Jake Weiner has been working with individuals with disabilities for 10+ years. He has worked with a variety of disabilities and adaptive needs in various settings, including adult vocational day programs, religious schools, 1:1 respite, non-profits, and summer camps.

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Jake founded ZOOZ Fitness in 2015 and has been curating specialized fitness programs for individuals with disabilities ever since.  

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Jake started ZOOZ Fitness out of a need to create exercise opportunities for those individuals who would benefit from that extra push or support. In all his years of teaching, mentoring, and working with individuals with disabilities, he realized that fitness programs and gyms were not set up to accommodate this population. As a result, many individuals with special healthcare or adaptive needs tend to live very sedentary lives, unintentionally gaining weight, and not participating in any movement-related activities. ZOOZ Fitness was created to provide those adaptive, inclusive, and active programs for everyone regardless of skill level or ability.

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Jake graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Marketing. Jake is a certified personal trainer and certified inclusive fitness trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD). Jake is CPR/AED certified and is a Certified Black Belt Instructor in the martial art of Judo.

Tahlia is a fitness, dance, and yoga instructor. She is trained in classical ballet and has taught dance and yoga classes to a wide variety of ages and abilities over the past 10 years. Tahlia is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She has volunteered with many organizations working with folks with developmental disabilities and found a special connection working with individuals of all abilities.

 

She is excited to combine her love of movement and working with people with disabilities alongside the awesome coaches and athletes at ZOOZ Fitness. Tahlia has also taken on the role of our social media manager and loves highlighting ZOOZ athletes and their hard work.

 Cammy is a passionate individual focused on helping others reach their goals to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. She is a former competitive swimmer and water polo player with a love of sports. Having coached a baseball team for individuals with special needs, she found herself with a new passion: creating an accepting environment for ALL.

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        Cammy is a fitness coach and yoga instructor who aims to encourage the athletes she works with to strengthen both their body and their mind. She believes practice makes progress and is excited to work with athletes of all abilities and see how each individual progresses on their fitness journey. She is CPR/AED certified and has a background in 1:1 respite with special needs children and adults. 

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      Poet Mary Oliver poses the question: “ What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” For Cammy, the answer is simple, she found herself passionate about creating a positive and inclusive environment for everyone. 

Emma is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Southern California in 2022. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from the same institution, obtained in 2020, with prior studies at the University of South Carolina Honors College, where she was a member of the NCAA Division 1 Equestrian team.

Emma recently retired from a career as a nationally ranked equestrian show jumper. Beginning her equestrian journey at the age of 5, she started competing nationally and internationally by the age of 11. Emma devoted over a decade to rigorous training both in the gym, and with horses, achieving a top-five national ranking by 15. She earned an athletics scholarship to a Division 1 team and initially pursued a business degree. However, her passion for working with individuals with disabilities led her to transfer to another university to embark on a new career path. Here, she continued competing nationally on the equestrian circuit, specializing in training young horses imported from Europe. After several significant injuries, Emma chose to retire from show jumping to focus on her career but remains actively engaged in maintaining her competitive edge and fitness.

Emma spent two years as a Practicum Student at Empowered: A Center for Sexuality, LLC, where she developed and presented courses on sexological research and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She played a key role in case conceptualization and assessments, as well as crafting educational presentations for parents. Concurrently, she provided personalized tutoring at Creative Learning Studio, catering to children with learning disabilities. Emma also served as a Program Manager for four years at FirstSteps For Kids Inc., where she implemented ABA therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In recent years, Emma has been exploring ways to meld her two passions for athletics and aiding individuals with disabilities. She is thrilled to join the ZOOZ team and is eager to contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive environment in the fitness world!

I am William Chapman "Coach Will" a 41-year-old fitness coach and father of three sons. Aside from self-improvement and my boys, fitness is my focus. I believe that functional training is most important due to ones day to day functional needs. I enjoy watching Sifi, Cartoons of all kinds, action, history,  and documentaries. I listen to whatever moves me in the right direction of the moment. I believe in the practice of patience, love, and understanding of whom I'm working with and what we're working on is vital for completing our goals. I'm a student of life and it's my pleasure to have a front-row seat.

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As a Fitness Coach, I have my Personal Trainer Certification through ISSA as well as nutrition, strength and conditioning,  senior fitness, and group fitness. I have a background in boxing training. 
I've been an assistant coach at Broadway boxing gym, Lead trainer at LA Fitness, and Fitness Coach at UFC

Camilla was born and raised in London, England. Growing up her activities always involved exercise starting with dance at 2 years old in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, and tap. She was a student-athlete playing all UK sports such as Netball (US basketball) and Rounders (US baseball). It was her discovery of running in college that really cemented her lifelong commitment to daily exercise and movement.  

 

Camilla journeyed to UCLA as a foreign exchange student in her junior year of college. It was at UCLA she met her husband of now 22 years. After completing her BA in Drama from the University of Kent, Canterbury, she moved to Los Angeles where they are raising their 3 children.

