MATT ROBERTS | MAYFAIR, LONDON | TRAINER PROFILES

AYO WILLIAMS | MANAGER

Ayo attained a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science at The Nottingham Trent University. Whilst studying he continued his interest in martial arts and went on to learn Yawara Ryu Ju-Jitsu, and competed in K.S.B.O. Limited Rules Fighting Tournaments at National and International level. Throughout his studies, Ayo became more interested in Fitness Testing and Biomechanics which he investigated further in the research and development of his dissertation. He extended his skills further by undertaking a course in Sports Massage Therapy.

He pursued a career in Health and Fitness, setting up as an independent Personal Trainer in North London and co-running a Sports Therapy Clinic before joining Matt Roberts. He has continued to increase his knowledge since then; continually reading, researching and developing new ideas, and obtaining further qualifications including the Health and Fitness Instructor credential from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His training techniques are a hybrid of the various styles and knowledge he has acquired over the past decade, and he often incorporates specially adapted sport related coaching ideas, and some of the martial arts skills that he has learnt to provide fun, varied and results orientated sessions.

Ayo has completed various hikes, assault courses and marathons over the last few years. More recently, whilst travelling across South America, he found a new passion in Rock Climbing. He continued to climb upon his return to the UK, but this year has switched his attention back to distance events and is currently in training for a personal best in the 2010 Berlin Marathon.

STUART BALKHAM | SENIOR TRAINER

Having loved and competed in all kinds of sports from an early age, Stuart decided that the natural path for him was to be involved in the field of sport and exercise. With this in mind, Stuart attended and graduated from Brunel University with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science.

In his time at Brunel he gained a keen interest in the physiology and biomechanics of the human body. He also realised a passion for health and fitness that prompted him to gain the CYQ Personal Trainer Award upon completion of his degree.

Since joining Matt Roberts, Stuart has enjoyed being able to use his knowledge to aid clients in reaching their goals, varying from weight loss to strength conditioning, as well as specialist areas such as the rehabilitation of injuries.

Stuart has always been a keen footballer, having competed at School, YTS and University level. He is also a big football supporter, and has held a Southampton FC Season Ticket for the last 10 years. His other sporting interests lie in Cricket and Rugby. He also regularly plays golf on weekends. As part of the Matt Roberts team, Stuart is now training for the demanding Tough Guy Challenge.

DAVID VILLALONGA | SENIOR TRAINER

David understands fitness and exercise as an important path to improve the quality of their life. His friendly, infectious personality and good communication skills help clients enjoy and understand the training sessions at all levels.

He has always been interested in health sciences and wellness, practising different sports such as: football, volleyball, rugby and basketball. He believes in the use of different training methods to achieve people's goals and he will combine them to make sure his personal training sessions are efficient, effective and safe.

In 1998 he studied for a Bachelor in education of sport (BSe) and specialised in health sciences at the University of Barcelona (BSc). The needs of the individual, and indeed, the fitness industry as a whole are constantly changing, and in David stays abreast of these changes by constantly updating his knowledge, studying various techniques from Pilates to Yoga.

David has worked for prestigious fitness companies and resorts in Spain as a personal trainer and in 2007 he decided to continue his career in the UK.

ALAN FOLEY | SENIOR TRAINER

Alan’s early sporting interests lay in basketball, playing competitively both at university level and in the Sussex Men’s League. He began weight training to improve his performance, which developed an interest in the fitness industry leading him to complete a Premier Personal Training Diploma in 2002.

Alan has gained vast experience over the last few years in endurance events, including the Longmynd Hike (50miles, cross-country, in 14 hours) and several marathons. He uses this together with his knowledge of strength and conditioning to help his clients to successfully attain their goals.

Alan has always been particularly interested in the rehabilitation of sporting injuries. He has worked closely alongside the physiotherapy team at Matt Roberts with many of his clients, and is currently taking his own knowledge to the next level by studying a part time degree in Physiotherapy at London South Bank University.

GERAINT LEWIS | PERSONAL TRAINER & BIOMECHANICS SPECIALIST

Gez gained his undergraduate degree (BSc Hons) in Physiology from Cardiff University, where he specialised in Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition and Biomechanics. He is an accredited Sports Performance Analyst having studied Performance Analysis and Enhancement of Sport to Masters level at the Cardiff School of Sport. Gez has also completed the Premier Training International Masters Diploma in Personal Training and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the N.S.C.A.

