Meet the team

Aryan Siahpoushan

Founder · Method Strong

Aryan grew up playing a variety of sports, particularly excelling in tennis. He took up weightlifting in college while pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Maryland.

Although Aryan's career began in consulting, his entrepreneurial instincts and passion for fitness led him back to the weight room. After learning about the physiology and biomechanics of the human body to improve his own training techniques, Aryan worked at Gold's Gym for several years before becoming an independent trainer and creating Method Fitness.

He's determined to help others train more intelligently and sustainably while guided by a foundation of science-backed techniques, something he wishes he had when he first started lifting.

Since then, he has devoted countless hours to continued education and certifications and has coached 150+ clients across all levels, ages, and needs.

Credentials

• NCSF Certified Personal Trainer
• NCSF Certified Strength Coach
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• ARC CPR/AED Certification

Cole Mercer

Fitness Director · Cherrydale

Cole is a seasoned coach with over 11 years of experience across martial arts, collegiate strength and conditioning, and functional fitness. He's passionate about improving movement quality and creating a training environment that's both educational and challenging for clients of all ages.

Cole holds a Master's in Exercise Science, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and has an Adaptive Training Certification, enabling him to work with a wide range of abilities, from limb impairments and wheelchair users to clients with intellectual challenges.

Cole enjoys combat sports like BJJ and MMA, Olympic weightlifting, hiking, and relaxing with fiction, video games, and his Husky, Atlas!

Credentials

• Washington State University, M.S. Kinesiology / Exercise Physiology
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist & CPT
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• ATA Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer
• USAW Level 1 | CrossFit Coach Level 2
• SafeSport Coaching Youth Athletes
• ARC First Aid/CPR/AED Certification

James Higgins

General Manager · Cherrydale

James is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with a background in kinesiology. His fitness career began as a physical therapy aide, where he supported licensed clinicians. Once he earned his CSCS, he began training clients who had been cleared by their physical therapists to return to general fitness. Through these roles, he developed a strong foundation in movement quality, exercise progressions, and client care.

Since 2019, James has worked as a personal trainer, applying that experience within a strength and conditioning framework. His coaching focuses on helping clients build strength, improve movement, and train safely and effectively. He uses general training principles informed by his clinical exposure to support clients' long-term fitness and performance goals. His approach emphasizes movement quality, injury prevention strategies, and functional strength development for general fitness populations.

James grew up practicing martial arts, starting with Tae Kwon Do and branching out to Judo and Jiu Jitsu in college while earning his B.S. in Kinesiology. He continues to pursue ongoing education and certifications to deliver individualized, high-quality coaching for his clients.

Credentials

• College of William & Mary, B.S. Kinesiology & Health Sciences
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• Functional Movement Screening Level 1 & 2 Certified
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• Fundamental Capacity Screening Certified
• Rock Tape Certified Movement Specialist, Certified Kinesiology Taping Practitioner, and Certified IASTM Practitioner
• Kinesics Human Movement Systems Percussion Certification
• ARC Basic Life Support

Mateo Moore

Assistant General Manager · Cherrydale

Mateo Moore is a certified NASM Personal Trainer and a longtime student of the craft of lifting with precise form. Before beginning his fitness career, Mateo trained in six different martial arts styles, developing discipline, body awareness, and a deep respect for technique.

When he moved to Blacksburg to attend Virginia Tech, he couldn't find a local dojo, so he turned to weightlifting. The transition came naturally, thanks to the shared focus on form, consistency, and mental drive. Since then, he's immersed himself in learning about exercise and is passionate about helping others perform at their best while staying injury-free.

Mateo has been with us since the gym's opening in early 2021. He brings a playful and welcoming attitude to every session, but when it comes to movement, he's all business, cuing and correcting every detail so you can move with confidence and purpose.

Credentials

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• NASM Physique & Body Building Coach
• Functional Movement Screening Level 1 Certified
• ASTI CPR/AED Certification

Dylan Novak

Fitness Director · Ballston

Dylan recently completed his master's degree in kinesiology at George Mason University, where he also worked in the SMART Lab conducting research in biomechanics and exercise physiology. With a strong foundation in human movement and a deep respect for the science behind training, Dylan coaches with a level of precision that allows for optimized, efficient progress.

