Meet the trainers

Sean williams (owner)

I bring my passion for a diverse and supportive gym community to UAC Eastside. Everything I do is built on the desire to help everyone grow and feel empowered; in all walks and stages of life. My history in exercise and corrective training is long one, but one of my greatest accomplishments is when I became a pro bodybuilder in 2018. While juggling work and training, I continue to enjoy bodybuilding and living my life to the fullest and being there with my child. When working with clients, I like to focus on areas of weight-loss with an emphasis on nutrition, rehabilitation as well as strength and conditioning. 

CERTIFICATIONS

  • ACE, NASM, NPTI Certified Trainer

  • Nutrition

  • NKT (neuron-connective therapy) Level 2

  • Kettlebells

  • TRX

  • Corrective Exercise

  • Group Training/Small Classes

  • IFBB Pro

  • NKT

Ashley Knight

I understand what it’s like being intimidated by the gym. Feeling lost, not knowing what to do, or how to do it correctly... because I’ve been there, too. Growing up I had fun being active, whether it was playing sports or joining group exercise classes, at local gyms, in college, and then eventually CrossFit. But I still wanted to learn more, and that’s what led me here, to share how empowering health & fitness can be.  I love to break down the basics of the weight room, how to move safely and effectively, with correct form, so you can be strong when doing what you love outside of the gym. During weight training, correct form and range of motion is important to me. So we’ll make sure we dial in technique before we increase weights. Whether we use body weight, free weights, machines, or the barbell; slow and controlled movements are key. We’ll exercise the full body as well as in each movement pattern, and may even add some cardio exercise to the circuit to keep the heart rate up. Especially with classes; it’s an easy and fun way to get strong with your friends.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • AFAA Group Fitness Cert

  • ACE Personal Training Cert

  • CrossFit CF- L1

  • BS Applied Health & Fitness

  • Minor Biology

Lydia Yi

Hey there! I’m Lydia Yi, your go-to coach with over 5 years of experience helping people get into shape and having a blast while doing it. I specialize in strength training, and body weight exercises, crafting fun and effective fitness plans that keep you motivated and smiling. I kicked off my fitness journey with powerlifting and general strength training, but now I enjoy mixing it up. I love combining weights with hand balance and body weight training to keep things exciting and fresh. My focus is on creating balance, connecting with your body, and finding movements that not only push you but also bring you peace and alignment. I’m all about group coaching now, creating a supportive and energetic environment where we can all thrive together. My mission? To make fitness fun, accessible, and a part of your life that you look forward to.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • NASM CPT

  • Corrective Exercise  Specialist

  • Behavioral Change Specialist

  • CPR

Britt Petrovich

I’m passionate about helping people get strong and feel good in their bodies. I’ve been instructing creative movement in Portland for nearly 10 years. As a yoga instructor, I spent most of my young adult life in yoga studios. After a handful of injuries (from yoga and running) I wanted to heal and get stronger, but didn’t know where to start. The weight room felt intimidating and, as a woman, I was unsure where to begin. Many years later, I’m fully invested in the power of resistance training. While I still love and practice yoga, my focus has shifted toward strength training, particularly helping women get into the weight room. I want to change the narrative around what it means to “get strong” and “lift weights”. Creating a space where everyone feels capable and welcome is a group effort; I’m here to help with that mission. I encounter lots of people who are intimidated by lifting, or who have had bad gym experiences (myself included). Strength training has significantly improved my life and well-being and I hope it will do the same for you. I bring many years of experience as a movement instructor to my personal training. I have an eye for alignment and technique and will do my best to help you feel confident in your movement.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer 

  • 500 Hour Yoga Instructor

  • Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor 

  • Prenatal Yoga Instructor

grace

I believe that fitness is a very personal journey and individual experience. No two bodies move alike, no two people and goals are the same. That’s what fuels me to empower and educate my clients to test the waters, push their boundaries, and learn what makes them feel fit. We should train our bodies to function the way we want them to, not function a certain way because we’re  stuck with what we’ve got. I enjoy working on strength training, athletic performance, and functional movement. I’ll work with you to learn safe movement patterns and build exercise knowledge that will allow you to live and move the way you want. I’ll collaborate with you to establish goals and create a program that is effective, challenging and, most importantly, fun. I have worked with clients through all stages of life, but find particular joy in helping those new to fitness and active agers discover the benefit of strength training. As we age it’s extremely important and more beneficial than ever to work our muscles, train balance, and challenge our functional habits to keep up with daily life. I grew up playing soccer and was a climber for 15 years. Outside of the gym I still play soccer, love to bake, and try to distract my dog from eating mud.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer

  • CPR Certified

  • Currently working towards both a Senior Fitness Specialist and Fitness Nutrition Specialist certification

Whitney “Tatty” Griffin

Whitney started with UAC - Eastside as a sponsored roller derby athlete in 2012. Through her youth, Tatty struggled with weight loss/gain. In 2010, she made the most important change in her life: She focused on her nutrition and was consistent in following a meal plan. Over the next year, she was able to lose 50 lbs which left her thinner, but not stronger. That’s when she found this community and learned the importance of weight training. Tatty has been on the UAC - Eastside coaching staff since her official career change in 2014. She gradually worked her way up from coach to gym operations manager and eventually took on the role of co-owner. You have her to thank for lots of the organization and labeling — and her wrath to face if you don’t put your dumbbells back in the proper place!  Tatty played roller derby (where she picked up her nickname) at an elite level for eight years and was a member of the 2015 WFTDA International Champion Portland roller derby team, the Wheels of Justice. In 2018, Tatty decided to step away from team sports to begin a journey in bodybuilding. She competed in her first competition where she walked away with 1st place wins in three of her divisions (True Novice, Novice, Open Class A) and a 2nd place finish in the Overall division.Tatty loves working out, coffee, and animals.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • CrossFit Level 1 – 2014

  • CrossFit Level 2 - 2019

  • CrossFit Football – 2014

  • MobilityWod – 2016

Erik Beckman

With a lifelong passion for sports and movement, I have always been dedicated to athletic excellence. Growing up in Portland, I played multiple sports, but baseball truly captured my heart. My journey led me to LaVerne University in Los Angeles, where I played collegiate baseball and earned a degree in Movement & Sports Science. Post-college, I discovered CrossFit and have been committed to it ever since. I love how inclusive and versatile CrossFit is, making it a sport for everyone. My goal in every class is to ensure that all members, regardless of their fitness level, get the most out of their workouts. In addition to CrossFit, I trained in Krav Maga for several years and enjoy teaching basic self-defense and sparring classes. My ultimate aim is to help our members leave each workout feeling better than when they arrived. I am grateful to be part of their fitness journey and to contribute to their well-being.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • CrossFit Level 1 & 2 certified

  • CrossFit Weightlifting Certified

  • USA Weightlifting Level 1 Certified

  • Kettlebell Certified

  • Bachelors in Movement & Sports Science