their health a priority or life has gotten in their way lately, and they are ready to focus on themselves and their health.
Why did you choose to own Vitality Training Studio? I love that it is a private studio. Clients don't have to worry about sharing equipment or feeling self-conscious like they would at a large gym. The studio provides a safe space for clients to feel comfortable achieving their health goals. The semi-private atmosphere also allows us, trainers, to help each other out, whether it's training each other's clients when we are on vacation or running ideas by each other for the best ways to help our clients.
What are your personal fitness training specialties? Pregnancy and postpartum, hip rehab, knee, shoulder, and back pain, runner's training, cycling strength
What are your favorite hobbies? Running, hiking, reading, traveling around the world, hanging out with my kids
Austen Hawkinson
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer? I became a personal trainer because I love to be around people and wanted to be able to help others to feel better about themselves. It is a true blessing to see the smile on their faces after they achieve a milestone, do an exercise they never thought they could, or seeing that smile as they progress.
What's your favorite exercise? the plank because in my opinion, you need a strong core to have a strong body. I try to place a variety of plank exercises in my workouts to keep the core strong.
What's your least favorite exercise? All cardio is my least favorite, I know it’s good for us but it’s not pleasant. I will always be a weights person.
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? connecting and meeting people, I love to hear their story and what brings them to the gym. I like to make all my clients my friends and make sure they know I am someone they can count on.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I don’t have a favorite. I thought I would only want to train athletes when I got into personal training, but I realized that I like all demographics and the dynamics they offer. Working with everyone helps me grow and become a better trainer overall.
Cherise Miner
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer? I had always been interested in fitness; I have been an athlete my whole life starting with soccer, gymnastics, dance, and softball. I moved on to marathons, triathlons and Ironman distance races. I decided I could make a career out of what I love to do, and in the process make a tangible difference in people's lives; giving people the tools to take charge of their health and fitness goals with confidence.
What's your favorite exercise? Running
What's your least favorite exercise? Cycling
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? being a personal trainer allows me the flexibility to continue doing other things that are important to me like raising my family, teaching group fitness, and training for races.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I enjoy training all demographics. There are similar and unique challenges to all ages and fitness levels that I enjoy working with. I say again, it is wonderful to be a part of helping anyone, at any age, achieve their health and fitness goals. I was a special needs teacher before moving on to personal training and this taught me every little achievement, no matter how tiny, is a wonderful thing to see in anyone. I was lucky enough to work with the Colorado Special Olympics gymnastics team many years ago and it was fantastic to watch the athletes work so hard every day and be so grateful to be able to do these activities, it was amazing.
What are your personal fitness training specialties? I specialize in endurance racing and lifting weights for endurance and strength.
What are your favorite hobbies? Running marathons and triathlons.
Ross Villenueve
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer? When I first got into fitness I loved how it made me feel, and I want to help people discover that feeling. I believe everyone can enjoy fitness if they find out what style works for them.
What's your favorite exercise? Pull ups. It's a great compound back exercise and you can do it anywhere that there is a bar!
What's your least favorite exercise? Any kind of Olympic lift simply because they are super technical I'm not good at them.
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? I love helping people discover what fitness activities they like to do and start them on their journeys to a healthier lifestyle.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I like to work with absolute beginners because, as I said, I love to help people discover what there is to love about fitness.
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David Lillie
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer? Having gone through my own struggles with weight, motivation, and confidence I understand it's a bit intimidating to start an exercise program. I want to be able to help clients make changes in their lives. Working out is more than just gaining strength, it's about changing your lifestyle for the better and knocking down personal barriers. It provides confidence that carries over into every aspect of life.
What's your favorite exercise? Alternating Kettlebell Swing
What's your least favorite exercise? Burpees
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? I love being able to see the personal growth of clients. Not only their progress with strength but the change that is seen with confidence and how they hold themselves. We're knocking down barriers with clients and that carries over into every aspect of their life.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? It's not so much a demographic but I like clients that want to get it done and understand it's a commitment to a lifestyle change that allows them to reach their goals. The more dedication, the better!
What are your personal fitness training specialties? I'm recently certified in TRX Suspension Training and the RIP Trainer. Both are great workouts with minimal equipment and a focus on core strength and stability which are critical to everyday living. My training specialties include corrective exercise training and athlete performance training.
What are your favorite hobbies? This list can get pretty long as I stay active most of the time: Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Hiking, Running, All Sports (Soccer, Golf, Paddleboarding), and whenever I can get out with my dog for a hike or walk, gotta keep the dog happy too :)
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Morgan McCauley
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer? I wanted to become a personal trainer because fitness and nutrition have always been my passion. I am now able to teach and spread my knowledge about what I love for others to gain confidence and accomplish their health and fitness goals.
What's your favorite exercise? My favorite exercise is doing dead-lifts and squats. I love to lift heavy and build my glutes and hamstrings.
What's your least favorite exercise? My least favorite exercise is running. My shin splints and asthma get in the way too much.
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? My favorite part about being a personal trainer is I love helping people discover all the amazing things their bodies can do, build self-confidence, and help achieve their health and fitness goals.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I enjoy training all demographics. I am always learning from a variety of different clients and their dynamics.
What are your personal fitness training specialties? Strength training, and flexibility
What are your favorite hobbies? Hiking all over Colorado, baking, and yoga
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Zoe Rising
Certified Personal Trainer
What made you become a personal trainer?
When I first started going to the gym on my own, I was not comfortable. I had these torn up running shoes, I had never even seen half of the equipment before (seriously I did not know the word "dumbbell"), and it was pretty intimidating being the only woman in the room sometimes. But I was lucky enough to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I asked a LOT of questions. I read books and articles on strength training, I asked friends to come with me, and I asked the trainers at my gym for help whenever I could. Since that time, I have completely fallen in love with training. It's my passion, and I want to be that person that helps make the uncomfortable a little more comfortable for my clients, and maybe even make it exciting :)
What's your favorite exercise? Deadlifts. It just feels so powerful to confidently lift something heavy off the ground.
What's your least favorite exercise? Pilates. My ego is destroyed every time ... how do they make it look so easy!?
What is your favorite part about being a personal trainer? I love having a client come proudly tell me about something they felt confident doing on their own, or something they felt so confident in that they taught it to a friend too. I think confidence is the most important thing any client should walk away from personal training with.
What is your favorite demographic to train and why? I love training people who haven't had much formal training before or have taken time off from it. It's very rewarding to help people discover both their physical and mental strength through exercise.
What are your personal fitness training specialties? Functional Training and Primal Movement
What are your favorite hobbies? Snowboarding (and skiing!), rock climbing, trail running, backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Dana, Client
I highly recommend! Trainers work with you to meet your own goals. You train with weights, ropes, balance balls, kettle balls, agility pieces, kickboxing bags. No workout is the same. Lots of core work and stretches! You have nothing to lose!
Eugene, Client
Vitality Training Studio is a great place to get back in shape. Whether it's a surgery, pregnancy, wedding or time to get your life back Vitality will get you back in shape!
Steve, Client
Just what I needed! My trainer worked with me to adapt a fitness program to my body & my schedule. She's so encouraging & she listens to feedback to ensure client success. After completing a workout from the huge variety of intense & challenging options, my mood is improved long-term & I have more energy to keep going! Thanks Vitality!