Meet the Balance trainers
Amir Poindexter
Aamir Poindexter is a graduate of Temple University with a B.S. degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Aamir has been involved in sports his whole life. Along with 5 years of official training experience, Aamir’s credentials include: Certified Strength and Conditioning (CSCS), USA Boxing Coach, Schwinn Indoor Cycling Certification, CPR/AED and First Aid. He aspires to be a world championship boxer, trainer and lawyer. Along with competing in boxing and other activities, his greatest joy is putting a smile on people's faces, whether it's through laughter, encouragement, or helping others succeed in achieving their goals. Aamir sincerely believes that there is no ceiling when it comes to the potential each and every one of us possess. "You can look and feel however you want, but it takes sacrifice, hard- work, and dedication to achieve anything that is worthwhile.
Alex Stoddart
Alexandra Stoddart grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and quickly found comfort in organized sports and physical activity. Formerly a Division 1 swimmer at La Salle University, Alex is no stranger to what it takes to create formula for fitness and health success. With 9+ years of coaching experience, Alex specializes in performance-based training and brings a holistic perspective to athletic development. Her progressive training style incorporate all fitness disciples, including strength training, sport specific skills training, flexibility, and endurance. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or simply looking to strengthen and tone, Alex provides comprehensive training programs, tailored to help each client reach their specific goals.
When possible, Alex loves to bring the gym outdoors by creating dynamic workouts that help develop and refine specific motor skills that are critical to athletic development. Alex believes that everyone is an athlete in their own way, and challenges clients to move better by incorporating an athletic twist to everyday movement.
Alex is certified by AAAI and ISMA as a personal trainer. She teaches B FIT classes, offers personal training and coaches LAX athletes through B-Inspired programs.
Beka Rendell
Caroline Steele
Caroline is originally from Severna Park, MD, now residing in Philadelphia where she is the Assistant Lacrosse Coach at Saint Joseph’s University.
Before moving to Philly Caroline played 4 years of Lacrosse at the University of Maryland. Where she was a 2x All-American winning 3 Big Ten Championships and 2 National Championships.
Caroline grew up playing numerous different sports, along with her 4 brothers, developing competitiveness and a love for exercise and movement. Her goal is to be able to share her enthusiasm for working hard and pushing your peers, while having fun doing it.
Howard Aaron
Howard Aaron is one of Philadelphia's most beloved and respected trainers with a loyal following across the country; many have been with him for decades. He’s also a legendary owner of a succession of gyms, known for their diverse member base and friendly, family-like atmosphere.
Leveraging his education in Pharmacy and Science, Howard applies his vast knowledge of the body -- from the molecular to the muscular—to the individualized programs he creates. In fact, he works with clients with a wide variety of goals ranging from gaining overall strength, learning how to do a pushup, competition preparation, and even those with challenging medical conditions.
Howard lives by example: As an international bench press competitor, he is a state, national, and international record holder in the Raw Bench Press. Howard holds five World records, nine State records, and three American records and has competed and placed in two weight classes in the same year – virtually unheard of in the powerlifting world.
In 2015, Howard retired from gym ownership to focus on personal training and life coaching, competitive weightlifting, speaking, writing, and philanthropic work. He recently wrote and published his first book, Strength Training for Life; Your Journey to Live Longer and Stronger. 15% of the proceeds go to charitable organizations.
Kaheem Evans
Premier Trainer Kaheem Evans: I began my own personal fitness journey in 2017. In that process I achieved my own weight lost goal of losing 57lbs of unhealthy weight & body fat. While my personal goals continued, I turned that around by gaining 12lbs of lean muscle, while building endurance, strength, agility and flexibility.
I then directed my passion to helping others in their health and fitness journey. I have since had the pleasure of directing my energy and motivation to helping my clients achieve their own personal fitness goals.
My areas of expertise are Strength & Conditioning, Core Strengthening, building Legs & Glutes. I am truly a full body training technician.
Come workout with Kaheem at his Sunday class from 9:30-10:15am Strength & Conditioning. He is also available for personal training weeknights after 5pm and Sundays.
