“At the Training Ground at Davidson, we take pride in our diverse team of skilled professionals, each with unique personalities and expertise. We’re confident that we have someone who can meet your needs and someone you’ll truly enjoy working with. We look forward to welcoming you into our community.“
With over three decades of experience as a massage therapist and trainer, Frank brings a multifaceted approach to fitness. He also draws upon his personal, lifelong battle with the chronic illness Neurofibromatosis. Since 14-years-old Frank has undergone five back surgeries, two brain surgeries and the accompanying post-surgical complications. Frank has a breadth of fitness knowledge. He knows what it’s like to learn how to walk, speak and swallow again from personal experience with illness. He knows what it’s like to motivate the everyday athlete to stay on top of their health, and he knows the elite world from working on collegiate athletes who compete in the A-10 conference, athletes who compete in Kona-Iron-man world championships and Ultra marathoners.
Today Frank still manages the trials of his own illness, but through his encouragement of clients and helping them be their best selves he is consistently reminded that wellness is an everyday job that ultimately leads to better living.
In 1996 Frank began his career in the fitness industry when he first became a trainer and massage therapist with a degree in therapeutic body work from the New York College of Health Professions. He opened his first company in NYC in 2001 where he owned and operated a fitness consulting company that provided management systems to gym and tennis facilities. He later opened fitness studios in NYC and Great Neck Long Island.
Later in search of a less hectic lifestyle, Frank found himself in the fabulously fit, Davidson NC where he has owned and operated Training Ground at Davidson since 2010.
Frank has studied from some of the top professionals in the fields of biomechanics, sports management, sports psychology, stress management, holistic wellness, myoskeletal alignment (MAT), myofascial release and more. He continues to learn daily and is enthusiastic about sharing what he has benefitted from over the years.
Clientele has included (and in some cases continues to include) sports professionals, celebrities and the everyday badass e.g.: NASCAR racers, Team USA Bob-sledders, Olympic trial whitewater kayakers, Ironman, Crossfit games competitors and internationally ranked divers. He also works with Davidson College swimmers, divers, cross country and track athletes and others.
Aside from Training Ground, Frank’s passion lies in travel through Trekking and disaster-relief efforts. He has climbed a solo-trip on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, trekked through rainforests in Peru and loves Adventure racing particularly through “Adventure Enablers” in the Shenandoah Valley. Frank is also part of the disaster-relief organization Team Rubicon. Through Team Rubicon he is inspired everyday by retired veterans and civilians who work in disaster relief to help citizens thrive after a natural disaster.
Frank lives in Davidson with his loving wife Cathryn and their tireless pups Ollie and Nina. The family can easily be spotted running through town, at the local farmers’ market or on one of Davidson’s majestic trails.
Jess is an avid dog lover, outdoor enthusiast, and gym aficionado who, after six years in person with the Training Ground at Davidson, now resides in Flagstaff, AZ with her husband Luke and their dog, Harper. Before living in Davidson and Flagstaff, Jess spent her early years in Arizona and later moved to Ohio. While pursuing a degree in English at Ohio State University, she was introduced to the field of outdoor education. After graduating with a BS in English it was the outdoor education that tugged at her heart. She has lived outdoors and off-the-grid for periods totalling more than a year working as an instructor with the North Carolina Outward Bound School. Later she became Program Manager of the small non-profit organization Walk with a Doc*.
Jess takes great pleasure in helping others integrate activity and health into their daily lives. As an ACE-certified personal trainer, she holds additional certifications in corrective exercise, senior fitness, pre- and post-natal exercise, balance training, and run technique training, as well as being a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. In personal training, Jess focuses on strength, mobility, functional movement, and cardiovascular endurance to help clients achieve their goals. As a health coach, she employs motivational interviewing techniques to support clients in their journey toward lasting wellness. Jess understands that adopting a healthy lifestyle—starting from wherever a client may be—is essential for emotional and mental well-being.
She is there to help others keep themselves from avoidable injury, work through current and past injuries and get through periods of lacking motivation. Whatever is keeping you from the level of fitness you want to achieve, she’ll be there to help. She wants you to do the things you love to do and feel great while doing them. Her goal is to embody and help clients embody their best selves every day, inside and out.
*Walk-with-a-Doc organizes group walks between community members and healthcare professionals across the country. It allows community members to get questions answered, get some free health education and spend time with neighbors outdoors.
Born and raised in New York City, Allison relocated to Davidson in 2022 along with her two children and dog, embarking on a new chapter alongside her partner, Sandor. With 20 years of experience in group fitness instruction and personal training, she is a seasoned and devoted fitness enthusiast. Beyond the fitness community, Allison is widely known as a dedicated Speech Therapist/Special Education teacher for the NYS public school system, where she has spent 25 years working with children diagnosed with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, and various disabilities.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for helping individuals achieve their health and fitness goals through tailored exercise programs. Through her own personal experiences and the knowledge she gained, Allison realized that fitness and wellness were not just hobbies or career paths, but lifelines that could save lives. Her unique perspective and empathetic approach allow her to connect deeply with her clients on a personal level. She understands their struggles, as she has walked a similar path herself. Her journey has instilled in her a strong belief in the mind-body connection and the importance of holistic well-being.
Known for her energetic and engaging teaching style, Allison has led a diverse range of classes, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boot camps, strength training, and dance fitness. Her ability to create a supportive and inclusive environment in each class has made her a favorite among participants.
