Fall is officially here, and with a new season comes a spotlight on a FAST trainer. Meet Tyler Karlberg, CSCS, USA Track and Field Level 1 coach. He has his B.S. in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University. Read on to learn more about Tyler and why we’re proud to have him as part of our FAST Ahwatukee team.

 

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

I got interested in strength and conditioning to help my own athletic performance. I was looking to level up my training and very quickly became obsessed with the process of improving athletic capacity.

 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Don’t get into this business unless you care about helping the people you are working with. Everything you do in strength and conditioning has to be about helping your athletes/clients improve. This is a service profession.

 

What’s your favorite workout style?

I like to do a bit of everything, but my favorite training sessions are either heavy barbell lifts or high intensity intervals on my bike.

 

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

Not long ago, I realized I was using music as a crutch to get me through a training session. Looking to improve my ability to push myself through challenges, I now rely on the sweet sounds of my own labored breathing as motivation.

 

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

My favorite post workout meal is a New York strip steak with sides of potatoes and some sort of roasted vegetables.

 

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

I am a sucker for some good buffalo wings.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Someone once told me that there is no such thing as “free time” there is only time. They helped me realize that it up to me to decide how I spend every minute of my life and if I waste it, that’s on me.

 

What motivates you?

I am a big believer in goal setting. Choosing long term goals that I am passionate about and picking small achievable goals every day helps push me to be my best. I am also highly driven by producing a result I can be proud of. I don’t like to put my name on things that aren’t up to par with what I feel I am capable of.

 

Does training with Tyler sound like something you’d be interested in? Visit our website to set up a free assessment with him at our Ahwatukee location today!

Meet Austin Richelle—FAST trainer at our South Chandler facility. He’s sharing advice for those looking to join the fitness field, as well as what motivates him. The FAST South Chandler location has also been nominated as one of the Best Places to Exercise, so cast your vote today to help them bring home this title.

 

What’s your background?

I graduated from Arizona State University with my Bachelor’s in Exercise and Wellness.

 

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

My desire to pursue a career in the fitness industry stems from growing up as a multi-sport athlete.

 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

One piece of advice I’d offer to an aspiring Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist is to dedicate time to reading recent research within the field.

 

What’s your favorite workout style?

Being a smaller guy, my favorite workout style is the one that’s get me consistent massive gains—hypertrophy.

 

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

An excessive amount of Brotein.

 

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

A juicy medium-rare burger with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes on a soft Brioche bun.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice in life is the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated.

 

What motivates you?

My motivation in life is to make my family proud and to strive to make a positive impact in the lives of every person I meet.

 

If you’re interested in personal training or sports performance training with Austin, contact the South Chandler FAST location today to get started.

This month we’re putting the spotlight on Mik Hrabczuk, USAW1 Sports Performance Coach at our North Central Phoenix facility. Read on to get the inside scoop on his sports-related background, where his go-to place to eat at after a workout and what motivates him to stay on top of his game.

 

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

I had always dreamed about dunking a basketball and training for that and reaching that goal, made me want to help other athletes achieve their respective goals.

 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Practice what you preach!

 

What’s your favorite workout style?

Plyometric or Olympic Weightlifting are my favorite workout styles currently.

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

“First Day Out” by Tee Grizzley or “Don’t Play” by Travis Scott.

 

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

Currently, a poke bowl from Ahi Poke is my go to post workout.

 

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Easily, pizza.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

“If you leave food on the table, someone else will come and eat it.”

 

What motivates you?

My family, friends and the community around me.

 

If you live in the North Central Phoenix area and would like to train with Mik, visit our website to schedule a FREE assessment today! The FAST North Central Phoenix facility offers 2,500 square feet and performance turf, making it the perfect location for those who are looking to push their limits.

This month’s FAST trainer spotlight is on Jackie Luzum. Read on to learn about Jackie’s roots, love for helping others and passion for fitness.

What’s your background?

I attended Iowa Western Community College and earned my associates in health and human performances. I then went on to get my bachelors in Exercise Science from Wayne State College in Nebraska. I am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and am currently in school to become a licensed massage therapist.

What inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

I grew up in an active family and was involved in many sports growing up, including volleyball which I continued to play in college at IWCC. I wanted to turn my fitness hobbies into a career, so that I can help others find the same passion I have when it comes to physical activity and sports. I strive to help people not only improve their health and fitness, but also gain confidence and a more positive outlook on life.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Always be open to new ideas and never stop learning.

What’s your favorite workout style?

I really enjoy a good lifting session. I like to mix it up with Olympic lifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding styles.  If I am crunched for time, I prefer high intensity interval training.

What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

I don’t know if I really have a favorite song, but Linkin Park can usually get me into the workout zone.

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

I usually have a protein shake. My favorite flavor is Cookies & Cream.

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Eggs, I eat them almost every morning for breakfast!

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Some great advice I have received and continuously remind myself to do, is to be willing to step outside my comfort zone and accept challenges! Challenges are how we learn and grow. Every day is a new opportunity to get better.

What motivates you?

To be better than I was yesterday and to set a good example for those around me.

Jackie works with weekend warriors, athletes and everyone in between to help reach their fitness goals. If you’re in the Ahwatukee area, contact the FAST team today to learn more about personal training, sports performance training and group fitness.

The FAST Trainer of the Month is designed to help you get to know the trainers and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists at FAST. This month, we’re highlighting FAST Tempe facility manager, Jonathan Castillo. Read the Q&A to learn more about Jonathan and his passion for helping others.

What’s your background?

I graduated from Malone University in Canton, Ohio and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. My credentials include being a Performance Enhancement Specialist which allows me to work with athletes of various disciplines. Moreover, the following are certifications I have received throughout my experience as a fitness professional: USAW, CF-L1, ACSM-CPT.

Why inspired you to embark on the fitness journey with your career?

Similar to many athletes, my journey in fitness began by being involved in athletics all my life. I started playing football at a very young age of 8 years old, and my passion for being active and improving the body’s physical performance has never changed. My role allows me to tangibly put that passion in effect by helping others, and in turn, people see the value in their fitness and want to live a healthier, active lifestyle.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give anyone interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist?

Being a strength coach is much more than just being a trainer. It’s relational, and if you love people and love inspiring them through hard work, then it’s the platform for you.

What’s your favorite workout style?

I’m a fan of many styles of training, but Olympic weightlifting is my favorite. It’s a beautiful combination of strength, power, flexibility, mobility and stability. Being good at weightlifting makes for a physically able and well-rounded human being. You’ll see me weightlifting well into my old age!
What’s your favorite song to listen to when working out?

I appreciate all genres of music, especially the ones that pump you up, but the right music for me is the kind that puts you in the right state of mind. Usually gospel or Island reggae does it for me.

What’s your favorite thing to eat after a workout?

SUSHI!  Although not always available, in a perfect world, sushi would be my post-workout meal every day. Second place would be good-ol’ chicken and rice, Romanian style.

What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Enchiladas. They’re just too good to pass up.

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Happiness is temporary, but joy is everlasting. Do what truly brings you profound joy.

What motivates you?

Seeing people prosper on a daily basis and having a role in that.

Does training with Jonathan seem like something you’d enjoy? Contact the Tempe team today to book a session with him.