With over two decades of experience as an elite athlete, coach, personal trainer, studio owner and fitness expert, my goal is to help transform people’s lives by delivering safe and lasting results. I’ve designed unique programs that scientifically target the body efficiently and effectively to achieve your maximum potential.
If the body isn’t challenged, it has no reason to change. In order to improve, we must force our body to adapt, and the only way to do that is through planned progressive overload.
MY STORY
Growing up in Rochester, NY, sports were a big part of my life — you name it, I played it either recreationally or at an organized level. Tennis became my main focus during high school and after becoming the NY State H.S. champion and receiving gold, silver and bronze medals at the Empire State Games, I was recruited to play Division 1 tennis at the University of Delaware. It was during my college years, while working with my coaches, that I started to focus on strength and conditioning. This experience was invaluable for my future fitness and performance training.
I definitely had to pick myself up before I could really appreciate good health, however. After I graduated, I moved to NYC, and with my competitive athletic career over, a stressful Finance job and an old back injury, I gained over 30lbs. I was unhappy with my body and I simply didn’t feel good. After almost a year of this, I decided to change my life. I could no longer rely on sports, but I could control my diet and my health. I did a ton of research, formulated a plan, tracked everything I ate and worked out every day at lunch (and sometimes after work as well). In just 3 months, I was in the best shape of my life, had more energy and felt better than I ever had as an athlete. My life had completely changed, and since then I have been passionate about health, fitness and helping others feel great.
After a few years in the corporate world, I decided I could no longer sit behind a desk for 10-12 hours a day so I became a Tennis Pro at Fort Lee Racquet Club in NJ and eventually started my own tennis camp for high performing junior players. I also decided to get certified as a personal trainer and a new career was born. I started JDFitClub specializing in in-home and private gym personal training in Manhattan and my clientele grew quickly!
After growing my private business, I took the plunge and opened my own fitness studio called “R.U.S.H. Total Body Training”, which specialized in semi-private and small group training with a focus on short, high intensity workouts. After almost 4 years of building one of the highest rated workout programs in NYC, two different locations, thousands of clients and great reviews, I knew I had personally grown tired of the big city lifestyle. I decided to move back to my home town of Rochester, where I met my wife from Toronto. Fast forward 3 years later, we are now living in Toronto utilizing my many years of experience seeing first-hand what works, what people like and what they need.
My unique training system is fun, exciting, motivating, and most importantly drives real results in a safe manner! I guarantee you’ve never tried anything like it and it’s adaptable to anyone, so let’s get started!
Experience
15+ years as a tennis professional and athletic coach
7 years as a personal trainer
5 years as a private in-home training and gym design consultant
Founder and director of “R.U.S.H. Total Body Training” studio in NYC
Founder/owner of “JDFitClub” in NYC
Athletic Achievements
Former NY State H.S. Tennis Champion
Empire State Games Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist
Division 1 athlete
Certifications
NCCA Accredited Personal Trainer (ACT)
Specializations
Sports Conditioning Specialist: Tennis and Golf (IFPA)
Golf Conditioning Specialist (ACE)