Meet the Reason Fitness Team
Our Team
Eric Freedom
I love what I get to do every day. I find fitness to be an incredible framework for constant self-improvement. It's written in its culture. As we seek to not only change what our bodies look like and push ourselves to levels we never thought attainable, we actually begin the journey of mastery.
Here’s the thing: not everyone has the talent to be a professional athlete. I learned that first hand as my obsession with training grew. However, everyone has the potential to be a top performer relative to their individual goals. CrossFit has created a canvas that allows us to create, experiment, and even make mistakes. I love to be able to take what I am continually learning and help people chase their goals and realize their capabilities.I have trained collegiate and high school athletes, project managers, lawyers, teachers, law enforcers, and soccer moms. They all show up for various reasons: to look better, to feel better, to have more energy, etc. We are all essentially chasing self-improvement. I have also put in the hours and chipped away to become a mediocre athlete after starting off as a very terrible one. My pursuit of excellence is never-ending, and I want to work with those that are willing to work towards the same.
Certifications & Degrees
BS in Kinesiology, Biola University
Arcadia Head Strength & Conditioning Coach 2016-2019
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer
CrossFit Mobility Trainer
CrossFit Strongman Trainer
CrossFit Scaling Course
CrossFit Sport Specific Training
CrossFit Football Course
CrossFit Aerobic Capacity Course
Former Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
NSCA Former
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Former NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
Former NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
Former Fitness Trainer, International Sports & Science Association
Former Member, American Council of Sports Medicine
USAW Level 1 Sports Performance
CPR, American Heart Association
CrossFit Judges Course
Continuing Education/Seminars
Outlaw Training Camp,
013 Flywheel Course (OPEX)
Gray Cook Functional Movement Screen/Selective
Functional Movement Assessment Seminar
Wu Chuanfu “Art of Power” Chinese Weightlifting Methods
2014 Ma Strength Chinese Weightlifting Seminar
2015 Anthony Pomponio Weightlifting Seminar
2017 StrongFit Principles of Movement
2018 BirthFit Coach Seminar – specialized training for prenatal/postpartum mothers
2022 NextJump Level 1 Master Coach
Kara Young
Where are you from - I grew up in Murrysville, PA right outside of Pittsburgh.
Why you coach - I love helping others find their potential. There is no better feeling than helping athletes connect the dots with a movement.
What are your personal philosophies with fitness and nutrition – Keep it simple and have patience, the fitness industry is crowded with quick fixes.
I like to work with people who – Might not see their full potential quite yet.
Outside the gym you’ll find me – In the nearest locally owned coffee shop or exploring new restaurants.
Quote me on it – Come for the fitness, stay for the community (lol)
Favorite workout – Any combo of snatches and burpees
What local food are you crushing and what are you ordering – Summer Rolls, lemongrass beef plate with some chicken spring rolls
What’s a fun fact about yourself people would be surprised to learn – I rode my bicycle across the country!
Certifications & Degrees
CrossFit Level 1
Luke Karsana
Luke has been a health & fitness coach at Reason Fitness for 12 years.
He started interning at age 18 (now age 30) and has worked his way from Intern into leading and mentoring the coaching staff, helping hundreds of busy adults become happier, healthier humans & most importantly helping them create sustainable lifestyles that serve their specific health goals.
In his (almost) decade and a half of coaching, the greatest joy he takes is in building real relationships with new members who want to improve their lives through their health and empowering them to do it as independently as possibly.
Luke is excited to meet you and wants to help you get started in a way that feels achievable and attainable!
BS in Applied Kinesiology, Azusa Pacific University
CrossFit Level 2 Coach
CrossFit Aerobic Capacity Course
CrossFit Gymnastics
CPR/AED
Certified Anthony Pomponio Weightlifting Seminar, 2015 2017
StrongFit Principles of Movement
Andrew Hernandez
Andrew was born the youngest of 3. Being the smallest pushed him to be competitive and athletic. At a young age, he began playing soccer when he could barely even walk. From AYSO programs to travel ball, Andrew played soccer all the way through high school.
