51³Ô¹Ï

Mustapha Sowe is a dedicated Division 1 student-athlete at 51³Ô¹Ï, where he plays soccer while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Justice, Law, and Criminology. In addition to his academic and athletic endeavors, Mustapha is a Certified Personal Trainer, blending his educational background and athletic experience to explore the intersection of human behavior, community well-being, and fitness.

His journey into fitness and personal training began while navigating the challenges of balancing rigorous academic responsibilities with the demands of Division 1 soccer. This experience underscored the importance of health and wellness in achieving peak performance, inspiring Mustapha to become a Certified Personal Trainer. His goal is to empower others in their fitness journeys, taking a holistic approach that prioritizes long-term health and well-being.

Mustapha specializes in creating personalized training programs and providing nutritional guidance tailored to individual needs. His philosophy emphasizes sustainable lifestyle changes, helping clients achieve physical, emotional, and social well-being. By incorporating insights from his Psychology studies, he addresses the mental and social dimensions of fitness, ensuring his clients thrive beyond the gym.

Outside of his academic and fitness pursuits, Mustapha is passionate about connecting with others and advocating for equity and inclusion. He represents 51³Ô¹Ï Athletics on the Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission and is the founder of the 51³Ô¹Ï Student Athletes of Color Coalition. He also enjoys spending time outdoors and engaging in fitness activities that help him maintain balance and relaxation. Mustapha’s commitment to understanding the unique challenges of others and fostering meaningful connections drives his dedication to helping clients achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

Laith Tuma is a current Junior studying Health Promotion here at 51³Ô¹Ï and is a RecFit Lifeguard as well as a certified personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness.Ìý

Laith grew up surrounded by family and friends who played different sports or had some tie to the health field. That is where his love and appreciation for helping people started. He hopes to go on to obtain a degree in physical therapy or become a physician assistant in the future.

Laith found his passion for weightlifting during the pandemic. He realized how therapeutic and mentally clarifying it could be, especially during difficult times. Since then, his love for fitness has only increased, and he likes to continuously learn about new exercises or different workouts that can be done in the future! Combining his passion with helping people succeed and crush both mental and physical goals is something that he hopes to continue throughout his professional career.

His philosophy with exercise is that we as humans are meant to move. Movement is so important not only to be healthy but to be alive. Laith combines functional training with power-building movements to help keep the body strong and allow for the functionality of everyday needs/necessities.

Bio coming soon.

Sam Becker is a Student Personal Trainer and Freshman at 51³Ô¹Ï and is a certified personal trainer through the National Center for Strength and Fitness.Ìý

Sam has always been passionate about physical activity. Growing up in the wilderness of Colorado, Sam has always been exploring the outdoors and loved outdoor physical activity. Sam also has been a varsity athlete and a martial arts teacher, being closely tied to exercise and fitness for many years, Sam wants to be able to do the sports he loves and enjoy the rugged Colorado mountains for years to come. Sam decided to become a personal trainer, to learn how to maintain physical ability to allow him to continue to enjoy the outdoors.ÌýÌý

Sam decided to go into strength training, cardio, and muscle building, which he uses to grow and maintain his physical ability - utilizing his martial arts teaching experience, Sam knows the importance of building a strong foundation before moving onto more intense exercises. Sam’s philosophy is the same as when he taught martial arts, build the foundation and base of knowledge and skill first, then grow and move onto more intense exercise for larger growth.Ìý

As a college student with an internship, part-time job, and intense classes, Sam has a busy schedule and understands the difficulty of finding time for the gym among other activities, commitments, and priorities.ÌýÌý

Casey LaTeef is a master’s student from Northern Virginia completing a master's in public administration. Casey recently received his bachelor's in political science from 51³Ô¹Ï in December 2024. In addition to being an 51³Ô¹Ï Student Ambassador and the Senior Supervisor for Intramural Sports, Casey is a certified personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness.

Casey played tennis for over a decade, throughout that time he developed tricep tendentious. This caused him to stop playing competitively, as he experienced pain in his elbow every time he served. Casey began playing basketball, as he could still do that mostly without pain, and lifting weights, as he wanted to strengthen his joints and add muscle mass. During this time period, Casey fell in love with the gym and never looked back.

Casey is now a religious gym goer and has been following a push, pull, legs, workout split for the last six years. His fitness goals Have continued to be to focus on hypertrophy and put on lean muscle mass while limiting body fat.

Casey started his fitness journey as a small skinny kid. He knows what it's like to feel intimidated in a gym setting and is excited to help you in your fitness journey regardless of your starting point.

Theo is a sophomore at 51³Ô¹Ï working towards his bachelor's in statistics and is a certified student personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness. He has been consistently working out for eight months and brings enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to the gym. In high school, Theo played varsity football and ultimate frisbee, and he continues his passion for sports by playing ultimate frisbee at the collegiate level. Outside of sports, Theo enjoys hiking, playing sports, and staying active through various forms of physical exercise.

Theo's interest in personal training stems from a desire to help others in the gym. His journey began with a personal commitment to improving his own fitness, which inspired him to learn how to support others more effectively. Through his training program, Theo developed a deep appreciation for the art and science of personal training, fueling his passion for guiding others toward their goals.

Specializing in strength and fitness foundations, Theo believes in building a strong base before advancing to more intense training. He emphasizes consistency, proper technique, and gradual progression to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success for his clients.

