TEAM BREAKTHRU TRAINERS

Phil and Michelle Dozois created BREAKTHRU FITNESS to provide clients with excellence in personal training and Pilates. Our primary goal is to improve the quality of your life and offer a friendly and professional atmosphere.

Phil has been a personal training for over 15 years and holds the following certifications and specializations from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Enhancement Specialist and Corrective Exercise Specialist; he is also an ACE certified Personal Trainer. He has designed exercise programs for Sony-BMG, Shape Magazine, Adventure Sports Magazine, Competitor Magazine, as well as designing a workout for the Chyna, the "Ninth Wonder of the World", a former woman wrestler for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Phil is also an avid mountain biker, hiker, triathlete, and adventure racer. He has presented for Stairmaster and written articles for Dr. Drew.com. He also gives lectures for REI on outdoor sports and fitness related activities.

Michelle has starred in many best selling fitness videos such as "Pilates for Dummies", "Walk Your Way Slim", and the original "10 Minute Solution". She has also produced her own line of "Breakthru Fitness" titles which include Pilates, Step, Dance and Total Body Sculpting workouts. Michelle and her husband Phil have two young children and own Breakthru Fitness, one of Pasadena's premier personal training and Pilates studios. She is a former National and World Aerobic Champion, holds multiple certifications and has taught other fitness professionals in 20 countries around the world. As a leader in the health and fitness industry, Michelle is continually sought after as a contributor to numerous magazines including Shape, Fit, Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, and Natural Health. She appeals to a wide variety of consumers from the "never exercised" to the "super fit" as she has also designed and starred in workouts for both Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. Her "everyone can be fit attitude"; versatile teaching skills and inspiring persona have helped her sell over 4 million fitness videos. Read more about Michelle and her Home Workout Products.

