Fuerte Fitness. Personal Fitness Studio

Our Trainers

Adriana Medina

Education: B.A. in International Business from Boise State University, certified by International Sports and Science Association (ISSA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Personal Training Experience: I have been in the fitness industry for 8 years, but I started competing about 7 years ago. My before and after shots illustrate the journey I have made from being inconsistently active to fully committed to a lifestyle of fitness.

Activities: 2009 Vancouver Classic Fitness Competition, 2008 Night of the Champions Figure Competition, 2007 Gold?s Treasure Valley Classic. Emerald Cup 2006 and Pacific Crest Olympic Triathlon. Elma duathon winner in October 2005.

History: I grew up in a traditional Mexican household where food was part of my culture and even a social event. It wasn?t until I met my trainer that I fully understood the importance of nutrition and exercise in a healthy lifestyle. I enjoyed the education, motivation, and experience so much that fitness has become my career. Working with a large gym exposed to many populations such as:

Weight loss
Muscle gain
Functional health for pre and post natal
Sports-specific athletic training

My specialty is fat loss. But most importantly, my primary mission is to see my clients succeed in their goals and learn that fitness can be fun!

Find out more on my Blog >>

Wendy Marquez

Education: National Academy of Sports Medicine, CPT

I have six years of exercise and nutritional coaching experience.

My fitness journey began shortly after having my son. I gained 70+lbs., 60 of which I kept after his birth. My resources at the time were limited, as I had a short-lived track career in High School and soon after became a single-mother. Now I was a single-mother trying to "get back into shape", provide and also be a responsible role model to my children. I tapped into as many resources that were available to me such as books, videos (and now the Internet!)

Long-story short =), here I am 20 years later still on my journey! I have taken life-learned experiences and not only re-shaped my body but my way of thinking of Health & Fitness. I am on a never-ending search to find new ways to keep fitness fun, challenging and effective.

My goal is to inspire and educate others to achieve their fitness goals.

Fitness is not a destination...it is a journey

Ken Unterseher

Education: I am an ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) certified trainer and currently hold a CPR/AED certification. I?m educated in sports medicine and creating comfortable fitness programs for my clients. Ultimately, my goal is to help people build healthy, balanced lifestyles to include weekly fitness programs and healthful diets.

My mantra: your fitness goals achieved are my nirvana.

I'm adept and experienced in training all ages and proficiency levels. I design client plans according to individual lifestyles, goals, natural body movements and current fitness levels. Through careful supervision and demonstration, I seek to first teach my clients training based on his or her own individual natural movements and build structure from there. My belief is that everyone owns certain strengths or talents; finding, honing, defining and/or strengthening those is my ultimate goal.

Background: I?ve always been active and interested in fitness and overall wellness. From a very young age through my college years, I?ve participated in baseball wrestling, soccer, basketball, track, tennis, boxing and tae kwon do. I also coached little league baseball and high school wrestling. I was a squad leader in an infantry unit in the Army, which offered me an incredible opportunity to put my skills and fitness knowledge to the test. I was responsible for the wellbeing, health and function of an entire unit.

Lastly, as a service to my clients, as I believe in total teamwork, I?ve added an incredible nutritionist to my repertoire.

Perhaps one of the most important options I provide as a trainer is that I?m willing to work around my client?s schedules. I meet my clients at their convenience, after work or otherwise. My goal is to eliminate the ?time excuse.?

I?m happy to meet at Fuerte Fitness, outside at a local park, or at my client?s home. My commitment and flexibility define me and set me apart as a personal trainer and coach.

I also am planning to do wilderness training in the near future.

Jackie Helton

Jackie teaches the Yoga class every Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Personal Training: Working as a Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor for the last 6 years has shown me that all of us have the ability to change our lives in many ways. I came into the fitness industry by way of my own yoga practice. I felt the importance of feeling alive and present in my body and knew I needed to share this with others.

Activities and Beliefs: In addition to practicing yoga, I'm also a rock climber. These two activities compliment each other well and give me a goal to work towards when I myself am in training. I believe fitness has to be something that connects you to who you are. I help people reconnect with their bodies and help them to push through their physical and mental limitations.

Jared O'Connor, NSCA CPT, BS

Over the tenure of my track and field career I have adapted my training methods in accordance to injuries, imbalances and weaknesses to maintain my health and improve my athleticism and fitness. In the same fashion, I motivate my clients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and strive for functional goals that improve physical and mental wellness. My individualized training program will assist you in becoming more efficient in your life. Inefficiencies can range from a lack of confidence in the work place due to poor self image, to not being able to meet physical demands of daily life, training and/or competition. It is my job to invest in your wellness and work with you to achieve results. Please do not let who you are now be a deterrent of who you can be with a structured plan and a willingness to work hard.

