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.
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.
BS Economics concentrating in Financial Management, Minor in Environmental Studies
CAFS (Certified in Applied Functional Science) – (in progress)
Athletic Background
I grew up passionately snowboarding from 5 years old and that will always be my favorite sport. Other than that I played soccer, football, and basketball all before high school. Once high school started I did Snowboard Team and one year of men’s doubles tennis.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
I am motivated by my belief in our limitless potential as athletes and a need to inspire and share that belief with others. It has nothing to do with achieving what other people achieve or how they think or say we should perform. Our limitlessness is found through consistent, disciplined effort with ourselves, through which we can achieve our personal greatness; a greatness which is unique to each individual. We are simultaneously our own biggest motivator and our own worst enemy; we get ourselves to the gym and then convince ourselves that we can’t execute a movement or maintain a desired pace. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can do anything you want through hard work and enjoyment of the process.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
All of life brings me joy. We are so fortunate to be here experiencing this vibrant, exciting world! I truly believe joy can be found in any activity, as long as we search for joy within ourselves. That said, a few of my favorite things to do are hiking, trail running, listening to live music, reading, meditating, writing, having conversations with strangers, and waxing philosophical with good friends.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
My favorite exercise is actually the warm-up, specifically the lunge matrix! Moving slowly and deliberately through this sequence is a surprisingly challenging task that can really increase our stability and coordination. It is the foundational exercise for everything else we do at Gymnazo, so by consciously training through this sequence, we can set ourselves up to improve every other movement that we execute.
CAFS (Certified in Applied Functional Science) – (in progress)
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
AS in Health, Fitness, and Nutrition in progress
Coaching Experience
My experience in physical challenges initially began with dance and a pink tutu, running the wrong direction on stage. From there, it’s been a pinball machine of a path. Never did I become completely committed to any one activity, but instead bounced around between all kinds of sports, theatre, surfing, and eventually back to dance. Although my sports playing never excelled beyond friendly competition, I took dance to professional performances in Modern and Hula as an adult. Passionate about better understanding the physical body, I began my education in coaching with the Certified Natural Trainer (CNT) Program in early 2013, through Monkey Bar Gym. I attended a weekend intensive, learning how to maximize the movement of the body for efficiency, and I returned as a coach at a local martial arts gym. Since then, I’ve been a group instructor in barre and yoga, transitioning most recently into personal training. As I grow, so does my fascination with educating others to enhance an understanding of their own bodies, encouraging them to health, and empowering students to take control of their lives.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
A motivational driver in the Gymnazo community is a feeling of excellence. The expectations held for myself in life and in health keep me motivated to learn more, move dynamically and always keep it interesting. Gymnazo has a way of motivating coaches, members and the whole team to be better together each day. This is what keeps me showing up; the goal of accomplishing more with an incredible group of individuals, for the sake of bettering lives.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Getting outside with my two dogs and fiance bring me the most joy. When I get to spend time with my family on the beach or taking a hike, I am the most vibrant. Other than outdoor activities, I’m a tad obsessed with personal growth, so listening to audiobooks, podcasts or reading ways to improve my sense of self is my next choice of activity.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
Any exercise that lengthens and strengthens the core, especially if it involves a Bosu.
Jonathon Parreira
Top 5 Strengths from StrengthFinders 2.0
Achiever, Woo, Includer, Strategic, Communication
Education
B.S. Kinesiology with Concentration in Exercise Science
CAFS (Certified in Applied Functional Science)
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 kid, I was slow to warm up to athletics. I danced, played soccer (ate orange slices), swam, and spent a few years on the golf course. I didn’t get serious about fitness until high school when I discovered gyms and weightlifting. I have practiced bodybuilding, Crossfit, and powerlifting and finally landed on functional training. I got a training certification right out of high school and have been loving my time as a personal trainer and small group coach since 2015.
What motivates you in your role at Gymnazo?
The people. It has always been about the athletes and members. I have seen and felt the power of exercise to bring people confidence and help them regain control in many areas of their lives. Health is a gift that keeps on giving, and I count myself lucky to be able to work together with individuals to improve their fitness and wellbeing. The commitment of everyone I work with is remarkable; it is that commitment that fuels my passion for health, fitness education, and coaching.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Give me a beach and I’ll be happy. I enjoy hiking, hammocking, driving, cooking, sketching, music, and eating.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
I’m always down for sandbell slams or sledgehammer work! Also love anything with a barbell.
FAFS (Fellowship of Applied Functional Science) – (in progress)
CAFS (Certified in Applied Functional Science)
TRX Basic Training and Group Training
NASM CPT
Coaching Experience
I have been a personal trainer for the past five years, which have been spent in the Bay Area, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo. I played soccer and baseball growing up but soccer was the one that stuck around my whole life. I played through high school and after that I continued in recreation leagues and also started coaching freshman soccer for the three years following graduation.
What motivates you in your work/role with Gymnazo?
What motivates me at Gymnazo is the constant push to be better than yesterday. The strive to find the solution and improve all aspects of work and life.This helps provide the motivation to continually want to do a better job.
What activities outside the gym bring you joy in life?
Outside of the gym, I like to do outdoor activities like paddle boarding, hiking, or just leisurely hang out with friends.
Favorite exercise at Gymnazo?
My favorite exercise at Gymnazo involves anything that requires a VIPR.
BS, Animal Science, Zoo and Exotic Animal Care and Minor in Biology, Cal Poly SLO
FAFS (Fellowship of Applied Functional Science) – (in progress)
CAFS (Certified in Applied Functional Science)
NASM Certified
Cal South Class D Coaching License- Soccer
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.
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
California State University, Fresno B.S. in Kinesiology
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.
