the coach
about stefanabout me
Coaching has never been about finding the perfect workout or the perfect diet. It's about understanding the principles that drive progress and applying them consistently over time. That's the foundation of my health and fitness philosophy.
the training
I earned my bachelor's degree in nutrition and health sciences, became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and completed Precision Nutrition Level 1. But the lessons that shaped me most didn't come from a classroom. They came from years spent coaching people with different goals, injuries, schedules, and experience levels. Since 2020, I've worked one-on-one with clients ranging from complete beginners to experienced lifters. Since 2021, I've been the Head Coach and Gym Operations Manager at Vickery Athletics in Dallas, coaching group classes with anywhere from three to fifty people at a time. Those thousands of coaching hours taught me that no program survives contact with real life unless it's built to adapt.
My coaching is built around decision-making, not templates. Every week I adjust training, nutrition, recovery, exercise selection, and workload based on how you're actually progressing, not how a spreadsheet predicted you would. Whether your goal is building muscle, losing fat, getting stronger, or simply becoming healthier, my job is to remove the guesswork and give you a clear path forward.
the person
Outside the gym, I'm endlessly curious. I grew up competing in gymnastics, which taught me body awareness, discipline, and an appreciation for movement long before I ever touched a barbell. I spent a year living in Paris, where I developed an appreciation for slowing down, wandering without a plan, and drinking far more espresso than anyone reasonably needs. Music has always been a constant in my life, whether it's playing through my headphones during a workout or setting the tone for a quiet evening. When I'm not coaching or training, you'll usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with recipes, behind an easel with a paintbrush in hand, or buried in research on training, nutrition, and human performance.
I was born in Mexico, raised in Dallas, and I speak English, Spanish, and French.
I'm fascinated by how people think, learn, and improve. That curiosity finds its way into every client I work with. It's why check-ins with me rarely feel like a formality. I want to know what's actually happening in your training, your sleep, and your stress. Then I adjust the plan around the answer instead of a script.
the philosophy
Just as importantly, I want you to understand why we're doing what we're doing. I believe the best coaching doesn't create dependence. It builds confidence. My goal is to help you develop the knowledge, habits, and discipline to make great decisions long after we've finished working together. And to become the strongest, healthiest version of yourself along the way.