Personal Training

CJ has over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. As a youth he played football, swimming, and baseball competitively, preparing him to become a Division I collegiate athlete. After college he spent nearly six years in corporate America and noticed people made excuses for not maintaining their health. What started as an opportunity to improve people’s health, became a passionate career. His tough yet encouraging energy has led him to effectively inspire his clients to move better, be stronger, and improve their overall lifestyle.

Stanford is a Columbus, Ohio native and graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Stanford has over 10 years of fitness experience; including, sports performance, strength & conditioning, body recomposition , HII, and Olympic Weightlifting. His approach to training emphasizes proper technique, injury prevention, and functional movement to promote strength and cardiovascular health. Stanford has extensive experience in workout programming to create dynamic and functional workouts. When he is not in the gym, Stanford is spending time outside with his dogs.

Mercedes is a seasoned fitness and rehabilitation professional with over 16 years of experience working across diverse populations—from individuals managing chronic pain to youth and professional athletes. A former multi-sport athlete, Mercedes played soccer and ice hockey and competed in Olympic Weightlifting. She later qualified for the 2009 CrossFit Games, showcasing her passion for high-performance training.

Following a serious back injury, Mercedes was inspired to shift her focus toward rehabilitation and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from New York University. She has since combined her clinical expertise with her strength and conditioning background to create customized, functional programs that help clients move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free.

Originally from Albany, NY, Mercedes enjoys hiking, swimming, cooking, and traveling the world in her free time.

Training Philosophy:

"Everyone starts their fitness journey at a different point. My job is to guide and educate my clients every step of the way."

Jordan is a D.C. native who is passionate about empowering people with the awareness and skills to master their bodies.

With a strong emphasis on movement mechanics, nutrition, sleep, and stress management skills, Jordan looks to help clients become well rounded, healthy, and happy people. Jordan believes that fitness, wellbeing, and happiness are not just goals to be achieved one day in the future, but a way of living to be experienced moment to moment, here and now.

He is a lifelong student of martial arts, literature, and meditation, who enjoys long walks in Rock Creek Park.

Mike is a dedicated fitness professional with a passion for helping others build strength, move better, and gain confidence in their bodies. A former basketball player in High school and college, Mike found his way into fitness after using it to make transformative changes in his own life and now channels his expertise to empower others on their own journeys.

Mike blends functional training with a focus on mobility and long-term progress. Whether you're new to fitness, looking to improve your cardio endurance or level up your performance, Mike brings energy, empathy, and accountability to every session.

Outside The St. James, he enjoys running, playing basketball, and spending time with his family.

Training Philosophy: "Fitness changed my life, now I’m here to empower others to take action, unlock their potential and commit to themselves."

Braxton Parker is a veteran in the fitness industry with over 8 years of experience coaching premier HIIT classes in addition to 1-on-1 personal training, having worked with hundreds of clients from young phenoms to dear grannies. Certified through the American Council of Exercise (ACE), Braxton also holds a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Braxton grew up in the town of Olney where he dove for the Tanterra Terrapins and wrestled for the Sherwood High School Warriors. Braxton is well versed in the principals of weight lifting, HIIT training, body recomposition, and fat loss. Whether it's preparing for competition, an annual PT test, or general health, Braxton has methods to bring out your potential within.

Performance isn't just about the reps done in the weight room, but also improving mitochondrial health. Through a combination of modern and retro styles of training, Braxton creates a unique environment for his clients that has them excel in all aspects of their lives. Everyone's life is better when they're stronger.

For over 18 years, Jimmy has built his career around a simple principle: performance is engineered, not guessed at. As an Elite Performance Coach at The St. James Performance Club, he brings a powerful combination of athletic experience, five ISSA certifications, and a data-driven approach to every client, from first-time lifters to competitive athletes chasing their next personal best.

Jimmy’s coaching philosophy is grounded in experience. He competed in track & field for nine years and played football for 11, giving him a firsthand understanding of speed, power, conditioning, and the discipline required to perform under pressure. That competitive foundation shapes the way he coaches today, with purposeful programming built around the individual rather than generic workouts.

Every client Jimmy trains gets more than a workout. He tracks meaningful performance metrics to create a clear picture of progress, allowing both coach and client to see what’s working, make informed adjustments, and continue moving toward measurable results.

Jimmy’s philosophy is simple: Data + Intent. Volume builds bodies. Intent builds lives. Every session is programmed with purpose, progress is tracked with discipline, and every client is challenged and supported in pursuit of real, lasting results.

Marquise studied kinesiology at the University of Kentucky where he competed on the track and field team. Marquise has been active all of his life. Marquise was injured and that sparked a fire in him to help people properly train and gain confidence in the gym. He excels at training people in strength and conditioning, athletic performance training and rehabilitation training.

DC native Joe Barlia, CSCS, brings over a decade of training experience to help clients move better, get stronger, lose weight, gain muscle, and achieve lasting results. A collegiate baseball player, Joe combines science-based programming with a personalized approach, delivering world-class service and building genuine relationships so every client feels heard, supported, and confident in their fitness journey.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Nyasia combines her athletic background with a B.S. in Sports Medicine and a minor in Sports Management from Howard University to bring both knowledge and passion to every session. As a former track, basketball, and volleyball athlete who now coaches volleyball, she knows the discipline and resilience it takes to perform at your best.

Nyasia is nationally certified in personal training and strength and conditioning, and her experience ranges from helping young athletes build a foundation for success to supporting adults in their 80s who want to stay strong, mobile, and independent. Her training philosophy focuses on functional, personalized programs that develop strength, speed, and resilience while encouraging healthy habits that last beyond the gym.

