Meet the FITteam
MELISSA FARLEY, founder
Certified Personal Trainer & Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Melissa is a fitness and wellness expert who spent much of her early years as a ballerina. She danced with the Joffrey Ballet at the Kennedy Center and has also appeared on film, t.v., and off-Broadway. As a natural evolution from dance, Melissa began her yoga practice in 2005. She found that yoga was beneficial to her dancing because it lengthens the muscles, provides greater flexibility, and increases energy to the core. Melissa has over 12 years experience as a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine). She received her undergraduate degree in Theatre & Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park. Melissa incorporates her love for dance and yoga with her signature blend of resistance, strength training, stability, balance, cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, and core exercises into a fun, upbeat, and unique training style.
Melissa has worked as a private in-home trainer in New York City and the Washington, DC metro Area. Melissa has appeared in various commercials and magazines including: Sports Illustrated, GQ, Men’s Health, Yoga Journal and Runner’s World. Recently, She appeared on NBC4 News interviewed by Doreen Gentzler for a segment about nutrition.
Melissa is also a Board Certified Holistic Nutrition Health Coach registered through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is a graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Melissa’s holistic approach to total wellness comes from a balance of fitness and nutrition. Melissa's mission is to inspire, educate, and build a connection between quality food and a quality life!! Melissa is a proud mama of two who specializes in prenatal fitness and postnatal recovery.
LIZ OSBORN
Certified Personal Trainer
Liz met founder Melissa on the first day of college at the University of Maryland, College Park where they were both Theatre Performance majors. They shared not only a love for performing, but fitness and nutrition too! Like Melissa, Liz has over 12 years experience as a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine). She has worked as a private in-home trainer in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington DC metro area.
Liz loves to keep her workouts interesting and fun. She believes that many people get "burnt out" or "fall off the exercise/diet wagon" because of repetition, boredom, and just not knowing what the best fitness or diet plan is for their bodies. Using CORE work as a foundation for all of her work-outs, she is particularly good at working on strength and cardio in a fun and engaging way. As an avid runner herself, she also specializes in helping people train for races. She might even get out there and run with you! Liz lives with her husband and two rescuce dogs, Romeo and Lily, in MD.
GABRIELLA ROBAYO
Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Zumba Instructor
Gaby is a fitness and wellness enthusiast who is passionate about teaching others how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Raised in New York, Gaby spent over 15 years as a dancer and cheerleader. Her Latin roots infused her with a love for dancing salsa and merengue which quickly translated into a love for Zumba. She enjoys the high-intensity, energetic workout that challenges your flexibility and core strength. This passion inspired Gaby to become a licensed Zumba instructor and a Certified Personal Trainer. Additionally, Gaby has worked in the corporate wellness industry for several years, designing and implementing innovative employee health programs.
Gaby believes in keeping fitness varied and fun. She has a desire to inspire and strives to help others achieve their fitness goals. She has developed fitness and nutrition plans for individuals to reflect a holistic and balanced approach, the same approach she espouses. Gaby also earned a Master of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and completed her undergraduate studies at the George Washington University.
HILLARY WACKS
Certified Personal Trainer
Hillary is a health and wellness expert that has always strived to lead a balanced lifestyle and help others to do the same. Hillary is originally from Massachusetts and grew up dancing with Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and other small ballet companies on the north shore. In college, Hillary decided to continue her love for fitness, dance, and performing by trying out for the co-ed cheerleading team at George Washington University. She cheered all four years at GWU, as well as running two marathons, and then after graduation became a member of the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading Team. She cheered for the Ravens for two years while working full time in DC. Being physically active as a cheerleader and involved with dc running groups led to translating her passion towards a career in health and wellness.
Hillary received her Masters in Health Promotion Management from American University in May 2014 along with completing her certification from ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) as a Health & Fitness Professional and Certified Personal Trainer. Hillary has an upbeat personality and delivers awesome, effective, and results orientated workouts along with her nutrition counseling to promote an overall balanced and healthy lifestyle!
DARA LYUBINSKY
Executive Chef & Culinary Director
Dara is FITtrition's Executive Chef and Culinary Director and the founder of Tastes Like More Culinary Services. While working in her first career in Media and Public Relations (with an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland), Dara completed her degree in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Dara's clientel range from professional athletes and television broadcasters to music moguls, families with young children, and those looking to improve their overall wellness and lifestyle through food and nutrition. Her favorite people to cook for are those who want to eat more wholesome, carefully curated, goo-for-them-food at home. Her food philosophy is very simple: The best seasonal ingredients, gathered and handled with care and properly prepared to nourish people's bodies and taste buds! Read more about Dara's work.
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