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National Personal Training Institute Graduate
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National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Specialist
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Certified Kettlebell Training Specialist
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Certified Speed and Agility Trainer
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Former Kamehameha School Strength Conditioning Coach
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Author of Fighting Sickness with Fitness
Meet The Team
Justin Yanagida, Founder
Growing up, I was 40 lbs overweight, ended up in the ER multiple times due to chronic asthma, and have a liver ailment where doctors thought I wouldn’t live to see my 30th birthday. These “blessings in disguise” were the catalysts to lean into living a healthier lifestyle through exercise and nutrition. I’m grateful that you’re reading this because at one point I had $59 and was sleeping in my mom's car in between training sessions dreaming about who we can serve. Throughout the many ups and downs throughout this journey is to see you and other people in our community achieve lasting health and fitness results that fundamentally improve the quality of our lives. Fun facts: I love dogs, Japanese is my first language, I like anime and watch korean dramas from time to time. Fighting Sickness with Fitness is about harmonizing our body, mind, and spirit to live a joyful, healthy and victorious life.
Allyn Kalaiwaa, General Manager
Though exercise has come in many forms for me, it’s never come naturally. Like you might feel too, I’ve had my ups and downs in my fitness journey from injuries to lack of motivation and discipline to now being the strongest I’ve ever felt. Through the years, I was a club and collegiate swimmer, a high school athlete and later on a coach, and an elementary school P.E. teacher. I’m now a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, NASM Certified Nutrition Coach, and Yanagida Fitness Strength and Conditioning Coach, with NASM’s Senior Fitness Specialist and Women’s Fitness Specialist certifications, and continually learning more so that I can serve more of the community. I started off as a member in 2016, became a coach in 2017, and the rest as they say is history. I’m so thankful to be a part of a team that works to extend people's lives and raise their quality of life. I left elementary education teaching 4th graders to go all-in on our community’s well-being, so now I ask, how can I be of service to you?
What does ‘Fighting Sickness with Fitness’ mean to me? Well, I’ve always enjoyed spending time with loved ones and since moving back home after college, I’ve been able to connect with my mom more through fitness. She’s been my role model and inspiration for as long as I can remember, but over the past four years, I’ve seen her become so much stronger, healthier, confident, and all without a frozen shoulder anymore. She says she wants to continue working her full-time job until she’s at least 70 and I without a doubt believe she will. She will forever be my inspiration as she truly embodies ‘Fighting Sickness with Fitness’.
What does ‘Fighting Sickness with Fitness’ mean to me? Well, I’ve always enjoyed spending time with loved ones and since moving back home after college, I’ve been able to connect with my mom more through fitness. She’s been my role model and inspiration for as long as I can remember, but over the past four years, I’ve seen her become so much stronger, healthier, confident, and all without a frozen shoulder anymore. She says she wants to continue working her full-time job until she’s at least 70 and I without a doubt believe she will. She will forever be my inspiration as she truly embodies ‘Fighting Sickness with Fitness’.
Alana Seabury, Assistant Manager
As a former high school athlete and coach for track & field, I’ve always enjoyed fitness and exercising. In 2018 I was referred by a friend to participate in Yanagida’s 6 week challenge. As a new member, I appreciated how the coaches and fellow gym members were always positive and motivated me towards my goals. After 2 years of drive and dedication to the gym as a member then a student-coach, I was offered a position to become an accountability coach. It is an honor to become part of a team who not only love fitness as much as I do, but who are also so supportive towards each other and the community.
I wholeheartedly believe that fitness is one of the best ways to fight sickness. Exercising regularly is not only a great way to boost your health and mood, but is also a great positive outlet for stress & any other negativity keeping you from being the best version of yourself. “Fighting Sickness With Fitness.”
I wholeheartedly believe that fitness is one of the best ways to fight sickness. Exercising regularly is not only a great way to boost your health and mood, but is also a great positive outlet for stress & any other negativity keeping you from being the best version of yourself. “Fighting Sickness With Fitness.”
