MEET THE TEAM

Paul is a professional strength coach and certified personal trainer with over 10 years of experience in high-level gyms, working with both celebrity clients and professional athletes. His deep understanding of the human body shapes his client-centered approach, influenced by his background in wrestling, boxing, and cycling. Paul focuses on helping each client reach their goals through a combination of exercise, nutrition, discipline, and a positive mindset, motivating them to live healthier, more active lives.

Mike is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Functional Range Systems Practitioner, and Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Fitness Specialist. With over a decade of experience in the private fitness sector, he has coached and managed various programs, helping clients optimize their performance and achieve their fitness goals. Mike's passion for fitness and dedication to continuous learning keep him at the forefront of the industry, ensuring that he provides an effective and enjoyable training experience for everyone he works with.

Kenny is a lifelong athlete and competitor with a strong passion for coaching. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Kinesiology and has extensive experience working with professional, collegiate, and Olympic athletes, as well as fitness enthusiasts of all ages, from 4 to 80 years old. Kenny has coached Olympic lifting, powerlifting, and CrossFit, and spent nearly a decade at Velocity Sports Performance, including serving as the Fitness Coach for the Chinese National Ski Halfpipe team leading up to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Driven to transform the fitness industry, Kenny guides his clients in unlocking their inherent greatness and potential, combining science, intuition, and joy to combat stress and enhance energy and efficiency.

Dina is a dedicated coach with a Bachelor's in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master's in Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. With experience working with college athletes at UConn Women's Basketball and professional athletes at P3 Santa Barbara, she has a deep passion for running that began in childhood. Dina inspires others to adopt healthy habits and embrace movement, tailoring her guidance to individual needs through evidence-based practices. She is committed to making a meaningful impact in people's lives through fitness and nutrition, empowering them to thrive.

Taylor is a dedicated strength coach with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. After relocating to Los Angeles, he began his coaching journey over two years ago, gaining experience with college athletes, personal training, and class-based training at Allegiate S&C gyms. Most recently, Taylor has worked with therapeutic clients in a physical therapy setting. He is excited to bring his passion for strength training to the Monarch team!

Xavier is a performance coach with eight years of experience, most recently working with college basketball teams. His coaching philosophy centers on functional movement, emphasizing that everyone, regardless of their background, should move efficiently, enhance their balance and flexibility, and build strength to improve their overall quality of life. In his spare time, Xavier enjoys reading, longboarding, retro gaming, and discovering new music.

Ryan graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from California Baptist University. He holds NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning and NASM Personal Training certifications. Passionate about fitness and a healthy lifestyle, Ryan enjoys working out, surfing, and playing sports in his free time.

Drew is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist who believes that if you have a body, you are an athlete. While earning his masters degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida, he was able to apply his knowledge in a team setting while training multiple sports at South Pasadena High School. Additionally, Drew has worked with a broad range of clients from youth to professional athletes, geriatrics, and everything in between. Drew's drive to perform the best possible service comes from the gift of empowerment to the client - putting them in position to have a well equipped body to tackle whatever endeavors they have in sight.

Christopher is a former strength and conditioning coach at Cal State LA and Cal Poly Pomona. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal State LA and is completing his Master’s degree. Chris is CSCS, USAW, PN1, and APCC certified, bringing a strong foundation of expertise to his work in fitness and performance training.

Jonathan holds a degree in Kinesiology from CSULA and has spent most of his life playing soccer and competing in Latin ballroom dance for 10 years. He’s gained experience working in physical therapy clinics, gyms, coaching soccer, and teaching dance. Jonathan also interned with the UCLA Athletic Performance Team and at CSULA’s strength and conditioning program. His goal is to help people improve the longevity of their health and life through comprehensive training and care.

Julio is a former athlete with a diverse background in soccer, track, and endurance sports, including triathlons and marathons. He brings coaching experience from high school to collegiate and professional levels. Julio believes that everyone has the potential for greatness, and he aims to create an environment where individuals can discover their strengths through fitness, empowering them to excel in all areas of life.

