Zach Guza
Founder
I started Black Dog Fitness so that no one else has to go through what I did with mental illness and what dad had to go through with Parkinson’s disease.
I struggled with undiagnosed Depression for years. I just thought that life was supposed to be terrible. I finally realized what was wrong when I saw a video called “I have a black dog and his name is depression.” It stopped me dead in my tracks. That was me. I have a black dog.
I have Depression.
When I finally got professional help, one of the first things my psychiatrist told me was, before she would even consider medication, I had to get back to exercising. Today, regular exercise is a non-negotiable part of my life and is essential for balancing the demands of being a husband, a father, a business owner, and someone who suffers from depression.
So, why Parkinson’s disease?
My dad had Parkinson’s Disease but he was never told that exercise would help him live longer, happier and healthier. His doctors either didn’t know or appreciate the power of exercise. Because of that he suffered a terrible, steady decline until his death in 2013.
Hundreds of studies have shown that exercise can slow, stop, and even reverse the symptoms and progression of Parkinson’s Disease. I wish that my dad would have had a place like Black Dog Fitness.
I started Black Dog Fitness and Rock Steady Boxing Knoxville so that no one else has to go through what my dad did.
ZACH’S CREDENTIALS
- United States Air Force Academy
- BS – Human Factors Engineering
- Air Force Officer & Helicopter Pilot
- Certified Personal Trainer – WITS Education
- Functional Aging Specialist – FAI
- Rock Steady Boxing Coach
- Certified Health Coach
- PWR! Moves Instructor
- Urban Poling Instructor
Our Instructors
All of our Instructors “organically” found their way to Black Dog Fitness. All of us have come to Black Dog Fitness to make a difference with a creative and positive environment that encourages functional health and community for people who are otherwise left out of fitness.
Coleen Martinez
Personal Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Coach
Coleen was born and raised in Almost Heaven, West Virginia and has lived in Florida, Utah, Texas, and now Knoxville for the past 12 years. Coleen has degrees in Dance, Exercise Science, Health Education & Behavior (Adapted Physical Activity), and Therapeutic Recreation. Coleen is a Certified Exercise Physiologist, Recreation Therapist, running coach, and in-training for Dance for PD™ instructor. Coleen is also available for Personal and Small Group Training.
In her free time, Coleen enjoys running, swimming, cycling, meditation, yoga, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family (most of the time, her family does those activities with her)!
Sarah Lamont
Spin and Stretch, Personal Training, Rock Steady Boxing Assistant Coach and Yoga
Sarah is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Spin Instructor. She currently teaches Spin and Stretch and Yoga. She also does personal and small group training.
Perle Sorah
Rock Steady Boxing Coach
Perle has worked his way all the way through the Rock Steady Program. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in May 2013, after exhibiting symptoms for many years. He retired from his job after 45 years as a Radiologist Technologist on Friday and started boxing the following Monday.
After about eight months as a fighter, Perle began volunteering in the stage three and four fighters. Interested in still doing more, got Certified as a Rock Steady Boxing Coach in January 2018 and has been Zach’s “co-coach” since.
Perle is certified as an instructor for Nordic Walking from the American Nordic Walking Association and Nordixx Pole Walking of Canada. He teaches group classes and individuals with and without Parkinson’ Disease.
In his “spare time”, Perle and his wife camp, kayak and hike. Perle is an exceptional woodworker and has built everything from small wooden bowls to major pieces of furniture.
His philosophy for life is, “Keep moving or you just might die.”
Alex Fellers
Personal Training, PWR!, Rock Steady Boxing Assistant Coach
Alex and her husband Ryan just moved to Maryville from West Texas. Alex got certified as a Personal Trainer to help people lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives. Her passion for wholesome and healthful living was solidified when she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, at only 18 years old. She was staring down a lifetime of daily medication cocktails – all of which only served to mask symptoms or counteract side effects. But, in a miraculous turn of events, her family physician introduced her to The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry and a completely different approach to disease management and treatment. Years later, she is still medication and symptom free. When she isn’t at the gym, Alex enjoys hiking, paddle-boarding, and mystery novels.
Alicia Mau
Personal Training
After nine years working as an occupational therapist, she wanted to turn towards disease prevention and maintenance, and healthy aging. Black Dog Fitness was like the perfect fit!
She tailors workouts to each individual client, but has particular interest in balance, grip strength, fall prevention, and pain management. In her free time, she likes to hike and swing dance as often as possible.
Taylor Morgan
Physical Therapist
Taylor is our in-house Physical Therapist specializing in Parkinson’s disease. She came to us after several years in the “mass production” physical therapy world. She works with MovementX Physical Therapy to see patients at Black Dog Fitness.
Taylor’s whole-body and whole-mind approach to physical therapy fits in perfectly with what we do. She is a dedicated and compassionate physical therapist with a profound passion for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. Taylor is an exceptional Physical Therapist. Many of our staff and their families see her for treatment. Click here to schedule a free 15 minute consultation.
Taylor has become a valuable part of the BDF team. We can stop in for a quick “what-do-you-think” or set up a full cooperative plan between Taylor and your trainer. This helps us target troublesome areas and work on them from a training and therapy perspective. We have had great results from this kind of team work. Together, we work with the whole team (patient included) to set achievable goals so patients can take control of their health and well-being. Patients heal faster and stronger.
In her free time, she loves hiking trails, caring for her cherished houseplants, spending quality time with friends and family, and embarking on adventures with her sweet pup, Ellie.
THE BLACK DOG
In October of 2012, the World Health Organization made video called “I had a black dog, his name was depression.” It is a video version of the 2005 book I Had a Black Dog by Matthew Johnstone.
The instant I saw this video, I realized that my pain had a name, it wasn’t my fault, and it could be treated.
Please contact me if you are struggling with depression. Your life doesn’t have to be bad.