Gez works as a performance enhancement specialist and is dedicated to applying cutting-edge science for optimal athletic development. He has trained with, coached and analysed some of the most talented athletes in the U.K from a wide variety of sports including triathlon, golf, tennis, track and field and professional team based sports such as football and rugby. His primary focus with all the athletes he works with is peak performance and injury prevention.

Gez's academic background as a physiologist and performance analyst combined with the practical experience of coaching real world athletes provide him with the applied knowledge to ensure his clients receive the best possible conditioning strategies whilst maintaining optimal health and body composition.

Along with his Personal Training role within Matt Roberts, Gez is responsible for the Biomechanical Analysis and Physiological Performance testing service which is now available at all of the Matt Roberts clubs in London. His extensive academic and practical background is well suited towards the application of these skills which will enable the clients he works with to follow a truly individualised training programme and thus reach desired goals.

Gez's personal athletic background has seen him train and compete with athletes of the highest calibre including those that have reached Olympic finals. Whilst Gez may never reach an Olympic final himself he practices the same training methods that are applied to all of his athletes allowing him to reach true physical potential.

CAMELIA CIOBANU | PERSONAL TRAINER

Camelia's unshakeable belief in the power of exercise is her biggest strength when it comes to motivating her clients.

After obtaining her Physical Education Diploma, Camelia qualified as a Personal Trainer with both the American College of Sports and Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as acquiring several other industry recognised fitness qualifications. Functional exercise plays a great part in her training and is one of her specialist areas.

She believes in each of her workouts as being a result of a winning battle that is both external and internal, which goes beyond training, expanding into personal motivation, desire for health and self-confidence.

She is a keen long distance runner and continues to take part in long distance events and races.

CARL RAGHAVAN | PERSONAL TRAINER

Carl has participated in a mixture of active hobbies and sports over the past ten years, including Athletics, Karate, Rollerblading and Sailing. His early focus was in Basketball, and he played for the London Towers and the Westminster Warriors in his teenage years.

Carl qualified as a Personal Trainer in 2005, first training friends and family, before gaining broader experience working in West London, again, mainly on a one-to-one basis. He specialised in Posture Correction and Strength Training, initiating a new ‘back care' class, which gained fantastic responses from its participants for its simplicity, and effective results achieved by all those who attended. His genuine drive to improve and expand his knowledge has seen incredible results for many of his clients, and recognition from his peers for the innovation of his sessions.

He still enjoys a game of basketball, and he also practices the Indonesian martial art form ‘Penchak Silat', a practical form of self defence with intense conditioning and deadly applications. With four years of experience behind him, one of his long term aims is to qualify as a teacher of the art. He started breakdancing in late 2007, and had already progressed enough to be able to enter his first competition after only 8 months. This initial taste of competition has increased his motivation to increase his repertoire of moves. As a result, he has added gymnastics, as well as breakdancing-specific strength and conditioning to his training schedule.

Carl's diligent, popular and effective training style is also influenced by the years that he spent with the cadets of the Royal Green Jackets, where he rose to full Corporal, demonstrating leadership and motivational skills under pressure. He has recently returned from South East Asia, and has added travel to his list of interests.

CARLY DERRAVEN | PERSONAL TRAINER

Sport and Fitness has been a part of Carly's life from a young age; she lists Athletics as one of the major influences on her as she was growing up. This path eventually led her to complete a Higher National Diploma in Sport and Leisure, followed by a Sports Science Degree at University. Her ability as a winger in Rugby shone through during her studies, where she progressed to international standard, playing for Wales, whilst simultaneously adapting her knowledge and enthusiasm to earn coaching qualifications in Rugby.

Unfortunately, her playing career was cut short by a knee injury, which sidelined her for a considerable time, and all but ended her competitive hopes. She has, however, through dedication and self-motivation worked her way back to full health and fitness over the last couple of years. Carly understands the difficulties and frustrations of returning to fitness, and draws on her personal struggle to deliver an empathetic yet motivational style of training that gets the best out her clients.