Liz Harris
Liz is a graduate of Lehigh University, where she played Division I field hockey and lacrosse, and Temple University Beasley School of Law. Liz has coached girls and women’s lacrosse at the collegiate level (Harvard and Lehigh) as well as high school and youth levels for 20 years. Liz integrated visualization exercises into pregame routines as an athlete and a coach and then began practicing mantra-based meditation five years ago. She completed the Chopra primordial sound meditation teacher certification and now enjoys introducing the practice of meditation to the women of B Inspired. Liz is the co-founder of B Inspired Philadelphia.
Liz feels meditation is an essential component of wellness routine and programming. Liz brought meditation to the Balance community six years ago and she continues to offer a free meditation each week. You will also find her leading her mid-week mid-day Sports Barre class and frequently jumps in to cover all Pilates and Barre classes when needed.
Joe Bonini
I’m Joseph Bonini, a recent graduate from Villanova University. Sports have always been a big part of my life, but once I entered college, I shifted my focus. I became deeply invested into fitness and nutrition, where I developed a passion for optimizing both.
Eager to learn, I spent hours researching, making notes of my personal fitness journey, and connecting with experts and
listening to their insights. During this period, I not only experienced the physical health benefits, but my biggest takeaways are the mindset and character development that we undertake when we are consistently active.
My personal fitness has journey has taught me that I’m a high achiever with a passion for excellence, not only in the gym, but in life. I hope to help others discover their unrealized levels of strength, both physically and mentally.
Meggin Bucholz
Meggin Buchholz moved from colleges and eventually ended at Temple University. After studying nursing, she switched to Business. She lived in Florida for about 9 years and ran a gym on Clearwater Beach, trained and taught many different people! While in Florida, she also trained women tennis pros who were up and coming. She loved being at the beach and misses it!
Meggin has been teaching at Balance for 7 years. She got into teaching Aerobics in college since she was not playing a sport. She has been teaching ever since and shortly after got PT certified. She started her career with AAAI ISMA for Group Fitness then took the ACSM certification for Personal Training. It wasn’t until 1999 that Johnny G Spinning Certification came into effect. Chestnut Hill Health and Fitness was one of the first groups certified for Indoor Cycling classes. Currently she is certified through AFAA, Fitour, Keiser, and studying Nutrition and Advanced Personal Training with ISSA! She always like to recharge her brain!
She grew her personal training business on referrals and now is busier than ever with clients ranging from 30s- 90s!!! Exercise does not discriminate. She welcomes anyone who wants to make the commitment to train with her, it will only help them achieve a better life.
Meggin was a Marathon runner in her twenties which included running the Boston Marathon two times. She has three children who keep her busy. They like to go to the beach, go on walks, play outside on any day! Meggin loves watching her kids stay active!
Meggin loves working out outside but absolutely loves to teach. When not teaching, she enjoys watching most ball sports and especially the Philadelphia teams. She is currently learning golf.
Her philosophy, “I hope to keep teaching and training for a very long time! I feel blessed and rewarded each day!“
Penny Sullivan
Penny Sullivan is an ACE certified group fitness instructor over 20 years, certified in Pilates Mat I and II PIA, Barre/The Balanced Body Barre Method and Leslie Bender Barre method and has extensive ballet and modern dance training. She has taught all over the U.S. From Los Angeles, Ca., Denver, Co., New York City, N.Y. and here in the Philly area for the past 15 years.
Penny is known for her consistency and creativity having been in the dance and fitness industry either as a performer or teacher/trainer for over 30 years! Growing up in NYC, she studied with the best mentors from NYC Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the Martha Graham school of dance while enjoying the hardcore fitness scene as well. She wanted a form of fitness that combined both the artistry of dance and the sweat factor of fitness, created a signature class/method of training that combines traditional fitness exercises with basic ballet, Pilates and yoga sequences. A hybrid of dance and fitness that anyone can do, long before the barre craze took hold of the fitness industry. Her classes and private sessions are never the same but always complete and balanced with upper body work, core strength, posture and balance exercises, flexibility training and lower body blasts.
When you train with Penny, you will always feel great after a workout, mentally and physically, clear headed and strong! She truly enjoys watching her clients discover the power and strength of their bodies.
Penny is certified as a group fitness instructor through the American Council on Exercise. She teaches Balance Barre and B Revitalized and offers individualized personal training.
