OUR COACHES

 

Siraj Saeed

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, NUTRITION

Siraj has worked in the fitness industry for 8 years. After playing rugby in college, he understood that pursuing a career in health and fitness was his passion. Siraj has trained in nearly every facet of the industry: boot camp, group training, one-one, and coaching powerlifters. “I am lucky enough to have seen some incredible transformations from my clients, and nothing makes me happier than seeing people achieve their goals after putting in the work.  In the past, I also struggled with self-confidence, my weight, and not feeling like my goals were attainable. The reason I got into fitness was because I wanted to help my clients not only reach physical goals, but build their confidence as well.I am excited for you to join our team, and allow me the opportunity to help you crush your goals!”

 

Joel Chong

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, BIOMECHANICS

Joel has been in the health/wellness industry since 2019. His passion for fitness started with an 8 year taekwondo practice before transitioning into strength training. He continues to pursue other athletic endeavors through rock climbing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Joel is currently finishing his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, and will graduate in December 2023, with hopes to then pursue his degree in physical therapy. He is highly experienced and knowledgeable in all things powerlifting, from biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and programming theory. Like many people who first step foot in the gym, Joel came from a place of poor self-esteem stemming from body image issues. His dedication to the gym and efforts to broaden his knowledge about training have drastically improved all facets of his life. "I want to help all my clients get stronger, get more confident, and be by their side when facing adversity."

 
 

Ariel Reaves

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, NUTRITION

Ariel began working out when she was 19. She attended a powerlifting competition to watch a friend compete and loved the excitement and camaraderie. For 8 years she has competed in numerous competitions, earning medals at nearly every competition. Through powerlifting, she found a love for helping men and women become the strongest and healthiest versions of themselves. Ariel Reaves is a strength and conditioning professional who has been training clients for 4 years. She earned her BS in Kinesiology from the University of North Georgia, is a certified USAPL Club Coach, and is a Nutrition Specialist through the Clean Health Fitness Institute. She has over 75 hours of continuing education through NASM, ranging from pre and post-natal exercise, nutrition for athletic performance, and recovery, just to name a few. She has competed in USAPL since 2015. Goals for clients: To help clients achieve the health and fitness goals they desire. Fun facts: Ariel enjoys writing, reading, cooking, hiking with her dog, and traveling. She is currently working on her first novel.

Specialties: Powerlifting, Strength & Conditioning, general nutrition, nutrition for athletes, pre/post-natal exercise, recovery, and online coaching.

 

Phillip Buss

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, BIOMECHANICS

Originally born and raised in Iowa, Phillip has been a Georgia resident since 2018. Fitness became not only a passion, but a necessity after his pediatrician's prescription of swim team aided in curing him of debilitating asthma. Ever since then, Phillip has been involved in sports, consistent exercise and taken a health conscious approach to life. With a physical therapist as a mother, he not only learned from her but also worked with a few of her businesses providing assistance to people with physical disabilities. It wasn't until seeing the negative social effects of Covid-19 that Phillip decided to become a certified coach in order to provide educated help to those struggling with a healthy lifestyle, as well as those trying to take their health and fitness to the next level. Since being certified, Phillip has helped hundreds of people transform their lives, reverse health issues, relieve immobilizing pain, improve endurance, gain strength and sculpt their physique. Phillip is certified through NASM as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC). Training professionally since 2020. Goal for Clients: To aid my clients in forming specific, measurable and attainable goals and helping them achieve them, no matter their situation. Fun Fact: I enjoy video editing and have several projects that received hundreds of thousands of organic views. I've been acting since I was a kid and was a stand-in for an episode of the Netflix show, Mindhunter.

Specialties: Strength & Conditioning, Injury Prevention & Recovery, Online Coaching

 
 

Quentin White

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, NUTRITION

Quentin aka Mr. Black Atlas has been training for over a year and has found his passion for training others. As Quentin became more involved with the sport, more people asked him for advice. Then he met Siraj and the rest is history. Siraj took Q under his wing and taught him everything he needed to know. Q loves his clients and helping them reach their goals, whether it's weight loss, powerlifting, muscle building, or confidence... Mr. Black Atlas can help with it all. When his clients see progress or reach the outcome they have worked tirelessly for he is reminded why he decided to start training. Fun Fact: Q has been a firefighter for the city of Atlanta since 2016 and has a 2 year old son, so when he's not at the station or with his boy, Q is here helping you be a better you. He also love anime and superheroes.

Specialties: Powerlifting, Online Training, Strength Training

 

Tate Hansard

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, BIOMECHANICS

Tate has been a personal trainer for 7 months. He is certified in Barbell Medicine and in the process of getting certified through the National Academy of sport medicine. Tate wanted to become a personal trainer because he discovered a love for helping people learn about exercise, learn about their body, and learn to love themselves. Goals for Clients: He wants the absolute best for them. He wants them to be happy, confident, and safe when it comes to his clients reaching their goals. Fun Fact: Tate is in the process of breaking 3 state records and he hopes to break many more in the future and maybe a world record someday.

Specialties: Powerlifting, Strength Training

 
 

Trashon Hightower

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH, NUTRITION

TraShon has been training for 14 years and has been involved in the powerlifting community for 7 years. He specializes in strength and conditioning coach and has been coaching power lifting for 6 years now with his team, Hightower Athletic Performance. TraShon has broken state and national records in USA Powerlifting and has competed in high caliber competitions such as IPF Worlds in 2022, placing 6th, and the Arnold in 2018. His goals are to help clients become knowledgeable in their health and lifestyle choices while creating a healthy environment for the youth in the community in strength training and sports.

Specialties: Powerlifting, Strength Training, Injury Prevention

 

Dylan Pontorno

POWERLIFTING, STRENGTH

Dylan has been training for seven years and moved to Georgia over the summer from Florida. Dylan found his passion for training others during his five year tenure in the fire department, where he most recently served as a Lieutenant. Besides training his own crew, one of his responsibilities was leading/teaching the new hire classes in addition to implementing/maintaining training for all first year personnel. Eventually, this included physical fitness training programs for others within the department. After Dylan noticed progress and growth from those he helped, he knew he wanted to pursue personal training in a more formal setting.

“My goal is to help my clients maximize their potential in whatever fitness endeavor they have. This can be from strength training, sports performance training, powerlifting or bodybuilding. It is rewarding to see somebody else reach their goals, especially when it improves both their physical and mental health. I love to see others push their limits and succeed, so I aim to pass on any knowledge I have so that others can become a better version of themselves.” Fun Fact: Dylan is also the assistant coach for a 13U baseball team. 

Specialties: Powerlifting, Strength Training