Our Staff

Petra Jahn opened ZenRock fitness in July 2007 with the intention of creating a safe and comfortable space where people of all ages, abilities, and bodies could set personal goals and achieve results. With the love of all movement from an early age, Petra competed in basketball through college, training with many coaches and learning their techniques for getting the results they wanted from her. In 2000, having just started playing for College of Marin, she began doing yoga to cope with the demands of scholastics, athletics, and a full time job. Her early yoga practice gradually shifted her definition of real fitness and she wanted more from her body.

She began to see fitness in terms of lifestyle and not a game; in terms of overall life quality and not a flash performance. ZenRock mentality was forming: a fitness center where the work is difficult but compassionate trainers are empowered to form strong, sustaining relationships with their clients; help them work with their body today; and who can quickly adjust an activity before challenge becomes injury.

Today, after nearly a decade in service to the Redmond community, ZenRock Fitness is a comprehensive fitness experience, with opportunities for small group education, weekend outdoor activities, and annual yoga journeys to such beautiful and luxurious locales as Tuscany (2010), Costa Rica (2015), Bali (2016), and the Greek Isles (2017). Costa Rica (2018), Portugal (2018), and Tuscany (2019).

Petra is proud of her staff of trainers, her clients, and her ZenRock family, all of whom are dedicated to the ZenRock mission: bettering lives through movement, strength, meditation, diet, adventures near and far, and a safe space to work on individual goals.

Professional certifications:

• ACE Certified
• Certified Yoga instructor
• CPR/First Aid Certified

Dwayne Valeau: Business Manager & Advisor

I have been involved in the fitness industry for the past 20 years. I began training friends and clients in Atlanta, Georgia, working at both Sportslife and Jean’s Bodytech. I moved to Seattle to continue my education and return to the West Coast.

After suffering a major knee injury in college, my weight ballooned to 248 pounds. I was feeling betrayed by my body – the ability to exercise (and age) had always counteracted my eating habits. By changing my relationship to food and incorporating rehabilitative and proper training techniques, I was able to reclaim my life. This success has continued to motivate me to help clients reach their weight loss and health objectives.

When we opened ZenRock, over a decade ago, we quickly realized that people were looking for a place that was comfortable and intimate but still dedicated to the work necessary to make meaningful changes. I am so proud of the work we do, the clients we serve, and the family we have built. Many people feel trapped in their current physical existence. They are unable to break the cycle or lack the skills to realize their dreams. My goal is to guide and support you in attaining he fitness and well-being you deserve. Stop just existing and start really living your life!

Professional Certifications:

• AFPA Certified
• CPR/First Aid Certified

Nova Guthrie: General Manager, Redmond & Retreat Coordinator

I have spent much of my life testing the limits and abilities of my body. It is a challenge that I love almost as much as I love to travel. However, I was not always kind to my body, and I found yoga to be the perfect complement to strength and conditioning that could help me recover from my adventures. I also found that I loved sharing my love of fitness and yoga with other people.

Travel, fitness, and yoga – what a beautiful combination! Over the past decade, Petra and ZenRock have allowed me to pursue and enjoy all my travel, fitness, and yoga pursuits. At ZenRock, we spend time getting stronger, finding more flexibility, building better habits, and maintaining healthy balance. Our yoga journeys are a further exploration of that healthy balance with the added bonuses of food, relaxation, and friends.

I look forward to helping you find the right combination of wellness tools at ZenRock to live your healthiest, happiest, and most authentic life. Whether you need me to recommend the right trainer for you to work with based on your goals, help you book your sessions, or want to join one of our yoga adventure retreats, I am here to guide you toward the best solution.

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• ISSA Master Trainer
• Transformation Specialist Coach
• Yoga Fitness Yoga Instructor
• BS in Biology
• CPR/AED

Britt McWilliams: Assistant Manager, Redmond & Personal Trainer

Born and raised in Redmond, WA, I have been involved with the fitness industry since 2012. After giving birth to 2 boys and sitting behind a desk for 7 years doing Medical Billing, I strived for a more active lifestyle. I became obsessed with Group Fitness. I hold a AFAA Level 3 Group Fitness certification and was at one time teaching up to 16 classes a week. These were of various high-energy formats including Zumba, R.I.P.P.E.D., BODYSHRED, Bootcamps, as well as a young child’s music and movement class called Zumbini.

