MEET THE TRAINERS
Meet the team that can take you the next LEVEL
Virginia Cardenas
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Email: Virginia@levelfitnessclubs.com
Primary Certifications: NASM
Specialties: Muscle building, strength training, fat loss, weight loss/management, body recomposition
Background: I have always had a passion for fitness so much so that I left the military after 13 years to fully pursue it. After struggling with mental health and being unhappy with my career, I chose to get into bodybuilding. I’ve competed twice and plan on competing again. I really enjoy educating my clients as well as giving them a newfound confidence and outlet within fitness.
Valentina Ferrara
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Email: Valentina@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Associate Degree
Primary Certifications: NASM
Specialties: Corrective exercise
Background: My passion for strength training led me to become certified in sports medicine, combining my love for fitness with a deep understanding of the body. I aim to create a supportive environment where everyone feels motivated to train safely and effectively. Working alongside a physical therapist has given me unique insights into addressing muscular imbalances, which I incorporate into personalized programs. I enjoy teaching a variety of classes, from HIIT to strength training, keeping my coaching dynamic and fostering a strong sense of community.
Juan Hernandez
Hometown: White Plains, NY
Email: Juan@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Bachelor of Science
Primary Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Specialties: Corrective Exercise, Sports Specific Training
Background: My passion for fitness has allowed me to help others to live a healthy lifestyle. Having the opportunity to change people’s lives is very rewarding for me. Being able to help them achieve their fitness goals means a lot to me. During my free, time I love spending time playing soccer and watching sports and movies.
Edwin Solis
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Email: Edwin@levelfitnessclubs.com
Primary Certifications: ISSA
Specialities: Strength & conditioning, corrective exercise, functional training & mixed martial arts.
Background: I am passionate about fitness because I understand how it can improve people’s lives. One of the best parts of life is having the opportunity to build yourself physically and mentally through fitness. Fitness is a game of patience and adjustments, but you can become something special through hard work. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to help others. It’s a labor of love.
Deaneth Edwards
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Email: Deaneth@levelfitnessclubs.com
Primary Certifications: AFAA CPT and Group Fitness certifications Lesmills BodyPump Lesmills Bodycombat
Specialties: All aspects of Fitness
Background: I began my fitness career over twenty-eight years ago at a private gym. I’ve loved fitness all my life. Being a native of Jamaica, in school we had to do some form of sports; mine was in Track and Field. I represent the United States of America in the Master’s Division in Track and Field. I became a Personal Trainer because of my drive and dedication to helping others. My main goal is to help my clients live a healthy and long life and be their best version. As I often tell them “you only get out what you put in”.
Michael Haag
Hometown: Garrison, NY
Email: Michael@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Bachelors at Fordham University
Primary Certifications: NCSF
Specialties: Bodybuilding/ Fat loss
Background: Fitness has helped me feel not only more healthy
physically but also mentally through an increase of self confidence. It is now my goal to share that with others by helping people a more healthy lifestyle style as well as reach goals they have always wanted to reach. Whether you are new to exercise or a common gym goer, I can help you get to the next step of your fitness journey by helping you build a strong foundation in the gym or pushing through current plateaus.
Jimmy Barrios
Hometown: Guetzaltenango, Guatemala
Education: Bachelors in Psychology, Associates in liberal arts and science
Primary Certifications: NASM CPT, CES
Specialties: Weight loss, Corrective Exercises, Functional training, HIIT, Hypertrophy, progressive bodyweight training, soccer/futbol.
Background: My fitness journey began with soccer, playing around the world in places like the U.S., Guatemala, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. After my semi-pro soccer career, I shifted to coaching, specializing in sports-specific training, injury prevention, weight loss, HIIT, and corrective exercise. I believe in training both the mind and body to create lasting change. Now, I continue to compete in soccer, coach kids, and help clients achieve their fitness goals.
