WELLNESS THROUGH FITNESS

Owner and Founder

After 20 years in corporate roles, I started to experience burnout, pain, and chronic fatigue. Years of travel and compounding stress had taken their toll and I couldn’t keep up with the ailments I was experiencing. There were simply not enough hours in the day. 

It was while racing between appointments that the idea for Grit City Wellness was born. I dreamt of a singular environment that could provide the variety of services I required in half of the time. 

Inspired by the beauty of commencement bay and all the area has to offer, I began designing a first-rate wellness club that would allow me to self-direct my care based on the needs of my body, mind, and schedule. Grit City Wellness would be the ideal place to support busy professionals or those simply overwhelmed by life. 

I’m grateful to share the experiences that led me here and consider it a privilege to serve my community in this way. I’m most proud of our dedicated and dynamic team that makes “never giving up on yourself” obtainable and central to our mission. Each day we are gifted a new opportunity to support one another, build upon our passions, and reach relentlessly for our goals.  

Join us. 

Fitness Director, Personal Trainer

Theresa is a Cali transplant, after moving up and down the West Coast, her little family decided to call the PNW home. She’s had a love for exercise and fitness, playing sports and challenging her body at a young age, so it was only fitting to follow her passion. After graduation from Cal State Monterey Bay with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, she began sharing her knowledge and love for strength training with the Tacoma Community. When she’s not in the gym, you might find her skating around with her daughter, chilling in a hammock, or perfecting her BBQ’n skills. Come gain some strength with her!

B.S Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Certificates: ACSM CPT (American College of Sports Medicine: Certified Personal Trainer)

PPSC (Pain-Free Performance Specialist)

Lead Wellness Specialist & Yoga Facilitator

As an advocate for mental health, I lead my classes with an emphasis on compassion, mindfulness, and presence. I have found that meditation, breath work, and movement can help us to manage stress and find a deeper sense of peace. I strive to create a space of inclusivity where everyone feels welcome. Yoga is for everybody. My yoga journey began when I was seeking out community. Practicing yoga with others helps me feel a sense of unity and connection that I can’t find anywhere else. When we take our practice beyond the mat, yoga becomes a way of life, and we become more connected to ourselves and the world around us. Come practice yoga with Meredith on Monday and Wednesday evenings!

Special Event Manager and Wellness Specialist

Hi I’m Raquel! Wellness became personal for me the moment I became a mother.
As a mom of two young boys, I experienced a profound shift in how I viewed health, no longer as a checklist, but as a deeply rooted way of living. Motherhood sparked a powerful passion for movement, healing, and holistic well-being that continues to grow and evolve with every season of life.
I’ve lived in Washington my entire life, and that sense of rootedness has shaped how I show up in the world. With presence, purpose, and a deep connection to nature and community. My love for movement began early, as a competitive dancer who found joy, discipline, and emotional expression through the body.
I find joy in supporting others in reconnecting with themselves through intentional movement, mindful living, and compassionate self-care. For me, wellness isn’t a trend or a quick fix; it’s a way of being, an embodied, evolving practice that nourishes from the inside out.
As a Wellness Specialist at Grit City Wellness, I’m honored to bring this passion into my daily work. I’m excited to greet clients with warmth, intention, care and to be part of a space where healing and self-discovery are not only supported but celebrated.

Vitality Health Coach and Wellness Specialist

Robert is dedicated to community wellness, plant medicine, and spiritual healing. Certified in Qigong Vitality, he integrates ancient energy practices with modern holistic health approaches to balance mind, body, and spirit. With a background that bridges natural medicine and contemporary healthcare, he empowers others to explore holistic pathways that nurture healing and vitality. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Robert has spent much of his life on the West Coast, where his passion for herbalism and community well-being has continued to flourish. He is currently completing his PhD in Natural Medicine. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his partner and their beloved family dog. Robert is a certified life coach, trauma-informed coach, and integrative health practitioner

Vitality Health Coach and Wellness Specialist

Meet Denisha —With a foundation rooted in extensive clinical experience and multidisciplinary education as a Registered Nurse, Therapeutic Bodyworker, Yoga Teacher, and Holistic Coach, Denisha is a Health and Wellness Consultant with over a decade of experience specializing in holistic modalities.

Through the Vitality Coaching Program, Denisha brings together medical knowledge, wisdom, and lived experience to create tailored, integrative plans that support whole-person transformation, physically, emotionally, and energetically. Her mission is to help people create healthy, happy, and harmonious lives by reconnecting with their bodies, restoring vitality, and cultivating sustainable well-being from the inside out.