	Ted Armstrong earned his Bachelors degree in Physical Education, a Masters degree in Kinesiology/Education and Teaching Credential all from California State University, San Bernardino. His employment history includes working as an Adapted Physical Education Specialist - 7 years, collegiate soccer coach and high school coach - over 15 years. He believes, "The goals of teaching a person with special needs are just as important as a person without those needs. It's all broken down into parts; some are just smaller than others". Ted's background, training and experience have enabled him to identify individual fitness obstacles and assist in designing a plan that assists in overcoming those obstacles for individual successes. ATTACK THE PLAN!
	Heather M. Biede, LMT, CPT - graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.F.A. in Dance, and then moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue musical theatre. To keep in shape for dancing, Heather joined her local gym where she soon found her other passion in life: health and fitness. She is a certified personal trainer and holds four advanced credentials through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She also has a great passion for bodywork, and is a licensed massage therapist, specializing in deep tissue and soft tissue therapy. She enjoys continuing her education through functional exercise workshops and learning from top professionals in the industry, namely Lenny Parracino of Kinetic Conditioning.
	Kanda Farrar has been motivating people as a personal trainer for 15 years. She serves as Breakthru Fitness' Personal Training Director and in that capacity oversees and mentors 30 trainers. With certificates from NASM, Certified Personal Trainer, Performance Exercise Specialist and Corrective Exercise Specialist, she loves to help people reach their goals-especially when it means that she can help a client realize dramatic weight loss, overcome a chronic limitation or even just feel the thrill of a workout that can be varied, fun and challenging all at the same time. Kanda, who lives in the Pasadena area, is the mother of two boys. When she's not at Breakthru, she can often be found in the equestrian ring, where she is an avid competitor.
	British born Claire Flewin has always had a passion for health and fitness. She began her athletic career early as a gymnast and then later competed successfully in the U.K. as a 100 and 200 meter sprinter and as a 100 meter relay sprinter. Claire is certified as personal trainer by the National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM). Claire is also a certified International Pilates Instructor who studied under Pilates master Ivan Dahl here in Los Angeles. She continues her education by attending various NASM workshops and Pilates seminars and is still an avid runner, hiker, scuba diver, and workout enthusiast.
	Betsy Folsom is certified by AFFA and NASM as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer. She holds her BS degree in Marketing and has over 10 years experience in the fitness industry. Betsy teaches all types of fitness classes from spinning to senior exercise. She is currently finishing a full certification in The Method® (the exercises of Joseph Pilates). She is the mother of two beautiful children. Specializes in pre/post-natal.
	Jim Frith is a runner and a former Virginia State High School Wrestling Champion, but he had his share of injuries over the years. “I could have performed better and avoided a lot of pain if modern kinesiology had guided me.” Studying human movement science opened his eyes. Now he helps athletes and non-athletes to improve the quality of their lives by reducing aches and pains, avoiding injuries, and reaching their fitness goals. Clients lose fat while gaining strength, stability, flexibility, agility, power, and endurance. Jim has taught National Federation of Professional Trainers personal trainer certification courses and has coached youth softball, baseball, and basketball. He graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Economics. He is certified by NFPT as a Master Trainer, Personal Trainer, Advanced Sports Nutrition Specialist, Advanced Endurance Training Specialist, and Advanced Weight Training Specialist. He is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and is currently writing a book on the integration of nutrition and exercise for lifetime habits optimizing health and fitness.
	Gary Gunton holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer credentials from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the Health Fitness Instructor certification from the American College of Sports Medicine, is a graduate of the UCLA Extension Fitness Instruction Certificate Program, and holds a B.A. from Ohio State University. To design a conditioning program that brings clients to a new plateau in their favorite sport, a rehabilitation program that relieves pain and enhances recovery, or a functional training program that enhances the activities of daily living for seniors, Gary finds the ultimate satisfaction in helping clients to achieve their goals. Gary also teaches and trains on a volunteer basis at the Joslyn Senior Center in Burbank, CA.
	Don Johnson list of credentials is so long we can only list a few of them. Don holds a BA from San Diego State University and an MA from Central Michigan University. As a massage therapist he is experienced in Sports, Swedish, Cranio-sacral therapy, Acupressure therapy, Stretch and Massage therapy. As a personal trainer Don holds personal training certifications from NASM, ASSA, and AFFA. He is also a Post Rehab Specialist and Resistance Training Specialist. Don helps others achieve systemic balance through therapeutic massage techniques and of course salsa dancing which is the endorphin "icing" on the "health cake". Check him out!
	Gary Loya Loya is a certified personal trainer through NASM. He loves to challenge people to achieve their best to empower them to reach their goal. Gary runs our Total Conditioning outdoor group-training program. He is also responsible for designing Breakthru's graphics for brochures, flyers, and newspaper ads. An avid runner since a very young age he is now a triathlete, marathoner, and adventure racer. Gary specializes in in-home workout programs, outdoor training and running clinics.
	Zac Marshall M.A., CMT, CPT - entered the health and fitness profession following a severe low back injury he suffered as a nationally-ranked junior tennis player. Through his own journey of rehabilitating and restoring function Zac developed a passion for health, fitness, and movement. Zac has a Master's degree in Kinesiology and Biomechanics; is certified through the American Council on Exercise; and is a certified massage therapist. Zac has been apprenticed by several leading professionals in the fitness and corrective exercise industry, including Anthony Carey of Function First and Lenny Parracino of Kinetic Conditioning. Zac also competed collegiately as a track and cross country runner at UC San Diego.
	Johnny Miller is a fully certified Stott Pilates instructor teaching at both Breakthru Fitness Studio and the Stott certification training facility in Long Beach. He is also certified as a personal trainer through NASM. Continuing as a freelance graphic art director, Johnny is the recipient of a bachelor's of fine arts from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, Calif., and a master's of fine arts from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Johnny teaches small group equipment classes and is available for privates in Pilates and resistance training.
	Melanie Morimoto received her certification in Personal Fitness Training from National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2000. Since then she has been training individuals as well as leading group fitness classes in and around the Pasadena area. Melanie began her study in the art of Pilates in 2002. A Certified STOTT Pilates Instructor, Melanie completed her certification at John Garey Pilates in Long Beach, CA. In addition to holding a 1st degree  black belt in the Schrin Ryu style of Karate, Melanie is also an avid cyclist and holds certifications from Schwinn Cycling, Johnny G. Spinning and Precision cycling. Melanie continues her education by taking part in various NASM sponsored programs as well as participating in Continuing Education Pilates workshops offered at Long Beach Dance Conditioning.
	Mark Saucedo's career as a fitness instructor and soft tissue therapist has evolved from his fundamental belief in the body-mind connection and the therapeutic benefits of movement. He specializes in a unique form of corrective bodywork called Soft Tissue Alignment and Release, which is designed to loosen tight and stiff muscles and increase joint range of motion. He offers his clients a personalized program of manual therapy and corrective exercise. Mark is a certified Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.
	Mike Strickland has been a member of the Breakthru team for ten years. He has earned his CPT and PES from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Mike specializes in group training, seniors, and sports specific training. He also has had extensive experience in cancer recovery workouts. Mike also runs Team Survivor at the gym, a workout for ladies who have or have had any form of cancer.
	Suzanne Toy NASM-CPT holds a personal training certificate from NASM - National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is enthusiatic about personal training and nutrition. Suzanne has been a runner since a very young age, and understands how important cardiovascular exercise is for the body. Her background is in education, but her passion is in working out. When she's not in the gym you'll find her out selling homes in the Pasadena area.
	Sonia Trejo is a fully certified Stott Pilates instructor. She also holds her certification as a personal trainer through NASM and APEX fitness and nutrition management. She is also a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has studied Yoga for the past 10 years. Prior to her professional involvement in the fitness industry, Sonia had been a successful Fashion Designer and Merchandiser for twenty years. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago, she realized the immense benefits that mind, body, and balance played in staying healthy and decided to close her business to pursue fitness full time. She enjoys the gratification of helping others realize their potential and achieve their goals. She is an active board member of the Heartfelt Foundation, a non-profit charity organization and a member of the M.S. Society.