By Jake Thide
We are excited to have a new class of interns for the Spring 2024 semester! With three full time and three part time, you will be seeing a lot them around the gym. Get to know them in their bios found below!
Karam Abilmona
Hello, my name is Karam Abilmona. Throughout my time in the US, I attended the University at Buffalo majoring in Exercise Science Pre-PT concentration. I am looking forward to graduating this May of 2024 after completing my internship with TrainSMART.
My passion for what I do today started since I was a little kid playing soccer abroad. Having had the chance to also coach soccer under one of my mentors, I knew it was something I wanted to do for a long time. From the thrill of being competitive on and off the field, I have built connections which have helped me acquire social skills and always focus on what’s best for myself and the people around me. Being physically active and helping others stay physically active the right way is something I’m more passionate about today even though my career in playing soccer took a downfall after tearing my ACL.
Getting to know Mr. Fox and his approach to physical activity and functional strength training was so motivating since I first called him for a chance to be an intern here. I felt that I’m on the right path to acquire even more skills that will help me make a positive impact in the world of exercise science and sports performance. This will without a doubt help me reach my goals and succeed in life.
I’m looking forward to becoming the coach and person I want to be and focusing on gaining all the experiences I need down the road. I’m hoping to learn how to develop training plans for different athletes in the world of exercise, focus on the importance of moving well and helping as many people as I can to move often. Thanks to TrainSMART, I am on the right track and I’m very happy to be part of this unique family.
After finishing my first degree, I would love to develop more skills in the business world and the real world which will set me on track to achieve what I’ve wanted for a while now. With that said, having an MBA will also be great for my career.
Matt Mohan
My name is Matthew Mohan, and I am a student at the University at Buffalo. I am graduating in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
My journey into exercise, fitness, strength training, and all things associated started when I was 14 years old. My participation in football and wrestling opened the door for me to discover my love for strength and conditioning as well as exercise and fitness in general. I started my college career as a biology major, but I quickly changed my mind after one year. I changed my major to exercise science because in my mind I knew that I wanted to turn my passion of exercise and fitness into a career, and I never looked back.
I chose to complete my internship at TrainSMART because I felt that this is where I will get the best opportunity to learn how to coach in a safe, effective, and thoughtful manner. I felt that TrainSMART will continue my education and push me to be skilled professional wherever I end up next, rather than sit me at a desk and use me for free labor. As a prospective physical therapy student who also has an interest in strength and conditioning, I felt that TrainSMART would give me the best of both worlds.
During my time here at TrainSMART, I hope to learn how to be an effective coach, how to communicate well with clients, how to connect and build relationships with other experts in the field, and how to be a better learner. I also am eager to continue to learn new exercises, and how to effectively prescribe and program exercise.
After I graduate this spring, I will be continuing my education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at the University at Buffalo.
Jack Davis
My name is Jack Davis, and I am attending the University at Buffalo. I am a senior studying exercise science and will be graduating this May 2024.
From a young age I was determined to work in the medical field and had a love for science. After growing up playing sports I fell in love with training and exercise. This led me down the path of exercise science so I could continue learning about the things I loved. With my passion for exercise and desire to be in the medical field this led me to pursue physical therapy.
I chose TrainSMART because of Mr. Fox speaking about the gym in a zoom panel for students like me to learn about different internship sites. After hearing Mr. Fox speak about the gym my interest was very high. I felt it would be a perfect learning experience for myself as it is like a mix of personal training and physical therapy. The goal of TrainSMART is to make people feel better and live healthier lives, much like clients who attend physical therapy. I felt the coaching experience as well as the opportunity to become a strength coach was a great opportunity that would benefit me greatly.
During my time at TrainSMART I want to expand my view on exercise and gain experience coaching. I want to expand my toolset to be able to train all different types of clients to the best of my ability. By learning more exercises and variations it will allow me to be a much more effective coach.
After I graduate, I plan on continuing my education and enroll in a DPT program and work as a trainer/strength coach during this time.
Joe Gagliardo
My name is Joe Gagliardo. I am a junior at the University at Buffalo. I am an exercise science major with a concentration in physical therapy and will be graduating in 2027.
Since a very young age sports have been a big part of my life, and through playing sports I developed multiple injuries that affected me in many ways. After my sports career I developed a strong passion for fitness, more specially weight lifting. I became eager to learn more about sports optimization, exercise, and rehabilitation which led to me choosing exercise science as my major.
TrainSMART’s core values align with my inclinations: helping people be the best version of themselves, becoming stronger and healthier inside and outside the gym, living a happy, pain free life, and having the ability to do the things that you love to do. Another reason I chose TrainSMART was due to the fact that I would be learning from Joe Fox and his team who are all hard working, dedicated, and passionate about their crafts.
My goal at TrainSMART is to gain as much practical experience and learn as much as I can from Mr. Fox and his team. As well as expand on my skills in the exercise and physical therapy environment.
I am currently a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. After graduation I aspire to become a travel PT to gain experience and build capital. Finally, I plan to create my own PT practice built around my beliefs, values, and education.
Jared Rumsey
Hello, my name is Jared Rumsey. I attend the University at Buffalo, I'm currently a junior studying exercise science. But I have been accepted into UB’s DPT program and expect to graduate in 2027.
I chose exercise science because I always enjoyed exercising and being physically active and I think that it is one of the best ways to improve your life. By continuing my education in exercise science and DPT school it will allow me to help others to be able to move better and be more physically fit.
I decided on TrainSMART because I value my education. I wanted to learn about personal training from the best to do it, and from the reviews online I could tell that the team at TrainSMART was the best. From their knowledge of training to how they care for the clients, they do everything fantastically and I wanted to witness and learn from them.
First I would like to learn and acquire the skills it takes to be a good trainer. Then I will be able to take that knowledge into the physical therapy field, as I think training skills will be very useful in the PT environment.
After graduate school I would eventually like to own and operate a PT clinic. I'm hoping to gain some insight into what it takes to effectively operate a business here at TrainSMART.
Noah Wahl
Hello my name is Noah Wahl. I’m an exercise science student at the University of Buffalo recently accepted into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.
I chose exercise science because of my love of movement. Physical therapy is important to me because of my own lived experience of rehabilitation and the realization that exercise is medicine.
I chose TrainSMART because I was impressed with how professionally connected they are with some of the best in exercise science, and use that knowledge to deliver better patient results.
I’m hoping to learn ways to evaluate and help progress clients to live healty and strong.
After I graduate I plan to continue in the doctor of physical therapy program and become a practicing DPT.