Russell Carter
I have been instructor in group fitness for over 20 years and that includes spinning for the majority and TRX, circuit training more recently. The most important part of being a group instructor for me is connecting with my members. People want to know that you care about them and their fitness journey not just about the workout. My classes are motivated, inspired by those who attend and participate because I draw from their energy just as much as I add to it. My favorite mantra’s are “we make it through together, your best is good enough”which comes from my football background that helped encouraged me. My classes are motivating, challenging and functional. I try incorporate stretching, core strength and cardio in all my classes. My goals are to continue to learn, motivate and understand my members regardless of their fitness level.
Susan Brown
Susan Brown is a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and functional nutrition practitioner. A Wyndmoor native, she brings with her a wealth of coaching, teaching and training experience over the past 20 years. A captain and Academic All American in field hockey and lacrosse at Georgetown, Susan went on to earn a Master’s degree at Penn and to teach English and to coach at Council Rock North High School for 7 years. After a relocation to London with her family in 2010, Susan pursued her passion for fitness and nutrition, completing her PT certification abroad and working in one of London’s top personal training studios. After her return to the US in 2015, she built a following at Balance teaching classes, doing personal training and running nutrition programs including GOALS, Nourish, Detox and the Blood Sugar Reset. After going through her own personal health struggles, which included chronic lyme and mold illness, Susan found functional medicine and profound healing. Her passion in this space led her to pursue her integrative health coaching certification with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2019 and then to earn her Functional Nutrition Practitioner degree through NTA in 2023. Susan has built a reputation for helping Balance clients get to the root cause of their symptoms – designing personalized protocols using food as medicine to bring the body into balance. She specializes in gut health, auto immune diseases, blood sugar dysregulation and hormone health. She is passionate about coaching people to live their best lives through making small changes to their daily habits that over time add up to big changes. Her personal approach and motivational style have allowed her to help countless clients transform their mindsets, their bodies and their health. Her motto is “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!”
Terryann DeAngeles
Terryann is an accomplished eastern art and science professional/disciple, studying and teaching the art of Ving Tsun Kung Fu for nearly four decades, studying and teaching various styles of yoga and meditation respectively for over two and half decades. She has also studied Ayurveda, Zen, Feng Sui, Reiki, Modern Minimalism, Eastern Philosophy, the Science Law of Attraction, Chinese Strategic Intelligence, Chinese Massage, Eastern and Western nutritional systems and Holistic health and self-care. In the last five years Terryann added personal training to her repertoire.
Her history also includes professional dancing, professional modeling, competitive athletics and cultural world traveling. To round it out, Terryann serves through Life Balance Coaching and Environmental/Organizational Coaching. Her life long commitment of self-cultivation has taken her, thus far, to 13 countries and hundreds of towns and cities.
Terryann believes in order to be an effective servant leader/teacher, her role as a student is priority.
Catch Terryann’s Vinyasa Flow Yoga on Fridays at 10:30-11:15am. She is also available for personal training. Contact the studio for days/times.
Amy Carolla
Amy Carolla is the proud owner of Balance Chestnut Hill, a dynamic fitness studio nestled in Philadelphia's vibrant Chestnut Hill community. Equipped with a BS degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition from West Chester University, Amy brings a wealth of expertise to her craft. Certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine in Exercise Science and Nutrition, as well as in Barre and Cycling, she opened Balance Chestnut Hill in 2008 with a vision to revolutionize health and wellness.
Amy's commitment extends beyond the studio walls. As a co-founder of B Inspired Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved children in Philadelphia Public Schools, she champions access to holistic experiences in health, wellness, arts, and community engagement.
With a philosophy rooted in the belief that mindset is paramount, Amy approaches workouts and client goals with a deep understanding that progress is a journey. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community at Balance Chestnut Hill reflects her belief that wellness is a journey accessible to all, regardless of age or background.
Carlie Swerdloff
Carlie Swerdloff has always had a love for exercise, starting at a very young age when she would go with her mom to personal training sessions at 10 years old. Exercising has always been a priority in Carlie’s life as well as the desire to motivate others to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Carlie graduated from Drexel University in June of 2021 with a bachelor of science degree in Design & Merchandising. Along the way, she realized that the fashion industry was not fulfilling her deep desire to help others. That is when she decided that a career in health and fitness was for her. She became a certified personal trainer through American Council on Exercise (ACE) and is currently in further education at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She knows the importance of balance in life and looks at fitness in a holistic approach. To her, fitness is so much more than the physical benefits, it is the physiological and life long benefits.
