Our Team
Danny Diaz
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Olympic Lifting Coach
BKIN - Sports Performance
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CSCS, CSEP-CPT, CFSC-LVL 1, NASM-PES, FMS LVL 1
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NSPA - CPDS, CSAC, CWPC, CSNC
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PFSCCA Combine Preparation
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Athletics has played a large role in Danny's life. Growing up, Danny played high level soccer and football. During his football career, Danny enjoyed many successes, including provincial and national championships at the high school level, and positions with the Edmonton Huskies (CJFL) and the University of Alberta (CIS). Danny has won numerous awards recognizing him for his individual achievements in athletics. Danny coached with the Edmonton Huskies (CJFL) as a Receiver Coach, he worked with various level of athletes.
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Danny graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, majoring in Sports Performance & Physical Activity. His love of sports and of training drives his passion to learn and be better so that he can, in turn, help progress his clients to reach their goals.
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Danny has trained a variety of people including: amateur, professional, and Olympic athletes, as well as the general fitness population. No matter what your ability level, Danny is here to help you achieve your fitness and performance goals.
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Serhat Yayla
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Olympic Lifting Coach
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UEFA-B, CSCS, EXOS-PES,
FMS 1&2, CPDS, CSAC, CWPC
Serhat is our Director of Sports Performance here at ESP. He is also an experienced strength and conditioning coach who works with various clientele and their respective goals.
He has played professional soccer in the Turkish Super League and at different Turkish National Team levels.
After his career ended, Serhat completed his bachelor's degree in Sports Performance and Coaching. He also attended a graduate program in coaching at the University of Alberta. During the program, Serhat had a chance to work as an assistant instructor and a primary instructor for undergrad courses at the University of Alberta.
He has worked as an assistant coach for the Turkish Olympic Weightlifting Team for two years with 3x Olympic Champion Halil Mutlu during his coaching career. He has worked with Golden Bears Soccer as an assistant coach and with the Green and Gold Soccer Academy. Serhat was also a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the High Performance and Research Centre at the U of A.
Serhat has been coaching for almost a decade now. He is very passionate about coaching. He strongly believes strength training should be an important part of everyone's life regardless of their age, occupation, and physical goal.
Alex Broderick,
Performance Coach
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BKIN
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CSEP, CPT
Alex’s goal is to live life to the fullest and share that with others in their fitness journey. Some of her passions include competitive gymnastics, volleyball, and a new found love of skiing.
Alex graduated from the University of Alberta in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology with a concentration on Physical Activity and Health. Since then, she has been working as a Kinesiologist and a Personal Trainer in the Edmonton area. She is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through CSEP and has several NCCP coaching certifications in Gymnastics. In addition, Alex has over 7 years of experience coaching high performance gymnasts of all ages.
Alex developed a love for exercise as rehabilitation during her work as a Kinesiologist. She knows how difficult it can be trying to recover from injuries or illness, while still being able to do the sport or activity that you love. Alex want to remind the Elevate community that age is no barrier. Alex has worked with clients from age 3 to 89.
Alex looks forward to working with the community, talking about your past fitness experiences and helping on your way towards future goals.
Abrielle Knodel
Performance Coach
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B.A.
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ISSA, CPT
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Abrielle remembers when she would walk into the gym and feel intimidated, ignorant, and like she didn’t belong. Working with a personal trainer changed her life. She wants to contribute to the gym being a positive experience for everyone who comes in.
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Abrielle graduated from the University of Alberta in 2016 with a Bachelor of Art degree. She has been working as a Personal Trainer in the Edmonton area since 2021. She is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through ISSA.
Abrielle's goal is to help you gain the knowledge and confidence in yourself to carry you through your fitness journey, long past the point of needing me.
Francesco Saporito,
Strength and Conditioning Coach
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BSc in Kinesiology (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, US)
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CSCS, NSCA
Francesco grew up playing several sports competitively. However, soccer has always been his passion having probably kicked a ball earlier than he could walk. He went on to play elite soccer in many different environments from the Vancouver Whitecaps youth academy, to Canada, to Division One soccer in the States, to finally accomplishing his dream of playing professionally in Austria, Europe.
Francesco graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a Nutritional Minor from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the USA. Along with his degree, Francesco is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and is looking forward to working with the entire fitness community.
Francesco was not only very fortunate to play in many elite athletic environments, but he is also very thankful for his support system throughout his journey. His goal is to integrate his experiences, his passion for fitness, as well as provide any means of support to help others achieve their dreams and goals.
“Practice, practice, practice. And once you’re done practicing, practice some more.”
Natasha Palichuk
Performance Coach
Coming soon!