 

Camilla’s working life started in the entertainment industry working as an actor for the stage, film, voiceovers, and working in corporate production. While raising her children, Camilla became involved with many children-focused organizations and community-based charities which sparked her interest in working with children and any group in need of exposure to the positive values everyday exercise can bring to one’s life. 

 

As an avid runner, completing her first marathon in 2022, Camilla’s passion and commitment to running and exercise led her to want to share this passion with others. This passion led her to Zooz where she met the amazing ZOOZ team in 2021. 

 

Being a part of the ZOOZ family for the last two years has been such an incredible experience. Working alongside the fearless and brilliant ZOOZ trainers and staff has inspired me to do better, be better, give back to the ZOOZ community for all they give to me, and work harder each and every day for the amazing athletes who walk through the door at Zooz!

Travis was born in Honolulu, HI and has since lived all over the country. Moving from Hawaii to Chicago, Chicago to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to Arizona, and now settled here in California with his wife and their wolf-dog, Shadow. Graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science, his life has been marked by a deep passion for health and fitness. 

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Travis is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and specializes in strength and conditioning, as well as functional fitness. Through his experiences, Travis aims to inspire others to embrace a balanced and purposeful lifestyle with a strong body and mind. 

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Travis has always prioritized physical well-being, recognizing its profound impact on overall health. From an early age, Travis has integrated fitness into his daily routine - playing sports, dancing, and always staying active. He not only applies this dedication to his own life but also seeks to inspire and guide others on their wellness journey as well.

Edwin was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently in his last year at CSUN, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Adapted Therapeutic Exercise. From starting as an intern at ZOOZ Fitness, he found his passion in promoting health, well-being, and inclusivity for people of all abilities. 

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Growing up, Edwin has always been very passionate in the sports and fitness world. He is very excited to be part of this team and work with many individuals in their fitness journey. With focus on personalized care and a deep understanding of the importance of physical activity for individuals of all abilities, he will strive to make a positive impact in the lives of those he meets.  

Shahar was born and raised in Israel and is Jakes wife. Shahar served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a singer in the army orchestra.

 

She has spent the past 10 years working in various companies as a travel consultant, salesperson, program director, and trip organizer. She is a master at logistics and organizing programs and teams.

 

Shahar is a classically trained Opera singer and has traveled the world singing in over 14 countries. She brings her talents and passion for helping others to ZOOZ Fitness as our Director of Operations. Shahar is a huge asset to the company and continues to ensure that ZOOZ Fitness can continue to help each and every athlete. 

Jared is a 24-year-old Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is certified in CPR/AED. He is currently in his last semester at CSUN pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and has taken courses on Motor Behavior and Development, Adapted Therapeutic Exercise, Exercise Physiology, and Adapted Physical Activity for Children. Jared specializes in mobility, corrective exercises, proprioception, functional strength, and hypertrophy.
 
In all his life, he has been very passionate about exercise since it improved his wellbeing and quality of life being a basketball and volleyball athlete enduring asthma. He believes movement is a medicine that helps build our functionality in our day-to-day life and that we all deserve a chance to be the best that we can be because with determination to overcome adversity comes mental/physical growth and resilience.

“I am very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to inspire people of all abilities to get in touch with their bodies and consistently work hard to build the best possible version of themselves”.

Lauren Kivowitz (she/her) is a performer, teaching artist, and inclusion and accessibility consultant. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Theater, and has worked at the intersection of arts and recreation, disability, and education for more than a decade.

Lauren’s pedagogy is founded in the celebration of assets; she believes in valuing the uniqueness of each individual and not only destigmatizing but celebrating difference. She facilitates classes for folks of all ages and abilities, and is delighted by finding as many ways as possible to incorporate multi-sensory exploration. In 2020 she received the ArtCare Arts Learning Achievement Award for a program she led for young people with disabilities transitioning out of high school.

Lauren has focused her career on supporting folks with disabilities in being able to enjoy and participate in recreation activities and creative and performing arts. She is the founder of Inclusive Arts, an organization whose mission is to create opportunities to engage in critical dialogue and meaningful action surrounding issues of access, inclusion, and ableism in the arts.

Lauren regularly facilitates workshops about inclusion for arts organizations, disability service providers, healthcare organizations, educators and school districts, recreation and parks departments, and theater companies. She has spoken on panels and presented at national conferences, and performed on HBO’s autism benefit program, the Night of Too Many Stars. She also consults with theaters across the country to support them in developing sensory-friendly performances and generally strengthening their access practices.

Lauren currently sits on the board of the Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco. She is a passionate advocate for increasing accessible and inclusive opportunities for folks of all abilities, and is excited to be a part of expanding this work!

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Lauren is so excited to bring her passion for inclusion to the ZOOZ Fitness Team! 

