Donavan Almond, my strength coach -  is a true fitness professional. He's gracious, funny, inspiring, motivating & competitive. All of these qualities keep him on top of his craft.  

I have been training with Donavan since 2008. He has been an inspiration to me, my training goals & my changing nutritional needs. So inspired that I earned my NASM certified personal trainer certificate so I could keep learning more about fitness and nutrition to keep up with him. 

I started out like all new clients, learning the dos & don'ts of nutrition, which exercises work what muscle groups, & how to cope when you are so sore, you aren't sure you can even get out of bed the next morning. I was in decent shape at 22% body fat, but hoped to slim down and stop the jiggles we all acquire as we age. 

Today, as an international fitness competitor, I'm under 12% body fat, and count on Donavan's assistance as my strength coach, so I can continue to make progress on my physique for every show. I may be getting older, but I'm bound and determined to bring my best to the stage each competition. He helps me train properly accounting for my connective tissue disorder (Lupus) and any illnesses or injuries I sustain. 

He is wise beyond his years. He has always made me feel good about my progress - even the stubborn areas that just take longer to hone. Donavan helps me set achievable goals, so I'm able to see, and feel, my progress each month. He is so good at what he does, I'm always setting new goals. 

I workout 5+ days a week, often for a few hours a day & the drive back and forth to the gym can carve out more time than I have to offer in a day, so Donavan helped me select & arrange the best equipment for my needs in our home gym too.  

If you have the opportunity to work with Donavan, do it! Treat yourself to a new & improved you! 

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Donavan helped me become a much more functional athlete rather than just the "power lifter" I was when I met him. Before training with Donavan, my routine focused on heavy weight training. While I was strong on fundamental weightlifting moves such as bench press and squats, my flexibility, balance, core strength, and endurance was lacking. Training with Donavan, I became a much more balanced athlete leading to fewer injuries and better "quality of life" strength rather than just "gym strength". With Donavan's help, I have been able to compete in a number of triathlons, a half marathon, and even the 200 mile relay race called the Ragnar. Perhaps the culmination of his help came when I prepared for and completed the "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlon.

Donavan observant and customized training has helped me reach a new level of athletic activity for my age (51). I love working out with Donavan!

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A lifestyle of health and fitness has always been a vital part of my day to day living. I care about eating healthy and exercising, knowing these have a direct effect to my happiness and overall wellbeing. However, my exercise regime often hit a plateau. I was limited to walking and running. Once I began training with Donavan, I found a new love for exercising. He brought energy, creativity, and understanding to my customized workouts and training sessions. In my time training with Donavan, he has been more than a fitness trainer – he has been a sounding board on tough days, positive energy when exercising is the last thing I feel like doing, as well as being practiced and competent in his field. Donavan genuinely cares about his clients, interested in their lives outside the gym, and motivated to give them a quality fitness experience. This can be seen in the extra time he will spend answering questions and asking questions, working to provide me with the most beneficial and quality help. Donavan has been an inspiration to me as well as my family and I hope my time working with him and being trained by him has only just been the beginning.

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Donavan has changed my life!  He has managed my wellness program to include: healthy diet, walking, circuit training, boxing, Pilates, Barre Fusion, yoga, cycling, and aqua aerobics. Since working together during the past year on a total health and fitness program, I have lost 25.8 lbs., 19.1 total inches, 12% body fat, gained 2.2 lbs. of muscle = total loss of 28 lbs. of fat.  My body fat has been reduced from 32.2% to 20.3%.   Physically and mentally, I feel much better and stronger as a result.

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I have worked with other trainers in the past but never for more than a year.  I have been a client of Donavan's for nearly seven years now and have no reason to change that situation anytime soon.  His level of knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics far surpass most of my previous training experiences.  This coupled with his innovative workouts and extreme flexibility in adapting to travel schedules have made it easy to stay with him.  Donavan is very creative in his development of routines and programs and mixes them up quite often, this helps prevent boredom and has kept me engaged.  He is very goal oriented and is an excellent motivator.  He is not shy about giving me a gentle push or a big shove to get me back on track when I have strayed from my program.  The results I have achieved with Donavan have been excellent and have surpassed my own expectations.I have not hesitated in the least to recommend Donavan's services to friends. 

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Donavan Almond has been a transformative influence in my life. His expertise and approachable, friendly demeanor has provided me both guidance and motivation for the past 5 years. Donavan is a true professional. No gimmicks or quick fixes, just steady, consistent workout plans that have led me to a healthier and happier life. Donavan also has worked seamlessly with my personal goals and hectic schedule, often providing "on the road" workouts designed on his research into the hotels and resorts that I've stayed. The results have included running my first triathlon, running numerous races, a couple bike and swimming competitions. He has also worked with me to heal a serious, long-term shoulder injury and a few other bumps and bruises. I can not recommend Donavan strongly enough. If you want a seriously competent mentor, coach, and guide you will not find a more highly qualified practitioner. 

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