NRG Fitness is made up of a team of professionals with vast experiences in the fitness and sports performance world. With cutting edge science and creative thinking, we match the correct tools to each individual’s goals and needs. The science and tools we utilize for programming are based the tenets of Muscle Activation Techniques, Resistance Training Specialists, National Academy of Sports Medicine, Neuropeak Pro, Reebok University, and many other leaders in the fitness and sports performance world. We constantly grow our team members so they can provide the most up to date services and training to be on the top of executing great programming to you!
Our Team is led by Aaron Lakanen, a dedicated and passionate fitness professional, who entered the field in 1999. He has spent his entire career learning more about the human body, the greatest creation, to best serve his clients and students in their desire to seek optimal function and performance. He has a thriving Muscle Activation Techniques and Performance practice in the greater Cincinnati, OH area, and is sought out by elite amateur and professional athletes and anyone hoping to reach optimal muscular system function.
Beginning his career in Minnesota as a trainer, he was quickly exposed to great educators and information in the fitness industry. One of the people he met was Tom Purvis, who directed his students to study MAT, as he believed it was the future of the fitness industry. As his career developed, he was recruited to work in Cincinnati, Ohio as an educator and manager for fitness pioneer Bob Esquerre. Bob met Aaron at a workshop and discovered his talents as an educator. Under Bob’s guidance, Aaron started teaching workshops focused on biomechanics and exercise at a regional and national level.
At the same time, Aaron developed and implemented a personal training model for a sports club chain in the Midwest, teaching managers to run their personal training department as a profitable business unit and trainers to best impact their clients with great skills and programming.
In 2005, Aaron met Greg Roskopf at the MAT Internship in Columbus, Ohio, and the missing link he was seeking in his fitness practice was finally found. Successfully integrating MAT into his existing fitness practice, he sought out further education in the MAT Paradigm.
After becoming a MAT Mastery Level Specialist and excelling with his personal practice, he sought out being an educator for MAT as he wanted to be able to pass on the skill-set to others. His fitness industry experience as a trainer, educator, business developer, and collegiate track and field coach, allow his thought provoking workshops to immediately enhance the skill-set of attendees.
Day to day, Aaron leads NRG Fitness and Performance, a group of fitness and performance professionals, teaching and mentoring them in their practical and theoretical tools. They strive to optimally impact their clients and community.
He is a MAT Rx Full Body practitioner and utilizes MAT along with Strategic Resistance Training to deliver amazing results to his clients and community.
Kelly Andrasik
Kelly graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. She has been a NESTA Certified Personal Trainer since 2003, and is a Certified Muscle Activation Techniques Practitioner.
The most important thing to Kelly is building trusting relationships with her clients, so she can guide them through their journey of reclaiming their strength for the life which they want- without pain and tightness, or intimidating and uncomfortable exercises. Whether it’s acing a tennis serve, walking up and down the stairs, or holding grandchildren, her combined skill set can get you back to where you want to be from a physical standpoint, through compassionate and empathetic guidance, specified to your needs and goals.
Tyberius King
Tyberius’ fitness journey started at 5 years old as a soccer and a baseball athlete. Throughout his youth, he continued to expand his athletic career into wrestling, basketball, and weight training. Once he graduated in the spring of 2015, He attended Northern Kentucky for a Major Exercise Science with a minor in Health Studies. During his junior year of college, Tyberius started the Muscle Activation Technique Internship and found his passion in strength and performance. Tyberius graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2019 and started working for NRG fitness specializing in strength/performance and speed and agility. He is certified in the highest level of MAT as an Rx Whole Body Practitioner. His passion has evolved into helping his clientele not only meet their goals, but to help their adherence through specified programming and education.
Nick Boutet
Nick is a Muscle Activation Techniques Specialist, and a Personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. With a passion for functional fitness, biomechanics, and climbing performance, he can help you reach your goals while increasing your body’s structural stability via improving neuromuscular integrity and strength.
Robin Fields
Robin is an University of Kentucky alumni and came to the fitness professional path after receiving her second autoimmune diagnosis. She has a passion for using movement, mindset, and nutrition to help others, especially those who feel betrayed by their bodies, learn how to work for and not against their bodies. She has a coaching approach and loves to use her knowledge and experience to reach your goals.
Brice Dixon
Brice joined NRG in 2020 after interning with us while in College at Malone University. His background involves participating in 12 years of competitive youth soccer and 11 years of competitive swimming finishing his career collegiately for Malone University. During his time there, he worked as a USA Swim Coach for two years (ages 8-14). He likes to bring variation to clients workouts with calisthenic exercise training. This allows me to train proper biomechanics without external weight pushing your joints into painful positions. Along with personal training, he began the MAT Internship in April of 2022 to further enhance his mission of: Increasing Joint stability through exercise to enhance long term exercise and fitness goals.
Willie Ehling
As a standout collegiate tennis player for Wright State and Thomas More College, Willie understands the physical demands of sport and life. Certified by the ISSA as a personal trainer, he has spent countless hours studying how to improve the performance of individuals on and off the court. His clients range from high level professional and amateur tennis athletes to those seeking the gain the most out of their fitness to attack life. Willie has been a viable team member of the Club since 1996.
Patti Mikita
Patti has been a certified personal trainer for 35 years. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in education. She also has a certification in Group Fitness, Barre, and Spinning. She is passionate about helping seniors reach their fitness goals through positive encouragement and experienced guidance.
Ricardo Granados
Ric has been with the club at Harpers for over a decade, working in other areas of the club. He is highly energetic and motivated and loves the amount of diverse programs offered by our club. Ric thoroughly enjoys training Jr athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Lee Sandlin
With over two decades in the fitness industry, Lee has spent his career training people to be as fit as they can for life, sport, and anything they put their minds to. An avid and accomplished power lifter and track and field athlete, he lives what teaches as a practitioner to gain the best results for himself and clients.