Event planning, hospitality, merch design, sales & inventory, team development, department scheduling, website creation, podcast production, and more.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
Fitness, nutrition, and wellness has become a new area of passion since I started coming to Gymnazo as a client 7 years ago. I always tell everyone how much Gymnazo has changed my life! Not only has it relieved my debilitating low back pain (from 2 herniated discs that had left me unable to walk without a cane in my 30’s!), it has made me strong and more capable than ever to live the active life I want to live. I have grown in my understanding of what my body needs in movement, I have gained new friendships, a supportive community, and a positive “sanctuary of self care” that I look forward to every day! When the opportunity came to join the team in May 2021 as Operations Coordinator and to work behind the scenes on the business side of things so that others can experience what I have through this one-of-a-kind community, I felt like this was the perfect role for me.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
I am a very creative person, so I love to write and record music, create and produce podcasts, cook and bake for friends and family, go swing dancing, go to concerts, and hike the bluffs along the ocean – usually taking photos of beautiful things while soaking up the sunshine and salty air (especially on Maui).
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
I find that any time I get to throw the ball at the wall as hard as I can, it’s a great stress reliever! But I also love when we get to mimic paddle boarding on a Bosu ball with the Keiser in a “rowing” motion…I haven’t quite mastered paddle boarding in real life but I believe all this training will make it possible one day!
I have done a little of everything. I’ve been a 1st grade teacher, an art teacher, a business owner, a florist, and an office administrator, and I’ve learned something about myself in each of these roles. Mostly, what ultimately fulfills me is meeting new people and making new connections.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
I had already been a Gymnazo member for 3 years before getting this opportunity to join the team. To come to a workplace that is brimming with enthusiasm, positivity, and a strong sense of community is the best I could ask for. I am excited to do my best and add to this team of excellence.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Outside of the gym, I am big on home renovation, gardening, and time with my family. My husband and I have been slowly remodeling our home for 7 years, and we might finally be able to see a (tiny) light at the end of the tunnel. My happy place is outside, in the garden.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
The sledgehammer! I like the coordination that is involved, but I really love slamming that huge hammer with full force.
Since 2008 I worked in medical billing for a local doctors office. During my time there I managed the staff schedule, delegated tasks, ran payroll, and ultimately oversaw all insurance billing. I even assisted on the medical side, taking vitals, drawing blood, give injections, etc. During this time I really enjoyed helping patients and helping comfort them no matter the health issue. I also loved tracking down the details and geeking out on data analysis.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
I really enjoy customer service where I can make a member smile and help them with whatever they need. Whenever they thank me for helping them and being pleasant; it makes me feel warm inside. I also love assisting our coaches and making their lives easier because they do so much for other people.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Outside the gym, I love riding horses, it’s very therapeutic for me. I also love being outdoors whether it’s hiking or riding my motorcycle.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
I like any exercises that incorporate sled pushes or the double end bag.
Rachel Oster
Top 5 Strengths from StrengthFinders 2.0
Relator, Communication, Developer, Woo, Harmony
Business Experience
Most of my current experience is in sales and marketing for small start-ups. I love the fast-pacedness and connectedness of being on a small start-up team. I currently work remotely, but often pop into the gym when I’m in the area. Skills wise, I enjoy creating content, writing copy, strategizing, problem solving and brainstorming new ideas!
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
The people! The energy everyone brings is intoxicating. I really couldn’t imagine myself working for any other company. Also the Gymnazo philosophy, I believe wholeheartedly that more people should adopt many of the values and philosophies we have here because it will truly change their lives for the better in more ways than one!
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
I love to travel, camp, hike, be outside, rollerblade, play soccer, dance, meditate, listen to music, laugh with friends, and eat good food. (I’m a self-proclaimed breakfast burrito connoisseur)
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
Speed ladders and the boxing towers
Paden Hughes
Top 5 Strengths from StrengthFinders 2.0
Activator, Strategic, Communication, Learner, Woo
Business Experience
As the President and co-owner of Gymnazo, I oversee strategic planning, customer service, company finances, marketing and manage our team of talented trainers and office staff. I’m most passionate about planning Gymnazo’s growth, measuring it and guiding it to be the most effective business model it can be. I enjoy seeing people realize their health and fitness goals and the role we play in their accomplishments. To sustain my passion for entrepreneurship and small businesses, I currently work with several clients as a small business consultant. I work with entrepreneurs and business owners who are seeking to improve and adjust their strategies to position themselves for larger long term growth.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
My biggest motivation for my role in Gymnazo is finding solutions and seeing results whether it’s growing our talent base to expanding our services to monetizing a large space. Like many of our members, I love setting goals and working hard to achieve them. I’m blessed to work with some of the most amazing innovators in fitness. I’m also thankful my husband and I have the opportunity to grow Gymnazo together and combine our passions.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
I love anything competitive, from golf to board games to Tough Mudder events. I also love exploring new places and trying new things. I also enjoy traveling, tropical vacations, and coffee dates with good friends.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
Agility exercises specifically with the speed ladder. It reminds me why I loved soccer and dance growing up: foot/eye coordination.
