I am on a mission to encourage and inspire as many people as possible to find joy in moving their bodies! I believe fitness can be a path toward appreciation for your body, by cultivating healthy decisions and a healthy mindset. Much of my personal life has been transformed through fitness. As I worked on building my strength up, I found that I had even more inner strength to overcome obstacles, self-doubt, and insecurity. Every client I work with comes from a different background and relationship with their body and with exercise, so I am driven to make it an experience that feels right for them and where they are at in their journey.

I am full of positivity, passion, and enthusiasm. I think that the key to health and wellness lies first in connecting yourself on your truest deepest level. The better you know yourself, the better you can make decisions that align with your true self. There is a lot of interesting and sometimes conflicting or confusing information about health and wellness out there today. I like to help clients sort through the confusion and find a path that works for them.

Kevin recently moved to Apex from Rochester, NY after 8 years of experience training in health club and sports performance settings. He enjoys working with athletes of all ages and abilities. His calm, reassuring demeanor is appreciated by most clients, especially beginners, while his knowledge of mechanics and safe ranges of motion are great for people recovering from or working around injuries. 

Coach Nicki began her fitness journey as a dedicated athlete and quickly became a strength-training enthusiast. With over eight years of experience training a diverse range of clients—from youth and collegiate athletes to older adults—she has developed a coaching philosophy rooted in evidence-based practices and versatile program design.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention. Additionally, Nicki is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA and holds specializations in performance enhancement (NASM-PES) and speed training (NASE-SSC). Her approach has consistently delivered measurable results for athletes in North Carolina, such as helping a 12-year-old soccer player increase his vertical jump by 5 inches and a 16-year-old track athlete add 9.5 inches to her broad jump.

In her current role as Director of Sports Performance, she oversees performance assessment protocols, advises on program design, and mentors our coaching staff. She also leads all sports performance events and team training sessions. While training with Coach Nicki, athletes will master the fundamentals and celebrate progress and consistency over perfection. 

Chase returns to Ignite after competing his Master’s Degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. His research projects partnered with local swim clubs and worked up to consulting for members of USA Swimming and University of California Berkeley, two of the winningest programs in international and collegiate swimming. During this time, he continued developing local athletes in the Triangle Area. His group is home to Olympians, National Record Holders & Champions, International Medalists, and D1-bound competitors regularly achieving All-American status.

In the last two years, Chase has also seen success as an athlete by most recently winning U25 National Championships and becoming a 6x National Medalist in Olympic Weightlifting. He is the current state record holder for the snatch in his weight class. Chase’s ultimate goal is to own a business that is an all-encompassing human performance group serving elite clientele and those with exceptional potential.

Chase specializes in strength, speed, and power. He has experience periodizing training programs for both individual and team sport athletes. His greatest experience is in swimming, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, and Olympic Weightlifting, however, he has also worked with football, basketball, soccer, powerlifting, and many other sports. Whether you’re an athlete striving for new bests, or a gymgoer looking to incorporate athletic-style training, he has you covered.

After a long break from the gym and athletic pursuits, I wanted to challenge myself in a completely new way. At 42, I decided to give Olympic weightlifting a try—something I knew little to nothing about.

For the past four months, I’ve been working with Chase at Ignite, and he is truly the best! Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable and encouraging, but he’s also a great person to talk to. The workouts are challenging yet thoughtfully structured, and the effort Chase puts into assessing and planning what works for me as an individual has been invaluable.

His approach has helped me overcome both physical and mental obstacles, and I’m becoming stronger every day. I’m excited to keep working toward my overall goals with his guidance.

Casey, 42

I joined Ignite Fitness Apex about 3 months ago, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. The gym is clean, well-maintained, and has a great atmosphere that keeps you motivated.

A huge shout-out to my trainer Chase – he is extremely knowledgeable, focused, and always to the point. Every session is structured with a purpose, and he makes sure I’m doing each movement correctly while pushing me just enough to improve without overdoing it.

The results speak for themselves. In just 3 months, my A1C dropped from 8.3 to 6.9, which is a massive improvement and something I honestly didn’t think I could achieve this quickly. Chase not only focuses on workouts but also gives practical guidance that actually works in real life.

If you’re serious about improving your health, managing diabetes, or just getting stronger the right way, I highly recommend Ignite Fitness Apex and Chase. This is not a generic training experience – it’s personalized, effective, and results-driven.

• Sandeep, 36

My background in strength and conditioning began in college. I am a proud NC A&T graduate, where I competed in the 100m and 200m. Before NC A&T, I ran at Winston-Salem State University and earned All-American honors in the 100m and 4×1. 

Track and field shaped my early athletic career and taught me how to train with discipline, intention, and proper technique; lessons I carry into my coaching today.

