- Philip LiCastri
Philip LiCastri
Personal Trainer
Strength and Sports Training
(Owner of Pinnacle Health & Fitness, LLC)
In his 22 + years as a personal trainer, Phil has logged over 30,000 hours in one-to-one personal training with his clients. To maintain a training edge that keeps clients enthused and dedicated, Phil attends industry conferences and events to keep pace of new training techniques and tools. He is a frequent guest speaker at events and has consulted in the opening of several fitness facilities. He currently holds a Bronze level coaching card through USA Wrestling coaches education program and is the Director of the youth wrestling program for 2nd – 8th grade children at the Easton Community Center. He is Head Coach for the Aspetuck Wildcats 7th grade football team and is on the board of directors for Easton Little League as well as being an assistant baseball coach.
There is no “typical” workout with Phil. Each training session is different, designed specifically to each client’s needs and altered with every workout. Phil and all PINNACLE instructors are strong believers in core training and functional training, and focus on building strength through exercises that will support everyday activities.
Phil’s credentials speak for themselves. He has a B.S. degree in Athletic Administration with a minor in Business Administration from St. John’s University. He has been a personal trainer since 1988 with certifications from American Aerobic Association, International Sports Medicine Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is a professional member of the NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Philip is in the “National Registry of Who’s Who” in the 2000 business addition. He was an Olympic Torch Bearer for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, selected as a community hero for outstanding volunteer service at Elderhouse Adult Day Care (Norwalk), and has been a volunteer with Health and Humor Associates (Stamford Hospital), Camp Hemlocks (Hebron), Easterseals fundraiser (Westport) and Team in Training for the Leukemia Society.
Michael J Choothesa
Michael J Choothesa
Personal Trainer
Strength and Sports Training
A Holy Cross graduate, Michael has extensive knowledge of human anatomy and exercise science. He is an AFAA certified personal trainer and holds various other fitness and health certifications including CPR and AED. He has worked as a trainer and sports performance coach since 2001 in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. Michael has also lectured at colleges and universities on the topics of speed and agility training. Michael recently finished an internship at the Athlete’s Performance Institute and is a Sports Performance Specialist and Certified Cardiovascular Specialist.
Michael’s goal is to personalize each client’s workout in the most efficient and most fun means so they can achieve their goals. His clinical background allows him to effectively work with rehabilitation clients as well as athletes. With his background, he can create personalized cardiovascular prescriptions for his clients. Michael’s sports performance background offers athletes of any age the results they want. When Michael isn’t in the gym, this “jack of all trades” enjoys cooking, sports, carpentry, movies, music, theater, and video games.
Juriy Petunov
Juriy Petunov
Personal Trainer Strength Training
Yuri became a fitness specialist and strength trainer in 2001. He has a four year physical education degree, FMS/SFMA (Functional Movement Screening) Certification . KBC (Kettkebell Concept) Advanced Certification. ISSA CTF(International Sports Sciences Association) ,WFF (World Fitness Federation) Certified.
He became a bodybuilder at 17 year old, and in four years of training he achieved
1st place in European Championship, 2nd place in World Championship, and had won numerous international championships (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Germany).
After moving to the United States Yuri continues to help people achieve the results they desire, applying his knowledge and professional experience. Less than a year ago he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and so far has won the Renzo Gracie Invitational ( 2009) , NAGA (National Grappling Association) (11/14/09), placed 3rd and 2nd in NAGA (7/27/09 and 2/6/10 respectively).
He continues to further broaden his knowledge by participating in and creating various seminars and workshops and applying this knowledge and experience to clients’ benefit.
Shelley Kaiser
Shelley Kaiser
Personal Trainer
Since 1994, Shelley Kaiser has been involved in the fitness profession, translating a life-long passion for fitness and exercise, into a career.
Additionally, Shelley is an exceptional personal trainer working with clients that range in age from teenager to senior citizen.
Shelley was first bit by the fitness bug in 1978 when a friend introduced her to distance running. She competed in the New York Marathon in 1999 finishing under three hours. Her love for running got her interested in fitness and she started taking classes in step, aerobics, yoga and other forms of instruction.
When not on the bike, Shelley is likely to be found deep in downward dog or running – passions she still pursues.
Shelley lives in Weston with her husband Ben.
