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  • Rufus Ross, Owner/Manager

    Years of Experience

    • 17 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
  • Amanda Haskell, Lead Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 3 Years

    Credentials

    • B.A. History, Berry College
    • NASM Certified Personal Trainer

    I was born in Atlanta but I’ve lived in Knoxville for years now and can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. I first moved up for graduate school at UT but life took me in a very different direction when I found and fell in love with fitness. The gym got me through some very rough times, and I knew that fitness as a way of life would always be important to me. When the opportunity came for a change after years of an unfulfilling job, it wasn’t even a choice. Now, instead of watching people take care of everything besides themselves, I get to help my clients find a strength in body and mind they oftentimes don’t even know they have. I love working in an environment as supportive and dedicated as Fitness Together and I’m excited to accompany our clients on the way to success!

    in my free time I like to
    I love being active and outdoors, especially with my two dogs. I’m also a huge sports fan and try to never miss a Saints or Vols game. When I can I like to travel, cook way too much food or get lost in a good book.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Mike Dedoes, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 10 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
  • Leonie Owona, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 3 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
  • Jeff Hamlin, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 21 Years

    Credentials

    • Advanced Personal Trainer
    • Sports Medicine Specialist
    • Advanced Flexibility Specialist
    • Sports Nutrition Specialist
    • Corrective Exercise Specialist
    • High Intensity Training Specialist

    Prior to becoming a personal trainer I struggled for years to get results in the gym, regardless of how much time I dedicated to exercise. Finally, at age 35 when I was about to give up, I decided to try a more intense training approach that only required 60-90 minutes/week. To my surprise, I completely transformed my body in just 12 weeks and reduced my body fat by 75%! After experiencing such amazing results, I decided to study to become a personal trainer so I could help others to succeed as well! In 2004 I passed my IFPA exam and currently have seven certifications. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with a wide variety of clients in all age groups to help them meet or exceed their goals. I also have an extensive history of helping clients that struggle with elevated BMI, injury rehab, and individuals with mobility issues as well. I’m thrilled to be a part of the amazing team here at Fitness Together and really like the fast-paced functional training approach to full body fitness!

    in my free time I like to
    My wife, daughter, and I moved from Minnesota to Tennessee in October 2023 to be closer to our son and experience a much better year-round climate. In my spare time my wife and I enjoy hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. There are so many places to see within a short drive from Knoxville and we have a long list of destinations to visit in the coming months and years. So far, we've been on numerous hikes on Roan Mountain, Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Smokey Mountains, and visited numerous waterfalls. We've also driven to Washington D.C. to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival and did a road trip to Orange Beach, AL as well.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Addie Coulter, Personal Trainer

    Years of Experience

    • 1 Year

    Credentials

    • B.S. Exercise Science Carson-Newman University
    • MBA Carson-Newman University
    • ACE Certified Personal Trainer

    I am from Chattanooga, Tennessee but recently moved to Knoxville. I have been in the Knoxville area for the past 5 years as I played soccer at Carson-Newman University. I have always loved playing sports and being active. I am the youngest of 6, so I am used to being in various athletic settings because of my siblings' sporting events. I think the way our body can adapt to various activities is fascinating. I love working with other people and having the opportunity to explain to them the importance of exercise and the countless benefits it provides. I am so excited to see people understanding what all their bodies are capable of and helping them to enjoy the process along the way!

    in my free time I like to
    In my free time I love spending time with my family and my husband. I love anything surrounded by my people, especially watching sports (unpopular opinion... Roll Tide!). I also enjoy being outdoors or traveling.

    Complimentary Fit Evaluation
  • Freida Fontanilla, Licensed Massage Therapist

    Years of Experience

    • 20 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

    • 16 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

A complimentary signature process where we learn about your goals, health history, and take you through a mini workout so we have the information we need to begin building your customized program.

full body assessment

A comprehensive fitness assessment to collect baseline metrics that will help us track your progress.

personal training session

Meet your trainer in your private suite (or virtually) for your 1:1 session to begin your completely customized workout program.

progress checks

A comprehensive assessment every 6 weeks so we can 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.