In addition to working with athletes of all abilities, I love working with the general population: people looking to lose weight, improve their fitness, build strength, and feel more confident in the gym. My approach is grounded in the fundamentals I learned as a collegiate athlete, combined with practical, friendly coaching that meets clients where they are.

My specialties include:
• Strength training
• Conditioning
• Sprinting technique
• Circuit training for fat loss and general fitness

My coaching style is motivating, positive, and encouraging. I want every session to leave you feeling stronger, supported, and capable of reaching your goals.

I look forward to working with you!

Fitness and wellness have been a part of my life since I was a child. I loved the confidence and strength I felt training as an athlete and the ability of my body to perform easily when needed. I swam, played softball, threw shot put/discus and played a lot of volleyball!

Unfortunately, all that changed when I was diagnosed with idiopathic AVN in 2013. Avascular Necrosis is bone tissue death due to a lack of blood supply. As an experienced personal trainer and athlete who had just had my second child, I was now faced with a debilitating condition that I had never heard of before. For months, I was unable to walk due to a bone graft in one knee and core decompression in the other. I also needed a hip replacement. Rebuilding strength and learning to walk without a limp took time, patience, and a lot of physical therapy.

We often take our health for granted until we are faced with a challenge, and I can truly relate and understand what it feels like to have a body that does not function the way you want it to.

I work with all ability levels, from beginner to athlete. I’d love the opportunity work with you and establish the appropriate routines to motivate your fitness. I realize that everyone’s story and situation is different. Together we can figure out what works for you.

If you are thinking of getting into or getting back into fitness as an adult – you are a force to be reckoned with. I am a mom to four kids. After having #3 & #4 (twins), I was overwhelmed, didn’t feel like myself, and just felt – stuck. Growing up I was an avid soccer player all the way through college, but life had caught up with me. Thinking about fitness felt like a different lifetime. I remember starting again and trying different workout avenues, but I knew I wanted something more tailored to me, and I needed the support. I ended up searching out my own personal trainer and haven’t looked back since. I fell hard for the training process, the challenges, and seeing the wins along the way. Along with coaching others towards their own goals, I continue to compete in powerlifting.

I am passionate about helping people through their own fitness. Fitness should be personal, achievable, and enjoyable. Maybe you want that energy back, maybe its weight loss or muscle gain, maybe you dream of competing again in some way, maybe you feel stuck and aren’t sure where to begin. No matter your story, I am here to support you through it all.

My passion for fitness is rooted in the belief that movement is medicine. Growing up as an athlete, I split my time between dance, softball, gymnastics, and volleyball. Throughout high school and college, I began to prioritize resistance training to maintain my strength after sports, but I quickly noticed a drastic shift in my mindset. I embraced this newfound positivity and haven’t looked back since! While studying interactive design at West Virginia University, I was recruited by Campus Recreation to join the personal training staff. I dove right into the training world as a strength and conditioning coach, F45 instructor, and personal trainer.

I am an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and dedicated wellness advocate. I take a holistic approach to support you in making sustainable lifestyle improvements. My goal is to help you build confidence in the gym with strength and mobility so you can integrate fitness into your daily life. Beyond the gym, you can find me at the farmers market, cooking, or at the lake back home in NY!

I am passionate about helping people through their own fitness. Fitness should be personal, achievable, and enjoyable. Maybe you want that energy back, maybe its weight loss or muscle gain, maybe you dream of competing again in some way, maybe you feel stuck and aren’t sure where to begin. No matter your story, I am here to support you through it all.

Since 2013 I have been training under different fitness and movement coaches, while simultaneously working remote as a Civil Engineer and slowly transitioning towards a full-time movement and fitness trainer.

In 2019, while living in Hawaii, I started teaching my own classes and training a diverse client base. This included a group of seniors 1on1 ranging from 50-80 years old for strength and mobility, 1on1 and group classes for handstands for all ages and abilities, along with general strength classes and soft acrobatics/locomotion classes. During this time, I also worked as a Physical Therapy Aid in which I implemented rehabilitation programs prescribed by the Physical Therapist.

My goal as a trainer is to help you reach your goals in a step-by-step manner – whether they be to just move better in daily life, gain strength and/or range of motion, or to learn new skills while doing it.

Andrea (she/her) is a NASM certified personal trainer and group instructor. She was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Winston-Salem State University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Howard University.

Andrea believes that all bodies are good bodies. She trains and teaches from the perspective that movement should be inclusive, fun, and healing.

As a Black woman in a larger body, Andrea understands how daunting it can be to walk into fitness spaces and feel alone, judged, or fearful to try certain moves. Andrea aims to center marginalized people in her approach to fitness and strength training, creating environments where clients feel welcomed, seen, heard, and encouraged to discover their strength through movement.

