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
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.
Danny graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta, majoring in Sports Performance & Physical Activity. His love of sports and of training drove his passion to learn and be better so that he can, in turn, help progress his clients to reach their goals.
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.
Serhat Yayla
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Olympic Lifting Coach
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.
Karen Lui
Performance Coach
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BKIN
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CSEP, CPT
Karen has always been passionate about fitness and staying active. During university, she fell in love with rock climbing and competitive powerlifting.
Karen had an ACL/meniscus tear from volleyball which sparked an interest in rehabilitation medicine and led to her pursuing a Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Alberta. Karen’s coaching career began in 2018 with personal training under the CSEP-CPT and has grown to teaching various group exercise classes.
Her training experience ranges from general public, to older adults, to those with neurological impairments and physical disabilities due to her major in Adapted Physical Activity. She is enthusiastic about encouraging individuals of all backgrounds to find exercise that they enjoy and loves helping others build strength and confidence through physical activity.
Ryan Morley
Performance Coach
Olympic Lifting Coach
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BKIN
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CSEP, CPT
Ryan grew up playing a variety of sports throughout his early high school years. Unfortunately, he ended his senior year with a partially torn Deltoid Ligament in his ankle. This took him on a journey to recovery. From experience, Ryan can relate to individuals regarding the mental and physical impacts an injury can have on an individual.
Ryan has been coaching for 6 years, his first 2 years were more general health and pre/post rehab exercise, as well as working with chronic pain and illness'.
Ryan's passion for strength training grew the more he pursued higher education at the University of Alberta taking his Bachelor of Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sport Performance. This is when athletic training and strength training became more of an influential part of his coaching career.
Ryan has worked with a large variety of the population ranging from general health/public, clients with chronic disease, college and amateur athletics, and youth. This has allowed him to experience many different exercise techniques over the years to best prescribe and deliver strength training to all clients needs and goals to the best of his ability.
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.”
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.