Fitness Staff
Alex Miranda – Exercise Physiologist
Alex was born and raised in New York City and considers moving to Clermont a nice change of pace. He joined the NTC in October of 2005 and has an ex- pertise in speed, agility and explosive training for sports such as baseball and football.
Degree:
M.S. in Exercise and Sports Science, Florida International University
B.S. in Physical Education, Long Island University
Certifications:
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Favorite Strength Exercise:
The power clean is my favorite exercise because the triple extension pattern of movement encompasses several major muscles including legs, shoulders, back and arms.
Fitness Philosophy:
Just do it!
Hemant Hariprashad – Exercise Specialist
Hemant was born in Guyana and moved to New York in 1996. He moved to Florida in 2000 and joined the NTC Staff in February 2005. Hemant loves training his clients and assisting them in making positive changes to their lifestyles. His passion is running. His distances range from 5K to 50K! Hemant also coaches the runners in our Marathon/ Half-Marathon Training and NTC Fast Track
Program.
Degree:
B.S. in Sports and Fitness, University of Central Florida
Associate in Arts, Lake Sumter Community College
A.A.S. in Medical Technology, Queensborough Community College
Certifications:
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
Favorite Strength Exercise:
Lunges—They work a lot of muscle groups at once and you really feel the burn, especially the next day!
Fitness Philosophy:
If you believe in yourself, any goal can be accomplished. Consistency and determination lead to success. A healthy lifestyle includes the total package; good nutrition, exercise, emotional and spiritual motivation and a positive attitude.
Kyndall Truett – Exercise Specialist
Growing up in Central Florida, Kyndall was surrounded by sports and fitness and always knew she would one day have a career in the sports science field. She graduated from the University of Central Florida as a Sports and Fitness major with a specialization in Coaching. Kyndall has given back to her favorite sport of softball by coaching on the side. Life threw Kyndall a curveball when in the summer of 2006, she beat cancer while finishing her senior year and as she became a new hire at the NTC. Now a cancer survivor, Kyndall specializes in exercise that focuses on fatigue and pain management for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments.
Degree:
B.S. in Sport and Fitness, University of Central Florida
Certifications:
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
Favorite Strength Exercise:
Any type of unstable environment such as the BOSU or stability ball. The idea behind these devices is that the more unstable you are, the more abdominal musculature you have to recruit.
Fitness Philosophy:
You are born with one body and it is your responsibility to take care of it. Participating in daily physical activity and adopting healthy nutrition habits are essential to living a long, full and happy life.”
Misty Becerra – Aquatic and Exercise Specialist
Misty was born and raised in South Florida. She originally came to the National Training Center as an intern and was hired as an employee in August 2004. Misty conducts Swim Force and Stroke Analyses for the NTC and coaches for the NTC Fast Lane Swim Team. She also participates in adven- ture races and triathlons.
Degree:
B.S. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion,
Florida Atlantic University
Certifications:
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
Level 2 Swim Coach
Lifeguard Certification
Favorite Strength Exercise:
Anything creative, functional and dynamic—it makes strength training more like play time!
Fitness Philosophy:
“The Heart and Soul will the Mind and Body.”
Carolyn Lowell – Exercise Physiologist
Carolyn is from New York and has lived in Florida for 18 years. She started working at the NTC in 2002 and recently returned after a year and a half hiatus. She missed the NTC and is thrilled to be back. Carolyn enjoys running, reading and eating out—but of course she watches her portions!
Degree:
M.S. in Exercise Physiology, University of Central Florida
B.S. in Physical Education, Manhattan College
Certifications:
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist
Favorite Strength Exercise:
One of my favorite exercises is a tricep push down. The muscle gets very isolated and results can be seen so quickly.
Fitness Philosophy:
I believe fitness is a way of life—not just something that can be done for a short time. It is about making small changes in your daily
Jose Rivera – Exercise Specialist
Jose was born and raised in Puerto Rico and participated in volleyball, track and field and running. He moved to Florida in December of 2004. He started working at the National Training Center in January of 2005.
Degree:
M.S. in Athletic Training, Long Island University
B.A. in Physical Education, University of Puerto Rico
Certification:
NFPT Certified Personal Trainer
Favorite Strength Exercise:
My favorite exercise is the push-up because it can be used in so many ways— either for a warm up or as a strength exercise and it works so many different parts of the body.