Personal Trainer, Somatic Breathwork & Reiki Practitioner and Social Media Manager

Jered’s journey began with a shift in perspective, ignited by a deep desire to transform his life inside and out. Starting with his personal fitness journey rooted in extreme weight loss, he became acutely aware of how physical, emotional, and energetic influences were shaping his experience. As his physical health improved, he noticed how unresolved pain and trauma were impacting his mind, body, and spirit.Through a commitment to truth seeking, vulnerability, and self-exploration, Jered began to unravel the layers of his inner world. By leaning into his sensitivities and becoming attuned to the emotional and energetic undercurrents of life, he cultivated a profound sense of self-awareness and embodiment. This journey not only allowed him to heal and grow but also inspired him to help guide others to do the same.Jered now works as a holistic practitioner, combining personal training, somatic breathwork, sound healing, and Reiki to guide others on their path to self-discovery and transformation. When he’s not holding space for others, you’ll likely find him crafting nourishing meals, creating expressive content, or grounding himself in the beauty of the nature.

NCCPT Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Coach, Certified Pain Management Specialist, Animal Flow Coach

Personal Trainer, Clean-Health Performance Nutrition Coach

If you’re looking to level up in your training, nutrition and mindset, you’re in the right place.  I’m a nationally certified personal trainer and nutrition coach by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. 
After well over a decade of distance running, yoga and meditation practice, I encountered some stress induced health issues that gave me a big wake up call.  Just a few years later, I find myself retired from corporate life, an avid walker and physique competitor in my 50’s.  Nutrition and fitness has been a passion and lifestyle of mine for a long time but not until a few years ago, did I get certified in personal training and nutrition for my own self-development and interest.  Word caught on and I fell in love with the community and the power of supporting others on their journey to strength.  I believe the human body is a miracle but it takes more than just training.  It takes an overall mindset shift, finding a lifestyle that suits YOU and fueling your mind and body.  My focus is on building ease and overall strength into a lifestyle, not a 30-day plan for a short season.  It takes consistency over perfection and a lot of self-awareness, intention and energy.  I’m committed to remaining open and curious with my clients and assisting them on their journey to health and wellness throughout their lives.  I believe the secret is finding a happy place where you can build strength for longevity and to remain injury free.  The journey will look different for everyone but the beauty of strength training is all the different ways to approach it.

Personal Trainer, Exercise Technique and Program Design Specialist
USPA and KABUKI EDU Certified Powerlifting Coach Practitioner

Starting and maintaining an effective fitness routine can be challenging to say the least. I’m here to say you’re not alone. If you’ve found yourself walking into a gym asking yourself, where do I start? What exercises should I do to achieve my goals? How do I exercise safely and effectively? How often should I be exercising per week? We have all been there. Some of us have been lucky enough to find mentors who have guided us through the maze of exercise options to help us achieve our goals. The bottom line is that once you find that right coach or trainer everything falls into place and builds positively with each successful step you take.

At 70 years of age I still love to physically challenge myself and pursue performative excellence. It is deeply important to me to know I can always do something to change and improve myself. It’s part of a wellness routine that promotes my physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Strength is for every one
As the years have gone by, I have settled on strength training as the core of my personal fitness regimen and have grown to appreciate its critical role as a baseline for any fitness endeavor whether it be weight loss, finding or regaining optimal health (at any age) or reaching new levels of athleticism.

If you choose to work with me you will find that I am a very good listener, which I believe is the cornerstone of any successful couching relationship.

Integrative Bodywork Manager, and Personal Trainer

Sierra’s journey with movement began early, as she thrived in dance and cheerleading, competing across the East Coast for 12 years. After a major ACL injury in 2014 that required reconstructive surgery, Sierra faced years of pain and limited mobility, which challenged her self-image and well-being.

In 2019, she committed to transforming her life, embracing positive thinking and the power of mindset. This led her to explore personal training and bodywork as tools for healing and growth.

Now, as a personal trainer and bodywork practitioner, Sierra specializes in Deep Tissue, Sports, and Ashiatsu massage. Her expertise supports clients’ goals, from enhancing athletic performance to relieving chronic pain, and her personal recovery journey helps her connect deeply with each client.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Laura Nelson is a licensed massage therapist with over 17 years of experience in holistic healing and client care. Her focus is on creating deeply relaxing, restorative sessions that melt away stress while supporting balance in both body and mind. She has developed a Pure Bliss (or Nervous System Reset) style of massage that weaves together elements of deep tissue, reflexology, craniosacral therapy, hot towels and CBD cream—designed to leave clients feeling renewed, grounded, and at ease.

