About
Tawnya

As a Vietnamese-American woman, I grew up grappling with the persistent challenge of belonging in the intricate intersection of two cultures. The struggle to find my identity and place of belonging made it difficult to share my story in its entirety. Through my journey in strength training and the performing arts, I discovered the true essence of authenticity and genuineness in my own skin and voice and with that, I am deeply excited to help you explore yours.

As a strength & conditioning coach who shares a passion for dance and creating art, I guide individuals to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. By openly sharing my narrative, I encourage others to consciously explore and express their own inner brilliance. It's an experience and transformation that goes beyond physical training and artistic endeavors, reaching deep into the core of personal identity and self-expression.

Playing a pivotal role in the development of athleticism and performance in numerous artist-athletes, I prioritize humanizing the process for long-term health and career sustainability. Drawing from a decade of experience in the performing arts as a dancer myself, I offer a distinctive approach that blends scientific principles, practical experience, and a compassionate mindset that helps foster a dedicated journey towards tangible results.

My overarching mission is to bring more color into the fitness industry by empowering individuals to embrace limitless possibilities and forge connections that go beyond conventional boundaries. I envision a world where people are present, conscious, and relentless in their pursuit—a world shaped by the transformative power of personal stories, authentic connections, and the boundless potential that lies within each individual.

Learn more about Tawnya's services

Education and Experiences

  • The Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) certification has significantly improved my ability to design and implement effective strength training programs.

    By learning fundamantal & advanced techniques in movement screening and exercise progression, I can tailor workouts to individual client needs, ensuring both safety and efficacy.

  • The Nike Well Collective initiative emphasizes a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on movement, mindfulness, nutrition, rest, and connection.

    This partnership aligns perfectly with my coaching philosophy, allowing me to provide well-rounded support to my clients. I offer a more inclusive and supportive fitness experience, helping clients improve not just their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being​

  • The Moment Mentorship has deepened my expertise in biomechanics and rehabilitation. It allows me to better assist clients with injuries, blending rehab and performance training seamlessly to enhance recovery and overall fitness.

  • The Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of nutrition science and behavior-change coaching along with practical tools and strategies to help clients achieve their health and fitness goals.

  • The Institute of Motion certification has enriched my coaching by providing innovative, evidence-based systems for enhancing client health and performance.

    This certification emphasizes the integration of diverse training methods and a comprehensive understanding of health, which allows me to create sustainable, goal-oriented programs. With a focus on holistic wellness, I can better support my clients in improving both their physical and mental health, leading to a higher quality of life.

  • The RKC Level 1 certification has profoundly enhanced my coaching by teaching me the fundamentals of kettlebell training, focusing on the Big Six exercises: Swing, Get-up, Clean, Squat, Press, and Snatch.

    This certification emphasizes perfect technique, full-body strength, and conditioning through hardstyle training principles. By mastering these exercises, I can provide my clients with effective, efficient workouts that improve their functional strength, mobility, and overall fitness, using minimal equipment.

  • The Kettlebell Coach University (KBCU) Level 1 taught me foundational kettlebell skills and basic strength and conditioning concepts, enabling me to train clients like athletes with detailed techniques.

    Level 2 advanced my skills further with Olympic lifts, plyometrics, and sprinting, integrating kettlebells into sports performance. This comprehensive training allows me to provide effective, nuanced kettlebell workouts, improving my clients' strength, endurance, and athletic performance.

  • The BioForce Conditioning Certification by Joel Jamieson has greatly enhanced my ability to design and implement effective conditioning programs for a variety of clients.

    This certification focuses on understanding and applying advanced conditioning strategies, helping me tailor programs for both athletes and general clients. By mastering these principles, I can significantly improve my clients' cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall performance, ensuring they achieve their fitness goals efficiently and effectively.

  • The First Principles of Movement (FPM) certification emphasizes a science-based, person-centered approach to movement and rehabilitation. This certification focuses on finding the hardest thing clients can do well and building from there, promoting healthy longevity and sustainable athleticism.

    By incorporating these principles, I can provide clients with personalized, effective strategies for improving their physical function, preventing non-communicable diseases, and maintaining independence through movement as medicine.

  • The Dynamic Sport Performance Certified Coach (DSPCC) certification has taught me advanced techniques for developing explosive strength, speed, power, and endurance. The program emphasizes practical application, allowing me to implement effective kettlebell training and sport-specific movements.

    This certification enables me to train athletes to achieve peak performance while providing comprehensive programming for various fitness levels, ensuring my clients gain strength, agility, and resilience.

  • Learning from Lee Taft has helped me specialize in multi-directional speed and agility training. This certification focuses on techniques and drills that enhance athletic performance, emphasizing quickness, reaction time, and efficient movement patterns.

    By incorporating these methods, I can help my clients develop superior speed and agility, which are crucial for excelling in various sports and physical activities.

Testimonials

  • "I cannot praise Coach Tawnya enough. I hit a low point during quarantine and needed major changes. Tawnya gave me a boost. Her compassion, training, and attitude are world-class. No matter how much time I spent in gyms, my movement skills needed a lot of work. Tawnya focused on everything—even breathing.”

    Matthew R.

  • “I have absolutely loved working with Tawnya over the past 10 months! thanks to her, I've been able to significantly reduce my back pain, improve my mobility, and return to working on my craft that I love so much (dancing and DJing). and she has been such a great emotional support through my whole recovery process as well! I highly recommend working with her if you ever get the chance!”

    Way C.

  • “Wow! WOW is my thought! Tawnya is amazing! Her dance background gives her unmatched fitness training expertise, emphasizing proper mechanics and movement patterns. Tawnya's personalized approach builds strength and confidence, so exercise becomes a lifestyle. Her personalized workouts are fun and effective, and her unwavering support keeps every session upbeat. Working with Tawnya goes beyond physical transformation to improve the mind and spirit. Tawnya, your advice and friendship changed my life!”

    Katie W.

  • "I began working with Tawnya because I was truly inspired by her and her way of training. She has been such an easy person to work with, any questions I have, she can always guide me to the answers. Every single session is challenging yet so much fun, I’ve learned tremendously and continue to do so."

    Arely G.

  • "Something I'll never forget is that, during one session when I was at a particularly low point physically and mentally, she told me 'I'll always be in your corner'. To this day those words instilled within me the trust that she'll always be looking out for my best interests no matter what, and this confidence in the strength of our relationship has been monumental in guiding my own physical progress too."

    Nathan G.

  • "Tawnya is one in a million. Her attention to detail as a coach is like no other. I think one of the hardest parts of our job is energy exchange / meeting people where they're at. Tawnya really takes the time to get to know your goals, your training style, and ultimately your "why." It's such a human approach that makes training worthwhile. I highly recommend working with Tawnya to absolutely anyone."

    Hallie J.

  • "Everything she does is geared towards the full picture, even though the training itself is specific. Tawnya’s training is focused not only on longevity in the career of an artist athlete, but in everyday life. I’ve gained so much mind body connection and mental and physical endurance since working with her."

    Mei Ping C.

  • "I began to train with Tawnya due to chronic pain about 3 years ago. I had previously seen many professionals that told me there was nothing wrong even though I could barely move without being in pain. Tawnya was the first person that truly listened to me and gave me hope. Every session with Tawnya I have learned so much about body awareness, loading/distributing weight, and confidence!! She has made sure that I walk out knowing how capable my body is, how strong my body is."

    Arianna G.

Get Moving
With Me Today’

Whether it’s for training or collaborating on a project, I’d love to hear from you!

Inquire