About BlakSteel
BlakSteel Fitness gives clients the attention and personal service needed to help them achieve their personal goals. Whatever the goal-trimming some inches, beginning a mommy makeover, increasing muscle tone or getting ready for a big event-we're here to help you achieve success. Work, sweat and laugh your way to the top!
Because variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to fitness, we offer a diverse array of training modalities.
Todd Shuler, Owner and Operator
Todd Shuler has been in the fitness industry for over thirteen years. He is NCSF certified, as well as BOSU, Battling Ropes, and Active Stretch I & II certified. He has studied various methods of fitness including Boxing, Cycling, and Qi Gong. While cultivating his craft, Todd has had the opportunity to work with a number of different clients with different goals and personalities.
His experience allows him the unmatched ability to create several different modules of training and has given Todd a unique outlook on life and perspective into the minds of clients. This is what enables him to give each client a specific and truly personal experience. Todd believes we each have our best life ahead. The key to accessing this best life lies in our bodies and our health. Let Todd help you unlock your best life and inner super hero.
"As a trainer and a man, I've witnessed many things that affect people's lives and joy. In all cases I have found that the happiness with one's self directly affects the duration and outcome of those moments in life. The clarity and love in which you view yourself is guided by your physical vigor, and the height of your mental and spiritual attitude. Health is achieved by the positive balance of these things.”
Read more about Todd in Voyage Phoenix magazine.
Team Steel
Dawn Dybdahl (aka Scrappy)
Director of OperationsDawn worked as a legal assistant for over 30 years, both in Phoenix and in Minnesota. She has worked in many practice areas, including commercial litigation, criminal defense and intellectual property. This extensive administrative background and knowledge is a great asset to BlakSteel Fitness.
Dawn is very passionate about health and fitness and is excited to be able to apply her administrative background in the fitness industry. She began her fitness journey when she began personal training with Todd many years ago. She fell in love with the physical and the mental challenges that fitness presented.
"Fitness to me is much more than physical. It is amazing energy, it is mental empowerment, it is a challenge – but to me it is also incredibly fun and I have met the BEST people and life-long friends since beginning this journey. I absolutely love seeing people enjoy something that I love so much."
In her spare time, Dawn enjoys taking classes at BlakSteel, spending time with her crazy cat, her horse and her friends’ horses, and photography.
Read more about Dawn in Voyage Phoenix magazine.
Contact Dawn for assistance with any administrative, scheduling or other concerns that you may have.
Lisa Hess
InstructorLisa started teaching in 2012 when her love of indoor cycling and all things fitness led her to get Barre and cycling certified. Since putting on the mic that first class at CoreBalance Studio her love for sport and people has only grown. Her respect and care for her clients has also motivated Lisa to get her nutrition certification and add more classes to her game.
When she is not in the gym sweating or motivating clients, Lisa loves yoga, reading, hiking, painting, and spending time with her kids.Take a class with Lisa and you will sweat, dance, laugh and curse!
Jennifer Jesse
InstructorJennifer is a fun, energetic mom and native of Phoenix. Active all her life, Jennifer has participated in dance, track ‘n field, rhythm dance roller skating and softball. Sports led her to fitness and she enjoys many varieties of fitness regimens including boot camps, spin and yoga classes, hiking and trail running, P90X and Krav Maga. Jennifer seriously fell in love with fitness when she became a mom and was introduced to the Tone It Up® and Amenzone Fitness© programs. Being a new mom, she learned that health is wealth and that exercising and taking care of your body is more than just about losing weight; it is fundamental to the mind, body and soul. Jennifer loves to work with clients to encourage them to do their best, by incorporating a variety of strength and cardio movements in an exercise routine.
Jennifer believes that it takes dedication, discipline and effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle. "The fact that you're making any effort at all, that's the biggest difference. I'm here to educate, inspire, listen and remind you."