Before moving to Virginia for graduate school, he spent five years training clients in sports performance and injury rehabilitation, with a particular focus on shoulder health and posterior chain dysfunction.

Dylan joined Method Fitness in 2023 and served as our fitness director, quickly becoming a leader in coaching quality and program design. He now brings that same standard to M2, where he leads our coaching team.

His own training centers on strength and conditioning for Brazilian jiu jitsu, blending athleticism, mobility, and functional strength.

Credentials

• George Mason University, M.S. Kinesiology
• University of Vermont, B.S. Exercise & Movement Science
• CFSC Certified Functional Strength Coach Level 1
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• AHA BLS Provider

Britney Buyas

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Health and fitness have always been central to Britney's life. She grew up in competitive gymnastics and track and field, which sparked her passion for strength and performance training. After her athletic career, she began coaching and developed a detail-oriented approach to designing effective training programs.

Britney holds a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from LSU and has worked across a range of fitness roles. She spent nearly a decade as a middle school physical educator, where she connected with diverse learners and honed her ability to adapt instruction to individual needs. Alongside teaching, she trained youth athletes 1:1 and, for the past five years, has focused on small group fitness, blending traditional strength work with reformer Pilates.

Outside of her career, Britney enjoys attending sporting events and exploring the city with her dog. She loves to find a good farmer's market or breakfast spot and is always ready to try a new coffee shop!

Credentials

• Louisiana State University, B.S. Kinesiology
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• ASTI CPR/AED Certification

Aidan Marshall-Cort

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Aidan is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) with a degree in Neurobiology and Physiology. Born with a speech disorder, he brings a deep understanding of overcoming adversity to his work.

He began his fitness career with a focus on strength training and powerlifting but has since shifted toward programming that emphasizes mobility, function, and emotional well-being. Aidan believes in enhancing the client experience both in and out of the studio by setting meaningful, personalized wellness goals.

Outside of fitness, Aidan leads the DC Chapter of the National Stuttering Association and advocates for Black youth in the DMV. He's passionate about using vulnerability to foster connection, representation, and open dialogue.

Credentials

• University of Maryland, B.S. Neurobiology & Physiology
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Behavior Change Specialist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist
• Functional Movement Screening Level 1 Certified
• Yoga Fit: Senior Training, Positive Psychology, Pre/Post Natal, Anatomy
• ARC CPR/FA/AED Certified

Jack Walters

Personal Trainer · Ballston & Cherrydale

Jack is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer. In high school, he started working as a physical therapy technician, which drove a passion for helping people get stronger despite being injured.

During undergrad, Jack completed an internship with the University of Alabama Men's Basketball team as a strength and conditioning coach.

Following that, he went back to working in the rehabilitation space, focusing on strength training for all types of people recovering from injuries. Using his experience in both the rehabilitation and performance worlds, Jack strives to make everyone he works with as athletic and injury-free as possible.

Credentials

• University of Alabama, B.S. Biology
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• USA Weightlifting Level 1
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• EXOS Performance Specialist
• Functional Movement Screen Level 1
• ASTI CPR & AED Certification

Robbie Delozier

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Robbie is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. He has had an interest in exercise, health, and performance from a young age, growing up playing soccer, lacrosse, and tennis. As sports became less prevalent in his life, he turned to other modes of exercise, including weight training for strength and hypertrophy, Olympic weightlifting, and distance running. He soon realized the positive physical and mental effects it added to his life.

This realization led him to align his education and career with his interests by earning a degree in Kinesiology. He gained experience through sports performance internships and personal training jobs, ultimately leading him to Method Fitness. He values the personal connection of 1-on-1 training and aims to build strong client relationships as he grows in his career.

Credentials

• University of Maryland, B.S. Kinesiology
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• AHA CPR/AED Certification

Joshua Brown

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Josh is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Salisbury University.

