Who We Are

TweakFit is a blog dedicated to helping everybody achieve their optimum fitness level through proper nutrition and exercise.  Here you can find tips, useful links, product reviews, and more in the areas of exercising, nutrition, injury care, health, and wellness.

Our Team

Thaya Kareeson: Chief Editor/Founder

Growing up, Thaya always had issues with his fitness level. In the past, he has tried many workout routines, crash diets, and supplements with little or temporary success. His weight was wavering dramatically between 185 lbs. and 240 lbs. His blood pressure and cholesterol levels were often above the norm.

240 lbs. with ~34% body fat at age 25, Thaya realized in August 2008 that he needs to stop this unhealthy cycle. He then started researching and following new workout concepts, healthy/sustainable diets, and safe nutritional supplements. One year later (August 2009), he weighed in at 195 lbs. with ~19% body fat.

Unfortunately that was not the end of the journey. Thaya injured his left shoulder in January 2010. This threw him into depression and interrupted his healthy cycle causing him to gain weight yet again. Always telling himself to not give up, he then learned how to work around and rehabilitate his injuries and slowly got back into his healthy lifestyle again.

He is now in the best shape of his life. Here are his current stats in pounds (as of December 29, 2011):

• Body weight: 196 lbs
• Deadlift: 325×1
• Squat: 320×1
• Front Squat: 260×1
• Bench: 225×3
• Push Press: 165×2
• Snatch: 125×1
• Clean: 200×1

His current goals are to continue to get ripped, gain more muscles, get stronger, and get to a six pack by April 2012.

Stephanie Adams: Author

My background is in sports medicine and athletic training. I have worked with mostly elite female athletes at UCLA: following the Women’s Waterpolo team and Gymnastic’s team, both of which have many NCAA championships under their belts. I also traveled with the men’s Track team and worked over 2000 hours in the athletic training clinic.

I am a certified massage therapist and have worked for period of time under a Chiropractor who was a marathon coach. Most of the patients we saw were people interested in leading an active and healthy lifestyle and often times I would give nutrition counseling or stretching and workout advice.

I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UCSF/SFSU and I am working as a full time physical therapist at Stanford with their student and club sports outpatient population.

In addition to being an uber nerd, I participate in every athletic thing on the planet! Other random things I do: teach sailing lessons at Cal Sailing Club in Berkeley, play competitive Kickball for WAKA, I am on an adult league soccer team, I am a definite outdoor, hiking/ biking enthusiast and know how to make it fun for anyone at any level. Also, I make any excuse to travel, and have a ton of good advice for exercises on the go or while away.

Kenon Carter: Author

Kenon graduated from Ohio University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Sport Science. After 13 years of smoking cigarettes, he finally kicked the habit in 2008. Shortly thereafter, a new addiction emerged–distance running. After countless 5k, 10k, and half marathon races, he completed his first full marathon in Athens, OH on April 3, 2011. He is committed to a notion that fitness is not about weight loss, muscle gain, or fast race times. Fitness is a permanent lifestyle choice. Incorporate healthy behaviors into your everyday schedule and you will experience the benefits in every aspect of your life.

Graham Ulmer: Author

Graham is a writer, coach, personal trainer and avid sports and fitness enthusiast. With a M.S. in Exercise Science, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and years of practical experience coaching and training, including with the Army’s Center for Enhanced Performance and the United States Olympic Training Center, Graham is well-equipped to write on high-performance training issues, as well as nutrition and fitness for the average Joe or Jane.

Kathleen Raysinger: Author

Kathleen is a Registered Dietitian, specializing in nutrition education and fitness. She also doubles as a bartender in Philadelphia, enjoys fine dining, music & yoga.

Michael Lee: Author

Michael is a certified personal trainer and olympic weightlifting coach based out of Toronto, Canada. He focuses not only on training programs, but nutrition, mental well-being, physical health and long-term lifestyle choices as a means to maintain a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life. With his competitive background, and over 6 years of experience, he is able to achieve outstanding results with his clients. Michael is currently finishing his Honours BA Degree in the Kinesiology and Health Science program at York University. As an athlete he was also a member of the York Lions Varsity Track and Field Team, participating in short sprints.

Amy Truong: Author

Amy Truong is a research scientist at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto in the field of epigenetics and epidemiology. Formerly a dental assistant, a pre-school teacher, a tutor, and an undergraduate researcher at UCLA studying the effects of alcoholism on rats.

Amy used to believe in eating without exercising, since she never was overweight – until she met the rats in college and racked up an additional 40 pounds throughout college. After much criticism from her family, she decided to give eating smaller, but frequent meals, and running a try. With much success, Amy shed the 40 pounds in addition to gaining greater strength and awareness of her health.

Till now, Amy is an avid runner, with mild knee problems, who wishes to investigate and experiment with ways to tone her body better than the average Jane.

TweakFit Alumni

Peter Rumford: Author

I graduated in 2006 from Westmont College in Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Kinesiology. While at Westmont I was a student athletic trainer for the men’s soccer team. After graduating I got my C.S.C.S. through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and began working as a personal trainer. I have worked with kids, geriatrics, collegiate and professional athletes, and everything between. I am currently in school at UCSF/SFSU for Physical Therapy.

Quang Nguyen: Author

As a young kid growing up in Utah, I had an interesting childhood. I took up several sports, but focused on playing racquetball. I was one of the best racquetball players of my age in the nation and was briefly tied for rank 1 for boys under 18 in the country. I admit though that I wasn’t that good, and probably should have been ranked around 10 or so.

I also was obsessed with weight lifting in high school. My school had a ton of roiders, but I stayed strong while being natural.

I went to college at Stanford and now work in Silicon valley at Plaxo.
I haven’t been very active these past 7 years of my life, but I am now determined to be in better shape now than when I was in high school. I’ve lost over 20 lbs in the past 2 years and want to help other people that are employed and don’t have that much time also cut the weight and get back in shape.

Matt Stark: Author

Matt holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UCSF/SFSU and is currently working in an outpatient setting, treating various types of orthopedic injuries. He also work as a personal trainer helping people to achieve their goals of weight loss and improved strength. It is his goal to help people live an active lifestyle, return to function, and excel at their sport. He is an avid snowboarder, runner, and weight lifter. He also have an obsession with music. He tries to get outside as often as possible and live life as hard as he can.

Kate Garklavs: Author

Kate Garklavs is an academic editor, amateur chef, and enthusiastic distance runner. Always a fan of physical activity, Kate played tennis and was a member of the track team during her youth; she recently regained her interest in running. In her spare time, she experiments in the kitchen, creating quick, healthy recipes for dinners and guiltless treats.

Kacie Devany: Author

Kacie Devaney is a certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor, and has been educating individuals on the importance of health, wellness and fitness for over five years now. Kacie currently lives in San Francisco where she has lead workshops for corporate environments including; Pilates 101, The importance of stretching, Proper running form, Chair yoga, and Breathing techniques to reduce stress… to name a few. Kacie is in her last year at San Francisco State University where she is studying Enlgish Literature and Kinesiology. Kacie has studied pilates, dance and yoga extensively in San Francisco and throughout the bay area for over ten years. One of Kacie’s main passions in life is to help others reach their health and fitness goals! By being a health and fitness leader, educator and role model, Kacie is confident anybody can reach their health and fitness aspirations!

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