Mitchell Cook, Director of Fitness/ Corporate Wellness Manager
Mitchell originally hails from Wisconsin, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology-Human Performance at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire & his Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology at UW-La Crosse. Mitchell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA as well as a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) through the ACSM. During the first 5 years of his training career, he has experience working with middle aged adults focused on fat loss, athletes looking to improve sport performance, cardiac and pulmonary patients rehabilitating post-surgery/diagnosis, and empowering individuals with disabilities through movement and exercise.
Mitchell enjoys spending his free time focusing on his own physical, mental, and spiritual wellness through hiking, resistance training, acro yoga, meditation, skiing, reading, researching, conversing, & cooking. He is a strong believer of establishing an open mindset for lifelong happiness and health, and lives by the daily mantra of “Better Never Stops.”
Megan Fornelius, Manager Of All Things Awesome
Megan (AKA- Forny) grew up performing in local musicals and playing hockey before graduating high school at 16. She has worked in multiple fields exploring her different passions like animal care and welding.
Originally starting as a member of Epic Fitness, she discovered a new fondness for fitness and health and eventually joined the Epic team on the administrative side. Now she helps manage all the things that are awesome at Epic Fitness! She loves all things music, exploring the outdoors, caramel lattes, and spreading kindness.
Hannah Israelsen, Coach
Hannah graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Science. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist. Her background includes training at a fitness retreat to help adults lose weight and gain confidence as well as creating exercise programs for cancer patients at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. She also enjoys running a small park bootcamp for moms. Hannah loves to help others find a love for fitness and become 1% better each day with exercise! Hannah’s passions include cycling, running, and spending time with her kids outdoors.
Gino Bastone, Coach
Giovanni (aka Gino) completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah where he studied Business Administration, and is a Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC). Gino has spent the majority of his life as an athlete. Playing Ice Hockey in California, Boston, and for the Utes, Gino understands the commitment and dedication it takes to make it to the next level.
In his free time, Gino enjoys being active outside no matter the season. From fishing, to skiing, to cooking Gino enjoys doing it all. He also finds joy in others and the stories and jokes they bring along the way. “Always come ready to work, the fun part takes care of itself!”
Brian Anderson, Coach
Brian completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. He is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
As a Chicago native, Brian moved out west to enjoy all of the activities that the mountains offer. In his free time, you can find him out in the sun doing what he loves, whether it’s skiing, mountain biking, camping, or water sports. He is also an avid Chicago Cubs fan and a proud Utah Ute.
Brian believes in the compounding effects of everyday self-improvement. His goal as a coach is to help motivate and inspire individuals to make beneficial changes to their lifestyles in pursuit to live well-rounded and high-quality lives.
McKale Bladen, Coach
McKale graduated from Southern Utah University and received a double Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and Psychology. She is also certified though the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) as a Certified Personal Trainer.
Throughout high school, McKale fell in love with athletics and competed in cross country and track. Even after graduating she continued to be an assistant coach for these teams. McKale began competing in triathlons last year and has since completed a half Ironman and qualified for Nationals. She also enjoys racing in half marathons, marathons, trail runs, and even began powerlifting!
Most of McKale’s spare time is spent outside, training for races, spending time with family. She has a love for fitness and helping people. McKale looks forward to helping you through the ups and downs and to get 1% better every day!
Kim Gonzalez, Coach
Kim completed her Bachelors Degree from Brigham Young University – BS Recreation Management. She is certified through the NASM – CPT, Women’s Fitness Specialist, and as a Senior Fitness Specialist.
Kim hails from the greater DC area of Virginia. Her love for coaching runs deep. Before Epic, she coached and guided rock climbing, has experience as a Rehab Aid & volunteered at the National Ability Center working with people with disabilities.
Kim truly has a passion for helping people improve and learn in a safe environment, and loves to focus on the mental and emotional health aspects of movement and exercise.
Katie Martindale, Coach
Katie graduated from University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Wellness. She is a certified Elite Trainer & Sports Nutritionist through ISSA, RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and is pursuing her Corrective Exercise certification through NASM.
From track and field to cheerleading in high school to competing in fitness competitions turned marathon runner through and after college, she has always had a passion for fitness and helping others with establishing a healthy relationship and ‘lifestyle’ with their own body and the food they put in it to become the best version of themselves.
She enjoys hiking and exploring new destinations and camping anywhere under the stars. Snowboarding in the winter and wakeboarding in the summers.
Spending time with her fur babies, meditating next to a waterfall or in the desert is where you will find her and her Zen!
Leanna West, Coach
Leanna has worked in the health and wellness world for over a decade and is more in love with her work today than when she started. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, with a minor in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is certified through NASM as a Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. She is also certified through ACSM as a Cancer Exercise Specialist, which supports her work not only at Epic Fitness, but also as a Cancer Exercise Specialist at Huntsman Cancer Hospital.
Through her years of experience she has worked with individuals focused on weight loss, strength gain, behavior and lifestyle modification, rehabilitation, and nutrition and sports performance.
When she’s not working with amazing clients, she is feeding her soul through adventuring in the mountains with her husband and pup. She believes in eating well. doing hard things, moving daily and a strong community to enjoy this life with!
Robert Liessmann, Coach
Robert completed his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Nutrition from the University of Utah. During that time Robert worked as a CNA, and this fueled his passion to achieve his degree in Kinesiology to be able to help people live healthier lives. Robert is currently a Sargent First Class in the US Army, and has served for the last 12 years. Robert is a Certified Functional Strength Coach through CFSC, as well as a certified Hardstyle Kettlebell Coach (HKC). During the first 3 years of his training career, he has experience working with all ages focused on many goals from fat loss to athletes looking to improve sport performance, cardiac and pulmonary patients, post-PT patients, and those getting ready to join the service.
Robert enjoys spending his free time focusing on his own physical training to be ready for any and all missions. He enjoys running and backpacking to get away from all the little things of daily life. He loves to help others live a healthier life by having healthier habits. Robert lives by the daily mantra of “last one best one.”
Amy Fogel, The “Bosses Boss!”
Amy graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. She helps keep Epic Fitness running smoothly by maintaining the daily ins and outs of the business, taking care of all of the behind the scenes items, plus she handles the party planning for Epic Fitness’s amazing challenges, prize giveaways and events.
Amy loves doing whatever it takes to ensure that our Epic coaches and Rockstar members stay happy, healthy and continue to get 1% better every day!
Ben Fogel, Owner
For over 15 years Ben has been coaching people of all types and backgrounds. As a former World Cup and World Championship athlete himself, he’s learned from some of the best in the world how to be a great coach and mentor.
Ben graduated with honors in Exercise Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Ben spends a great deal of his time learning, growing, and increasing his knowledge in order to benefit his clients and the Epic Fitness team. He loves seeing all of the Epic members achieve their goals!
As important as anything, he lives by the concept of getting 1% better everyday. It is his goal for you to get 1% better each time you step into Epic Fitness, and that is when magical things will happen!
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