As a busy college student, Theo understands the challenges of finding time for fitness. He is dedicated to helping others balance their fitness goals with their academic, professional, and personal commitments, making him a relatable and motivational personal trainer.

Steve Scricca isÌýstudying American Studies and pursuing a certificate in Disability, Health, and Bodies. Steve is also certified by the National Council on Strength and Fitness.

As a sprinter, pole-vaulter, and wrestler in high school, Steve was exposed to a variety of training modalities for different strengths and skill sets. Heavy erosion of his knee resulting from cross-country running, and requiring rehab, led him to understand and specialize in stabilization & prehab training, as well as seek other forms of cardiovascular conditioning. This approach has led him to much stronger joints and athletic ability, and enabled him to share what he learned at his lowest points with others struggling along their fitness journeys.

During the 2020 lockdown, Steve turned to calisthenics (bodyweight fitness) to maintain his conditioning while sports were on hiatus. Born of necessity, this modality turned into a passion, and the mind-muscle connection and control this type of training requires remain core tenants of his coaching philosophy. When he was able to return to a gym, Steve focused on functional movements which incorporated the whole body, refusing to neglect his joints, tendons, and core. His philosophy is that everyone should possess the knowledge to build a strong and multi-functional body whether they can access high-end equipment or not.

When not chasing his fitness goals or helping others reach theirs, Steve is a full-time student deeply involved in his academic community. Having spent many hours driving to jobs and school on a heavy clutch, in heavier boots, he understands how degrading and demanding our lives can be for our bodies, and seeks to combat this one client at a time.

Liam Safier is a sophomore majoring in Health Promotion and a certified personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness.

Liam’s fitness journey began at age 15 during the quarantine. With limited activities available, he turned his physical health around by embracing the gym. His passion for personal training grew as he researched training methods to help friends begin their fitness journeys.

Liam excels in strength and hypertrophy training, his personal fitness goals, but has extensive experience in various aspects of fitness. His philosophy is that any goal—whether strength, conditioning, or functionality—is achievable by understanding and applying knowledge of how the body works.

With years of gym experience, Liam has also shadowed physical therapists and worked closely with other personal trainers. Having recently started his own fitness journey, he deeply understands the challenges of entering the world of fitness for the first time.

Cora Colón is a certified Personal Trainer through the National Council for Strength and Fitness (NCSF). She holds a degree in International Studies with a focus on Human Rights and has a deep passion for health, fitness, and nutrition.Ìý

Cora has been involved in sports her entire life, with tennis being a constant passion that she continues to enjoy. However, her fitness journey took a pivotal turn during her freshman year of college when she faced challenges related to scoliosis. The condition, which left her unable to run due to uneven leg length and pain from the impact, significantly impacted her quality of life.ÌýÌý

Through a writing class, Cora conducted a research project on scoliosis and weight training, using herself as the subject. She committed to weightlifting for a semester, and despite initial doubts from her doctors, she experienced remarkable improvements in her scoliosis. This transformative experience not only restored her mobility but also sparked a passion for strength training that continues to shape her life today.ÌýÌý

Cora specializes in strength training, hypertrophy, and personalized fitness programming tailored to individual needs and goals. Her philosophy centers around the belief that fitness is both a physical and mental journey. Cora emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of regular exercise, advocating for its ability to build resilience, confidence, and overall well-being.ÌýÌý

Outside of personal training and working out herself, Cora spends her time going on hikes, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family. Having personally experienced the physical and mental benefits of fitness, Cora understands the importance of creating a supportive and motivating environment. Whether it’s through weightlifting, playing sports, or simply staying active, Cora is dedicated to helping clients discover the empowerment that comes from living a healthy lifestyle.

Hailing from the great city of San Francisco, Jackson is a Computer Science sophomore and personal trainer with the 51³Ô¹Ï Recreation and Fitness Center. Since freshman year, Jackson has been part of 51³Ô¹Ï’s rock climbing club and has also developed into a dedicated long-distance runner. He is returning this year as a personal trainer certified by the National Council on Strength and Fitness.

Rowing ignited Jackson’s passion for fitness and regimented training. In high school, his coach would make his crew’s training plan public for the whole team to see, and hold information sessions for rowers who were interested in the science behind the training. Jackson was enthralled by the methodical block approach to training and yearned to learn more. After a successful high school rowing career including two-course records, a few medals, youth nationals, and an incident at the Head of the Charles, Jackson decided that he would pursue marathon running in university. After two successful months of training including a marathon, six half marathons, and a sixteen-mile run in under 2 hours, he developed runner knee, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis all at once. cutting him off from running. During this period he reflected on his training methodologies, learned the importance of recovery and preventative exercises, and also became certified as a personal trainer.

Simplicity and persistence backed by powerful motivation and a genuine passion for fitness are what comprise Jackson’s training philosophy. These concepts appear in his training as benchmark exercises that exhibit the trainee’s gradual but consistent athletic accomplishments. This approach stems from his experience with rowing and long-distance running, where seeing improvement demands massive amounts of time to be invested in low-intensity exercise. The long hours spent running along the Potomac or doing laps around Lake Merced in California had a meditative quality for him, through which he learned the irrevocable power of showing up every day.

When he isn’t running sixteen miles around the track, or bouldering at a local climbing gym, Jackson can be found reading, studying, or listening to jazz in the Davenport Cafe. If he isn’t in the Dav, chances are he’s talking to his friends about planning the next camping trip, making music, or finding a new flea market or thrift store to visit.