"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not"
~ Denis Waitley
La Mar Hinton
Instructor and Personal TrainerLa Mar has many years of personal and group fitness training experience. He is NASM certified, has worked as the Fitness Director at Anytime Fitness, and was the Executive Director of Certification and Training at AmenZone Fitness. He is also currently working towards obtaining his nutrition certification. La Mar is a former elementary school teacher and loves working with children, as well as adults.
La Mar's coaching focuses on functional group training, boxing conditioning, SAQ (speed, agility, quickness) work, low-impact training, building lean muscle mass, and weight loss.
"I believe that one of the most challenging aspects of fitness is staying consistent with your individual goals and maintaining the motivation to want to better yourself. My goal is to push my clients out of their comfort zone and I thrive to challenge them both mentally and physically. Are you up for the challenge?"
Erika Vairo
Instructor and Personal TrainerA Phoenix native, Erika is a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast. She has experience as a fitness professional in personal strength training, boxing and pilates.
Erika is a vehement devotee to both exercise and nutrition. When she is not working out, training, or spending time with her family, she is working towards earning her degree in dietetics.
She is very passionate about helping others through their health and fitness journey, and is thrilled to be a part of the BlakSteel team!
J.R. Nelson
Instructor and Personal TrainerHolsey Nelson, III (“J.R.”) grew up in the Midwest and has been mentoring and coaching youth since he was 18 years old.
J.R. earned a degree in early childhood education, with an emphasis on special education. His experiences helped him develop patience, compassion and a true love for teaching. He has been in Arizona for 13 years coaching track and field, personal training and is currently working towards a physical therapy degree.
J.R.’s training focuses on body mechanics, mobility and coordination. J.R. believes that a healthy mind is reflected in a healthy body that moves well! Building and maintaining strength as we age is of utmost importance.
“I desire to learn everything possible to help my loved ones and others learn that small intentional decisions can turn things around and enhance their quality of life.”
In his spare time, J.R. enjoys watching action movies, eating good food, enjoying stimulating conversation and spending time with his three daughters.
Richard Moore
InstructorRichard moved to the Valley of the Sun in 2002 and has been a Professional Leader and Coach since 2003.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management, maintains and active AZ P&C Producer license, and acquired an ABA certificate in Fraud Prevention and Detection.
Richard found his way to fitness late in life. In 2015 he began his wellness and fitness journey upon the realization that his lifestyle was not conducive to longevity. He joined BlakSteel Fitness in 2019 and has been a fixture in many classes since then.
Richard’s training focuses on functional strength training via TRX. He believes that the mental strength gained from consistent resistant training is a pathway to mental and physical wellness.
When not working and training, Richard is a NAUI Certified SCUBA diver, an avid cyclist, and an optimistic golfer.
“The hardest part is getting started and I cannot wait to be a part of your wellness journey. Come get started with me.”
Liam Dugan
Instructor and Personal TrainerLiam discovered his passion for fitness long before becoming a personal trainer. At just 14, he began his fitness journey, and by 16, he was already training his classmates, purely out of enjoyment. Since then, he has been dedicated to turning his passion into a career. While he may be the youngest trainer at BlakSteel Fitness, he is far from inexperienced. His tough-love approach is balanced by a strong belief in his clients' ability to achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Liam is currently working toward earning multiple NASM certifications before pursuing a formal education in sports science and nutrition. His specialties lie in strength training and hypertrophy, but he also has advanced expertise in aerobic and anaerobic capacity, muscular endurance, power, and flexibility. While weight loss is not his personal focus, he is well-versed in nutrition and the science of fat loss, making him a valuable resource for clients with a variety of goals. Whatever aspect of fitness you aim to improve, Liam is confident he can help you build it.
He believes that knowledge, combined with hard work, trumps all. While skill, talent, and other factors can be beneficial, he maintains that without well-directed effort, the rest is irrelevant. When he’s not training or working, you’ll find him cooking for his family, exploring nature, or finding ways to relax and recover.
“With the finite time I have in this world, I hope to influence as many people as I can with my passion for fitness and instill in them the values and knowledge to become happier, healthier individuals.”
