About Us

Who is Athlon and why should you even consider listening to us?

That’s important, right?!  Here’s the scoop:

Athlon was created to fulfill the need in SLO County for an “elite” level fitness and sports performance facility.  A place people can trust that they’re getting the most up to date, scientifically proven fitness strategies and systems.   Most people want to change their body, fitness and energy levels, health and vitality and overall well being.  A jacuzzi and sauna and the other “ridiculous health club amenities” are not needed to do that.  It’s a waste of your money!  You need REAL fitness results, in a trusting and friendly environment, so you can get in and get it done, have some fun, but know that you made a real difference in yourself each and everyday that you show up.  That’s what we provide for you, a place for “elite” fitness.

We say “elite” not because only elite athletes can come here (even though they do), we say elite because of our ability to help improve the fitness, performance, body and mind of anyone, from all walks of life, accounting for their individual nutrition needs, fitness and performance goals, injury history, mobility and stability issues, body type, etc., etc.

Don’t believe that?  Just look at our Testimonials Page!

We take immense pride in the education and experience of our staff and their ability to help our members and clients.  You won’t find a more knowledgeable, passionate, driven, ELITE  team of fitness professionals on the central coast… starting with the owner/founder, Ryan Joiner:

Ryan is openly endorsed as the “go to fitness expert” in San Luis Obispo County.  He has been sought after to present his innovative fitness, wellness and rehabilitation topics to many large organizations in San Luis County, like PG&E, Morris & Garritano, The Family Care Network, French Hospital, Cal Trans, Exchange Club, Rotary Club and Kiwana’s just to name a few.

Ryan’s client list reads like a “Who’s-Who” list of leading local as well as professional athletes, leading business professionals, and good ol’ “regular Joe’s” (like he claims to be himself).  And since launching Athlon in 2003 one could easily say that Ryan’s fitness and performance services and advice has improved the lives of literally thousands of San Luis County residents as well as other out-of-state (and out-of-country) residents that regularly seek out his informative reports that are offered for FREE on this website.

Ryan started Athlon because it was the obvious progression of his passion.  A black-belt in Shotokan Karate, he competed as a kickboxer achieving a ranking of #3 in North America by the International Kickboxing Federation.  He’s always loved competing and maintaining optimum fitness levels and loves helping others achieve their “elite” self too.

Ryan was raised on a farm here in California where the hard physical labor made him strong and athletic, and the typically long, farmer-life days developed his “hard-headed” work ethic.   He is a “never-say-die” kind of person and you’ll often find him working hard here at Athlon (either in the facility with a client or construction project, or up in his office researching new fitness programs).

After high school he attended Cuesta College and got his AA and AS in general studies, then went to Fresno State for his Bachelors in exercise physiology.  After that he came back to SLO and obtained a Master’s degree from Cal Poly in Kinesiology with an emphasis in biomechanics and motor behavior.  Ryan maintains the three highest fitness certifications in the industry: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Certified Health Fitness Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine and Club Coach Olympic lifting certification from USA Weightlifting.

Ryan endeavors to be an innovator in the fitness industry and more importantly make a significant impact on the fitness, and thus lives, of our local San Luis Obispo County residents.  Bottom line:  he’s helped thousands of people improve their lives through achieving their own “elite” fitness – and he can help you too.

You can get started by clicking on the Consultation Request banner at the top of this page, or click here to view some of the FREE fitness resources he’s created over the years.

Please meet the rest of our “elite” fitness team:

Haley Daniel, ATC, CSCS

Qualifications:

University of the Pacific, Stockton – 2007
Masters of Arts in Clinical Exercise Science

Park University, Missouri – 2005
Bachelors of Arts in Athletic Training

National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (NATA BOC) Certified – 2007

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

American Red Cross Professional Rescuer
Certified American Red Cross approved CPR First Aid Instructor Group Fitness Instructor

Personal Profile:
Haley Daniel grew up in Kansas City, Missouri where she received her Bachelors in Athletic Training from Park University. While attending Park, Haley competed in her lifelong sport of soccer all four years for the university. After finishing her Masters in Exercise Science at the University of the Pacific, Haley moved to San Luis Obispo where she worked as the athletic trainer and sports medicine teacher for SLOHS for the past three years.