B.S. Journalism, Concentration in Public Relations, Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Yoga Sculpt TT Certification
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified – in progress
Coaching Experience
Since 2020, I have coached Yoga Sculpt, Bootcamp, and other interval training classes at Cal Poly and other private studios locally. I love the high energy in group fitness classes and being able to facilitate that energy is such a treat.
What motivates you in your role with Gymnazo?
As a coach, it is both exciting and rewarding to see a member transform through movement. Growing up, I was always the “tall girl” in class, uncoordinated, and truly believed my body was not strong. Once I graduated college, my roommate dragged me to a yoga class and I was instantly hooked and loved how the practice transformed my life. I want my movement practice to be a message that anyone can benefit from connecting to their bodies, no matter how strong or coordinated they feel. I want to show members that they have the potential to grow far beyond their recognition – physically and mentally. It is truly a gift to be a part of others’ growth process.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Outside of the gym I enjoy yoga, spending time in the sunshine, playing with my parakeets, doing anything artsy or creative, and eating lots of delicious vegan food!
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
I love the vertical climbing rope the most, as using it makes me feel like SpiderMan!
CAFS (Certification in Applied Functional Science®) (In Progress)
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified (In Progress)
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (In Progress)
Coaching Experience
I coached gymnastics for several years while in high school and was the conditioning coach for my cheer team in college. I was also a Personal Trainer for a year before joining the Coaching team at Gymnazo.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
What motivates me as a Coach is being a part of each athletes journey to better themselves. I’m so passionate about fitness and how it can improve all other areas of life. I am super grateful that I get to share my passion with the community and help others reach their goals!
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
I love spending time outdoors. Hiking, hanging out at the beach, or just watching the sunset are some of my favorite things to do.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
Box jumps! And anything that involves a handstand.
Jonathon Parreira
Top 5 Strengths from StrengthFinders 2.0
Achiever, Woo, Includer, Strategic, Communication
Education
B.S. Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
FAFS (Fellow of Applied Functional Science®)
CAFS (Certification in Applied Functional Science®)
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified
FCR (Female Chain Reaction®) Certified
3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System) Certified
FSTT (Functional Soft Tissue Transformation) Certified – (in progress)
Coaching Experience
From an early age, I have always been involved in sports. For as long as I can remember sports have played a huge role in my life both socially and by helping me to become the person I am today. I have played football, water polo, basketball and baseball all at the varsity level. Being involved in so many different sports starting at the age of 4 I have been around some incredible coaches, so I know what it takes to help motivate others to reach their goals.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
My love/fascination of how the human body works as well as the people are the two main things that motivate me here at Gymnazo. Approaching everyday with a willingness to learn new things I am passionate about and help others to reach their goals are what drive me to excel at Gymnazo and be the best member of this team that I can be.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Going to live music! Music may just be my favorite thing on this planet, so anywhere with live music I’M THERE! From festivals to little local concerts I truly enjoy it all, no matter the genre. Also anything involving sports, from playing pick-up basketball games to watching football on Sundays with friends and family, anything revolving around sports I really enjoy.
As a child, I was an active gymnast, basketball player, and club soccer player. I continued soccer throughout high school and experienced the weight room for the first time. It was love at first lift! I was fortunate to have really incredible coaches that invested so much time and passion into all of us. Those experiences have given me a great understanding of the impact a coach can have on someone. I believe these experiences along with training as an inquisitive athlete with the coaches at Gymnazo for several years has allowed me to get a head start on reaching my full potential as a coach. I have a huge passion for people, health, and movement and I can’t wait to spread it around.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
The people! I have so much love for the people and I feel inspired every day when they walk through the doors. They push themselves to improve and become stronger even when it’s hard and they might not want to show up. I love seeing our athletes grow physically and mentally. They often surprise themselves with great success. Witnessing the growth that our athletes experience is incredible and it becomes part of my experience too.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
I love so many things! Hiking, biking, roller skating, and cruising around on my Onewheel are a few. I’ll try almost anything at least once! If I’m enjoying some downtime, I’ll most likely be drawing. I love to spend time with my family. During the summer we’ll head to the beach for surfing or paddleboarding. In the winter, when it gets dark early, I’m all about getting people together to play laser tag or kick the can.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
I love rotational med ball throws and the barbell landmines. You can get some good power in with both and powerful explosives moves are my favorite.