Caitlin is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and USA Weightlifting (USAW) with a strong background in fitness. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University. Since then, Caitlin has trained a diverse range of clients, from general population to youth and professional athletes. Before joining Monarch, she focused on coaching youth and high school female volleyball players as well as male football players. Caitlin brings her knowledge, positive energy, and experience to the facility, helping others achieve their fitness goals.

Parker is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He earned his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Humboldt, where he developed a strong interest in the physiology of performance training and how exercise can prevent chronic diseases. During his time at Humboldt State, Parker oversaw the women's volleyball team and assisted with training for the school's other Division II sports. His journey in fitness began in high school and junior college, where he played offensive line in football, sparking his passion for strength sports and performance training. Parker is dedicated to helping others realize their potential through effective strength training and improved fitness.

Antonio is a passionate and results-driven Strength and Conditioning Coach focused on optimizing athletic performance. He has experience collaborating with healthcare professionals to create tailored training plans for athletes recovering from injuries. Antonio holds a Master’s in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor’s from San Diego State University, along with certifications from NSCA and NASM. Outside the gym, he’s an avid golfer, bringing a well-rounded approach to his coaching.

Joshua Michael Iannotti is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a Master’s in Sports Science and Performance. With over two years of research experience, he specializes in resistance training, strength and conditioning, and recovery strategies, applying this knowledge in both one-on-one and group settings.

Abigail grew up in the Chicago area, where she first developed her love for coaching and weightlifting. She pursued a degree in Fitness and Wellness Management from Lindenwood University in Missouri, where her coaching journey began. During her studies, she competed on the university's Olympic weightlifting team and became a national champion in both the team and individual divisions. Today, Abigail is focused on developing her coaching skills and pursuing her career in Olympic weightlifting.

Tyler is a lifelong athlete who graduated Cum Laude from Syracuse University with a degree in Health and Exercise Science. While at Syracuse, he gained valuable experience working with the sports performance team, assisting the men's varsity lacrosse team and other varsity sports. Back in his hometown near Boston, MA, Tyler coached a diverse range of athletes at a private strength and conditioning facility, from elementary school students to professionals. With a background in sports performance, personal training, CrossFit, and HIIT, he blends various training methods to create effective sessions. Tyler is dedicated to using a scientific and adaptable approach to help others achieve their movement-related goals, inspiring those around him to improve every day.

Kristina brings over a decade of experience in the Strength & Conditioning and Fitness industry to the Monarch Team. With a B.S. in Kinesiology from UMass Amherst, she holds several continuing education certifications, including CFSC, FMS, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), IIN Health Coach, and FRCms. Kristina spent nearly seven years at Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning in the Boston area, where she trained Olympic and professional athletes as well as general population and youth clients. She also served as a course instructor for Mike Boyle's Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) certification, traveling across the U.S. and internationally to certify other fitness professionals. In recent years, she has ventured into the Fitness Technology and Production space, working with various fitness apps. Kristina is passionate about building relationships with her clients, inspiring them through fitness and healthy living. A former collegiate soccer player and competitive gymnast, she believes in “movement as medicine.” In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and is an avid runner.

Andre is a former investment banker who decided to pursue his passion for strength and conditioning. His coaching journey began at Allegiate in Santa Monica, where he spent a year and a half that fundamentally changed his approach to coaching. Now at Monarch, Andre is thrilled to combine his love for training and coaching, teaching others the skills he’s so passionate about. After feeling unfulfilled in a career that didn’t resonate with him, he’s excited to have found his true calling in helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.

Tom was born in London, raised in New York, and is now part of the Monarch team in LA. He became a full-time trainer in 2018 but has been training since he was 16 to complement his hockey and lacrosse playing. Tom has a passion for kettlebells and any training that enhances athleticism.

Meet Adi. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science from Cal State University, Northridge, Adi dove into the fitness world. He began as an intern fitness instructor with CSUN’s Commit to Be Fit program, coaching diverse groups in a virtual setting. Adi then joined the Pepperdine University Sports Performance team, supporting student-athletes in the weight room, from setup to motivation. With his CSCS certification, he’s now preparing to apply for Doctorate programs in Physical Therapy. With experience working with everyone from retired professors to Division-1 athletes, Adi is dedicated to helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.

