OWNER & HEAD BARBELL COACH

Tom founded Pittsburgh Fitness Project in 2015 and PFP Barbell in 2017. He started personal training in 2009 and coaching Olympic style weightlifting in 2015.

Tom began his career working with people on general fitness and now his focus has shifted to primarily working with people who want to learn and master the Snatch and Clean and Jerk.

Tom believes in using the right tool for the right job. Through his diverse experience as not only a fitness professional but also a competitive athlete through multiple disciplines (football, track and field, bodybuilding, CrossFit, Olympic lifting ). he will work together with you to find the best possible solution for your fitness needs. It is his mission to help find the method of training that will work for you, but also one that you will stick with and have a good time in the process.

Qualifications: USA Weightlifting L2, NSCA, CSCS

OWNER

Brian started the Pittsburgh Fitness Project in 2015 with his personal trainer, Tom Duer. Their goal was to provide a welcoming place for the Pittsburgh community to lead healthy lives.

Brian is a local pediatrician and a lifelong runner. He competed in high school and college. And continues to enjoy competition at the Masters Level. He is interested in providing health education for the community and an inclusive space for all types of people to work out and recover.

Qualifications: MD

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

After bouncing around various jobs post undergrad, Wes decided to make a career change and commit to making one of his passions and favorite hobbies his life.

Wes is not here to just tell you what exercises to do as a personal trainer, but he takes on the responsibility of coaching and educating his clients as well. He will tell you why he’s giving you a specific exercise, and educate you on how to perform it correctly and how it will help you reach your specific goals.

His goal for you is to help you become the best version of yourself, achieve the results you want, no matter where you are in your fitness journey and to have a little fun along the way.

Qualifications: M.S. Exercise Science, Nutrition Coach

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHTLIFTING COACH, GROUP COACH

Devin grew up playing many sports through childhood and high school, and eventually found Olympic weightlifting. After training for a few years, he attended LSU Shreveport, where he was a member of the collegiate weightlifting team for five years.

While he was at LSU, he became more interested in the science of training. Devin graduated with a B.S. in Strength & Conditioning before going on to earn an M.S. in Kinesiology - Sports Performance. Devin then worked in collegiate sports for three years after he graduated, including Louisiana Tech University, Grambling, University of Pittsburgh, Mizzou, and even spent time coaching the US Speedskating team. His background with collegiate athletes plus training as a weightlifter for 10 years has given him the privilege to work with people of all levels, from D1 athletes and Olympians, to adults, kids, and families.

Devin’s goal as a coach is to help his clients understand their potential through physical training, and that no goal is too big or too small to desire. He loves helping people reach their goals because he want to share in your success and accomplishments. He believes that having a coach there to push you along is a key piece to your journey, and he looks forward to being a part of yours.

Qualifications: M.S. Sports Performance, CSCS, USA Weightlifting L1

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHTLIFTING COACH, GROUP COACH

Caleb grew up snowboarding, playing baseball, and playing and soccer, and then in high school found strength and conditioning through CrossFit. After competing in CrossFit for several years, he found a passion for Olympic Weightlifting. While attending Slippery Rock University for Exercise Science, that passion led him to pursue coaching in both CrossFit and Weightlifting.

Caleb has coached a wide variety of clients including powerlifters breaking state records, barbell athletes, and general population. The pursuit of strength is something that can seem intimidating to many people and it is his goal to make that journey accessible to anyone willing to put in the work.

Caleb’s greatest moments as a coach are when people achieve things through training that they never thought to be possible, and watching that confidence transfer to their regular life.

Qualifications: USA Weightlifting L1, CrossFit L1

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH, YOUTH WEIGHTLIFTING & FITNESS

Andrew began his fitness journey at a young age as a swimmer. His passion for competing led him to earn a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey, while also swimming as an athlete on their men’s swim team. Andrew moved to Pittsburgh to study Sports Science at The University of Pittsburgh and research injury risk factors in military and athletic populations.

Andrea also obtained his CSCS from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as well as his Clinical Exercise Physiology certificate from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Currently, Andrew coaches swim for middle and high school-aged athletes in addition to strength coaching at PFP. He loves working with people to help them achieve their goals and find their full potential. As a coach, Andrew strives to create relationships and environments where success is inevitable.

Qualifications: M.S. Sports Science, CSCS, ASCM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (C-EP)

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHTLIFTING COACH, GROUP COACH

Gina is a certified personal trainer, USA weightlifting coach, and holds her A.A.S. in Physical Therapy.

Growing up, Gina was involved in various sports including soccer, karate, and track. In her early 20’s, she started to prioritize building strength and adopting a healthier, more well-rounded lifestyle. She was introduced to CrossFit several years ago, which led her to find my passion for Olympic weightlifting. Gina now trains and competes as a member of the barbell club here at PFP.

