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South Run RECenter Personal Training

Meet Our Staff

John Yamada
Certifications: FiTour Personal Trainer, educated on ACE and NASM principles.
Education: Attended George Mason University for 3 years double majoring in Business Administration and English.
Job Experience:I have worked with clients of all ages and experience levels from athletes to police officers and teens to octogenarians. I have helped them achieve goals ranging from weight loss to optimal sports performance. At South Run, I have taught Adult Weight Training, Teen Weight Training, Power Pump, Total Toning, Kickboxing and Golf Fit.
Short Personal Description: I've lived around the country from Boise, Idaho to New York City, so I often have a story or two to share. I finally settled in Burke, Virginia in 2003 and I've been a proud member of this great community and admirer of its beautiful parks ever since. I'm half Korean and half Japanese and I was raised to have a great interest and respect for culture — both familiar and unfamiliar. I enjoy studying and speaking foreign languages; I speak Korean casually, some Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. I'm also a martial arts and self defense enthusiast. I've studied everything from Fencing to Taekwondo, and kickboxing to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Philosophy on Exercise:   I believe exercise is about treating your body the way it deserves to be treated. Those who care about me would want nothing less for me, and therefore I want nothing less for myself or for anyone else — I want to help everyone I can be healthy and feel great.

Tina Kimball
Certifications:   Personal training certificate from the American Council on Exercise in 2004. Mat Pilates 1 Certification by Balanced Body University.
Education:  Lake Braddock Secondary High School, and course work in anatomy & physiology, health, and personal training at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University.
Job Experience:   It has been a privilege and joy to be a staff member at South Run since September 2006. The classes I have taught include Boot Camp, Pilates, Golf-Fit, Absoglutely, Yoga, Fitness Training and Mat Fusion. I stay current by taking continuing education courses in areas of health and fitness. I also read and apply the information that comes out in the ACE Fitness Matters magazine.
Short Personal Description:   I have lived in Virginia since 1968 and enjoy its mountains, beaches, lakes and rivers. My husband and I enjoy hiking Old Rag Mountain together as well as riding the waves at Cape Hatteras. We have three lovely children ages 12, 15 and 20 years old.
Philosophy on Exercise:   I believe if we take care of our bodies through proper diet and exercise, our bodies will serve us well to be able to do whatever it is we enjoy doing. It takes discipline, commitment, consistency, and courage but after a good workout you not only feel good, you feel good about yourself.

John Morgan
Certification:Certified Personal Trainer by NASM.
Education:BA from Roanoke College.
Job Experience:I worked as a Personal Trainer at Washington Sports Club for over a year. Prior to that, I maintained a professional career for a national trade association as Director of Education and Training. I have been working as a Personal Trainer at South Run since October 2009.
Short Personal Description:   I established my Personal Training practice after retiring form the "9-to-5" rat race. I have been a trainer for a number of youth soccer teams in the Springfield (SYC) area. While in college, I played for a nationally ranked D III college soccer program and was collegiate Handball Champion. I am married with two college aged daughters.
Philosophy on Exercise:   "Exercise is one part perspiration and two parts inspiration." People of all ages can agree on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. What makes the difference is the willingness to set personal goals and follow through. This may include weight loss, but more importantly it is to focus on a balance between "diet" and exercise. A very important benefit of working with a Personal Trainer is that s/he can help your on your way to achieving those goals. I learn what the client's goals are and develop a rewarding, interactive workout that will make you feel good about your exercise program. Your workout will focus on building lean muscle strength and developing joint stability to ensure overall fitness.

Laurie Strickland
Certifications: AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, ACE Personal Trainer, Golf Conditioning Specialist, PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) Certification, Reformer 1, Pilates Mat 1 Certified, Yoga-Fit 1 Pre and Post Natal Yoga, Cancer Exercise Specialist.
Education:  I attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio for two years for Biology and Pre-med. I finished my degree at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia in Developmental Psychology.
Job Experience:  I have been a Personal Trainer since 1986. I taught Physical Education for 8 years in the Arlington Diocese before resigning in 2003 to take the Fitness Director position at South Run and teach the Teen and Adult Weight Training classes. At South Run I teach Boot Camp, Golf Fit and Personal, Group and Team Training.
Short Personal Description:   I moved from Ohio to Springfield, Virginia in 1985. I have a 27 year old son who attended Niagara University and played ice hockey. He is now in the Marines and stationed in Beaufort, SC. My 22 year old daughter attended West Springfield HS and now is in her third year at James Madison University. She is on the soccer team and majoring in Business with a focus on Accounting.
Philosophy on Exercise:  I love exercising and the gift to share it. I think that helping others achieve their goals is very rewarding. My goal is to meet as many people as possible and teach as much as I can about health and exercise.

Dempsey Wilson
Certifications: Personal Trainer (NAFTA) Spin Instructor (Reebok) Fall Proof (Cal State Fullerton)
Education: Northern Virginia Police Academy
Job Experience: I am a Retired Police Officer. I worked for the Fairfax County Police Department for 23 years. During that time I worked in the Patrol Division, SWAT Team and the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit. I have been a Personal Trainer for six years.
Short Personal Description: I was raised in Northern Virginia and attended West Springfield High School.
Philosophy on Exercise:   My view on fitness is that first it must be fun. I like to use various apparatus to target all areas of fitness, such as balance and stability. For individual programs I use free weights, medicine balls and Bosu balls. I also use the concept of Plyometrics to achieve muscle growth and speed.

Deborah Dudley
Certifications: AFAA Group Exercise and Personal Trainer, Reebok Spin, Performance Plus Spin, Balanced Body Pilates Mat I and II and Reformer I and II, and Yoga Fit I
Education: North Georgia College, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 1989
Georgia State University, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, 1995
Job Experience: I have been teaching Cycle Spin, Total Toning, Core, Teen Fitness, Pilates I and II and Pilates Reformer I and II at South Run since 2008. While working as Pilates Reformer Personal Trainer I have worked with a wide range of special populations including prenatal and injury rehabilitation clients.
While working in Atlanta as a U.S. Probation Officer, I was the coordinator of the district's Wellness Program.
Short Personal Description: I moved from Atlanta to Virginia in 2000 and thoroughly love the diversity this area offers.  When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with my daughter and doing most anything outdoors.
Philosophy on Exercise: My approach to physical fitness is to provide a full range of exercises in different formats, skill levels, and intensities to reach the desired goals of members and clients. Exercise should be fun and effective and I love to assist others in reaching their fitness potential.