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 Obispo County, like PG&E, Morris & Garritano, The Family Care Network, French Hospital, Cal Trans, The Department of Social Services, Exchange Club, Rotary Club and Kiwana’s.

Ryan’s client list reads as a “Who’s-Who” 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 starting his career in 1996 and launching Athlon in 2003 one could easily say that Ryan’s fitness and performance services has improved the lives of literally thousands of San Luis Obispo County residents.

Ryan started Athlon because it was the obvious progression of his passion to help people look, feel, and perform at their best. A black-belt in 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.

He 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 in his office researching new fitness programs). He endeavors to be an innovator in the fitness and performance industry and make an impact on the lives of San Luis Obispo County residents.

Bottom line: he’s helped thousands of people improve their lives through better fitness and performance – and he can help you too.

Andy is a San Luis Obispo native and was a dual sport athlete in Football and Track and Field at SLO High School. His career in both sports continued at Cal Poly, where he also earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology. Andy finished his collegiate career as a 4-year starter at defensive end for the football team. He also finished as a school record holder in both the shot put and the discus, earning All-American status and 9th place finish in the shot put at the NCAA Championships in 1999.

After graduating from Cal Poly in 2000, Andy’s passion for sports and helping others led him to a career in personal training in Los Angeles. While there, he took up cycling and triathlon training, eventually competing in both half and full Ironman distance triathlons (Wildflower Half Ironman 2006 + 2011, Ironman New Zealand 2007).

In 2009, he returned to Cal Poly to pursue a Masters degree in Kinesiology and to coach collegiate athletes. He worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach in the Cal Poly weight room as well as an assistant coach for the track and field team for 6 years. He also spent 6 years coaching football at Mission Prep High School.

Andy has a passion for coaching human athletic movement and enjoys seeing his athletes achieve their goals. He has a diverse background as a competitor and coach in multiple sports, including football, track and field, cycling, triathlons, and backcountry skiing. He believes in educating his clients on how to train effectively and safely so that they have the physical tools for a lifetime of health and performance.

Octavio, aka “Oak,” grew up in Santa Maria very active in sports and fitness. As a boy, he played soccer (his first love), ran track & field, and ran cross-country. In high school, he added football and wrestling to his sports repertoire, but still excelled in track & field. He qualified for CIF championships running the 400-meter race and ultimately finished 2^nd in the league.

After high school, he continued his education (and passion for athletics) at Allan Hancock College (AHC) where he competed in football, and track & field. Unfortunately, injuries ended his athletic career at AHC, but inspired a passion in him to help others avoid injury. So he transferred to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) to pursue a degree in Kinesiology.

While at Sac State, he co-founded a new fitness program in partnership with the community that gave Kinesiology students a chance for hands on experience in fitness, and community members a chance for fitness coaching they might not otherwise receive. Upon completing his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (Exercise Science), he became the first person in his family to graduate college.

Octavio has worked with a wide range of individuals and is well rounded in his fitness and performance experience. He has a passion to help everyone optimize fitness, performance, and wellness to live a strong, loving life. We couldn’t be happier to have him on the Athlon team!

Taylor grew up skiing and hiking the beautiful mountains of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Since age 5 she competed as a gymnast and competed in the Junior Olympics as a Level 9.  Unfortunately, her 14-year career in gymnastics ended due to the accumulation of injuries.  Though she still had a passion for gymnastics, she just couldn’t continue to compete at such a high level. 

Going through rehab for her injuries, and knowing she had a strong desire to stay active and fit, a career in the fitness industry seemed to be the logical choice.  She has always loved coaching, and the thought of helping others develop their fitness, makes her excited to go down the personal training career path. 

She has coached all levels of gymnastics at three different gyms.  She’s certified in Exercise Science and Personal Training by Cuesta College and is a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Taylor always knew that coaching was in her future, as she always loved helping others meet their goals. Her passion for health and fitness has guided her to a career in the personal training industry. 

Cullen grew up in Santa Cruz, CA embracing an active lifestyle since early childhood. In high school, he competed in Track and Field.  He did the running events ranging from the 100- to the 400-meter dash.  His passion for human movement and sport continued in college, studying Kinesiology at San Diego State University.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2020.  During his time at SDSU he was on the Men’s Crew team and also worked as a trainer at a gym specializing in eccentric training methods (eccentric muscles actions, not unconventional training ;)

After graduation, Cullen moved to Paso Robles and continued his athletic career on the Cuesta College Track and Field team.  He ran the 400, 800, and 1600-meter races. He loves to be challenged almost as much as he loves challenging others!  He plans to continue pushing his athletic limits by participating in triathlons, as well as continuing to improve his track times through his own rigorous gym and outdoor training.

Cullen worked at Movement for Life Physical Therapy as a PT Aide. The knowledge he gained in rehabilitation and movement has helped him become a safer and more effective personal trainer.  He is currently studying for his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification, and plans to continue his formal education at some point in the near future with a Masters degree in Kinesiology.

Cullen is incredibly passionate about helping people reach their fitness goals, and will always be pushing himself to grow his proficiencies as a coach to be able to do that.