B.S. in Animal Science, Minor in Biology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
FAFS (Fellow of Applied Functional Science®)
FMR (Functional Manual Reaction®) Certified
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified
CAFS (Certification in Applied Functional Science®)
FCR (Female Chain Reaction®) Certified
3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System) Certified
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Coaching Experience
I began my coaching career in 2006. I started working with high school aged soccer players and haven’t stopped since! I played soccer for Cal Poly’s Div 1 Women’s Soccer Team where I really developed passion for the weight room. I coached Girl’s Soccer at SLO High School for 6 years, in addition to coaching club soccer, and found that I loved helping girls realize their potential on and off the field. I made a career move that ultimately led me to Gymnazo in 2014 and the rest is history!
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
Our members and our team. We are truly lucky to work with such an incredible group of individuals every single day. They are so dedicated to themselves and their workouts; it’s inspiring! I want to serve them to the best of my abilities, and that keeps me motivated to continually better myself as a coach. This is a place where members feel like family, and I always want to take care of family. I’m also lucky to work with a staff that challenges and supports each other day in and day out.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Anything active and outdoors: surfing, golfing, camping, hiking, cooking, good beer, and spending time with friends and family.
B.S. in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
FAFS (Fellow of Applied Functional Science®)
WMQ (WeckMethod Qualified)
FMR (Functional Manual Reaction®) Certified
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified
CAFS (Certification in Applied Functional Science®)
FCR (Female Chain Reaction®) Certified
3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System) Certified
CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
Coaching Experience
I grew up playing a variety of sports including volleyball, baseball, football and wrestling. As I progressed in my high school career, I developed a strong passion for mentoring and coaching youth athletes. I coached for a local youth wrestling club and youth football program for a few years in Sacramento. When I moved to San Luis Obispo, I coached wrestling at a local high school and headed a local youth wrestling program. I also work with individual athletes to help them reach their full potential through mental and self-discipline. I believe it takes hard work and strong mental toughness to achieve any goal.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
We were all born with the gift of movement, and each of us has our own strengths. I believe we were all put on this world to help one another become the best humans we can be. Health and fitness play a key role in quality of life, and knowing that everyone who walks through Gymnazo’s doors is part of my family keeps me smiling. Gymnazo provides a very rewarding experience for coaches and athletes looking to maximize their lives.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Anything outdoors makes me happy. We live in a beautiful place, and life is too short to not maximize what it has to offer! I love taking my dog to the beach, BBQing with my family and friends, listening to country music, and roasting marshmallows at the beach. The ocean is my second home, so you’ll either find me surfing or on the sand!
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
Sandbell Slams and SFT Push Ups!
Michael Hughes
Top 5 Strengths from StrengthFinders 2.0
Belief, Relator, Learner, Input, Command
Education
B.S. in Kinesiology from California State University, Fresno
FAFS (Fellow of Applied Functional Science®)
FMR (Functional Manual Reaction®) Certified
MDMC (Multidimensional Movement Coach) Certified
CAFS (Certification in Applied Functional Science®)
FCR (Female Chain Reaction®) Certified
3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System) Certified
Growing up, I played baseball, football and track and field. I started a physical training regimen in the 7th grade which prompted the development of customized workout programs for friends. I was a certified personal trainer from 2004- 2006 at a corporate gym which enabled me to practically apply my Kinesiology studies. When I moved to SLO, I started working at San Luis Sports Therapy, aiding the in-house therapists while simultaneously training individuals at Athlon Elite, a sport performance training facility, and at Kennedy Club Fitness. In 2009, I supplemented my coaching, working at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy as its fitness director during its inaugural year. While a personal trainer at the Kennedy Club Fitness, I co-founded a group fitness circuit training program which catapulted me into something much bigger! My passionate interest in the fitness benefits of the functional movement style of training led me to the Gray Institute and its Fellowship of Applied Functional Science and I jumped right into its educational program…and Gymnazo was created and formed as a result of it!
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
Being blessed with the opportunity to create and build a training environment that encourages transformation in people’s lives! In my previous training roles, when clients would experience pain or movement dysfunction, I desperately wanted to help but couldn’t due to limited knowledge and resources. Because Gymnazo is based on A.F.S. methodology, we now have the tools and the network of resources to not only ease the pain and correct the dysfunction but to significantly enhance physical movement and improve athletic performance.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Wakeboarding, snowboarding, trail hiking and golf.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
The Jumping Jack matrices! It’s the ultimate ability to simply and completely challenge the entire body in agility, coordination and skill sequencing.