Julicua Singleton
InstructorJulicua's ("J”) passion for fitness began while serving in the Navy. While stationed on the USS Cimarron, she was selected to lead a bootcamp-style fitness class. Given the size of the deck and limited equipment, J had to be very creative.
While stationed in San Diego she was assigned to be the fitness coordinator. She also assisted in step and spin classes during her time there. Later, while stationed in Kuwait, J was asked to lead a spin class and lead the fitness instruction for frocked Navy's Chiefs.
Since living in Arizona, J has worked for Maricopa County where she was a part of the design process for the cardio fitness center, while at the same time completing a fitness course through the County. Under the direction of Maricopa County Fitness Wellness Center, J became TRX certified. J recently also received her Barre certification through Barre Above.
In her free time you can find J doing hot yoga, creating flower bouquets, cooking, listening to music, and spending time with her granddaughter.
J's classes will be filled with great music, good vibes and a fun, challenging workout!
"You can have fun and get the job done in your fitness goals!”
Self Protection Department (Combat Trainers)
Charles Mason
Self Defense/Personal Trainer & InstructorCharles has over 20 years of experience in physical fitness and martial art instruction. He emphasizes personal empowerment and physical well-being by consulting, designing and implementing customized fitness training and martial arts programs for individual and group sessions. His instruction will ensure clients are maintaining proper form and discipline while exercising and training; encouraging them to exceed their perceived limitations. In addition to instructing small group classes, Charles offers a hands-on Self Defense Course, “Girls on Guard” classes and personal training.
*Qualifications: US Army Physical Readiness Leader, Level IV Modern Army Combatives, Master Trainer, Gracie Jujitsu, Kodokan Judo, Okinawa Kempo, Certified "Girls on Guard" Instructor
Fidel Hernandez
Boxing ConsultantSince turning pro in 1996, Fidel fought over 20 fights in 6 years, finishing with a record of 17-3 with 10 KOs. He has claimed two titles as a professional – The AZ Middleweight Championship and a minor World Title.
Fidel is a consultant for BlakSteel Fitness. He is here to aid in knowledge and training for our staff and Steel Combat program. With a Champ in the house, you can count on the very best from us!!
Our DJ
DJ T-Last
DJTerry Lastoria, aka DJ T-Last, has been a DJ for over 15 years. His career took off in 2012 when he became a fixture at CoreBalance Studio where he dj'ed Spin classes with Mr. BlakSteel. The clientele loved the additional energy DJ T-Last brought to the classes.
DJ T-Last was soon offered many opportunities to dj in the fitness industry. He began dj-ing spin classes (known as "The Grind”) at the Madison Improvement Club, again with Mr. BlakSteel. He became the resident DJ for Amenzone Fitness©. He dj'ed tour stops for Amenzone in both New York and L.A. He had regular gigs with Reformed Pilates and Lifetime Fitness and has had numerous guest appearances at the Gypsie Bar, Ecko Store, lululemon athlitica®, The Village and Fit Republic.
Currently he is dj-ing a number of spin classes at Mountainside Fitness, the Madison Improvement Club, is the resident DJ at Let It Roll Bowl, and of course is the resident DJ for BlakSteel Fitness! DJ T-Last has also done numerous weddings, private and corporate events and birthday parties. You can also catch him every Friday night at 11pm on 101.1 The Beat!!
DJ T-Last began his career because of his love for music. He believes that music is the gateway to happiness. He loves to see the joy that his music brings to other people, he loves to see them dance, smile and have a great time. Dance, smile (and sweat) to DJ T-Last at BlakSteel Fitness, or one of his many places, to hear the sickest beats and feel the amazing energy he and his music provides.
Read more about Terry in Voyage Phoenix magazine.
Visit his website: djtlast.com
In Loving Memory
Playboy Steel
Guard Dog Extraordinaire
July, 2010-April 6, 2021
Forever Loved, Forever Missed