Meet The Strength In Diversity Class Of 2024
Say hello to the future of fitness. Women's Health and Men's Health are proud to introduce the 2023 class of Strength in Diversity, an initiative that offers trainers from marginalized communities the chance to be mentored by elite fitness professionals and gain valuable knowledge from leaders across the wellness industry.
The fitness industry still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Educational and financial obstacles prevent too many people from gaining the certifications required to become experts. Empty and enduring assumptions about who and what fitness is for leave many feeling like they don't belong. Systemic issues have consistently deprived trainers from marginalized communities of the tools they need to build a career in this industry, and that only makes it harder for folks in their respective communities to access the kinds of unique, exciting workout experiences that make fitness fun—and life-changing.
Women's Health and Men's Health want to change that—and so do these eight trainers. Selected by a committee of editors, trainers, and fitness and nutrition pros, they represent different communities and backgrounds from across the country. They're passionate about their day-to-day work and transforming the fitness industry from the inside out.
This summer, they'll be mentored by seasoned fitness pros and attend an exclusive series of weekly Zoom clinics that teach them about the business of training, content creation, and much more. They'll also have the opportunity to earn certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Precision Nutrition, and Functional Range Systems.
Since this program began in 2020, Women's Health and Men's Health have collectively worked with 40 trainers from across the U.S. They've programmed workout series on the All / Out Studio app, shared their stories and knowledge on podcasts and television spots, and been featured in our magazines' print, digital, and social content. The eight trainers below will be joining them soon, so keep an eye out for them on our channels.
Making space for more diverse, inclusive communities in fitness and wellness has been at the beating heart of everything we do at Women's Health and Men's Health. We're so excited to introduce you to eight of the trainers we believe represent an exciting future for the industry—and deserve to be the next big thing.
The future of fitness is so bright! Women's Health and Men's Health are proud to introduce the 2024 class of Strength in Diversity, an initiative that offers trainers from marginalized communities the chance to be mentored by elite fitness professionals, gain valuable knowledge from leaders across the wellness industry, and be featured on the platforms of WH and MH.
The fitness industry has made plenty of progress when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it still has a long way to go. Social media is overrun with one-sided hot takes about what fitness "should" look like, which makes many feel like they don't belong before they even begin. And systemic issues have consistently deprived trainers from marginalized communities of the tools they need to get certified and build a lasting career, which only makes it harder for folks to access the life-changing power of movement.
Women's Health and Men's Health believe that fitness is for everyone, and that fitness beginners and veterans alike deserve to be guided by legit practitioners who they feel truly represent them. So do these 10 trainers, who together make up the Strength in Diversity Class of 2024. Selected by a committee of editors, trusted trainers, and wellness pros, they represent different communities and backgrounds from across the country. They're passionate about their day-to-day work and transforming the fitness industry from the inside out.
This fall, they'll be mentored by seasoned fitness pros and attend an exclusive series of weekly clinics that teach them about the business of training, content creation, and much more. They'll also have the opportunity to earn next-level certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Precision Nutrition, and Living.Fit.
Since this program began in 2020, Women's Health and Men's Health have collectively worked with nearly 50 trainers from across the U.S. They've programmed workout series on the All / Out Studio app, shared their stories and knowledge on podcasts and television spots, and been featured in our magazines' print, digital, and social content. The 10 trainers below—our biggest class ever!—will be joining them soon, so keep an eye out for them on our channels.
Making space for more diverse, inclusive communities in fitness and wellness is at the beating heart of everything we do at Women's Health and Men's Health. We're so excited to introduce you to the trainers we believe represent an exciting future for the industry—and deserve to be the next big thing. Give them a follow, and apply for next year's cohort if you think you could be a fit.
Pio-Franco Badajos
Age: 25
Based in: New York, NY
Instagram: @francofitpt
Born in the Philippines, Pio-Franco grew up in the U.S. and discovered lifting when he was 16. Despite competing and coaching in powerlifting in college, he decided to play it safe with corporate jobs at hedge funds and insurance companies. Stuck in a rut at his 9-to-5, he craved a career that would allow him to learn more and help others, and realized fitness was his true calling. “Ever since, I have been enjoying my time more than two-fold compared to my corporate career,” he says. As a trainer, Pio-Franco is passionate about cross training and foundational fitness concepts like stability, balance, and agility. “There's too much pseudoscience being propagated throughout the industry,” he says. “I'd like to make access to real training knowledge a simplified process.”
Taylor Beebe
Age: 40
Based in: Castro Valley, CA
Instagram: @taylorannebb15
Taylor racked up multiple training certifications over the years, including the Russian Kettlebell Certification, but imposter syndrome kept her from taking on clients. It was ultimately the confidence she gained through her workouts that led her to seriously pursue a training career—and that’s exactly what she hopes to instill in the people she works with. Taylor aims to inspire women to be strong and take up space, setting three California state records at her first powerlifting meet this year. “I want to provide the next generation of young athletes with all the knowledge I wish I had had—from fueling your body to perform, to how to train after your career in sport might be over,” she says. “Everyone deserves to take up space in the gym and can benefit from the confidence that it breeds.”
Brandon Chu
Age: 23
Based in: New York, NY
Instagram: @justbchu
Born and raised on the island of Guam, Brandon has been an athlete all his life, playing basketball and rugby through college. As a trainer focused on strength and conditioning, he’s worked with everyone from Division I college football players to veterans with disabilities to everyday working adults. His journey to overcome personal mental health struggles, including a severe eating disorder, is what inspires him to help others form healthier relationships with exercise and food. “My perspective on fitness broadens beyond just setting goals and achieving them,” he says. “Fitness, albeit an important one, is only one facet of life.”