Amber Deegan
Position: Group Fitness Instructor
Hometown: Mahopac, NY
Email: Amber@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: BS – Behavioral Science, MS – Early Childhood & Childhood Education
Primary Certifications: AFAA Group Fitness, CPR/AED
Specialties: Strength Training, HIIT Training
Background: I began teaching group fitness classes in 2016 at Retro Fitness, and in 2019, I joined Level Fitness as a Personal Trainer. Since 2021, I’ve also been teaching group fitness classes here at Level. In addition to my work at the gym, I’m an Associate Director for Academic Advising at a private college. In my spare time, I love spending time with friends, going hiking, and enjoying anything outdoors.
Christine Mondelli
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Email: Christine@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education:
B.S. Management concentration in Finance and MIS Minor in Music – Binghamton University Masters in Education – University of Bridgeport
Primary Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, The BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise Specialist, Advanced Spinning® Instructor Certification, SPINPower® Instructor Certification
Specialties: Functional training, Strength training, Corrective exercise, HIIT, Cycling
Background: Christine has been with Level Fitness Clubs since 2021. Starting out her career on Wall Street, she had a career change and went onto pursuing her masters in education while providing academic intervention services at Rye Neck School District. After having 3 children, fitness became an integral part of her life. The positive impact it had on her created the passion to educate others in fitness.
Jessica Paternoster
Hometown: Mahopac NY
Email: Jessica@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Bachelor of Arts
Primary Certifications:ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Glute Specialist, Bodybuilder, and Elite Trainer, Les Mills BodyPump, lifeguarding, and CPR/AED
Specialties:Strength & Conditioning, HIIT, Core Stability, Glute Training, Bodybuilding, Functional Fitness, Circuit and Resistance Training, Weight Loss, Cardio, Athletic Training, Obstacle Course Training, Nutrition, and Women’s Fitness
Background: I’m passionate about fitness, having grown up as an athlete in sports like soccer, basketball, rugby, and swimming. After college, I became certified through ISSA and started training clients of all ages and levels. My own fitness journey has had ups and downs, but it’s made me stronger both physically and mentally. Known as Trainer POWERnoster, I believe in powering through challenges. Outside of fitness, I’m also a singer-songwriter and photographer. I’m excited to be part of the Level Fitness family and help others transform their lives!
Vincent M. Annabi
Hometown: Mahopac, NY
Email: Vincent@levelfitnessclubs.com
Primary Certifications: ISSA, NASM, CES
Specialties:Boxing, Corrective Exercise, Sports Specific Training
Background: There’s always new things to learn and opportunities to get better. I love to see those opportunities with myself and with my clients so we can all get better every day.
Valeria Montoya
Hometown: Wappingers Falls, NY
Email: Valeria@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Associate in Exercise Science (AS)
Primary Certifications: NASM CNC, NASM CPT
Specialties: Bodybuilding, Weight Management, Holistic Wellness
Background: At the age of 15, I launched my fitness journey after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I began studying holistic health, nutrition, and fitness to alleviate my symptoms without relying on harmful medications. This approach has kept my body in remission for over 5 years. Currently, I compete in Bikini Bodybuilding, where I use nutritional science to learn and understand how the body reacts during different dieting phases. The tedious strength training involved in this sport has also equipped me with the necessary knowledge to help others achieve their desired physique.
Tina Millicker
Hometown: Mahopac
Email: Tina@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Dental Hygiene
Primary Certifications: ISSA(CPT), Pilates, Zumba(all programs) Piloxing(all programs) pilates
Specialties: Weight loss, Weight training, nutrition, Dance
Background: I have an extensive dance background which is how I began my fitness career by becoming a Zumba instructor over 14 ago. Personal training, group fitness classes and coaching others with their physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle is what I am most passionate about. There is nothing that makes me happier than to see someone, reach their full potential, achieve their personal goals and become the best version of themselves.
Michael Irish
Hometown: Poughkeepsie
Email: Michaeli@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: B.S. in Exercise Science
Primary Certifications: ISSA CPT
Specialties: BodyBuilding, Powerlifting, Weight Loss, Functional Training
Background: Coming from a background of playing sports my whole life, and being a Competitive Bodybuilder the reason why I love fitness is because this is a game all about Consistency and Discipline. The results you get whether it’s getting stronger, building a better physique, or losing weight speaks for itself and it can’t be faked. And I enjoy helping anyone reach their goal.