As a personal trainer, her goal is to motivate, educate, and to help her clients recognize their potential. Gina’s perspective on training stems from her own fitness experiences, background in physical therapy, and continuing education.

Gina believes in establishing key foundations and progressing accordingly to ensure proper movement patterns and injury prevention. She aims to take away any uneasiness about starting a new exercise routine so that it becomes approachable and attainable, and she looks forward to helping others break through barriers and achieve their goals, wherever they may be in their fitness journey.

Qualifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, USA Weightlifting L1, A.A.S. in Physical Therapy

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Amanda Hoffman is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who recently relocated from Cleveland, Ohio. She specializes in Russian kettlebell training and is a registered yoga teacher. Amanda has worked part time as a coach since 2015 while she was a student at Ohio State University, and then continued on to train part time while working as a special education teacher. She is excited to train full time at PFP!

Amanda is passionate about helping humans feel more athletic, capable, and confident in their bodies through strength training and movement.

Amanda loves helping clients of all levels with their fitness and wellness goals, and has experience working with a variety of clients including beginners, athletes, those coming back from injuries, runners, adolescents, and older adults.

When you train with Amanda, you will learn that quality of movement > quantity of movement. She not only helps you understand what to do in the gym, she also teaches you the why & how. Her motto is, “Train to do the things you love in your life for longer.” She will help you learn how movement can be medicine.

Qualifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Level 1, Russian Kettlebell Coach, Registered Yoga Teacher

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Leah is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Group Personal Training Specialist. She has been a 1:1 and small group coach since 2020, and has worked with a wide range of clients at different ability levels. She has coached over 1,500 hours in those few years and has improved her coaching skills and technique with each hour.

Leah’s personal journey with improving strength and health is what motivated her to become a coach. Once she achieved success in my journey, she knew it would be cool to help others do the same.

Leah enjoys working with beginners, and ensures to teach each individual how to move and feel better in their bodies. She believes that coaching shouldn’t and can’t be one-sided. She wants and will request her clients’ input so that she can help each client succeed. She is determined to learn and grow together with you.

Whether you want to increase strength, improve mobility, improve your cardiovascular health, or a combination of all of those, Leah is here for you and your success.

Qualifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Group Personal Training Specialist

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Ashaunti is a certified personal trainer and a corrective exercise specialist with NASM. She started 1 on 1 training with clients and taught boot camps starting at the beginning of 2019. Throughout the 4 years of training, she worked with a variety of clients with different needs and goals ranging from 16-75yo.

Over the four years of her training, she really watched herself transform into a coach that she was proud of. She learned a lot, though she recognizes that to this day, she's still learning new things - and she will always have this motivation to continue to learn.

Ashaunti really found an interest in training in 2012 when she walked into the gym for the first time and really felt and saw the benefit of it. She watched her body transform in a way that she never knew it could, and after that, she knew she wanted to do that for other people. She knew after the first year of training in a gym that it was what she wanted to pursue as her career.

Her strong suits when it comes to training are, strength endurance, hypertrophy, and mobility. If you are looking to build up your cardiovascular endurance, gain muscle mass, or even work on mobility, Ashaunti is your girl!

Qualifications: Certified personal trainer, Corrective exercise specialist

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Patrick graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach with two years of experience working at both the Division 1 and Division 2 levels. Throughout his career, he's had the privilege of coaching thousands of athletes across every NCAA-recognized sport. His experiences in these high-performance environments has given him the opportunity to refine his coaching techniques, adapt to various training needs, and continually push himself to become a better coach. Working with such a diverse range of athletes has taught him the importance of individualized attention, discipline, and consistency. He is passionate about growing as a coach and making a meaningful impact on the athletes and individuals he works with.

Patrick believes the human body is capable of incredible things, and his goal is to help individuals achieve their fitness objectives—whether those are strength or cardiovascular-based. He is passionate about creating customized programs that are designed not only to meet the specific goals of each individual but also to educate them on the process. He wants everyone he works with to understand the purpose behind every exercise, as he believes this knowledge builds confidence and motivation. His approach emphasizes safety, proper technique, and continuous progression, ensuring that clients or groups feel supported and empowered in their fitness journey. Whether you’re new to training or a seasoned athlete, Patrick is committed to helping you unlock your full potential in a way that’s sustainable, rewarding, and enjoyable.

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Katie is a former professional ballet dancer with a BA in Dance from Point Park University and NASM certified personal trainer.

She began her dance training at age 5. Her hard work and determination culminated in a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park University, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous training and commitment to excellence. After a successful performance career, she transitioned into teaching at studios in and around the Pittsburgh area, most notably The Pennsylvania Academy of Dance and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. She has been teaching dance for over 12 years.

Most recently, she started her own theater company, “The Sewickley Youth Theater Company.” She wanted to create a community where all children can experience the joy and power of movement, develop creativity, build confidence, and learn the value of commitment and teamwork.