After graduating from Salisbury in 2020, Josh worked at Washington College (MD) as an assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, and within a few years was promoted to Director of Strength and Conditioning and an Assistant Administrator within the Athletic Department, where he worked until 2025. He then went on to the Naval Academy as an assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach working with Sprint Football, Men's Golf, Sailing, and Women's Soccer, and assisting with training Midshipmen in the Naval Special Warfare pipeline.

Josh values connecting and creating a solid relationship with his clients, emphasizing proper movement patterns through a full range of motion, and helping clients understand how much movement and strength training can benefit their daily activity.

Credentials

• Salisbury University, B.S. Exercise Science
• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
• NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator
• Functional Movement System Level 1
• ARC CPR & AED Certified

Jake Weekly

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Jake is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with five years of experience across personal training and collegiate athletics. His passion for performance training began at the University of Tennessee, where he worked with the Softball team as an undergrad. That early exposure to high-level athletes sparked a deep interest in the process of long-term development.

He is currently pursuing his Master's in Sport Science and Coaching Education at East Tennessee State University, where he also supported the Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning department, primarily with Softball, Rowing, and Volleyball. He blends structure, creativity, and care to challenge and support athletes and clients.

Outside of coaching, Jake is a lifelong learner and storyteller. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, writing fiction, playing Warhammer 40K, lifting, and diving into narrative-rich video games.

Credentials

• East Tennessee State University, M.S. Sport Science & Coaching Education
• University of Tennessee, B.S.Ed. Recreation & Sport Management
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• NCPRF CPR & AED Certification

Georgia Ohmke

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Georgia is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer. Before becoming a personal trainer, Georgia earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Computer Imagery from Shepherd University. While there, she played D2 Volleyball and, during her senior year, held the title of #1 Blocker in the country.

Like many high-level athletes, Georgia has had her fair share of injuries and bad doctor visits. Her desire to find ways to keep herself strong and healthy for everyday life and sport, without compromising movement and quality of life, is what led her to this field. She believes movement is medicine. Georgia has trained a wide variety of clients, from high-level athletes to grandparents looking to improve their quality of life. Outside of training, Georgia plays on a professional volleyball team, DC Dynasty, and modifies and races cars for fun.

Credentials

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• Prenatal/Postpartum Specialist
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• ASTI CPR/FA/AED Certified

Connor Gannon

Personal Trainer · Ballston

Connor's interest in coaching stems mainly from his background as an athlete. He began his journey as a swimmer and baseball player. After an injury in high school, he left his athletic career behind to pursue a degree in Kinesiology with the hope of becoming a collegiate sports performance coach. He was able to do both while enrolled at Longwood University.

After leaving collegiate sports in search of a more fulfilling path, Connor began working as a personal trainer in a corporate gym, where he honed his skills working with general fitness clients. Since then, he has helped people from all walks of life achieve their goals, from injury rehab and body composition changes to athletic performance and overall health and wellness.

Credentials

• Longwood University, B.S. Kinesiology
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• ASTI CPR & AED Certification

Hun Choi

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Hun holds an M.S. in Exercise Science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Growing up, he competed in soccer and track, but a lack of proper strength training left him underperforming and eventually led to injury. This setback became a turning point: he began training in the gym, developed a fascination with how the body works, and pursued the study of exercise science. Through internships and hands-on learning, Hun discovered just how nuanced strength and conditioning can be.

Over time, he realized that one-on-one coaching best fit his style, allowing him to combine technical knowledge with personalized attention. He has since worked with a wide range of clients, from athletes looking to maximize performance to older adults seeking to move and feel better in daily life. His mission is to help each person build strength, confidence, and long-term resilience through thoughtful, evidence-based training.

Credentials

• University of Arkansas, M.S. Exercise Science
• University of Arkansas, B.S. Exercise Science
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• AHA CPR & AED Certification

Jeff Peterson

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Jeff is a Personal Trainer certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Growing up, he played soccer and basketball and went hiking to stay healthy. After injuries limited his ability to do those activities, he became passionate about educating himself on proper strength training to improve his joint and muscle function.

Since graduating from Syracuse University, Jeff has turned his passion to helping others improve their own health and fitness through properly executed, well thought out resistance training.

