Our Staff

Julian Kaufman

BA HES/M.ED/NSCA-CSCS
Owner, Fitness Together Frazier Avenue

Julian Kaufman earned his B.A. degree in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University. He went on to earn a master's degree from Covenant College in curriculum and instruction. Julian is certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The NSCA (www.nsca.com) is the world's leading authority on strength, conditioning, and fitness. The NSCA distinguishes itself from the hundreds of other certifying organizations because its foundation is rooted in scientifically reliable research. The NSCA bridges the gap between the lab scientist and the fitness practitioner. Julian also holds certification from USA Track and Field.

Julian has worked in several diverse health related fields over the last sixteen years. His technical experience includes working alongside exercise scientists in human performance (vital capacity, stress test, heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, flexibility), exercise physiology (max VO2, O2 deficit, hydrostatic weighing, anaerobic threshold), biomechanics and motor development. Additionally, he has experience working as a wellness teacher, personal trainer, sport specific trainer, strength & conditioning specialist (at the high school & college levels), and coaching varsity high school sports (football, wrestling, track). He enjoys working with individuals of all ages and at all levels of physical fitness.

Julian's personal philosophy is centered on the idea that health is holistic in it's nature. Spiritual, intellectual, emotional, relational and physical health should be viewed in an integrated manner. As an individual deals with the physical aspects of their health, they should also be careful to care for the other, more complex components of their overall health. As the physical is worked on and developed, it must focus on substance versus image. This substance is whole health with the goal of preventing disease, increasing potential for longevity, and improving and maintaining quality of life.

Kyle Johnston

Manager

Kyle Johnston, a Chattanooga native. He holds certifications through NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and Fitness For Life.

Before assuming management responsibilities at Fitness Together Chattanooga, Kyle worked as a trainer. Kyle has a great deal of experience working with a diverse variety of needs.

Prior to joining the Fitness Together team, Kyle worked at the YMCA in the fitness and wellness department, where he began personal training. Since then, he has also worked with athletes in Olympic weight-lifting, plyometrics and speed training.

Kyle’s passion is people. He loves to help people fulfill their potential through the setting and achieving of goals. This desire to see others improve their lives in all facets has found a natural outlet in the health and fitness industry; Kyle has excelled because he cares about his clients, seeing them not only as clients but also as friends. Making their bodies more functional and thus improving their quality of life. Kyle’s affability, energy, and generosity have made him a great trainer.

Rachel Reeves

Trainer / Assistant Manager FT North Shore

Rachel Reeves was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and has worked in the fitness industry in South Florida for eight years. Within this culture she experienced the vanity that the majority of the fitness industry encourages. She now understands the importance of motivating clients to focus on their over all health and quality of life, instead of finding their identity in an ideal body image. Rachel's passion for health and fitness was born out of a love for tennis and bodybuilding and grew into a variety of fitness-related opportunities including tennis coach, aerobics coordinator, general manager of L.A. Fitness in South Florida, and nutritional counseling at Physicians Weight Loss Centers.

Rachel was the previous owner of Fitness Together Gunbarrel and is now excited to join the Fitness Together team at North Shore, which is equipping her to encourage, educate, and motivate clients for better quality of life. She is involved in a local church, and has a passion for coaching and mentoring inner city teens. She currently enjoys a variety of sports, including tennis, running, lifting, and roller blading and is embarking on new local challenges, such as rock climbing and trail running.

Becky Conrady

B.S. Psychology, Trainer

Becky Conrady attended Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC on full tuition scholarship where she graduated with a B.S. in psychology. It was there that she became a certified aerobics instructor through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA) and began her part-time career in fitness.

In 1992 Becky married college basketball coach David Conrady, and they now have two children, Andrew (10) and Faith Ann (7). It was after having her first child that Becky began further education in fitness instruction. Over the past ten years she has obtained certifications from the YMCA in group exercise instruction, core body training, circuit training, nutrition and flexibility. She has also attended numerous AFFA and ACE fitness workshops. Becky is currently working toward her ISSA certification in Personal Training.

Becky has always enjoyed being active, and as a wife and mother she understands the demands of life make it important to keep physical fitness a priority. Becky’s personal philosophy is that spiritual, emotional and physical factors contribute to the overall physical fitness of an individual. Our culture may try to compartmentalize, but our bodies will tell us otherwise.

Ricky Akridge

Trainer

Ricky Akridge is proud to have been born and raised in Chattanooga,TN. He has a great love for the Lord and always enjoys wholesome competition. While going through the local school systems of Hamilton County he excelled in many sports. Through playing football, wrestling, and running track in high school he learned the importance of keeping a healthy mind and body. Through those experiences and the opportunities which have led to befriending many other people with the same interest; he attended and graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a B.S. degree in Health and Human Performance. While attending UTC he worked with the metropolitan YMCA with various roles in aquatics. Ricky is a current member of the Chattanooga Track Club, and The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He knows the importance of education and plans to return to UTC, but likes to stay active and is also planning to backpack the AT in the near future.

Anneli Uys

Trainer

Anneli Uys was raised in South Africa and moved to Australia at the age of 16.  Growing up with two certified track and field coaches as parents and three sisters actively competing in track and cross country Anneli started running year round at a very young age.  She was recruited to the university of Memphis on a track and field scholarship and transferred to UTC after one year where she obtained her BS in Movement Science and fell in love with Chattanooga. 

 After college Anneli stayed in Chattanooga and started her career as the head track and field coach at Silverdale Baptist Academy. It was there she fell in love with helping people set and achieve their goals and enjoyed playing a part in their success. 

"I love being able to coach and guide people towards a healthy and active lifestyle showing them what they are capable of achieving. The best part about being a personal trainer is sharing in the success of your clients."

Brent Howard

Trainer

Brent Howard Bio

  Brent Howard was born and raised in Chickamauga, GA.  After earning his bachelors degree at the University of Georgia, he worked in sales for 5 years.  After always having an interest in sports and a passion in fitness, he decided to change career paths and help others reach their goals.  Along with working at FT, Brent coaches and works with athletes at a local high school focusing on strength training and conditioning.  Brent strongly believes that it is very important as a trainer to be able to understand and perform all techniques that are taught and employed.  He believes continuing to learn is the most important aspect of his job and reads anything pertinent to the field of health and fitness.   

  Brent is certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is currently pursing a master’s in Exercise Science from Tennessee Tech.  He and his wife Lauren currently reside in Rock Spring, GA.  Hobbies include golf, basketball, and strength training.

Maura Bradshaw

Trainer

Maura earned her BA in Psychology at the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville.  She is certified as a group fitness instructor through
AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and as a personal
trainer with ACE ( American Council of Exercise).  Maura worked at
Fort Sanders Health and Fitness in Knoxville, managed a running
specialty store and coached with the KTC Youth Track Club Program.

Since moving to Chattanooga Maura worked at the Sports Barn as a
personal trainer, group fitness instructor, wellfit case manager and
fitness manager.

Maura's philosophy is that exercise can help people lead a happier,
healthier and longer life.  She loves being a part of people's efforts
to remain healthy.

Melissa Parker

Trainer