Hilary Bessert, Group Class Coach and Personal Trainer
I started at Yanagida in 2021. My boyfriend saw Justin's free pass on Facebook and he knew I wanted to join a gym, but I didn't know anything about form or strength training, so he signed me up for my birthday. I continue to come and am now a Student-Coach because I really enjoy working out, growing, and learning so much. Since starting I felt and continue to feel a part of the gym -- both coaches and members alike have always been encouraging and friendly.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" means both physically and mentally challenging myself, trying to grow stronger and work harder everyday, trying to be the best version of myself, and helping and encouraging others in their journey as everyone has and is constantly helping me in mine.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" means both physically and mentally challenging myself, trying to grow stronger and work harder everyday, trying to be the best version of myself, and helping and encouraging others in their journey as everyone has and is constantly helping me in mine.
Carol Kurisu, Group Class Coach
Born on Maui, educated on Oahu, mother of two daughters, grandmother of five, (also a mother of three cats), and retired in December 2017. In the beginning I was looking for something more than just walking 1-½ hours after work. I saw a post on Facebook by Karleen Hultquist (Tyler’s mom). She was working out in her mom’s driveway and I asked if I could come by and join in. My first workout with Justin was at War Memorial track in the summer of 2015 and the rest is history. Through all these years as a member or as a coach, I’ve always felt supported. This team and Fit Fam have helped me develop confidence in my own mental and physical abilities and it’s so rewarding to be a part of and see that growth in people that walk through our doors too. Unless I’m off-island or sick, you’ll usually see me sweating alongside you or coaching the morning classes. See you bright and early!
To me, Fighting Sickness with Fitness defines a person’s ability to care enough about their body by taking the initiative to eat properly, exercise to a degree that enables their mind and body to repair itself and recover from any type of illness or injury. I have one body. I control what goes into it, where it goes and pretty much what it does. I workout to keep it in good working condition. My fight is against aging and the illnesses that go hand and hand with it.
To me, Fighting Sickness with Fitness defines a person’s ability to care enough about their body by taking the initiative to eat properly, exercise to a degree that enables their mind and body to repair itself and recover from any type of illness or injury. I have one body. I control what goes into it, where it goes and pretty much what it does. I workout to keep it in good working condition. My fight is against aging and the illnesses that go hand and hand with it.
Kacie Norman, Group Class Coach
Fitness has always been a part of my life, but I lost it after college. I tried multiple gyms, but nothing seemed to work. One night, my friend who was a coach at the time, told me I should give it a try with the 6 Week Challenge. I was able to lose a little weight and feel better about myself. All the coaches and members were so welcoming and encouraging that it kept me coming back. Two years later, I have the opportunity to do the same for others. Whether it is Student-Coaching or working out with the members, I see that everyone is here to become a better version of themselves.
“Fighting Sickness with Fitness” is not all physical, but mental as well. The choice to workout consistently, eat healthy, and believing in yourself, will all make you a stronger person. I also believe that working out in a group setting just hits different as we can all push and motivate each other. Yanagida Fitness is truly a family and we all lookout for one another.
“Fighting Sickness with Fitness” is not all physical, but mental as well. The choice to workout consistently, eat healthy, and believing in yourself, will all make you a stronger person. I also believe that working out in a group setting just hits different as we can all push and motivate each other. Yanagida Fitness is truly a family and we all lookout for one another.