Striving for continuing education and having a strong desire to learn, I shifted my focus to nutrition in 2014. Immediately I noticed a giant lack of coaching and positive support systems for the average individual looking to make smart choices. So I took the love, happiness and high energy aspect of my experience with Group Fitness and combined with the true science based facts of nutrition. Using real food to reset the metabolism, but catering this theory to adapt to the specific client, rather then using cookie-cutter methods. My biggest goal is to show every client I encounter that “eating clean” and being “healthy” doesn’t need to be overwhelming or scary. In fact, it should be fun! I strive to not only provide unconditional support but educate throughout the entire process so that clients can be in charge of their own lives. And that they eventually feel confident to continue making positive choices permanently.Striving for continuing education and having a strong desire to grow, I branched out my certifications to include Personal Training, Nutrition, and an endless list of specialty courses. In 2016, I became a Master Trainer for Jillian Michaels teaching other instructors the BODYSHRED format in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. I truly believe I have found my life’s calling by being a Coach and Personal Trainer.

When is comes to our bodies, I believe in biomechanics above all else. Whether you are just starting your journey, are an experienced athlete, or recovering from an injury, we will always utilize proven science to establish and define reaching your desired outcome.

My biggest goal is to show every client I encounter that your physical health and exercise shouldn’t be scary. In fact, it should be fun! I strive to not only provide unconditional support but to educate throughout the entire process so that clients can be in charge of their own lives. I want everyone to eventually feel confident to continue making positive choices permanently.

Working with me, clients can expect an experience catered to them, their needs, and their immediate goals. Whether it be with training or lifestyle guidance, the coaching support is always unconditional and non-judgmental.

Professional Certifications:

• AFAA Level 3 Group Fitness
• PRECISION Group Fitness
• PRECISION Level 2 Nutrition Coach
• NASM Personal Trainer
• CPR/AED Certified

Mehdi Ansari: Personal Trainer (Languages: English & Farsi)

As a child I was extremely passionate about fitness and my family teased me for it. I was reading fitness magazines and writing workout plans as a small boy while spending every other moment playing soccer with my cousins. By the time I was a teenager, when not in class, I could always be found in the gym. After serving a mandatory 2 years in the Iranian military, I came to the United States where I earned my BS in Exercise Science. At the same time, I trained vigorously in mixed martial arts and began competing in bodybuilding.

Overall my intent and ambition is to help others develop fitness through education and movement. I love helping my clients define health goals and then creating interesting and engaging workout plans achieve them. I am comfortable guiding my clients through yoga poses and martial arts reps, and always safely. I also integrate bodybuilding techniques and am always willing to train aspiring competitive bodybuilders. Over the years I have successfully established a wonderful and loyal clientele and love the way they enrich and teach me every day!

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified
• Associate of Applied Science in Exercise Science
• CPR/First Aid Certified

Irina Rutherford: Personal Trainer (Languages: English & Russian)

I owe the overall success of training about 3,000 clients – aged 15 to 95 – with all sorts of fitness level and conditions, both pre- and post-surgery, and patient safety by performing treatment-related exercise programs and/or patient-related tasks. I have had clients in a wheelchair, with ankle arthrodesis (ankle fusion), poliomyelitis, knee replacements, torn meniscus, hip replacement, shoulders, rotator cuff, spinal issues, herniated discs, scoliosis, kyphosis, Harrington rods (metal rods in the spine), stenosis, Parkinson’s, diabetics, Polio…you name it.

My clients are very successful in reaching their goals of losing weight, building muscle mass, increasing endurance, learning proper form, or gaining greater control and flexibility in movement. I am proud to share that I build strong, long-lasting rapport with my clients/patients.

Professional Certifications:

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• AFAA Group Instructor & Personal Trainer
• Nutrition Coach
• CPR/AED Certified

Hakan Tanis: Personal Trainer (Languages: English & Turkish)

Hakan is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer, he also holds a specialty certification as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist. His passion for fitness began through his love of sports and developed as an athlete in youth teams to semi-professional in soccer.

He uses his experience in sports to help clients achieve their goals. Hakan believes wholeheartedly that movement is a necessary component of physical and mental wellness and personal expression. He also likes to work with clients who have injuries and/or physical disabilities. He defines his sessions as simple, challenging, and efficient with an emphasis on proper form and mobility.

His interests outside the gym include soccer, swimming, hiking, camping, traveling, cooking, reading, and learning languages.