Jeff Bousquet
Jeff Bousquet
Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor
Jeff Bousquet joined Pinnacle Health and Fitness in 2009 bringing our clients a highly skilled and dedicated trainer who has life experience in many areas of fitness and business. Jeff is a NASM certified personal trainer and his approach focuses on functional movement and core conditioning. He is also a certified Yoga instructor pursuing a passion of his since first being introduced to the practice in 2004 through private sessions with Luisa Tanno. To date, Jeff has gone through a two year period of practicing Bikram and is currently studying Vinyassa at Saraswati in Norwalk, Connecticut. Jeff has also spent ten years studying various forms of martial arts including Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do and Gracie Jui-Jitsu.
Jeff is committed to setting the standard in the fitness arena while maintaining a healthy life balance. These qualities enhance each relationship he develops with his clients and helps him to bring out their best. When not at Pinnacle, Jeff owns and operates a successful painting company, Jeff Bousquet Painting Inc.
Luisa Tanno
Luisa Tanno
Yoga Director/ Instructor and Massage Therapist
Luisa has been a certified yoga instructor since 2002 and came to yoga through dance. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Her passion for dance led her to explore other styles of movement such as Yoga, Qigong and meditation. Luisa has studied and practiced many styles of yoga for the past 10 years including Anusara, Kripalu, Iyengar and Vinyasa all of which she incorporates in her teachings. Experience has taught her yoga is a broad spectrum that can meet you wherever you are and support you on your path to wellness. She focuses greatly on alignment and the balance of stability and mobility within each pose. And, of course, the joy and expression of each pose!
In 2008 Luisa graduated from the clinical program at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. Her training included extensive anatomy, physiology and pathology in addition to Swedish massage, acupressure, myofascial release and deep tissue. This varied training allows her to blend styles to meet individual needs.
Luisa listens to her clients. She understands that each day is unique and as such our needs are different one session to the next. Luisa believes that movement and bodywork are pathways of healing and connecting with ones truest self.
Babette Lienhard
Babette Lienhard
Pilates Instructor
Babette has been teaching mat Pilates and Pilates one-to-one and two-to-one instruction in studios in Westport and Norwalk since 2003. Her philosophy caters to the “Natural Spine-Tailbone Connection” method of training.
Babette graduated from Simmons College in Boston and began an extensive career in retailing that spans over twenty five years. She began at Bamberger’s (which later became Macy’s) on their executive training squad. Over the next twenty years she rose to Group Vice President of Merchandising. Over an additional five years, she branched out to other companies within the industry and also ran her own consulting and product development company. While working in retail, Babette joined a health club in New York and signed up for a Pilates mat class after hearing about all its benefits.
She found it difficult to catch on in a class atmosphere so she decided to work one to one with a Pilates instructor and in an instant she was totally hooked. She stayed with Pilates as her main source of exercise. Then in 2001, with her daughter starting high school, she decided it was time to make a major career change. Babette wanted to pursue something she was passionate about so she spent an intense year and a half receiving Pilates instruction and training and she obtained certification from the Physical Mind Institute in NY to teach mat Pilates and individual training on Pilates equipment. Wanting to excel in her new endeavor Babette also studied movement and anatomy for a full year with Irene Down. When she’s not at Pinnacle Babette is most likely participating in a Pilates workshop to further enhance her knowledge and skills.
Janelle Thompson Biggs
Janelle Thompson Biggs
Pilates Instructor
Janelle Biggs started her career in movement and training as a dancer. Her dance career began by working with ballet companies throughout the east coast. Janelle continued by spending time dancing for several notable choreographers and dance companies in New York City. Her extensive work within this field was the genesis of her affiliation with pilates. She began as a student, and was fascinated that this discipline became such an integral component of her training regimen. When her dance career ended, she wanted to share this experience of enriched physical and psychology well-being with others. This ultimately culminated with Janelle’s development as a pilates teacher, which now has spanned nearly ten years.
Janelle received a BA in dance at Roger Williams University. She is also certified through the PhysicalMind Institute of NYC for pilates. Janelle’s passion is helping clients take their individual goals and help them navigate seamlessly towards their completion via the pilates medium. Janelle continues to train and study as a teacher and student to challenge herself and her clients. As an instructor she tries to instill a message of bringing total body balance and awareness into every day to assist in creating a long, active, happy and healthy life.