In 2011, Allison received a proposition from her best friend and mentor, leading to a collaboration to create Total60™️, a fitness class that rapidly gained popularity on Long Island, NY, and eventually expanded to the tri-state area. The program garnered attention from local news outlets and emerged as a unique powerhouse, affording Allison opportunities to work closely with ASICS. Together with Kathy, they were enlisted to instruct their program at “Classes on the Cobbles,” a notable event held on the streets of NYC. This achievement led to their invitation to introduce T60™️ at the annual NYC fitness convention hosted at the Marriot Marquis, where Allison had the privilege of collaborating with prominent Beachbody personalities. She also had the chance to share her ideas, talents, and passions with industry professionals from around the world at the DCAC fitness convention in Virginia. However, in 2018, the trajectory of Total60™️ took a heartbreaking pause when Kathy lost her battle with Glioblastoma after 14 months.
Allison’s clients appreciate her ability to provide a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their potential and overcome their limitations. Her dedication to their success is evident in the individualized attention and motivation she brings to each session. Allison believes everyone deserves to experience the life-changing benefits of fitness and wellness, and she is committed to helping her clients unlock their true potential.
Allison has been told that her story serves as an inspiration to those who have struggled with their own challenges. She credits fitness and wellness for not only saving her life, but also transforming it into one of purpose and fulfillment. With a compassionate and motivating approach, Allison empowers individuals to embrace a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Born into a family where exercise was a natural part of everyday life, Pari never viewed fitness as an obligation, it was simply part of who she was. Her athletic journey began at the age of five with gymnastics, before discovering her passion for badminton, a sport that would shape the next two decades of her life. As a professional athlete, she competed at the national level, signed contracts with teams in Iran’s National Badminton League, and developed the discipline, resilience, and dedication required to perform at the highest level.
During her athletic career, Pari realized that true performance required more than experience alone. Driven by a desire to better understand human movement and athletic performance, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Science and Physical Education from the University of Tehran, one of Iran’s leading institutions in the field. She later continued her education by earning a Master of Science in Sports Management from Allameh Tabataba’i University, one of Iran’s most prestigious universities.
A defining moment in Pari’s journey came when she suffered a torn Achilles tendon during one of the most demanding seasons of her competitive career. Instead of seeing the injury as a setback, she embraced it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Through the rehabilitation process, she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of mobility, flexibility, proper movement mechanics, and injury prevention, not only for athletes, but for anyone seeking long-term health and quality of life. After returning to competition, she continued her professional badminton career while expanding her knowledge of human performance and training.
Alongside her athletic career, Pari spent 11 years working as a physical education teacher, badminton coach, and strength and conditioning trainer in a gym setting. These experiences allowed her to work with individuals of different ages and fitness levels, helping them improve their strength, performance, movement quality, and overall physical well-being.
In 2021, Pari and her husband moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin a new chapter in their lives. While establishing herself in the United States, she continued investing in her professional growth by earning her Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In early 2026, she joined Training Ground, where she combines years of elite athletic experience, coaching expertise, and evidence-based training principles to help clients achieve sustainable results.
Pari believes that exercise is more than just a workout, it is a lifestyle. She believes every individual deserves a personalized approach that improves strength, mobility, confidence, and overall well-being. Her goal is to create an environment where clients feel supported, motivated, and empowered to become the best version of themselves. Through meaningful connections, shared experiences, and a genuine passion for helping others, she strives to make every training session not only effective, but also enjoyable and memorable.
Carlos was born and raised in the vibrant heart of New York City, where his early love for movement and sports took root. He can still remember waking up early most mornings while visiting family in the Dominican Republic and hearing his uncle working out behind the house—using cinderblocks as makeshift weights. His uncle, who had a noticeable limp due to cancer, seemed larger than life. Working out was his way of staying alive longer than expected. He was deeply committed to his health and well-being, doing whatever it took to improve his quality of life. That experience left a lasting impression on Carlos and planted the seed for his lifelong dedication to fitness and wellness.
A standout shortstop and three-year team captain in high school, Carlos’s athleticism earned him a spot in the senior all-star game and a recruitment offer to play at Essex Community College, a Division I JUCO in Baltimore, MD. It was there that he began to discover his deeper calling—not only as an athlete but as a coach and mentor.
Following college, Carlos played two seasons of semi-professional baseball with The Rockland Boulders (2011–2012), and to this day, he continues to enjoy playing recreationally. But his passion for training and guiding others soon took center stage.
With more than 24 years in the fitness industry, Carlos has worked with a broad range of clients—from young athletes and weekend warriors to high-level competitors. His career spans both coasts, including time spent in New York City and Los Angeles, where he honed his expertise as a personal trainer, performance coach, and club manager. He also built and ran his own private training business.
While in L.A., Carlos served as a performance coach at St. Monica Prep in Santa Monica, training incoming freshmen in strength fundamentals and working with Girls Softball, Boys Varsity Baseball, Volleyball, and Track teams. He also partnered with Top Level Baseball Academy to coach athletes from grade school through college, designing summer programs and performance protocols to help young players build strength and confidence.
Carlos is certified as a:
- NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (Pn1)
- Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC)
Now living in Charlotte, NC, Carlos relocated from Los Angeles with his wife and their three young children—two daughters, ages 6 and 4, and a baby boy born in 2024. As a dedicated father, Carlos knows firsthand the importance of balancing health, family, and professional life. This perspective shapes his training philosophy: sustainable, disciplined effort creates long-term results—both in fitness and in life.
Whether helping an athlete prep for the season, guiding a caregiver compassionately toward their wellness goals, or helping someone come back from an acute or chronic injury, Carlos brings patience, precision, and a deep belief in each person’s potential. His core mission remains the same: to use movement as a vehicle for confidence, helping people of all ages feel stronger in body and spirit. movement as a vehicle for confidence, helping people of all ages feel stronger in body and spirit.