Carlie has experience in all forms of exercise ranging from pilates, barre, strength conditioning, HIIT cardio, and boxing. Carlie encourages her clients to find the type of exercise that makes them feel their best and she supports them physically and emotionally along their journey.
Eric Schneider
Jesse Carrolla
Jesse’s passion for health and fitness, coupled with his teaching and coaching background, led him to become a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. As a fitness professional, Jesse loves to share his enthusiasm, encourage a positive lifestyle, and help clients achieve their goals.
Jesse is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a minor in Health Education, he also holds a M. Ed. in School Leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. He was a scholarship athlete on the Golden Rams Baseball team. After graduation he began his teaching and coaching career at Bridgeton High School as a Health and Physical Education Teacher. During his time at Bridgeton High School he has taught ninth through twelfth grade, coached in the athletic department, held the position of assistant athletic director and is currently an Assistant Principal. Since 2013, Jesse has been a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and owner of Balance with his wife Amy. Jesse and Amy’s greatest joy are their two daughters.
Kim Harari
Kim has been in the fitness industry for 6 years, starting as a group fitness instructor at City Fitness. She worked at the Filter Club as the lead personal trainer and was a boxing coach at Rumble Boxing studio in Center City.
Kim started her own business over the pandemic, a training studio in Northern Liberties and a personal training business called KH FIT. You can find her at kimharari.com or on instagram @kimharari_. She specializes in strength training, boxing, and conditioning.
Her event brand called Come alive 215 won Best Of Philly in 2020. Over the pandemic she held 200+ person workouts via Zoom! Now, large group fitness events are hosted throughout the city with the intention of highlighting small businesses that are set up as vendors, building community. Food, fun and entertainment is also provided post workout. Feel free to check out Kim’s event brand at www.comealive215.com or on instagram @comealive215.
Kim moved to Chestnut Hill in August and is looking forward to expanding her training expertise within the Balance Community!
Kim will be running the early Tuesday & Thursday morning Total Body Strength Small Group Training sessions from 7:00-7:45am. She is also leading a Boxing Fitness Small Group Training on Friday afternoons 5:00-5:45pm
Casey Meizinger
I am a Board Certified Internal Medicine physician, and personal trainer credentialed through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Currently, my work in personal training is geared toward injury prevention and implementation of safe and sustainable exercise for those whose physical performance may be impacted by a medical condition.
For me, my life as an athlete is at the core of who I am as both a physician and personal trainer. I played Division I Field Hockey for the University of Louisville, where I graduated with a BS in Exercise Science. During medical school and residency I transitioned to middle distance and trail running, including time with the San Francisco-based Bay Birds racing team. As a personal trainer, I bring a deep understanding of musculoskeletal physiology, biomechanics, training progression and assessing movement, and it is a privilege to be part of the Balance team.
Go Birds.
Molly Hendrick
Molly Hendrick is a Lancaster PA native and grew up playing all different sports. She went on to play Division 1 Lacrosse at University of North Carolina, where she majored in Sports and Exercise Science. She was a two-time captain and won two ACC championships and a National Championship.
Most recently she won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Cup in 2022. Molly has coached lacrosse at the Division 1, high school, and youth level. She has a passion for fitness and loves a competitive culture.
Molly is excited to get started at Balance and continue to be a part of this community!
Regina Mitchell
If you’re looking for a trainer with bubbly energy that can motivate you on your most trying day, Regina Mitchell is your girl. Originally from New York, Regina first came to Philadelphia in 1996 on a softball scholarship at Temple University. After college Regina was asked to work at the University’s IBC center as a group fitness instructor, and that was when she found her calling. Regina has worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in and around the Philadelphia area for over a decade. As an active mom she understands the difficulties of “getting your body back after baby. Her focus is on core strengthening and cardio endurance, and as a certified Kick Boxer Regina get results. As a group instructor with a dance background Regina keeps her classes charged with rhythmic energy and fun choreography. And if that’s not enough you can catch her on tv hosting “You Oughta Know” on WHYY.