Along the way, he fell in love with volleyball and began to play for his high school as well as a club team at St. Jon Bosco. Andrew currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and plays collegiate soccer. In November 2016, Andrew found CrossFit and has been hooked ever since. He received his Level 1 in early 2017. Andrew hopes to bring change, optimism and kindness into people’s lives. Andrew is driven by not only his competitive nature but a drive to help people around him pursue and execute their goals and aspirations.
Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified CrossFit Level 1 Trainer CrossFit Scaling Course CrossFit Judges Course First Aid & CPR/AED Certified
Bethany Chan
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Beth first found fitness when her dad took her running every week on the par course in Redwood Shores. He taught her how to do push-ups and pull-ups. In first grade, her favorite playground activity was swinging on the monkey bars. She loved all sports growing up, especially volleyball.
Beth’s college friend Tim Chan, now husband (and current Reason comp director), introduced CrossFit to her in 2012. It was so reminiscent of her high school basketball conditioning and running the par course with her dad that she was hooked.
A decade after getting her first L1 CrossFit cert and 3 years of physical therapy doctorate later, Beth’s following in her dad’s footsteps by teaching other people how to do pull-ups and push-ups, and how to move correctly. She provides elegant solutions to vexing problems like pain and injury, and still swings on bars for fun.
Certifications & Degrees
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Azusa Pacific University
B.A. in Communication Studies
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
CPR/AED
Anthony Pomponio Weightlifting Seminar
2015 Crossfit Anatomy Course
Nicole Zapoli Gymnastics Workshop
Ismael Garcia
Ismael (ish for short) born and raised in EAST LA, I'm the youngest of 3 brothers. Fitness is important to me because it's given me confidence in myself. Growing up I was always the chubby kid that got picked last for any sport. When I got to my heaviest weight I decided to make a change for myself I wanted to feel good look good and above all feel healthy.
It’s been a long road of learning and still learning till this day. I’ve put in countless hours to make the change and has made me the person I am today. I am proud to refer to myself as an athlete something I never associated with myself. I love helping others and pushing them to do the hard work because I know the struggle, I’ve always been humble being on both sides of this journey so I’m always willing to help anyone and everyone to my best ability. Along the way I picked up on photography after a friend of mine gave me the push by simply telling me “you have a great eye for this” and that’s what pushed me to invest in this hobby over the years it’s definitely grown into a passion that has kept my mind busy wanting to learn more and more and share with everyone my vision of what I see. I love to capture the raw effort and moment of an athlete to display the hard work that one cannot see when going through it. The best joy I get out of it is the reaction to my work the wow’s and oohs and smiles make it all worth it.
Edward Masuda
Hi, my name is Edward Masuda. I am from El Monte CA and graduating from Arcadia high in 2017. I am currently a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of La Verne studying Kinesiology with a focus on Strength and Conditioning.
Benjamin Lee
Ben's fitness journey began in college when he decided to transform his slender frame and delve into the world of health and wellness. The journey was initially daunting, stepping into the gym without a roadmap. Yet, with time, dedication, and now two years of expert guidance at Reason, Ben has not only transformed his physique but also his understanding of the profound impact a coach can have on an individual's health journey.
With a nursing degree and a CrossFit Level 1 certification under his belt, Ben has decided to pivot from the world of nursing to pursue his newfound passion in fitness. What drives him is not the pursuit of becoming the biggest or strongest guy in the gym, but rather, the philosophy of functional movement and general fitness. For Ben, fitness is about meeting people where they are in life and providing the guidance and support they need to achieve their goals.
When Ben isn’t in the gym, he’s fully immersed in family life. Playing with his kids and keeping up with their boundless energy not only brings him immense joy but also fuels his desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ben draws inspiration from fellow gym-goers, like James, a 70-year-old who moves with the vigor of someone half his age. It’s these connections and success stories that reinforce Ben’s belief in the power of fitness.
