“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 two 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.
Originally hailing from the charming city of Greensboro, NC, Annie embarked on a new chapter in Mooresville in the spring of 2024, accompanied by her husband, their loyal dog, and the occasional visit from one of her four children. Once known as the shyest member of her senior class, Annie’s transformative journey began when she discovered her voice and passion through group fitness. What started as participation soon evolved into a role as an instructor, where Annie experienced firsthand the profound potential for positive change that movement and lifestyle can bring. This newfound passion for empowering others cemented her commitment to helping individuals achieve their wellness goals.
Annie’s dedication to fitness and wellness opened doors to incredible opportunities, including a role as a national master trainer for a prominent group fitness program. In this capacity, she traveled across the country, training new instructors and sharing her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the field with budding fitness professionals.
Her career spans a broad spectrum within the wellness industry, from high-energy boot camps and group fitness classes to specialized activities programming in retirement communities. These diverse experiences inspired Annie to pursue formal education in physical therapy, leading her to return to school in 2015. After earning her license as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in 2018, she continued to build on her expertise. Annie’s professional journey includes roles as a boot camp trainer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and PTA, with a focus on pediatric and aquatic therapy.
Annie’s approach combines corrective and therapeutic exercise techniques with traditional fitness methodologies, providing a robust foundation to support individuals at every stage of their personal journey toward a healthier, stronger, and more active life. Her holistic perspective and hands-on experience make her a valuable resource for those seeking to enhance their well-being through a balanced and informed approach to fitness and rehabilitation.