Transitioning from the stage to the gym, Katie has embraced her role as a personal trainer with the same fervor and dedication she had for ballet.

“My experience in ballet has instilled in me the importance of discipline, precision, and dedication—qualities that I bring to each training session with my clients. I believe that movement is not just about exercise; it’s a way to build confidence and enhance overall well-being.”

In her training sessions, Katie emphasizes the importance of form and technique. She takes the time to understand each individual’s history, preferences, and goals, ensuring that your training sessions are as personalized as possible.

“I love introducing people to strength training. I get it...Gyms can be intimidating. More than that, they can feel unwelcoming or entirely inaccessible to people who don’t meet “stereotypical fitness ideals." I will make sure to create an inclusive, safe, supportive, uplifting atmosphere, making workouts not just effective but also enjoyable.”

PERSONAL TRAINER, GROUP COACH

Shana is a strength and conditioning coach who moved to Pittsburgh from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband in 2024. 

Shana’s primary experience lies in the competitive athletics environment and is performance-minded in her approach to designing and coaching training programs, whether guided by sport-oriented goals or those who are looking to enhance their daily quality of life. She believes that every person is an athlete in their own right, whether they are non-competitive, new to organized training programs, or have been competing and training for years.

Shana is a firm believer in working through one’s natural range of motion with good technique to help develop strength throughout the full movement of a joint, which in turn can help improve coordination, mobility, and flexibility. To ensure that clients are able to move well, she coaches in a progression of: feeling the position → slow movement between positions → faster movement between positions (where appropriate) → adding weight to the movement. 

Interestingly, Shana is an introvert for whom coaching brings forth her slightly extroverted side. When she’s not coaching, Shana enjoys being outside whenever possible and is rediscovering the joy of mountain biking upon moving to Pittsburgh. She and her husband have enjoyed getting out and exploring their new city and going to some of the various sporting events that Pittsburgh boasts.

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Tiffany began her career as a licensed massage therapist after graduating from the Atlanta School of Massage in 2014. Her education and practical experience continued as she earned a bachelor degree from Georgia State University in Exercise Science and Kinesiology. She has experience with college and pro athletes in strength training and massage therapy . Tiffany also had the opportunity to work on the clinical level with physical therapists and chiropractors.

Since becoming an LMT, Tiffany has continued her education in full body wellness. She is certified in Fascial Stretch Therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Myofascial Cupping, Functional Movement Screening as well as post op breast cancer/top surgery soft tissue work.

A believer that mobility is the key to longevity, Tiffany is excited to join the PFP’s team and guide clients to perform and feel their very best at any age.

Qualifications: Licensed Massage Therapist, Fascial Stretch Therapist, Rock Tape Practitioner

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Paige Taylor is a Licensed Massage Therapist, who graduated from the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy in 2023.

She started this massage therapy journey because she know what it feels like to be uncomfortable in a body, to feel out of place, and to not move how you would like to. Her goal in each of my sessions is for you to feel heard and seen as the whole human that you are so that you can move into feeling more comfort and ease in your body.

She has worked with everyone ranging from athletes to those who just want to start feeling good again - all ages, shapes, and sizes are welcome to the massage room.

Her sessions will be personalized and catered to you for whatever needs you have, she incorporates techniques of Swedish, myofascial release therapy, neuromuscular (trigger point therapy), cupping, PNF stretching, and reiki as well.

Paige is a lifelong learner, there is so much new information constantly coming out about how to take care and feel your best in your body. She believes that she learns every time someone gets on the table. Healing is a process and it would be a joy to be able to help facilitate your recovery in feeling more safe, confident, and grounded in your body.

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Throughout his life, Jason has always wanted to help people, and after trying several careers, he found massage in Portland, Oregon. Since he graduated from Ashmead School of Massage in 2005, he has pursued more of a medical treatment practice. Jason has spent his career working in settings such as traditional massage clinics, a chiropractic office, sports events, and a doctor’s office.

Jason has studied with a wide variety of teachers from all over the world and is currently level 1 certified in CAMT (Certified Advanced Myofascial Technique). This modality blends different types of massage techniques to bring awareness and options for movement to the body. CAMT can help people feel better in their bodies. The work is gentle and can be done with clothes on, which allows for more movement options.  During sports events, he worked with runners completing triathlons and trail running competitions and cyclists at charity rides for Live Strong, The Arthritis Foundation, the MS Society, and the ALS Association.  

Most of his other training has been in Movement-based massage and Myofascial Release. He has taken some classes in Spain on the French Camino with Rolfers, a Feldenkrais practitioner and a physical therapist. 

Jason believes in finding his own challenges to staying fit, and some of his accomplishments have been running his own self-organized marathon and several cycling events on the West Coast. He has also walked the Camino Portugues from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain this was 143 miles in 10 days.  

Whether you’re looking to increase flexibility or movement, Jason looks forward to working with you to reach the goals you want to attain with massage.