Haley is extremely excited to be a part of the Athlon Elite team where “pain is your friend”! Her passion for athletics, health and competition has driven her to further enhance other people’s lives. She loves the outdoors, sunshine and her precious cat. Convinced she was a full-bred Californian in a previous life, Haley is determined to discover everything the west coast has to offer.

Cory Johnston, CSCS

Qualifications:

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – 2010
Bachelors of Science in nutrition with a concentration in Nutritional Science, Biology Minor

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Personal Profile:
Hailing from the college party town of Chico, California, Cory decided to attend Cal Poly and major in Nutrition, especially its effects on sports performance. Cory was a baseball player all of his youth and through High School. He always had a strong determination to be in the best shape for the start of each baseball season which ultimately sparked his interest in sport specific conditioning and nutrition. During his time at Cal Poly he worked as an Exercise Room Assistant at the Cal Poly Rec Center and loved the various types of people he would come across in that fitness setting, (young athletes to retired faculty). Cory enjoys following the sport of bodybuilding and fitness contests and wrote his senior project on Creatine Supplementation and Athletic Performance.

He loves helping people reach their goals and being a positive influence in their life. He also likes staying active and playing softball to scratch that baseball itch. Cory believes in hard work and a consistent nutrition program to get fitness results and he’s ready to help people achieve that.

Angela Martin, CPT

  

Qualifications:

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 2011
Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology

American College of Sports Medicine
Certified Personal Trainer 2011

Red Cross CPR & First Aid Certified

Group Fitness Instructor

Personal Profile:
Angela grew up loving the sun and the sand in Ventura County, CA. Her interest in an active lifestyle began at an early age when, due to excess energy as a child, she was enrolled in gymnastics. She progressed through competitive levels for upwards of nine years. It was after this sport career (and the injuries that came with it) that she became interested in the world of coaching, athletic training and physical therapy.

After high school, Angela was accepted into her top choice school, Cal Poly, in her favorite vacation town of San Luis Obispo. She thrived in their Kinesiology program and truly developed a love for all things exercise and movement related. Her last quarter of college allowed her the opportunity to intern at both Mott Gym working with the Cal Poly Strength and Conditioning coaches, training athletes and with Ryan Joiner here at Athlon Elite! She graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a minor in Sports Nutrition in 2011. Shortly after graduation, she set forth a plan to move up the ranks here at Athlon and became an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer later that year.

She now likes to think of herself as a “jack of all trades” in this facility and considers herself lucky to be working with and learning from such a well educated team. On any given day you can see her answering phones and giving sales tours, instructing group fitness classes such as Cross-Spin, Bootcamp, Pilates and more, training Athlon Elite group programs and clients of her own!

She loves creating new and exciting ways to make exercising fun and likes to think of her enthusiasm for fitness as contagious. She is incredibly curious of peoples’ likes and dislikes inside and outside of the gym and strives to be friendly and approachable. So if you spot her in the gym, feel free to seek her out for any sort of exercise advice, nutritional counseling or just a good old fashion chit chat!

Ashley Fittz, MS, CSCS

Qualifications:

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – 2010
Masters of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Science and Health Promotion

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – 2004
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Clinical and Worksite Health Promotion

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS)

National Strength and Conditionins Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Personal Profile:
Ashley was born and raised in Santa Maria Valley and is currently employed by Athlon Elite and San Luis Sports Therapy.  He also works as a consultant for outside companies and volunteers on the Active Aging Task Force and serves on the Board of Directors for the Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo County.  Among his many accomplishments are recieving a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and working as an instructor where he taught classes to both children and adults.

His diverse fitness experience includes working at an exclusive retirement  community in Montecito, California, Casa Dorinda, where he was responsible for assisting with health, fitness, and safety programming for resident and employees.  Ashley is also certified and an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, where he continues to further his knowledge and skills in the areas of excercise science and health promotion. He is constantly searching for innovative and cutting edge ways to deliver results.