Annette Herrick

Education: BS Fitness and Sport Management MS Physical Education and Sport Management American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Instructor

Personal Experience: Growing up, I enjoyed the thrill of playing every sport possible up through college varsity cross-country. Since college I have competed in countless 5k's and 10k's, and sprint and olympic distance triathlons. I have recently summited Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker.

Very active as a child, on the other side, Igrew up on fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans that were cooked so long you didn't even need to chew! Over the years I have slowly gone from fried and highly processed food to real food (or "whole food" as the industry calls it) and what a slow change that was for me mentally and physically.

Work Experience: Personal Trainer for 12 years focusing on all these important aspects; fat loss, muscle development, posture, core, flexibility, cardio, sports conditioning Trained clients to summit Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, running, triathlons, skiing, tennis Physical Therapy Aide Public Speaker teaching back pain prevention to work sites around the U.S. Fitness Columnist West Seattle Herald

My Goal For You: I understand the importance of education and helping you find solutions that work. One of my clients has called me a gentle nudger. My goal is to get the best out of you nutritionally and physically through education and inspiration.

Annette Herrick has a master's degree in Fitness and has been personal training for over 10 years. She loves to give high intensity workouts during hour-long sessions to push you to your limits so you will burn 600 calories per hour.

Her other specialties are running and triathlon coaching. She recently had a baby and also understands first-hand post partum exercise programs.

Jenny Horstmann

Education: B.A. in Business Administration from University of Washington, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Certified in TRX Suspension Trainer (system), Weight Watcher Walking/Running Coach.

Personal Training Experience: I have evolved from a gym rat to a certified trainer. My entire life I have been active in sports and physical activities. I?ve worked with a broad range of clients specializing in endurance sports, weight loss, post-natal, and clients with limited mobility. I also enjoy teaching group circuit training classes.

Activities: Marathoner, hiker, cyclist, and outdoor activities. Placed First Overall Female in Birch Bay Marathon (February 2009) and Whidbey Island Marathon (March 2009).

History: As a wife, mother, and an avid marathoner I understand the physical demands of life, family, and friends. I want to work with clients to meet and exceed personal health goals (existing or not yet realized). I will be there every step of the journey; encouraging, nurturing, or nudging.

Jody Braverman

Education: Jody is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and is an ongoing student of yoga, attending various trainings and workshops. She offers private and small group personal training and yoga instruction. Jody's training style emphasizes 'whole health', which includes encouraging her clients to change the behaviors and thought patterns that keep them from achieving their goals. It is her hope to help her clients find the motivation to transform their entire lives, not just their abs. Jody focuses on building practical strength as a foundation - with an emphasis on core strength - which improves the body's daily functioning and the mind's general feeling of well being.

History: More interested in art and literature as a child, Jody grew up as the 'black sheep' in a family that skied, windsurfed, ran, biked, played tennis and did just about anything outdoors, while she looked on skeptically from the pages of a book. However, in her junior year of college, while studying creative writing abroad in Paris , she began working out at the gym as a way to pass a lonely summer during while her classmates had gone home to the states. Jody quickly became an exercise addict, lifting weights, running long distance, and practicing yoga. After graduating from college, she left her literary dreams behind to pursue a career in fitness. Although she still writes and reads voraciously, her passion is being active and helping people strengthen their bodies and minds, while encouraging them to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with personal growth and adventure.

Peter Cannon

Peter Cannon is certified to design safe and effective exercise prescriptions, and conduct individual exercise programs, fitness testing, and health education for apparently healthy individuals and individuals with controlled diseases.

Our primary goal is to get each of our clients in the best shape possible. Each program will be designed with their individual goals and needs in mind. As private training consultants, we will also educate the client so they are an active part in their training process. Together ,we will enhance the body?s natural movement patterns which reduce injury prevalence of repetitive job strain, improve the ability to carry out daily tasks with greater ease, and improve sports performance. In other words,this equates to greater enjoyment of life and worthwhile activities.

Moving my body has always been an integral part of my health. My creativity is enhanced every time I release my mind and focus on myself.

It reminds me of the importance of who I am, and the type of person I work toward being. Exercise is my perseverance equalizer, allowing me the power to follow a positive path because I know deep in my heart I can accomplish anything. Exercise for me is grounding. It is the glue that holds me together, it is the magnet that pulls me back towards my dreams, and it is the internal organizer?a filing cabinet for my soul when the world seems to be getting ahead of my thoughts. Exercise is a time to center everything with a confident quietness. Exercise is a time when I can feel like the only necessities that are truly life sustaining are food, water, sleep, and the people I love. Everything gets simplified during and near the end of my exercise time frame.

When I feel the blood flowing, oxygen circulating, and my energy reserves are kicking in, it is as refreshing as the feeling of waking up fully rested from a good night's sleep. Exercise creates a calm confidence that supports me to the fullest, which further increases my desire to share adherence of a healthy lifestyle with others.