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  • Rufus Ross, Owner/Manager

    Years of Experience

    • 19 Years

    Credentials

    • B.S. Exercise Science University of Tennessee
    • ACE Certified Personal Trainer
    • Therapeutic Exercise Specialist

    I am lucky… I love what I do! I’ve always enjoyed health and exercise and now I get to help so many people in our community live better healthy lives. Our clients succeed because we set small manageable goals in order to reach their long-term goals. As a United States Marine, I learned how to push myself physically and mentally more than I ever thought… now it is exciting to push clients above and beyond what they think they can do… and don’t worry we have “fun” while doing it! Overall, I want our clients to leave Fitness Together feeling better than when they came in!

    in my free time I like to
    Do anything outdoors whether it is fishing, camping, skiing, the beach, I love it all. I’m also a big sports fan (Go Vols!) and of course enjoy lifting weights and even some yoga!

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Leonie Owona, Personal Trainer- Lead Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 5 Years

    Credentials

    • B.S. Exercise Science Montreat College
    • B.A. Kinesiology Roane State
    • ACE Certified Personal Trainer
    • ACE Functional Trainer Specialist

    I am from Cameroon. I moved to United States seven years ago through a basketball scholarship I had from Roane State. I fell in love with fitness my sophomore year in college. My coach was really big on weight training and she always took the time to explain to us the science behind the exercises we will do in the weight room. It was always fascinating to me because I could see those progress translating on the basketball field. I love training, connecting with people and understand their goals. My clients succeed because I am fun energetic and goal driven. I go above and beyond to make sure they reach all the goals they set.

    in my free time I like to
    I like to lift heavy weights and run a little bit. I also enjoy cooking meals and spend time with my friends. I seize every chance I get to always play a basketball game somewhere.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Mike Dedoes, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 12 Years

    Credentials

    • Bachelor of Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Western Michigan University
    • ACE Certified Personal Trainer
    • ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist

    When I was younger, I was bullied in high school and struggled with a writing learning disability and ADD. I had very low confidence in myself and was very timid. I would wait to go last to talk in front of people for classroom presentations. When I first started working out it was to prove myself but now I work out to take care of this amazing body. I have healed a lot from my past and now my focus is on my future. I placed top 10 in a physique competition and I completed my first 31 mile Spartan Ultra this year. Just recently I have decided to get into personal training after years of feeling unfulfilled at my IT help desk position. I’m so excited to change more many people's lives at Fitness Together. I love knowing that I have the chance to make a huge impact in someone’s life every day.

    in my free time I like to
    I moved from Michigan to Tennessee in 2019 for the warmer weather and nature. My girlfriend and I hike almost every weekend. I love to travel and see the world. I have a guitar that I play every once in a while. I am a huge fan of OCR racing. I love hockey and football. I enjoy competing in physique competitions. I love hanging out with friends at breweries (everything in moderation!)

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Frankie Ramirez, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 5 Years

    Credentials

    • Kinesiology PhD Candidate (Concordia University, St. Paul)
    • M.S. in Athletic Training
    • B.S. In Health Sciences
    • AAAI/ISMA PT Certification
    • Injury Rehab Specialist

    I am originally from Florida with a background in athletic training, sports medicine, and fitness, I’ve spent years helping individuals reach their peak performance. I hold a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Thomas Jefferson University and have worked with individuals at all levels, from college athletes to office workers. I'm currently a PhD candidate at Concordia University St. Paul, where my research focuses on neuromuscular performance enhancement and injury prevention. What I love most about being a Fitness Together trainer is the ability to create personalized programs that empower individuals to move, feel, and perform better. Whether it's helping someone recover from an injury, improve their endurance, or build functional strength, I’m passionate about guiding clients toward their fitness goals in a supportive and motivating environment. Fitness isn’t just about exercise, it’s about building a lifestyle that improves confidence, longevity, and overall well being.

    in my free time I like to
    Outside of training, I love spending time with family and friends, whether it’s sharing a meal, exploring new places, or watching sports. I enjoy anything that keeps me moving and outdoors such as CrossFit, hiking, and camping. I’m also passionate about continuous learning, whether it’s research for my PhD or finding new ways to improve health and performance. I enjoy watching anything martial arts related and baseball. I currently compete in local CrossFit competitions, and I enjoy any challenges along the way. My other hobbies include gaming, 3D animation, and art.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Thomas Richardson, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 7 Years

    Credentials

    • B.S. Kinesiology, Oregon state university
    • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

    Growing up, I was always self-conscious about how skinny I was. I thought there was nothing I could do about it because, genetically, I am just a skinny person. I started strength training in college and it helped me build confidence in myself after I started noticing I was gaining some muscle. I realized that I have some degree of control over how my body could look and feel if I just kept working on it. I started teaching group fitness classes online during covid and when I graduated college I started training people in person. I have learned so much since I started in the fitness industry and met some amazing people. I love when clients tell me that they have noticed their own body changing and knowing that I helped them achieve that is extremely rewarding for me.