Kula Batangan, Group Class Coach
I first started working out with Yanagida Fitness in early 2022 with my other half, and immediately noticed that the gym culture was much more welcoming, friendly, and supportive than many gyms I have attended in the past. We looked up reviews on the gym and am happy to say that the positive feedback was very on point. Both the faculty and members were approachable, and there was a sincere sense of wanting to help each other develop and grow at everyone’s unique pace. I was impressed, and as I continued to grow in my personal fitness, I was approached about joining the coaching staff. What I enjoy most about coaching here are the members, because this gym has a way of attracting people who are kindhearted, interested
in longevity, having fun, and supporting others in their pursuit of health in addition to themselves. It is a wonderful experience to witness, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction to be a part of everyone’s health endeavors. Everyone and any-body is accepted, and any goal is supported no matter how small or grand. People of all ages attend classes, with a huge spectrum of capabilities reaching heights of professional athletes, and the gym puts a big focus on how we can accommodate each person so that the greatest results in a safe and manageable way can be achieved. It is these values that make me proud to be a part of this gym.
The benefits of movement and making healthy choices exceeds the limitations the body, and that is what I believe "Fighting Sickness with Fitness" means. Whether being physical, emotional, or mental health, choosing an active and healthy lifestyle while having a supportive community to lean on can have life altering benefits, no matter who you are, where you are, or branch of
life you are in. It is a lifelong and worthwhile pursuit.
in longevity, having fun, and supporting others in their pursuit of health in addition to themselves. It is a wonderful experience to witness, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction to be a part of everyone’s health endeavors. Everyone and any-body is accepted, and any goal is supported no matter how small or grand. People of all ages attend classes, with a huge spectrum of capabilities reaching heights of professional athletes, and the gym puts a big focus on how we can accommodate each person so that the greatest results in a safe and manageable way can be achieved. It is these values that make me proud to be a part of this gym.
The benefits of movement and making healthy choices exceeds the limitations the body, and that is what I believe "Fighting Sickness with Fitness" means. Whether being physical, emotional, or mental health, choosing an active and healthy lifestyle while having a supportive community to lean on can have life altering benefits, no matter who you are, where you are, or branch of
life you are in. It is a lifelong and worthwhile pursuit.
Lucas McKeon, Group Class Coach
I joined Yanagida Fitness with a strong desire to rekindle my exercise routine encouraged by friends who found it an enjoyable way to get back into fitness. I was surprised at the rigor of the workouts when I first started, but am glad I stuck out those first few weeks to build my stamina. I am still at Yanagida Fitness a little over half a year later and am so happy that I joined! The encouraging, fun, and challenging atmosphere keeps me coming back day after day, as a participant in class and as an upcoming coach.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" to me means prioritizing fitness in whatever wellness plan that you have setup for yourself. I use fitness as a tool to accomplish goals, release built up tension and stress, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from exercising together.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" to me means prioritizing fitness in whatever wellness plan that you have setup for yourself. I use fitness as a tool to accomplish goals, release built up tension and stress, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from exercising together.
Alyssa Nagai, Group Class Coach
I started at Yanagida through a mutual friend who had told me to come with her. At first I was hesitant because I had assumed it was like CrossFit and that was something I absolutely did not want to do. Finally, I gave it a try and ended up having way more fun than I thought and never stopped going from there! Now I feel stronger than I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve toned in places that I’ve been the most self conscious about and for the first time, have found a gym that I love consistently going to. I love our team and the people that are in it, the members and other coaches are my “why” for being a part of the team.
Fighting sickness with fitness” means a lot of things, whether you’re fighting something mentally or physically, you’re not alone. The gym and community coming together to get stronger and fight together is what that saying
Fighting sickness with fitness” means a lot of things, whether you’re fighting something mentally or physically, you’re not alone. The gym and community coming together to get stronger and fight together is what that saying
Jojo Pacubas, Media Producer
I started training at Yanagida Fitness when a friend of mine brought me to the gym to train jiu jitsu with some of the team before my first grappling tournament. I continue to be a part of the team because the training environment at the gym and the people are so fun to be around and they produce positive energy like no other.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" to me means preventing illness whether it's mentally or physically through a healthy lifestyle of proper eating habits and consistent exercise.
"Fighting Sickness with Fitness" to me means preventing illness whether it's mentally or physically through a healthy lifestyle of proper eating habits and consistent exercise.
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