Tyler was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. While serving active duty in the United States Marine Corps he discovered the importance of fitness and living a healthy lifestyle which drove him to get certified as a personal trainer. Tyler graduated with honors from California State University Northridge in 2021, obtaining his bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. With an emphasis in applied fitness, relevant coursework included strength and conditioning, nutrition, and adapted therapeutic exercise at the Brown Center of Achievement. Tyler is currently pursuing his Doctor of Chiropractic at Southern California University of Health Sciences.

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Tyler specializes in several modalities including TRX® and corrective exercise. During his career as a personal trainer, he has had the opportunity to work with athletes of all ages including children and seniors with special needs. Tyler believes that everyone can improve themselves physically and gain self confidence leading to a higher quality of life. “The greatest aspect of working at ZOOZ Fitness is the staff and the motivation of our athletes!”  

Tristan is a skilled ACSM Personal Trainer and strength coach with three years of valuable coaching experience. At the age of 24, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, specializing in Exercise Science, which he obtained from CSUN. During his time at CSUN, Tristan pursued his interest in biomechanics and actively enrolled in multiple courses to expand his knowledge of resistance training and motor learning.

During his time as a student at CSUN, Tristan had an amazing experience working with a post-stroke client at the Center for Achievement. This transformative encounter fueled his passion for the field of Adapted Physical Activity, leading him to seize the opportunity to intern at the same institution. This invaluable experience further deepened his understanding of catering to individuals with diverse conditions and varying ability levels.

Throughout his personal journey, Tristan has always held a deep appreciation for the transformative power of physical activity, acknowledging its significant impact on overall well-being. 
His own active participation in various sports, such as boxing, track and field, and powerlifting, not only ignited his passion but also provided him with invaluable insights into pushing boundaries and achieving personal growth.

 

With a genuine desire to make a positive impact, Tristan wholeheartedly dedicates himself to helping individuals realize their goals through tailored exercise programs.

Tanya is an enthusiastic fitness coach and athlete who is dedicated to making exercise accessible and enjoyable for all. She has a BS in Psychobiology with a minor in Disability Studies from UCLA. Tanya has worked as a coach for athletes with disabilities at a variety of summer camps including Ascendigo, an extreme sports camp for autistic individuals in Carbondale, CO and Cal Blue Camp, an inclusive sports camp run by UC Berkeley. Through her studies, coaching, and personal experience, Tanya has seen the huge impact physical activity can have on one’s well-being and the joy and empowerment it offers.

 

Tanya has played competitive Ultimate Frisbee for 9 years. As captain of UCLA’s varsity womxn’s team, BLU, she led the team to their first appearance at the College National Championships in 4 years. She currently plays on Flipside, an elite womxn’s club team from Southern CA. Her experience with Ultimate has taught Tanya how to train, support, and motivate athletes and build genuine, long-lasting relationships. When she’s not training for ultimate, you can find Tanya roller skating, hiking, biking, making art, traveling, eating, reading, or riding her unicycle.

 

Tanya is beyond excited to help others develop healthy, lifelong relationships with exercise and achieve their fitness goals at Zooz!

Ethan was Born in Scottsdale, AZ but spent most of his childhood outside of Washington D.C., before moving here to Woodland Hills in 2014. Ethan studied kinesiology in college, and in the past few years, has found a great passion and love for fitness. Ethan got his Personal Training Certification in the summer of 2023. 

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Growing up, Ethan played sports all throughout high school, including baseball, football, basketball, and more. Staying active and fit has always been a big part of Ethan's life, but physical fitness and health has taken a huge priority in the last few years. 

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Ethan specializes in hypertrophy and strength training, along with diet, nutrition, and how people can achieve their goals. Ethan has an older brother with autism, which is what drove him to start working at ZOOZ Fitness. Ethan believes it's never too late, and that everyone deserves an opportunity to develop healthy habits and learn how to live life with balance. 

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Allison Norlian is a three-time Emmy-nominated journalist, writer, and filmmaker who is passionate about fitness, health, and the disability community. 

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Allison's older sister is profoundly developmentally disabled, and her grandmother had multiple sclerosis that left her physically disabled; since Allison was born, she was immersed in disability culture and became an advocate before she even knew what the word meant. 

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Allison's upbringing led her to become a journalist focused on disability stories; eventually, she co-founded a production company called BirdMine, which focused on amplifying the voices and stories of people with disabilities and other groups underrepresented within society. (She even produced a story about ZOOZ!)

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But Allison always felt like she could do even more — specifically with her love for training and staying active:  enter ZOOZ Fitness here. 

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After cardio/weight training for over a decade (Allison has run a marathon, several half marathons, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and participated in Spartan races), Allison decided she wanted to coach people with disabilities and is now a coach with the incredible people at ZOOZ. 

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Allison is working towards becoming a certified trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

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Allison's goal as a filmmaker, journalist, and now coach is to change how the world sees disability; it's also to create a community and a safe place for people with disabilities and help them progress on their fitness journeys.