    in my free time I like to
    I love playing basketball, hiking with my fiancee and our dog, and just about any outdoor activity. My fiancee and I moved to Knoxville in August 2025 from the Pacific Northwest and we are so excited to continue exploring East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. I also love to watch sports and cheer on my favorite teams, the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Abby Simmons, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 3 Years

    Credentials

    • Personal Training Certification (ISSA)
    • Nutritionist Certification (ISSA)
    • Online Training Certification (ISSA)

    I’ve been a part of the fitness community for about six years. I played softball throughout my high school years and got introduced to fitness through that. I was able to obtain my cosmetology license my senior year of high school through Erie County Technical School. After working in the salon environment for a year I decided to relocate from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. In doing that I wanted a change of pace while still having the ability to help people feel confident. Being a personal trainer allows me to not only do something I love in my personal life, but be able to share that with others at the next level. I obtained my certification through ISSA (Internation Sports Science Association). I was a trainer at a commercial gym for some time and later moved up to sales and management. In moving up to a sales position I drifted from the actual training part of my job. I loved having the ability to help people but wasn’t able to have that one-on-one experience working in an environment that big. Coming to Fitness Together has opened up a close knit community for me and allows a more hands-on approach with my clients.

    in my free time I like to
    Having moved to Tennessee not too long ago, I love to go out and try new things to explore what all Tennessee has to offer. While doing that, I discovered line dancing. This has played a huge part in my life here, providing me with not just friends but a whole different sense of community. I also love to paddle board and read.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Freida Fontanilla, Licensed Massage Therapist

    Years of Experience

    • 22 Years

    Credentials

    • Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage

    I have a wide range of techniques, from Swedish to deep tissue. In every session, I focus on the client’s needs to determine plan of treatment to enable the client to be more relaxed and have a better sense of awareness of your body. I like to access the area of concern and get in that muscle to relieve it. I use a lot of forearm strokes and trigger point techniques. My clients feel better because of the benefits from my massage. I help promote relaxation, lower blood pressure, reduces anxiety, increases blood circulation through out the body, reduce muscle pain, increase range of motion, sleep better, and let me not forget… increases your “happy hormone” levels (dopamine).

    in my free time I like to
    I have a toddler that’s keeps me on my toes. I am known for playing softball, kayaking and spend a lot of time with my vegetable garden/ flower beds. I love spending time with my family here, in Knoxville and Seattle.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Heidi Greenhalgh, Registered Dietitian

    Years of Experience

    • 18 Years

    Credentials

    • MS, RD, LDN

    I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Fitness Together doing what I do best…helping you reach your health goals! Whether you want to lose weight or gain weight, change your body composition, or leverage nutrition to manage a condition like diabetes or high cholesterol, I am here for you. My style of nutrition coaching is centered around teaching you the skills needed to achieve your goals based on three foundations; evidence-based nutrition, increased physical activity, and changing behavioral patterns and negative self-talk. It is not a diet, rather, it is a systematic, sustainable way of eating that creates vibrant health and lasting lifestyle changes. Helping you learn new skills that incorporate healthy behaviors is my passion and I can’t wait to work with you! Before becoming an RD, I worked as an ACSM-certified personal trainer for over 10 years, so I can attest to the power of exercise and how effective it can be, especially when paired with good nutrition!

    in my free time I like to
    I love to cook and eat delicious food (my favorite food is peanut butter, especially when paired with dark chocolate.) As a matter of fact, I graduated from culinary school! I am an avid exerciser and enjoy weight training as well as cardio (I have run exactly one marathon). I enjoy being outdoors, and my favorite season is spring in Tennessee because I love all the flowers.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation

here’s how it works

complimentary

signature fit evaluation

We'll gather information for your customized plan by reviewing your goals, health history, and going through a mini-workout.

full body assessment

We'll collect baseline metrics that will help us track your progress.

personal training session

You'll meet your trainer in a private studio or virtually for a 1:1 session to begin your workout program.

progress checks

You'll receive an assessment every 6 weeks to celebrate your progress and set new goals.

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING...

  • The high quality training and nutrition advice at Fitness Together has helped me reach my fitness goals. I’ve lost 20 pounds and have a BMI of 22.8!

  • I started working out after having breast cancer and heading to osteoporosis. My primary goal with FT was to increase bone density. I now have normal bone density.

  • I have been working out at FT for a couple of years and it has made a dramatic difference in my health. I no longer need hip surgery and I am able to dance and hike again.

  • Friendly people who care about helping you achieve your goals. FT helped me prepare to hike the Appalachian Trail at age 65. If you have the will, FT will show you the way.