The Pinnacle Team is dedicated to achieving
your highest level of health and fitness.
Make time for yourself at Pinnacle
Deb Levin
Philip LiCastri
Michael Choothesa
Juriy Petunov
Shelley Kaiser
Kelly Mesko
Jeff Bousquet
Luisa Tanno
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Debbie Levin
(Co-Owner of Pinnacle Health & Fitness, LLC)
and Certified Nutrition Consultant
Debbie and Philip have a history that dates back to 1992 when her love of fitness led her to seek an exceptional personal trainer who would help her tone her body and displace the daily stress brought on by ambition. She accomplished her goal and many years later she still holds a training spot on his schedule, is his business partner and long time friend.
Debbie became a nutritionist after a 32-year career in the corporate world. She leaped off the fast track, after spending ten years as a retail buyer in Cleveland, Ohio at Higbees, ten years in St. Louis as a Divisional Vice President of Intimate Apparel for Famous Barr and twelve years at Stamford, Connecticut based Playtex Apparel, a Division of Sara Lee Corporation, where she held the positions of Director of Sales Development for Department Stores, VP Sales for Ralph Lauren Intimates (a licensed business held by Sara Lee) and Director of Trade Marketing. She followed a life long dream of helping others “embrace a healthy lifestyle” and became a certified nutritional and fitness counselor in 1999.
As a certified nutritionist, Debbie works one-to-one with both children and adults to develop personalized meal plans which provide guidance for healthy eating as it best fits their individualized lifestyle and personal goals. These meal plans can be executed at home or they can be prepared by Chef Michael Young and delivered to Pinnacle. Additionally, Debbie counsels her clients in how to shop for the right foods, how to read food labels, what to eat on the run or in restaurants and the role different foods and supplements play.
When Debbie is not counseling clients on Nutrition she reverts back to her previous background running the day to day business at Pinnacle Health & Fitness, LLC.
Debbie was a Westport resident for twelve years and now resides in Easton, Connecticut.
Philip LiCastri
Personal Trainer
(Co-Owner of Pinnacle Health & Fitness, LLC)
In his 20 + 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 wrestling program for 1st – 8th grade children at the Easton Community Center. He is Head Coach for the Aspetuck Wildcats 6th 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
(Director of Growth Development and Personal Trainer)
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
(Personal Trainer)
Juri became a fitness specialist & strength trainer in 2001. His credentials include:
- FMS/SFMA (Functional Movement Screening) Certification .
- KBC (Kettkebell Concept) Advanced Certification.
- ISSA CTF(International Sports Sciences Association)
- WFF (World Fitness Federation) Certified.
- 4 years physical education degree
- CPR
He is a fierce competitor and has achieved:
- 1st place European Fitness Championship -WFF (World Fitness Federation)
- 2nd place World Fitness Championship - WFF
- Winner of numerous international championships (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Germany) - WFF
- Winner of Renzo Gracie Invitational - 2009
- Winner of NAGA (National Grappling Association) - 2009
What he can do for you:
- Design a personal training program
- Design a fitness routine utilizing extensive knowledge of kettlebell techniques, ropes, sandbags, tires, sledgehammers and rocks.
- Advise you on an optimal exercise routine and techniques that suit your goals and lifestyle
- Ensure that you get the maximum out of every training session, monitor training progress and adjust training plan as necessary to achieve the best results.
- Conducting boot camp and other fitness group classes
- Train professional athletes and small children
- Work with post-injury rehabilitation
Let him help you feel and look younger, stronger and more confident.
Shelley Kaiser
(Spin Instructor and 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.
Shelley teaches our highly popular spinning classes. This intimate class is open to a limited number of members, offering the opportunity for each class to be customized according to the class makeup. Known as a tough and challenging class (one that is not for wimps), Spinning with Shelley is a great workout.
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
Kelly Mesko
(Personal Trainer)
Kelly Mesko is 29 and has been a personal trainer since 2005. She is certified by the National Association of Sports Medicine. Other certifications include yoga, pre-and-post natal, NASM stretch and special populations. She also enjoys teaching yoga, boot camp and strength classes. Working one to one with clients on a daily basis feels more to her like a vacation than a job. She is committed to her clients and is easily accessible. Each client gets an individualized program based on his or her needs. She is diverse as a trainer, her client’s range from teenagers to seniors, as well as people with disabilities and health concerns.
Fitness has been a large part of her life since she began dance at four years of age. Her active background also includes gymnastic, swimming, cycling, running and strength training. She believes that a well-rounded fitness programs keeps both the mind and body vibrant and young. In today’s busy society, it is important to make time for exercise. The gym should be a place to restore and renew your energy.
Kelly’s main objective is to get individuals to feel and look their best. She believes fitness should be safe, effective and most of all fun..”
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
(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.
Click here to go to second Team page
203-255-6674
1849 Post Road East, Westport 06880
info@pinnaclehealthandfitness.com
Debbie Levin or Philip LiCastri