Over the last couple of years, Andrea has fallen in love with kettlebells, a tool that has allowed her to explore strength training for healing trauma, listening to her body, and getting stronger. Andrea has been back in Raleigh from Philadelphia for about three years, and when not working can be found rediscovering Raleigh, going to the movies, and trying new things like tap dancing and powerlifting.

My road to fitness was paved out of necessity.  I was about 25lbs overweight in my adolescent years and was subject to teasing because of it. My dad guided my weight loss by helping me practice self-control and make better foods choices, instead of eating everything in sight. His guidance combined with regular HIIT workouts, to include sprinting and jumping rope, helped me lose the weight.  My motivation to look like the athletes I admired on TV was strong and It also lead to the appeal of weight training. After experiencing the benefits of weight training, finally being able to play the sports that I love and just feeling better about myself in general, I realized that fitness was what I wanted to do with my life.

I work with all ability levels, from beginner to athlete. I’d love the opportunity work with you and establish the appropriate routines to motivate your fitness. I realize that everyone’s story and situation is different. Together we can figure out what works for you.

I’ve had a passion for physical activity for as long as I can remember. My journey began on the football field at age 8 and continued through college, where I deepened my understanding of discipline, athleticism, and team-driven performance. Over the years, I’ve helped student athletes enhance their strength, speed, and muscle development—fueling their growth on and off the field.

A turning point in my journey came after a car accident. Through dedication and focused rehabilitation, I came back stronger than before. That experience sparked a deep passion in me for helping others recover, rebuild, and reclaim their strength—physically and mentally.

I have worked with youth and adults of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. One of my greatest joys is watching my 82-year-old grandmother embrace daily workouts-her improved balance, strength, and overall well-being are a testament to the lifelong benefits of fitness.

My mission is to walk alongside each client, offering encouragement, expert training, and personalized strategies that fit their unique goals. Whether you’re overcoming an injury, training for performance, or simply looking to live stronger, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Born and raised in Germany, I bring a unique blend of European discipline and holistic wellness to my Practice. My foundation in Physical Therapy, earned in Germany, provides a deep understanding of human anatomy and movement, which I integrate into every training session. My lifelong passion for athletics, healthy lifestyle and nutrition cultivated during my school years fuels my commitment to helping clients achieve their peak physical potential, health and longevity.

With over 25 years of experience in the Health, Wellness and Fitness industry, I’ve amassed a comprehensive skill set which extends far beyond traditional fitness. I hold multiple certifications including Personal Training, Performance Enhancement Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, FMS (Functional Movement Screen), Health & Wellness Coach, and Holistic Nutrition Coach. My expertise extends to Hormonal Health, with a specialized focus on Perimenopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause, empowering women to navigate these transitions with strength and vitality. Furthermore, I have extensive experience In chronic conditions and diseases, pain management and experience in training military personnel and injured veterans.

I have been working in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years and am extremely passionate about staying active. As a personal trainer, I want to use my passion to help people feel strong, confident, and balanced in their everyday lives.

I specialize in creating customized fitness and nutrition programs that are realistic, results-driven, and tailored to your unique lifestyle—whether you’re training at home, in the gym, or somewhere in between. My approach is all about progress over perfection, with a strong emphasis on building habits that last.

When I’m not coaching, you can find me sipping a good cup of coffee, hiking a trail, or hanging out with my favorite furry friends. I believe fitness should enhance your life—not complicate it—and I’m here to help you build a body and mindset you feel proud of.

Let’s create a plan that fits you—and makes you excited to show up for yourself every day.

I have been an athlete my whole life and have been resistance training consistently since I was fifteen. I started by teaching my mom how to workout and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! After graduating from The University of Akron with a degree in Exercise Science, I began working with individuals of various sports, ages, and experience levels as a Sports Performance Coach and Personal Trainer. I recently moved to North Carolina from Ohio and am very excited to help more people become the best version of themselves! 

“I love coaching and inspiring others to become the strongest, healthiest, most confident version of themselves. I’m a firm believer to focus on your internal health, mindset, and the functionality of your joints first and foremost, and everything else will follow! Life is all about balance and becoming 1% better each and every day! Whether you’re new to exercising, need to be pushed to your full potential, or you’re an athlete wanting to be faster & stronger for your sport, I would love working with you and helping you reach your goals!”

Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m originally from Northwestern Pennsylvania. While I was pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting I quickly realized that was not going to be my lifelong career. It wasn’t until my junior year of college however that I finally started to do something about it. I had found myself at an uncomfortable weight and unsure of what I wanted to do in life. I turned to fitness in order to get back on track and successfully lost 100 pounds and found a new career in personal training.

I spent the last seven years training in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. I have worked in corporate gyms and private studios as well as in home training. I’ve been lucky to have trained clients of all ages all with very different and specific goals in mind and am looking forward to bringing my experience here to Ignite Fitness. My ultimate aim as a trainer is to create a lifestyle for my clients that can be utilized for years to come.