Jordan Farrell
Age: 32
Based in: Knightdale, NC
Instagram: @justbchu
Jordan’s love for movement comes from years of experience as both a dancer and a track and field athlete. At 17, her mom’s cancer diagnosis showed her the importance of being a caregiver and reinforced her passion for helping others through wellness. She studied exercise physiology and nutrition science at East Carolina University and now runs her own holistic wellness brand, Move With J. She strives to be an advocate and resource for people of color who are navigating health disparities in disadvantaged communities. “Every time we show up to work towards our fitness goals, we have the opportunity to learn a little bit more about ourselves and how we navigate challenging situations,” she says. “Our best efforts are enough each and every time. My perspective is grounded in the realization that fitness is for everyone.”
Quincy France Sr.
Age: 51
Based in: New York, NY
Instagram: @qfrance
Quincy is a U.S. Navy veteran who has worked as a personal trainer for over 15 years. He holds multiple certifications including vinyasa yoga and mobility, which he incorporates into his group fitness classes, like the chair yoga class he teaches at a local community center for LGBTQIA+ seniors. “When something doesn’t exist that I feel is beneficial, I create it and implement it,” he says. His workouts are all about making clients feel welcome and supported while trying new modalities that will provide long-term benefits. He’s also passionate about mentoring young trainers of color, helping them study for exams and leading by example. “Most trainers follow the same script, for the most part, and it’s either their look or a unique gimmick that sets them apart. I have no gimmicks, and I don’t like conformity” he says. “I treat all clients as individuals, helping them feel like they belong.”
Chico Huggins-Marsman
Age: 33
Based in: Boston, MA
Instagram: @chicohuggins
Chico was born in Barbados and grew up on the tiny island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At 18, he left home and moved to Kansas to attend Bethany College on a tennis scholarship, majoring in criminal justice. His career has taken him all over the world, from a law firm internship in London to modeling gigs in Cape Town to a job as a personal trainer on a cruise ship. He’s now planting roots in Boston with his husband and coaching at Equinox, and his travels and life experiences are what inspire him to grow as a trainer. “The world is made up of so many different and beautiful people, and none of us should be left out,” he says. “I’d like to create spaces where both clients and trainers can feel comfortable to let their guard down and be their true selves, because this can nurture growth and results.”
Tonyael Miller
Age: 37
Based in: Chicago, IL
Instagram: @tonyaelm
Tonyael is a certified trainer and “momtrepreneur” to her 12-year-old daughter, Janael. After Janael's birth in 2012, Tonyael faced postpartum depression, until a therapist’s recommendation to start working out for her mental health sparked a passion for fitness. She launched her company Tonyael Miller Fitness to help other women take charge of their health the way she did. She’s created initiatives like Mentally Fit 2.0 to break down barriers for women of color on their wellness journeys and help them understand the connection between fitness and mental health. “I want to help moms and caregivers of color rediscover their happiness,” she says. “My goal is to build a supportive community where they feel empowered to overcome challenges like depression and truly flourish.”
Jerod Nieder
Age: 41
Based in: Louisville, KY
Instagram: @positivelyparalyzed
A C5 quadriplegic originally from Lawrence, KS, Jerod’s life took an unexpected turn in 2011 when he broke his neck on vacation in Mexico. His passion for fitness ignited while training to handcycle the 2021 New York City Marathon. “This experience fueled my mission to showcase the freedom that fitness can bring to people with disabilities,” he says. He’s now the founder of PositivelyParalyzed LLC, a platform that has reached over 20 million people through social media to champion inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. “Whether it's through leading handcycling classes, developing new adaptive workout programs, or mentoring others in the fitness industry, my ultimate goal is to empower people to embrace their strength, resilience, and potential,” he says. “I want to leave a legacy where fitness is recognized as a right, not a privilege, for everyone.”
Tyneka Pack
Age: 35
Based in: Baltimore, MD
Instagram: @tdeniise
Tyneka is a former professional figure competitor who credits her background in bodybuilding with her ability to connect with clients as CEO of IMPACKT Fitness. “That experience not only created this confidence I now have, but has also taught me so much about navigating a fitness journey,” she says. “Prepping for a competition is hard, but it allows me to be able to relate to the journey my clients are going through.” She also brings her fitness knowledge to the supplemental employee benefits industry, where she works with HR leaders and business owners to create enticing health and wellness programs. It’s all about helping her clients create healthy habits that they can pass down to others. “My goal is to equip the community with the knowledge and tools they need to create generational health,” she says.
Gabrielle Savary
Age: 34
Based in: New York, NY
Instagram: @growwithgab_x
Gabrielle was born with severe asthma that essentially put her in a bubble for the first 10 years of her life. At 11, she begged her parents to let her play soccer with her friends, and though it was a struggle, she was able to train her lungs to tolerate more movement. She went on to play Division II college soccer before transitioning to a career in fitness, becoming a champion bodybuilder. “Growing up as a young Caribbean-American female athlete who struggled with embracing my body and expressing my creativity, I know that as much as people want to feel confident in themselves, many of them don’t really know how or where to start,” she says. Her motivation working with personal training clients or teaching classes at The Strength Club in New York is to help people find that confidence through fitness. “Seeing my clients excel in their fitness journey is a plus, but the best part is when learned strategies help them level up in relationships, work and life.”
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