Credentials

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist
• NASM CPR/AED Certification

Bryce Landers

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

Bryce brings a deep and diverse athletic background to every session. With experience across high school, Division I and Division II collegiate athletics, and professional environments, including D.C. United Academy, Bryce has been immersed in high-level performance from multiple angles.

A former Division II lacrosse player and MCLA National Champion, Bryce developed a strong foundation in competition, discipline, and team culture. Injuries during his athletic career sparked an interest in recovery and performance, ultimately fueling his passion for strength and conditioning.

Today, Bryce blends firsthand athletic experience with an evidence-based approach to help clients move better, build durable strength, and train with purpose.

Credentials

• University of South Carolina Upstate, M.S. Exercise & Sports Science
• University of South Carolina, B.S. Exercise Science
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• AHA First Aid & CPR

David Ferguson

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

David is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) with several years of experience. Before coaching, he spent a decade as a professional dancer, performing in Broadway national tours, television shows, and contemporary companies. Movement has always been central to his life.

When injuries threatened his career, David dove into the science of movement and transitioned into coaching. His philosophy, "movement is medicine," shapes every session, and his dance background shows in how he teaches and demonstrates exercises, sometimes with a dance break or two.

Outside the gym, David enjoys reading, playing video games, walking his dogs, and renovating his 80-year-old home with his wife.

Credentials

• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
• ARC CPR Certified

Jester Hutchison

Personal Trainer · Ballston & Cherrydale

Jester is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a DMV native. Originally from Columbia, MD, they played Division 1 Women's Soccer at George Mason University, where they earned a B.S. in Kinesiology.

As a former collegiate athlete, Jester is no stranger to activity or the occasional injury. They found that quality, consistent resistance training was the key not only to improving performance but also to quality of life. Their coaching philosophy is based on mastering the basics to achieve lasting success.

Jester joins the Method team after working with Division 1 athletes at Fairleigh Dickinson, George Mason, and UNC Chapel Hill. They hope to use this experience to help clients reach their fitness goals while learning to love the training process.

Credentials

• George Mason University, B.S. Kinesiology
• George Mason University, B.F.A. Creative Writing
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• BioForce Certified Conditioning Coach
• ARC CPR/AED Certification

Mike Brown

Personal Trainer · Cherrydale

With more than five years of coaching experience, Mike has worked with youth through professional athletes. After graduating from Temple, he coached at La Salle University and spent two years at FC Cincinnati's academy, developing young players' strength, speed, and movement. Most recently, he was Director of Performance at SAPT in Northern Virginia, where he led a team of coaches and designed programs for athletes of all ages and levels.

Mike enjoys helping clients build strength, move better, improve athletic performance, and gain confidence in the gym. He values genuine client relationships and sound movement fundamentals, and he likes showing people how strength training improves their everyday lives.

Outside the gym, Mike enjoys traveling, driving manual cars, concerts, and soccer. He also loves spending time with his wife and their dachshund.

Credentials

• Temple University, M.S. Sport Business
• Temple University, B.S. Exercise & Sport Science, Minor in Nutrition
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• NSCA Certified Performance & Sport Scientist
• AHA Basic Life Support

Ben Duignan

Business Operations Associate · Method Strong

Baseball has been part of Ben's life since childhood, giving him an early appreciation for discipline and competition. At the University of South Carolina, where he studied Sports and Entertainment Management, that love of the game grew into a passion for sports analytics, leading him into a scouting and data analytics apprenticeship evaluating youth baseball players in partnership with the Washington Nationals. He went on to lead stadium operations for the Columbia Fireflies, a Kansas City Royals affiliate, before moving into recruiting and, more recently, event and security work at major DC-area venues. Outside of work, he enjoys sports card collecting and exploring AI and machine learning tools.

Ben was drawn to Method Fitness by the chance to combine his lifelong love of athletics with his relationship-driven recruiting background and analytical approach to tracking results. Based in Alexandria, VA, he brings a strong work ethic and team-oriented mindset from his experience across sports operations, recruiting, and event management.

Credentials

• University of South Carolina, B.S. Sports & Entertainment Management