Her passion is creating a calming, nourishing space where clients can release daily responsibilities and sink into deep relaxation.

In addition to massage, Laura is a certified craniosacral and intraoral therapist, yoga teacher, and board-certified health coach. She is grateful for the opportunity to support the Grit City community and looks forward to sharing restorative bodywork with you.

Endospheres Technician

Kalli is a Tacoma native with a strong passion for holistic wellness, fitness, and incorporating practices that nourish the mind, body and spirit into daily life. Growing up as an athlete, fitness has always been a huge part of her life, but within the last 5 years she has started diving much deeper into the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health. She has witnessed the profound impact that yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices have had on restoring her own well-being, and is passionate about helping others discover the transformative impact of these practices as well.

Kalli has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and is a certified health coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. During her free time, you can find Kalli on an outdoor adventure, catching live music, running, lifting, practicing yoga or being artsy. Stop by Grit and say hello!

She’d love to get to know you. :)

Ashiatsu Practitioner

Courtney is a skilled therapist who discovered the power of therapeutic bodywork after a serious car accident at 17. Inspired by her recovery, she became an LMT in 2007 and has since specialized in Ashiatsu, Deep Tissue Repair, Cupping, and Reflexology, customizing treatments to meet each client’s unique needs—whether for back pain relief, injury recovery, or athletic performance enhancement.

Courtney's expertise in Ashiatsu, a barefoot massage technique that applies consistent pressure, sets her apart. She’s trained under Ashiatsu founder Ruthie Hardie, worked with a rugby team in New Zealand, and treated a local Women's Pro Soccer team. With extensive experience alongside chiropractors and physical therapists, she finds her greatest reward in her clients' success stories.

"Helping people is my passion."

Fitness Instructor

Hi, I’m Kelvin, a native to Lakewood, WA. I have been involved in fitness since I was 5 years old. My parents put me into all types of sports growing up and the one that really stuck was basketball. I went on to play college ball at Florida Atlantic University (go owls!).

Upon graduating, I found myself moving from career to career in the corporate sphere and found that I wasn’t happy doing that. I found my way back into fitness via personal training and I love it. I love helping people realize their potential whether it be through lifting heavy things, mobilizing areas they thought were they couldn’t, and getting the body type they want through work.

When I’m not training, I am an avid music lover and musician. I play piano, sing and produce. My band name is Race to the Light (soul funk fusion) and I just started playing with the ever talented group Kalimba (Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire). Let’s talk music or sports during our session!

Yoga Facilitator

I’m a certified yoga instructor who’s passionate about all things holistic wellness. For the past decade, yoga has been my greatest teacher and anchor, guiding me through all seasons of life with grace and strength. My classes awaken the body through the power of breath, intention and presence. My focus is to increase my students’ mobility,  build strength and encourage a deep, ongoing dialogue with the inner self. I truly believe that when the body, mind and breath come into unity- true healing can happen.

Yoga Facilitator

Kate has called Washington home all her life. Connecting to nature has been a consistent practice for her whether it’s snowboarding in the mountains, boating in the San Juan Islands, hiking the areas surrounding the Gorge, or just sitting by a river rockhounding, growing up in the beautiful PNW is interwoven into the fabric of Kate’s soul. 

Kate has been learning and working with different forms of healing modalities since her teen years and became interested in yoga and meditation. This led to her taking a 200-hour training to be able to teach yoga herself. She has also taught paddle board yoga and is currently working on her prenatal yoga teacher training to develop her understanding and expand her offerings. 

Kate enjoys creating space where people feel seen/ heard to be their authentic selves while exploring their own journey with healing. Lover of animals, plants, and art Kate is passionate about all things mushrooms. She loves live music and volunteers doing harm reduction services at events. One of her favorite things to do is road trips with her partner and dogs to explore new places and of course, give her dogs the best life possible! 

Pilates Instructor

Hello! My name is Sorya and I’ve been teaching Pilates since February 2024! I discovered my love for Pilates after looking for a low-impact workout to pair with my weightlifting regimen.

I think of my classes as a place to find what you need for that day. I give supportive options for anyone who needs it and amplification options for others who are looking for a challenge, whether it be mental or physical!

I want my clients to leave feeling empowered, like they learned more about their body and moved in a way that honored their unique needs! I bring encouraging and calming vibes so expect a lot of affirmations paired with your workout!

Wellness Specialist