Lucy Hancock
Hometown: Rotherham, England (U.K.)
Email: Lucy@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Associate Degree – Health and Human Performance (exercise science)
Primary Certifications: NCSF-certified personal trainer
Specialties: Functional movement, corrective exercise, sport-specific (athlete) training, weight loss
Background: I’ve been an internationally ranked ice skater since I was 8, with dreams of competing in the World Championships and Winter Olympics. After moving to the U.S. two years ago, I competed in the 2023 World University Winter Games and the 2024 European Championships. My global experiences in competition have shaped my passion for fitness, which I’ve pursued alongside my degree in Health and Human Performance. I use this knowledge, combined with my athletic background, to help clients achieve their fitness goals and perform at their best. Fitness is a journey I love being a part of.
Darryl Nemeth
Hometown: Somers, NY
Email: Darryl@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Associate degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
Primary Certifications: ISSA
Specialties: Lifestyle Change, Weight Loss, Athletic Development
Background: I am from Somers, NY, where I played football, lacrosse, and wrestled. Since 2016, I’ve faced the same challenges we all do, realizing that without the right approach to fitness, I couldn’t fully enjoy life. Committing to change has transformed my body and mind, showing me that my life is shaped by the choices I make. I’m here to help you discover your potential and make choices that lead to success and a lasting foundation. Choose to chase who you are!
Ben LeBlanc
Hometown: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Email: Benjamin@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: B.S. Business Management
Primary Certifications: ISSA
Specialties: Strength & Conditioning, Weight Loss, Resistance Training, Corrective Exercise
Background: Fitness has helped me in many ways. Using it as an outlet to express emotion in a healthy way. As well as bettering my health, it has shown me how to fail and come back stronger and more resilient. I want to share fitness with everyone! I think it’s a beautiful thing when people are the best versions of themselves.
Julia Brower
Hometown: Mahopac
Email: Julia@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Masters Degree in M.A.T. Sport Pedagogy & Physical Education
Primary Certifications: ISSA
Specialties: Strength training & weight loss
Background: My passion for personal training comes from my health journey after being diagnosed with celiac disease, which showed me the transformative power of fitness and nutrition. For the past three years, I’ve focused on helping others overcome challenges and improve their health. As I work toward my master’s in physical education, my goal is to teach people to love movement. Fitness isn’t just about exercise—it’s about finding joy in staying active and building a positive relationship with it.
Joshua Snell
Hometown: Santa Ana, California
Email: Joshua@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Degree in Culinary Arts
Primary Certifications: NASM CPT + Stretching and Flexibility coach
Specialties: Functional Training
Background: I love the constant pursuit of knowledge and discipline connected with fitness. There’s always more to learn and harder challenges. Other than that, I enjoy cooking and watching movies with my wife and dog.
Eddie Cacsire
Hometown: West Harrison, NY
Email: Eddie@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Bachelors of Science in Education, Miami University of Ohio; Masters of Science in Teaching, SUNY Cortland
Primary Certifications: NASM CPT, CNC, PES
Specialties: Powerlifting, Football Training, Strength and Conditioning
Background: I fell in love with fitness, specifically strength training, on my weight loss journey early on and found that I could never put the weights down! As of recently, I shifted my focus towards olympic weightlifting. I also enjoy educating people on exercise, training, and nutrition. Outside of personal training and group fitness classes, I’m getting my feet back into teaching elementary school.
Louis Rodriguez
Hometown: Spring Valley, NY
Email: louis@levelfitnessclubs.com
Education: Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in sociology (Dominican University), Working on a master’s in mental health counseling (pace University)
Primary Certifications: ISSA personal training ISSA Nutrition
Specialties: Hitt training and boxing
Background: My background is in intercollegiate athletics, where I did track and field, sparked a passion for fitness. I fell in love with helping people reach their ideal versions of themselves, prompting me to get my certification in personal training. Outside of training, I enjoy rock climbing, running, and photography. I also really enjoy cooking and bridging the gap between nutrition and amazing tasting food.