Carly's qualifications specialise in Strength Training, Advanced Circuits for different goals and Sports Psychology, and her experience in personal training to date has allowed her to adapt and use this knowledge to help a range of people achieve diverse goals. Carly's skills, personal experience and love for health and fitness make her a well rounded and enthusiastic trainer.

ANNE-LAURE PELLETIER | PERSONAL TRAINER

Anne-Laure became passionate about running and sport at a very early age as she was fortunate enough to grow up in a very sporty and healthy environment. She competed at National Level over 3000m cross-country, as well as on the track at both 400 and 800 meters.

Her enthusiasm for running was naturally infectious and led to her forming a running club; helping friends (and an increasing network of individuals) get the most out of their training, by focusing on introducing group runs, and making them varied and fun. She continued on this path and attained a Diploma of Fitness at University of Lyon, France.

Upon graduation, Anne-Laure quickly found work assisting the training of high level athletes and rugby players, based in Lyon. She also had the opportunity to introduce beginners to athletics, rugby and general fitness, and worked closely with a variety of health and exercise professionals on a daily basis.

She gets huge satisfaction from achieving results with her clients, and today specialises in weight loss, muscle gain, postural correction and training for improved running times.

She moved to England to broaden her professional experience and enjoyed working as a Personal trainer in 5-star hotel spas in the New Forest and London. She also taught classes for two years as part of her interest for dance and body expression.

Anne-Laure understands that everyone has different needs and motivations, and she trains people towards their specific goals ensuring that the sessions are always fun!

SAM TOMKINS | PERSONAL TRAINER

Sam was a keen sportsman as a youngster, playing football and rugby and representing his county and region in the latter. This love of sport was the reason behind his Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) from the University of Birmingham.

Having decided to continue to play competitive team sport throughout his time at University, it was rugby that led Sam out to New Zealand. Whilst living there, he decided to pursue a career in Health and Fitness, and obtained the relevant qualifications required to become a Personal Trainer. On his return from New Zealand Sam worked in gym in Kensington, before deciding that solely concentrating on one-to-one personal training was the best way to get results and so joined the Matt Roberts team.

Sam suffered a serious knee injury, which cut short his rugby career and required knee reconstruction in 2007. The aftermath of this injury have meant a change in the direction of Sam’s training, with triathlons becoming the main focus. He has taken great strides forward in both fitness and technique and is booked up to do his first ‘Ironman’ in 2010!

The long and patient rehabilitation from knee surgery has made Sam appreciate the struggles that people suffer when training, and his training always finds the perfect level between effectiveness, progression, and rehabilitative elements where required. His time and wide experience from New Zealand to the UK, and from group Rugby coaching to specialised one-on-one work has made Sam a well-rounded trainer who is expert at identifying and helping clients achieve their goals.

JULIA SERGEANT | PERSONAL TRAINER

Julia Sergeant is a very enthusiastic, motivational trainer with ample positive energy, who believes that it is important to provide a professional, safe, and fun environment for her clients to train in. Her aim is to take clients out of their comfort training zone to a level which whilst challenging, is still within the client’s training capability and capacity. She devises enjoyable and varied sessions to guide her clients to both their short and long term goals by looking at what each individual wants to achieve in conjunction what is needed in their training regime, be it cardiovascular conditioning, postural work, rehabilitation, fat burning, or strength training.

Julia started working in the health and fitness industry after completing her Higher National Diploma in Health and Fitness Science and graduating a year later with a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Fitness Science. She has also obtained other industry recognised qualifications. She enjoyed teaching spinning classes at various health clubs and doing circuit training alongside personal training but became more focused on personal training due to an injury that occurred in her foot.

Julia is also a qualified body and sport massage therapist and qualified in On-site Seated Acupressure Massage by the Academy of On-Site massage. She has also completed the Boxercise Personal Trainer course, so clients interested in discovering boxing and pad work as a form of exercise are readily put through their paces.

Between 2005 -2007 Julia completed her level 1 and level 2 certificate in football coaching, and was employed alongside coaching staff from Tottenham Hotspur delivering an after school extra curriculum programme in North London. During half term and the 6 week holiday in schools, she would regularly co-ordinate as well as coach team sports to groups of kids from 5 to 16. A former striker on the pitch, she has now ‘retired’ from competitive football, and has found a new love for badminton, which she plays frequently in her spare time.

