Coaches and Practitioners

Alli Thul
HELM Training Co.

Alli started HELM Training Co. with the idea that anyone can take control of what they want in their own life and they should have a fitness program that helps that. She believes that people can greatly benefit from having an individually designed program because, well, every person is different. All with unique physical abilities, goals, and lifestyle dreams.

Alli's gone from being a competitive goalkeeper, to having weight loss goals, dealing with recurring injuries, training for strongman, and now a focus on mountaineering, adventuring & longevity. She understands that goals change, passions change, priorities change, and needs change.

Alli is passionate about providing a service in Cincinnati for LGBTQ+ and all people to come, train, and feel welcome to pursue any and all of their fitness goals. With HELM Training Co., she empowers people to live more full, 'yes'-filled lives through strength and fitness.

Qualifications:

• OPEX CCP Coach

• Precision Nutrition L1 Coach

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer

• ATA Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer

• B.S. Aerospace Engineering (University of Cincinnati)

To learn more, visit my website helmtraining.co or @helmtraining.co on Instagram!

Derek Miles
Miles Rehab and Performance

I am a sports physical therapist with 15 years’ experience working with a wide variety of athletes. I completed an orthopedic residency at the University of Florida in 2008 where I stayed, working with UF and local athletes until 2017. I then worked as the Advanced Clinical Specialist at Stanford Children’s in Sunnyvale, California for 3 years, developing their orthopedic and sports physical therapy program. I joined Barbell Medicine in 2018, helping athletes work through injuries and return to competition and operate as the head of the Pain and Rehab team. 

My experience ranges from elite level ultramarathoners, national champion powerlifters, to individuals just starting their fitness journey. The goal being to meet the athlete where they are at, and help them stay active while dealing with an injury. I have spoken at Physical Therapy national conferences on return to sport after ACL reconstruction, strength training for endurance athletes, and incorporating power training into rehab and published research on the influence of pain on participation in physical activity.

My goal is to help athletes return to sport at a higher level than they were prior to being injured. If we are trying to return to sport, we should likely sweat in the gym like we are sweating on the platform, field, or court. We can develop a strategy to get you doing the things you love, without issue, and with a better understanding of how to train. 

Website: www.milesrehabandperformance.com

IG: @derek_barbellmedicine

I started J2FIT Strength and Conditioning in 2014 to help people live a more robust, healthier, and active lifestyle. I believe that every individual, regardless of age, fitness level, or abilities, has the potential to improve their physical fitness and health.

My coaching philosophy is a hybrid approach developed through my years studying anatomy, exercise physiology, and strength and conditioning sciences. I then set out to improve the lives of thousands of clients and followers by teaching them how to improve their physical training, mindsets, and nutrition to live a more physically cable and unrestricted life.

I have had the privilege and responsibility to help all levels, ranging from youth lifters to college athletes, people recovering from injury, hospitalized patients (some terminal) seeking to improve their quality of life, and everyday fitness goers looking to look better, be fitter, and live up to the demands of their lives.

I am passionate about providing the best coaching services and experience to people locally in Cincinnati, remotely, and in my satellite gym in NYC. I also have reached millions of lifters around the globe through the hundreds of articles I have published on BarBend, Breaking Muscle, and Fitbod.

On top of my coaching experience and accolades, I have achieved high marks of competitive success in Olympic weightlifting. I have also led teams to national competitions and developed athletes from beginner stages to podiums. If you want to get started, elevate your fitness, or reach the podium... I am your guy.

Qualifications:

Masters in Exercise Physiology (Columbia University, NY)

Bachelor in Exercise Science (Bowling Green State University, OH)

NCAA Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach (New York University, 2015-2019)

Team USA Worlds Masters Team Member (2022 Masters World Championships, 5th Place Overall M89 35-39)

USA Weightlifting Advanced Sports Coach (Level 2)

USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach

NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

15+ years of coaching and personal training experience (2008-Current)

Published Fitness and Nutrition Writer (over 600+ articles published and counting…)

Website: www.J2Fit.com

Instagram: theJ2Fit

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@j2fit

I believe that we all have a purpose to serve others, and for me, coaching is that calling. I chose the name “Valiant” because it embodies bravery and boldness—qualities that are essential when taking control of your physical, mental, and spiritual health.

My passion for helping others enhance their quality of life and self-confidence through fitness stems from my own experiences. Growing up feeling small and fragile, I discovered the transformative power of strength training in high school. My love for personal training started during a college internship, leading me to explore various avenues in fitness gaining experience teaching Bootcamp classes, working in a Physical Therapy Clinic, and Personal Training.

With nearly a decade of experience in the fitness and performance industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of clients, ranging in age from 14 to 70. I’ve helped clients navigate through pain, improve body composition, weight loss, and building strength. I also have experience training athletes in soccer, baseball, football, and lacrosse, both in and out of season. Currently, I serve as the strength coach for the Cincinnati Lacrosse Academy.

My philosophy centers around creating an exceptional experience for my clients and athletes in the gym, focusing on enhancing human function, i.e. mobility, stability, power, strength, and conditioning. Every program I design is tailored specifically to your unique goals, ensuring a personalized approach to your fitness journey.

Certifications:

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

• Pre-Script Level 1 Coach (PSL1)

• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (PN1)

Instagram: @valiantfs

Website: www.valiantfunctionandstrength.com

To THRASH is to move freely and wildly, not through recklessness, but because you have developed the capacity to do so. 

Growing up, I learned this firsthand. Whether it was in punk rock basement shows, on football fields, or under a barbell I discovered the importance of pursuing the things that make you unapologetically yourself and embracing the relentless pursuit of improvement.

Today, Thrash Training exists to help people build the strength, speed, resilience, and confidence necessary to meet the demands of sport and life. Whether working with youth athletes, collegiate competitors, or everyday individuals looking to become more capable, the mission remains the same: Lower the Barrier of Entry, Do the Thing. 

I began coaching because of the coaches who helped shape my own athletic journey, providing me the tools to compete in collegiate football and qualify for USA Weightlifting University Nationals. Through those experiences, I developed an understanding that great coaching extends far beyond repititions and programs. It is the structure, direction, and instilling a belief in what is possible that coaching provides.

From 2021–2023, I served as Director of Football Performance at Skyline High School (Sammamish, WA) while also coaching throws and defensive line. During that time, I simultaneously worked as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at Tahoma High School (Maple Valley, WA) working with football and lacrosse. At the collegiate level, I spent the 2023–2024 season interning with Washington State Football before transitioning into Washington State Olympic Sports from 2024–2026. There, I worked with Track & Field (throws, sprints, and jumps), Baseball, and Women’s Soccer. My responsibilities included assisting with late-stage ACL return-to-play, load monitoring through Catapult GPS and VALD tools, as well as in-season performance maintenance.

Qualifications:

• BS in Kinesiology, Minor in Strength & Conditioning (Washington State University)

• NSCA - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

• USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
  

Instagram - @coach_uy

Website - https://www.thrashtrainingco.com/