Fitness Philosophy:
Start with the basics and gradually move to the more complicated activities. I believe everyone should have a fitness goal and I enjoy helping them to achieve their specific goals.
Lorelle Santiago – Exercise Physiologist
Lorelle was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was introduced to physical activity by her father, who inspired her to create new sports games for the family. She continued her passion by dancing and acting in cruise shows, hotel reviews, musicals and television shows. Lorelle loves creating and teaching unique fitness routines that inspire and empower people to become a better version of themselves. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, reading and relaxing in the beauty of pure silence.
Degree:
M.S., Exercise Science and Health Promotion, California University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Natural Sciences, Universidad de Puerto Rico
Certifications:
AFAA—Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Kickboxing
Johnny G—Spinning
NASM—Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Specialist
NASE—Speed & Explosion Specialist
Manju Pattabhi Jois—Ashtanga Yoga
Favorite Exercise:
Yoga & Dancing. Yoga teaches us life lessons through posture while dancing promotes happi- ness and artistic expression.
Fitness Philosophy:
There are treasures within physical activity that are discovered when you enjoy your workout!
Roseanne Breckels – Manager, Membership, & Fitness
Roseanne was born in New Jersey and moved to Florida with her family when she was 10. She started her fitness career as a trainer and eventually supervisor while in college at Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers. She first came to the NTC as an intern in 2002 and has been here ever since. She loves being a Florida Gator and recently started competing in triathlons.
Degree:
M.S. in Exercise & Sports Science specializing in Clinical Exercise Physiology, University of Florida
B.S. in Exercise & Sports Science specializing in Fitness & Wellness, University of Florida
Certifications:
ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor
NSCA—Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Favorite Strength Exercise:
My two favorite exercises are push ups and front lunges with a medicine ball twist. You can modify these exercises for any strength level. And…they can be done anywhere for a quick workout!
Fitness Philosophy:
It doesn’t matter what you did last week, yesterday or five minutes ago. What matters is what you will do about your overall health and well-being from this point forward.
Shelley Wagner – Exercise Specialist
Shelley is originally from Sycamore, Illinois, where she began her athletics career in gymnas- tics. Since then, she has played nearly every sport from soccer to performing dance. Shelley’s passion is for the water and running. She can be found weeknights and weekends show-skiing and wakeboarding. Shelley came to the NTC in August of 2007 as an intern and is excited about her new adventure in the sunshine state. Although she misses her family back home, she knows their encouragement and support will help ensure her success!
Degree:
B.S. in Kinesiology with emphasis in Preventive & Rehabilitative Exercise Science, Northern Illinois University
Certifications:
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
TRX Certified
Favorite Strength Exercise:
Planks because they are a great way of building muscular strength, endurance and stability integrating the entire core, arms, glutes and legs.
Clientele Expertise:
My expertise is working with waterskiers and wakeboarders but most importantly with those who are motivated to succeed and reach their goals to increase health, fitness and overall quality of life.
Fitness Philosophy:
‘Train Hard, Train Healthy”
Make every minute of training count! Whether you’re in season or off, maintain proper nutrition, get rest and maximize every workout session.
Karl Reicken-Coordinator, Performance Testing, Karl is dedicated to the health and performance of all levels of patients and athletes. He takes a holistic approach to development of each athlete, making sure that all who utilize the NTC Human Performance Lab services leave with more knowledge than with which they came.
Karl has lived and worked in both the Central Florida area and in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center. He is particularly interested in the implementation of Olympic weightlifting as it applies to endurance sports. Contact Karl if you want to know your athletic potential and how to reach it effectively and efficiently.
Degree
• M.A. in Sport and Fitness: Health/Wellness and Applied Exercise Physiology – University of Central Florida
• B.S. Biomedical Science (in progress) – University of Central Florida
• B.A. Rollins College
Certifications
• National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• USA Triathlon Level II Coach
• USA Triathlon Youth and Junior Coach
• USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
• USA Cycling Level III Coach with Distinction
• USA Track and Field Level I Coach
• Road Runners Club of America
• American Red Cross – AED, CPR, and First Aid
Areas of Expertise
• Human Performance Lab Testing
• Running Gait Analysis
• Olympic Weightlifting for Sports Performance
• Triathlon and Endurance Periodized Training Plans
• Endurance Strength and Conditioning Plans
• Functional Movement Screen
• Performance Nutrition