NICKLAS RYDEN | PERSONAL TRAINER

Nicklas has been involved in sports since a young age starting with slalom, football and then moving onto athletics (field events) and martial arts. His years in athletics and martial arts sparked an interest in resistance training and performance enhancement.

In 1997 Nicklas moved to California in order to further his knowledge of the human body and graduated in 2002 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in fitness, nutrition and health. Since then Nicklas has continued his studies and gained credentials from National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and Fitness Institute of Australia (FIA).

Nicklas believes in mastering the basics and varying the training according to the client goals, working hard, but having fun along the way. A combination of proper nutrition, exercise (weights and cardio), and plenty of sleep is the key to reaching your goals.

Nicklas has worked as a personal trainer since 2002 in USA, Sweden and Australia before coming to London and joining Matt Roberts.

DOMINIQUE MOORE | PERSONAL TRAINER

Dom has been extremely physically active throughout her life; as a youngster always preferring to run around climbing trees than to sit indoors. Whilst at school she was a keen long distance runner, a passion which has stayed with her into adulthood. Having decided to forge a career in Health and Fitness, Dom began studying with the Australian Institute of Fitness and became a Master Trainer in 2005. She updates her knowledge continually, most recently completing the NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist course. Dom is also trained to use Kettlebells and is a registered Kickboxercise teacher.

Dom has been a keen climber for the last year, has progressed rapidly and finds it a great compliment to her gym programme. Dom has always enjoyed exercise and believes as with every thing in life if you are doing something you enjoy you will work harder stick at it longer and achieve. “Exercise should be fun... let’s find something you enjoy doing and with a little guidance and a lot of hard work we'll get you your results”.

JEREMY GILES | PERSONAL TRAINER

Jeremy arrived in the United Kingdom from his native New Zealand in mid 2009. His lifelong passion for physical activity coupled with his natural ability to motivate lead him to study to become a PE teacher and culminated in a degree in Physical Education from the University of Auckland. During the course of his degree, Jeremy found work at a community sports centre and realised that he was better suited to a career in Health and Fitness. He gained several industry qualifications, including his boxing instructor’s certificate and on completion of his degree started his own personal training business at Les Mills in Auckland.

He has worked with a wide range of clients, helping them to a variety of goals and has an excellent record in achieving weight loss. He has also achieved phenomenal success with individuals who are looking to improve sporting performance, due to his personal interest in sports specific training.

Jeremy currently plays National League level Rugby for Barnes, and naturally his own training is geared towards maximising his performance in this area. His experience, passion, proven record and natural ability in bringing the best out of people makes him a unique and popular trainer.

KAREN O'BRIEN | PERSONAL TRAINER

Karen attained a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Health from Dublin City University, specialising in Biomechanics and Strength & Conditioning. During her time at University she was involved with fitness coaching for elite tennis players aged 7 to 10. She then completed an internship with the ACT Brumbies Rugby Club in Canberra. During this time Karen was able to build on her academic knowledge in strength and conditioning. Since then, she has completed further studies and has obtained a number of coaching qualifications including the US based NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and a Level 1 Olympic weightlifting certification. Since completing this she has become more involved in the sport of weightlifting, which she particularly enjoys and she has participated in several competitions to date.

Since graduating, Karen has had exposure to many athletes of diverse backgrounds. She has worked with the National Academy of Horse Racing in Ireland where she devised and implemented training programmes for both individuals and groups of jockeys. She has recently completed the 2009/10 season working with the Irish International Ladies Rugby team where she actively assisted with the delivery of fitness training programmes.

She is very technical in her approach to training, having the natural skill of maintaining the balance of hard work and good craic – whilst always pushing towards an agreed goal. Since becoming involved in personal training, she has found that she gets great satisfaction in aiming for maximum results across a broad range of clientele and in helping them to achieve.

Karen enjoys jogging and also plays golf, currently off a handicap of 11. She has represented her club, Howth (Dublin) for six years at both junior and senior level and has played many of the championship courses in Ireland.