Defining Moment Fitness, Charleston, SC

Ashley

Owner

As a former 292 lbs, size 48 pant, XXL shirt wearing over weight 21 year old, I know exactly what it’s like to struggle with being overweight, unhealthy, and unhappy. In 2003, I lost 115 pounds on my own, in my own crazy way, doing all the wrong things to my body just to lose weight and feel better about myself. After losing weight the wrong way, over time, I discovered the difference between just losing weight and making the mental change of learning how to keep my body healthy, mentally and physically.

As a former Greenville Firefighter, I knew I could impact people’s lives even more as a personal trainer, and shortly thereafter received my certification from the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) as well as from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). My personal weight loss experience is an asset, as I empower, motivate, and guide others to lose weight the right way the first time.

Nicole

Operations Manager

“I’ve always liked the quote “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”- Fred Devito. It is so much easier to eat unhealthy and NOT prep your meals, and NOT wake up at 5:00 am to get that workout in, but the payoff of doing those things is much greater. Feeling strong and energized is an amazing feeling and I love helping others feel the same way. I have worked in the health field for many years. Starting as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Working primarily with children with disabilities and the Geriatric population. I helped my clients achieve their independence through skilled therapy. While working in the OT field I had a personal passion for fitness. It started with marathon running, however I was missing something in my training. Then I decided to hire a personal trainer to add weight training into my routine and the results I had were amazing.

Jade

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

Jade is no stranger to the Lowcountry. A Wando High School graduate, Jade spent a majority of her adolescent and teenage years building her foundation in health and fitness. A former competitive cheerleader and dancer, Jade learned at an early age the benefits of muscle development and the positive impact it has on physical and mental performance. Her love of learning and continual improvement propelled her to follow her two passions and become a certified personal trainer.

In addition to one on one training and development, Jade is also a certified Body Pump and Barre instructor. A wife, mother of two, and a dedicated fitness professional, Jade makes sure to lead by example in both her personal and professional roles. If she’s not outside enjoying the benefits of coastal living with her family, she’s in the gym putting in the work. Her dedication, high accountability in generating results for her clients, and positive outlook make her the perfect personal ‘cheerleader’ and coach for those who are looking to make a lifestyle shift. Jade is a tremendous asset to our team and to the DMF community.

Emmett

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

Emmett was born and raised in Mt Pleasant SC. He is a husband to his bride of 20 years, Theresa, and father to a high school daughter. After graduating from the College of Charleston, Emmett was a banker and financial planner. In 2004, Emmett answered the call into ministry and became the Area Director for the Lowcountry Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2015, Emmett began coaching small group fitness classes at Seacoast Church.

At this time, Emmett received his certification as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He also is a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist through NASM. Emmett’s passion is in helping people age well – maintaining their strength, mobility, and functionality. “As we get older, getting exercise goes from playing to work. I want to make exercise fun for all ages and help people be functional.” Emmett began his fitness journey as a “fluffy” 14 year old. He knows all the stigmas that are attached to being overweight. He also knows how much better he feels, mentally and physically, to be fit and he wants that for everyone.

Ethan

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

Ethan As a Nashville TN native, Ethan holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and has a Certified Personal Training Certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has exercised for much of his life and his joy comes from helping others gain the knowledge, experience, and joy of overcoming seemingly impossible tasks. His philosophy is that strength, endurance, flexibility, and mindset are the essential values to a quality life.

His knowledge and warm motivational banter help people soar through the first few weeks of exercise and reach goals with outstanding performance. Ethan’s obsessive and feverish approach to fitness makes him resolute in his pursuit for peak physical performance and physique. When asked about his health and fitness philosophy, Ethan stated, “I whole heartedly believe that you don’t progress in life until you step out of the comfort zone. We adapt, overcome, persevere, and that leads to a wholesome life in the end. Fitness is where we step out of comfort and begin to live, it would be the greatest honor in my life to be that catalyst in yours.”

Brandon

Development Manager

B.S. Sports Science, NASM-CPT, CES, PES, BCS, WLS, PN1 (NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, Behavior Change Specialist, Weight Loss Specialist, Precision Nutrition Level 1) My hobbies include working on my car (Dodge Challenger), playing with my dog, Clegg, and spending time outside on a boat, or at the beach!

When it comes to health and fitness my goal is to simplify and narrow the focus of every individual that I train or interact with. Marketing and Social Media have let too many people down when it comes to realizing their goals, and I want to change that. No misinformation, just results.

Ashlen

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

I come from humble beginnings– a single-parent household of 9 siblings. Through all of the struggles my family and I had, I knew when I reached adult life that I wanted to create a positive and healthy life for myself. I found fitness in college and fell in love with it! Something I was always looking for in life was confidence and happiness with myself, and I found it through prioritizing my health and pushing myself past limits I thought my body type would not allow.

I realized I not only wanted a healthy and fulfilling life, but I DESERVED it. And that is what I want my clients to learn while training with me– that they matter and they deserve to invest in their health and fitness. Gaining strength, meeting body composition goals, and developing a healthier relationship with food is what I help my clients do! It’s what I love and feel privileged to be able to do every day!

I am a NASM certified Personal Trainer, ACE certified Health Coach, and Precision Nutrition certified Exercise Nutrition Coach. But more importantly, I am a wife, dog and cat mom, and my client’s cheerleader inside and outside of the gym! Let me help you find your happy place in the gym and add value into your life by investing in your fitness journey!

PAIGE

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

Paige was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida but moved to South Carolina in 2016. She attended college at Anderson University in the upstate and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing. In 2022, she moved to Charleston after getting married and loves it here.

She has been a personal trainer since receiving her NASM Personal Training Certification in 2020. Paige has a background in dance, strength training, mobility, and stability training. She loves her job and the opportunity it gives her to interact with different people, connect with them, and help them live happy, healthy lives. Outside of the gym, Paige enjoys being active outdoors, a good sitcom, and DIY projects around the house. She believes that being active is necessary for life so it’s important to stay moving in and out of the gym and approaches fitness with functionality and longevity in mind. Her favorite part of her job is celebrating her clients’ wins with them. She can’t wait to help you reach your fitness goals!

JARROD

Certified Personal Trainer/Coach

Originally from California, Jarrod moved to the Charleston area in the summer of 2021 to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. After working in the PT field for nearly a year, he decided that he would like to transition to Personal Training, and has loved it ever since.

Jarrod graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Chico. While training, he excels in working with those who are looking to gain strength and muscle mass while also preventing or recovering from injuries. Some of his hobbies include going downtown, exploring nature, or flying airplanes. Whatever your goals may be, Jarrod will do his best to help you reach them and become the best possible version of yourself!