Robin Bandura
Robin Garland Bandura, DPT, owner of OnPointe Physical Therapy at Balance has more than 20 years of orthopedic preventative and post-operative rehabilitative experience. In her physical therapy practice she treats a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries in a diverse patient population including professional athletes, division 1 college athletes, and professional dancers. Robin is a Certified Graston Technique Provider and Certified Pilates Mat Technique Instructor. She has more than 4 decades of dance training and continues her study of orthopedic and dance medicine at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (NYC), and utilizes that knowledge in her private Pilates training at Balance. She has also served as the on-site physical therapist for the Broadway musical touring productions of Book of Mormon, Flashdance, Cinderella and Pippin; for the film, Limitless; and has worked with dancers of Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet X, Philadanco, Koresh, and Limon Dance Company; and for the USTA Men's National Grass Court Tennis Tournament.
Robin believes in empowering and educating clients to become proactive in maintaining healthy and injury-free lifestyles, in order to maximize their full athletic and performance potential through her personal training and physical therapy practice at OnPointe Physical Therapy. For more information, visit OnPointe Physical Therapy at www.onpointept.com.
Taja Jones
Taja Jones is a certified personal trainer and fitness coach. Originally from Philadelphia, Taja studied Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Museum Leadership at Drexel University. She is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Fitness has not always been a big part of Taja’s life. It wasn’t until 2015 that a late-night decision led her to a complete health overhaul that resulted in a 25lb weight loss and a newfound love for exercise. A few years after Taja accomplished her goal, she began to think of ways to help others in their journeys to health and wellness, which led her to pursue her personal training certification. Since obtaining her certification, Taja has shared her love of fitness through her work as a group fitness instructor.
Taja enjoys a variety of training styles but is particularly fond of functional training and using strength training to help her clients more easily perform the tasks of everyday life. She is also a kettlebell enthusiast and enjoys the combination of skill and athleticism required in kettlebell training. Taja believes that exercise and movement should never feel like a chore and aspires to bring enthusiasm, positive energy, and fun to every session she leads.
Outside of her role as trainer and group fitness instructor, Taja is also a non-profit fundraising professional. She is a coffee lover, a sucker for 90s alternative and hip-hop, and a frequent enjoyer of pizza.
Motto: “Make your weaknesses your strengths, and your strengths stronger.”
Fun Fact: I had my first group fitness experience while living in Australia. I was a big fan of step aerobics during my time there!
Tank Phillips
Tank is an athletic trainer and sport specific skill coach experienced with instructing young athletes to active seniors.
He prides himself a great motivator and thrives in the process of developing custom fitness and nutrition programs for his clients. Tank values the importance of a strong trainer/client relationship. Everyone is driven by different motivators and he knows it's his job to tap in to them!
He has worked in the industry for over 15 years in gyms and studios big and small. He is looking forward to bringing his big energy to Balance and can do it all! Strength, conditioning, speed, agility, weight loss and goal setting.
Concierge team
Lisa Walker
Lisa joined Balance in August 2009, shortly after the studio opened. Her background as a corporate financial analyst with Xerox, specializing in profit and loss analysis, led her to opening up her own consulting business after she took a few years off to be at home with her son. She was referred to us by another local business and Balance brought her on board organize finances and operations for our new business.
As the years passed she spent more time at Balance which eventually led to us being her only client! At that point she was hired to be our studio manager where she has continues to manage client services, marketing, develop of programs and support our staff. She works side by side with Amy to help realize the short and long term visions Amy & Jesse have for the Balance Community.
Lisa is passionate about helping Balance provide the best customer experience possible. As one of the very few official non-fitness professionals on staff, she loves bringing that perspective to clients. She can relate to the personal investment a client makes to health and fitness when it’s not your job!
Chrissy Curci
Alyson Mandel
Alyson Mandel initially came to Balance as a client in 2011 taking classes in the old location (CHILL). After several years hiatus, she rejoined the Balance community in 2017 when she was invited to try a semi private training session with Susan Brown. She loved the Balance vibe - participating in Goals programs, nutrition programs, workshops and lots of classes. She officially joined the Balance staff in 2018 as part of the fitness concierge team helping Lisa with client support and account management activities. Using her background in health and psychology, she writes all of the informative resource articles the Balance community enjoys so much. She also shares her photography passion and talent with the community and will often be seen snapping photos of Balance events and classes.
In addition to personal training and classes at Balance, Alyson loves hiking in the Wissahickon park with her dog, doing the NYTimes crossword puzzle, cooking and going to the movies.
Schuyler Nunn