Professional Certifications:

• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• Fitness Nutrition Specialist
• CPR/AED Certified

Heidi Ellis: Personal Trainer

Heidi has fifteen years of personal training experience, with ten of those years at ZenRock Fitness. Heidi loves working with all kinds of people, helping them feel better and gain the ability to enjoy more physical activities. Her clientele ranges from very fit individuals to people needing extra care in their routines.

Heidi has loved fitness her entire life! Her passion developed while doing step aerobics in the living room with her mom and a Jane Fonda workout VHS. Now, she loves working out, spending time in nature, gardening, and nutrition. When she’s not at ZenRock, Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, laughing with friends and family, playing with her chickens, and volunteering at the church she attends.

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• BS, Health Promotion & Wellness
• CPR/AED Certified

Nicholas “Nick” Ray: Personal Trainer

Former US Navy Rescue Swimmer and Harvard graduate, Nicholas has spent the last 10 years training and coaching individuals to perform at their best. But in 2020, Nicholas became critically ill with Covid-19 and was forced to abandon everything to fight for his life.

After several near-death experiences, Nicholas was left with lingering nerve damage and the debilitating symptoms we know today as “long covid”. With no help from modern medicine, Nicholas began a daily practice of yoga to rehabilitate both his mind and body. After 2 years of consistent practice, Nicholas was able to make a full recovery and has rededicated himself to
helping others find joy and happiness through health and exercise.

In his free time, Nicholas continues to pursue his passion for Yoga and loves exploring the forests of the PNW.

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• Bachelor of Science Kinesiology
• Master in Education
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• CPR/AED Certified

Damithia Nieves: Yoga Instructor

Hi, I’m Damithia! I was introduced to yoga a little over 20 years ago and it has been a part of my life ever since. As an advocate for self-care and community healing, I am committed to disrupting dominant narratives that hinder our personal and collective growth. I bring this same energy to my classes.

My teaching style is grounded in a healing-centered methodology that is built on the belief that the body is a gateway to remembering one’s wholeness. I offer a variety of yoga styles including Trauma-sensitive yoga, Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa and Chair yoga. Classes incorporate breathwork, meditation and mindfulness techniques with asana (physical postures) to provide a complete practice.

My goal is to provide an experience that centers each person’s individual needs and goals by creating a container of support and care.

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• RYT 500
• RCYT
• Certified Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (T.C.T.S.Y)
• CPR/AED Certified

Mark Tuttle: Personal Trainer

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• CPR/AED Certified

Nikki Zhao: Personal Trainer

I was born and raised in Beijing, China. I started playing volleyball at age 9 in a military-style training sports boarding school where we trained 6-8 hours per day. I came to the United States on a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Arkansas. My team was ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Division 1, and we made it to the sweet 16 where I was the starting setter for all my college years.

I have always been very active. Since retiring from volleyball, my focus has been living a healthy lifestyle to the fullest. I’m passionate about working out, eating healthy, and enjoying nature. I want to share my passion and help my clients to nurture their body and soul.

I am approaching age 50, but still feel that I’m in my 20s at heart. I do believe age is just a number. It’s how we feel and the attitude of living to the fullest. Work hard, play harder!

Cassie Eschelman: Yoga Instructor

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• CPR/AED Certified

Corey Gil: Marketing & Communications

I came to ZenRock as a client in 2015. My health had declined due to autoimmune illnesses and I needed help to gain back my strength, improve my bone density, address and decrease physical pain throughout my body, and get in the right mindset to tackle what I was experiencing. Walking into ZenRock was one of the best self-care and overall wellness decisions I’ve ever made! The personal attention, privacy, and unique atmosphere was exactly what I needed to get my life back. The care, attention, and ongoing support that ZenRock trainers put into each an every one of their clients is incredible. It truly is a special place with very special people that make an enormous, positive impact in the lives of those they encounter.

I am now honored to be a part of the ZenRock team! I work on the company’s marketing and communications efforts. I enjoy meeting other clients around the studio and hearing their stories of why they came to ZenRock and how their trainer and the work they do together has helped to improve their life. If you see me and are willing to share, please do!

Professional Degrees & Certifications:

• MC in Digital Media, University of Washington
• BBA in Marketing & Hospitality Management, The George Washington University
• User Experience Design: Tombolo Institute at Bellevue College
• Operations Analytics: University of Pennsylvania
• Customer Analytics: University of Pennsylvania