Justin Nikakhtar is a dedicated strength and conditioning coach with a passion for helping others achieve their fitness and performance goals. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and a Master’s in Health & Human Services from Youngstown State University. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Justin combines his expertise with a personalized approach to guide individuals toward optimal health and performance. Outside of coaching, Justin enjoys spending time on the golf course and cherishes moments with family, believing in the balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.

Jeremy is a dedicated coach who graduated from Sacramento State with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science in 2020. After completing an internship at UC Berkeley, he moved to Southern California, where he has trained athletes of all ages, focusing primarily on soccer and basketball. Jeremy aims to create an environment where everyone can reach their potential through strength, endurance, and injury prevention training, helping them lead confident and healthy lives.

Rosalie Rodriguez is a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Monarch Athletic Club, where she has dedicated herself to fitness since 2015. Growing up as a gymnast, a three-sport high school athlete, and a collegiate women’s lacrosse player in New England, Rosalie brings a wealth of experience to her role. She thrives on helping individuals improve and transform their lives through fitness, viewing it as a powerful tool for inspiring positive, lifelong changes beyond just aesthetics. For Rosalie, there’s nothing more rewarding than guiding someone to realize their potential for success. Outside of Monarch, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the LA food scene with her partner and their dogs, Wesley and Jax.

Jacquiline is originally from Clevland, Ohio, and brings over 20 years of experience as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. She holds certifications including CSCS, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, CrossFit, and Precision Nutrition. Known for her keen attention to detail, Jacquiline has a talent for motivating clients to exceed their own expectations. Her enthusiasm for mobility, movement, and strength training translates into tangible improvements in her clients’ lives. Jacquiline is dedicated to leading by example, educating others on healthy living, and inspiring individuals to achieve their goals with a holistic approach to wellness.

Kylie is a seasoned performance coach with certifications as a StrongFirst SFG2, SFL, and CrossFit Instructor. As a qualified Neuromotive coach and published author, she brings over 10 years of experience in kettlebell training, integrating strength, breath, mobility, and mental discipline. Driven by her love for adrenaline, Kylie emphasizes that training can be both exhilarating and safe, helping individuals enhance their strength and fitness in everyday life. She believes that fitness and nutrition should be embraced as a lifestyle for all ages, not just tasks to complete.

Elwig Wassmer is a Kinesiology graduate from California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degree with an emphasis on exercise and human performance. He has experience in higher education as a director of strength and conditioning and as a teaching associate in a biomechanics lab. Elwig is skilled in first aid, sports science, strength training, energy system development, and overall fitness. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys training in mixed martial arts and spending time with friends and family.

Chris is a fitness professional and Athletic Performance Coach who’s passionate about helping athletes improve their health, wellness, and performance. He develops personalized training programs that cater to each athlete’s unique needs and goals. With experience working across a range of sports like soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, rugby, and cross country, Chris uses tools like Polar heart rate monitors and Sparta Force Plates to help athletes reach their full potential. Known for his strong communication skills and ability to solve problems on the spot, Chris is committed to seeing athletes succeed.

Jake is a dedicated performance coach at Monarch Athletic Club with over eight years of experience working with professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. As a certified strength and conditioning specialist, he holds a degree in kinesiology from Portland State University. Jake is passionate about optimizing athletic performance and helping clients reach their full potential.

Zach graduated from Central Washington University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Physiology and a minor in Physical Therapy Rehabilitation. He holds the CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as PES (Performance Enhancement Specialist) and CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist) certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Zach went on to play Division I rugby at Central Washington University, where he cultivated his passion for the training process. Since then, he has worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds, including athletes across all major sports leagues and several Olympic hopefuls. Driven by a deep commitment to helping others, Zach consistently dedicates himself to supporting his clients, regardless of their backgrounds or goals.

Cody is a strength and conditioning coach with over ten years of experience. His focus lies in building foundational strength across the entire musculoskeletal system and establishing a solid baseline of cardiovascular fitness. He also pursues aesthetic training as a personal hobby. A strong advocate for staying physically active beyond the gym, Cody incorporates a variety of modalities into his lifestyle. He enjoys playing volleyball, practicing ecstatic dance, hiking frequently, and holds a 200-hour yoga certification.