Driven by her love for fitness, Nyasia inspires clients to push past limits, move with confidence, and unlock their true potential.

With a B.S. in Exercise Science, and over 10 years of professional training experience, Thomas Harrington has spent a lifetime immersed in athletics—skiing, baseball, wrestling, and football—but his career in fitness took on new meaning after a serious ski accident in 2012. Navigating his own recovery opened his eyes to the power of proper movement, corrective training, and long-term joint health. This experience, along with his work as a Physical Therapy Technician from 2015–2018, shaped his unique training philosophy centered around both injury prevention and injury rehab, a blend he calls “PreHab.”

With an AA in Health Fitness, a BA in Exercise Science, and 9 years of professional training experience, Thomas specializes in helping clients build strength, move better, and feel better—inside and outside the gym. He excels in working with individuals seeking stress relief, functional fitness, corrective exercise, and safe, progressive strength training. His programs are tailored to each client’s lifestyle, combining fun, challenge, and purpose in every session.

Thomas believes that when you move well, you live well. His goal is to create workouts that not only improve physical performance but also cultivate a sense of balance, resilience, and overall well-being. The positive energy built in his sessions goes far beyond the gym—empowering clients to step back into their daily lives stronger, more confident, and more capable.

Mara is a nationally certified personal trainer (ISSA) with over two years of experience working with clients to build strength, cardiovascular endurance, confidence, and sustainable healthy habits. She works with individuals at all fitness levels, focusing on strength training and healthy body composition through personalized, results driven programming.

Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Mara has over 10 years of athletic experience in weightlifting, golf, and soccer. Her background as an athlete, combined with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, allows her to take a balanced approach to fitness that supports both mental and physical well being.

Training Philosophy: Mara believes true health comes from a balance of mental and physical wellness. Her goal is to create a supportive, motivating environment where clients feel empowered to move with confidence, build strength, endurance, and develop a healthy mindset that lasts beyond the health club.

Mimi is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and AEA Certified Water Fitness Instructor who is passionate about helping people feel stronger, move better, and build confidence in their bodies. She enjoys working with a wide range of clients including women, individuals new to fitness, older adults, those looking to prevent injuries and those looking to safely rebuild strength after injury or surgery. Mimi focuses on creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people can build healthy habits and make steady progress at their own pace.

Her love for fitness began through high school athletics, where she competed in softball, track and field, and cross country. Those experiences taught her discipline and the value of consistent training, lessons she now brings to every client she works with.

Mimi’s greatest inspiration is her sister Melany, who has mild intellectual disability. Growing up, Mimi often brought her sister to the gym or created workouts they could do together at home. That experience shaped Mimi’s belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and active life, regardless of where they are starting.

Today, Mimi enjoys helping clients improve strength, mobility, balance, and overall health while focusing on prehab strategies that help people move well and avoid injuries before they happen. Her goal is to create a fun, positive training experience that celebrates progress and builds confidence over time.

In addition to personal training, Mimi has practiced Aikido and performed stage combat, reflecting her lifelong passion for movement.

Christopher Waters is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with specializations in Senior Fitness and Corrective Exercise, a USA Boxing Coach, and FMS Level 1 certified. Known for his motivating and energetic coaching style, Christopher creates data-driven programs that deliver real results. Whether it’s building strength, improving mobility, or sharpening boxing skills, his sessions are designed to challenge you, keep you accountable, and make fitness fun. Clients can count on leaving every workout stronger, more confident, and with both a sweat and a smile.

Nate Mesy believes fitness is about more than building muscle—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a better quality of life. A graduate of Frostburg State University with a B.S. in Exercise & Sports Science and the school’s 400-meter dash record, Nate combines proven knowledge with real-world experience to help individuals become stronger, move better, and build sustainable habits that last. With over three years of personal training experience, he is passionate about empowering people from all walks of life to reach their goals and become the healthiest, strongest version of themselves.

With over 15 years of experience in track and field, including competing at the Division I level, Bree brings a strong foundation in strength, speed, endurance, and athletic performance to her coaching.

Bree’s experience extends well beyond competitive athletics. She works with clients of all fitness levels, from those learning how to exercise and building confidence in the health club to busy professionals looking to improve their strength, body composition, energy, and overall health. She also has experience coaching athletes to improve speed, agility, explosiveness, and conditioning.

Bree’s training philosophy is centered on meeting clients where they are and creating a personalized approach that makes progress both achievable and sustainable. Whether the goal is building strength, improving body composition, enhancing athletic performance, or establishing a healthier lifestyle, she helps clients train with purpose, build confidence, and create lasting results.

Emily is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer from Silver Spring, Maryland, with a passion for helping clients become stronger, more confident, and more capable. She works with all experience levels, from beginners building healthy habits and confidence in the health club to athletes looking to improve their strength, conditioning, and performance.

With 15 years of experience in combat sports, Emily brings a unique performance background to her coaching. Her continued Muay Thai training alongside high-level coaches and professional fighters has shaped her approach to movement, conditioning, resilience, and performance. She coaches both Muay Thai classes and one-on-one clients and has experience developing strength and conditioning programs for field hockey and lacrosse athletes.

Emily specializes in strength and conditioning, body recomposition, athletic performance, and helping beginners build a strong foundation for long-term fitness. Above all, she believes lasting results begin with a healthy mindset. Her approach combines progressive training, accountability, and practical coaching to help clients build sustainable habits and become physically and mentally resilient.

Whether the goal is to build strength, improve body composition, enhance athletic performance, or simply feel healthier and more confident, Emily meets each client where they are and helps them move toward lasting results.