What Ben brings to the table is more than just experience and knowledge; it’s a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Being on the front lines, face-to-face with those he coaches, and being part of their success stories is what fuels him. Ben understands the emotional roller coaster that comes with striving towards and achieving fitness goals. It’s these emotions – the highs of success and the joys of being part of someone else’s success story – that make the fitness journey thrilling and contagious. Ben is eager to share this excitement with others and be a guiding force in their journey to health and confidence.
Certifications & Degrees
CrossFit Level 1
BS in Nursing, RN
Josh Lo
Since I was a child, I've always dreamed of swimming in a Division 1 program. I was relentless in my pursuit of making this dream a reality and was willing to put in whatever it takes to make it happen.
But, during my freshman year of high school, I started experiencing severe pain in the front of my right shoulder after a 400 IM race. At first, I thought it was just routine shoulder pain, but it kept getting worse. The pain became so intense that it was uncomfortable to move my shoulder, and I couldn’t find a comfortable position to ease the pain.
After visiting a doctor, I found out that I had injured my rotator cuff and was told to take four weeks off from swimming. Even after following this advice, the pain didn’t go away. After trying out various physical therapists, I couldn’t seem to find the right fit for my needs.
I started having doubts and questions in my mind – “Is this the end of my swimming dreams? Is my injury beyond repair? Will I ever be able to compete at the collegiate level?” As a last resort, my parents connected me with a physical therapist who had experience with swimmers.
After just two sessions with him, my pain had significantly improved, and he gave me valuable feedback to prevent future shoulder injuries. Finally, everything fell into place.
This experience taught me three important things: the importance of having a provider who understands the demands of collegiate swimming, someone who understands my pain and its causes, and someone who can help me achieve my goals despite my injury.
Ultimately, I achieved my goal, but more importantly, it revealed to me my purpose and passion. My mission is clear: I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I aim to be a physical therapist who understands the challenges, pain, and sources of injuries and helps individuals achieve their goals.
This is my mission: to support individuals limited by injuries and pain, and empower them to rediscover their passion.
You don’t have to remain stuck or question whether you’re beyond repair. I am here to help you find your way and reignite your love for what you do.
Lauren Bournique
Lauren was introduced to CrossFit when she lived in Kona, HI in 2013 and then decided in Fall 2021 to become a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit L1 Trainer. She has run 9 half marathons, 12 full marathons and one 50k marathon. Lauren loves joining the group fitness classes whenever she can as she enjoys the community aspect and how the classes run on a 5-7 week cycle for strength and conditioning, so she is never bored! No day is ever the same!
Lauren is passionate about people feeling strong in their bodies and she thinks taking care of one’s own physical fitness and nutrition is for everyone. She gets excited when she sees people set their mind to personal health goals and then crush them with the help of the Reason Community. Lauren has seen how exercise and nutrition has benefited her own mental and physical health, and she hopes to help members do the same! In her down time she is often found trail running, hiking, lifting, getting iced coffee, and hanging out with friends and family.
Education
-M.A. Higher Education and Student Development
-NASM Certified Personal Trainer
-CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
-Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coach
Scott Yang
Scott is the proud father of two grown daughters and a lifelong athlete at heart. After years of playing basketball and softball, Scott found himself searching for a new outlet as his longtime crews slowly retired from competition. In 2016, he walked into Reason Fitness with one of his daughters, who famously told him, "Dad, this is way too intense for you. You can't handle it."
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
CrossFit Teaching Certificate
CrossFit Scaling Certificate
CrossFit Judge Certificate
CPR AED
How We Serve You
Advanced Gym Equipment
Unique Features and Facilities
Reason Fitness is a clean, open, and well-equipped facility designed to support real training-not trends. Our gym features top-tier strength and conditioning equipment, space for functional movement, and areas dedicated to mobility and recovery. What sets us apart is our environment: no egos, no overcrowding, just a focused space where expert coaching and community come together. We limit class sizes to ensure personal attention, and our hybrid setup allows for one-on-one, semi-private, and group sessions to happen seamlessly under one roof.
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