Meet Our Trainers
We’re a woman-owned company that believes in strengthening the body and mind! We are committed to educating our clients during the process. We also believe that trainers should make a real liveable wage, so we rent space to like-minded trainers! All trainers are independent contractors.
Well hello there!
MEET YASMEEN MUSA, the owner of EmpowerFit and a busy mama of two very active girls.
My relationship with fitness has been complicated and sometimes pretty sordid. It began when I was a teenager and joined a women-only gym with my older sister. Like many teenage girls, I believed I was overweight and out of shape, and I wanted nothing more than to look like a thin ’90s model.
Throughout college and graduate school, I relentlessly pursued a leaner body. I cycled through extreme diets and exercise routines, pushing myself through physical and emotional ups and downs while struggling with an unhealthy body image. As I got older and began to better understand my own mental health, I realized this way of living was neither healthy nor sustainable.
After the birth of my first daughter, something shifted. I did not want her to grow up absorbing the same harmful messages about food, exercise, and her body that I had. I wanted to show her that movement could be about strength, confidence, joy, and caring for yourself, not punishment or trying to make your body smaller.
After leaving the mental health therapy field, I found my way into group fitness and discovered that I could bring together my passion for mental and physical health. I loved helping people feel capable, supported, and powerful in their bodies. That passion led me to complete the personal training program at the National Personal Training Institute and earn my NASM certification.
More than a decade later, my work continues to be shaped by my own experiences and by everything I learn from my clients. I work with people of different ages, sizes, abilities, identities, and fitness backgrounds; including those who may not have traditionally felt welcomed or represented in fitness spaces. Whether you are brand new to exercise, returning after an injury or major life change, living with physical limitations, or ready to build on years of experience, I will meet you where you are.
And I genuinely understand what it means to meet your body where it is. At 43, my own body is changing, too. I am learning how to listen to it differently, let go of old expectations, and rediscover what strength and fitness look like for me now. I do not have one body that I am trying to “get back.” I have the body I am living in today, and I want to keep learning how to care for it, enjoy it, and feel strong in it.
My new mantra is simple: “I’m just moving my body, and every little bit makes a difference.” Some days that means lifting heavy and feeling powerful. Other days it means walking, stretching, modifying, dancing around, or simply doing what I can. It all counts. Movement does not have to be perfect, punishing, or painfully serious to be worthwhile. It can be challenging, joyful, playful, and even fun.
I believe there is a meaningful and empowering approach to fitness for every body. My goal is to help you confidently learn how to lift weights, move safely, and exercise in a way that feels right for your body and your life. Together, we can build strength and make progress without shame, punishment, or unrealistic expectations, while leaving plenty of room to laugh, have fun, and celebrate every little thing your body can do.
Education:
Masters in Forensic Psychology (The Professional School of Psychology)
BA in Psychology
Credentials:
Personal Training Diploma (National Personal Training Institute) National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certification
Certifications:
CPR/AED/FIRST AID
MEET LIZZY EBRAHIMY!
Strength training has been a powerful journey of self-discovery for me. Throughout my life, I often felt caught between doing too much and doing too little, struggling to find balance. Through strength training, I discovered a sense of grounding and power that helped me reconnect with myself. Like many, I sometimes feel small, vulnerable, and incapable because of past experiences. Reclaiming your sense of self is one of the most impactful forms of resistance. My goal is to create a space where functional strength training empowers you to build momentum in every aspect of your life.
My background as a ballet dancer and long-distance runner gives me a deep appreciation for discipline, dedication, and the joy of movement. These experiences taught me to push my limits, respect my body, and value both grace and resilience. Working as a rehabilitation aide at physical therapy clinics also expanded my understanding of how the body heals and adapts. I saw how intentional movement can transform lives, restore confidence, and help people reclaim their independence. These insights continue to shape my approach, blending the artistry of movement with the science of strength and rehabilitation.
As a personal trainer, I have had the privilege of supporting clients through many different phases of life, whether they’re pre- or post-partum, recovering from injury or trauma, navigating a new diagnosis, training for an athletic event, or simply seeking to learn proper lifting techniques. I believe strength training is for everyone. As someone who is queer, neurodivergent, and trauma-informed, I understand the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment where you can truly be yourself. My aim is to help you enhance your capacity and grow into a stronger, more capable version of yourself, sometimes in ways you never expected. As your needs evolve, so will your training. This is a collaborative process, and together we’ll build a program tailored to you.
Education: BS in Public Health Studies: Pre-Clinical Health Science
Credentials: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certification, Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC) Certified
Certifications: CPR/AED/FIRST AID, Applied Stretching Theory and Practice
MEET SENSEI NOLYS CABELLO
Sensei Nolys Cabello has over 35 years of experience as a karate practitioner, 25 years of which he gained experience teaching in Venezuela, Orlando, and Chicago. Sensei Nolys acted as coach of the Venezuelan Federation of Karate Do for 2 years, coach of the national team of the SKIF Kodokai of Venezuela for 7 years, and was also a Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) referee for 3 years. He is the owner of Evolution Training Center.
Sensei Nolysoffers small group children and adult karate classes at Empowerfit, while he finds a home for Evolution.
MEET PARKER HAINES!
Movement has been a constant tool for me in building confidence, resilience, and mental well-being. Across the last 50+ years, movement has been both my work and my play, and I’ve learned how to adapt it to accommodate the processes of aging, injury, illness, and gender transition. Growing up in an athletic household, I played sports as soon as I could walk. In my 20s, I reclaimed what “fitness” looked like for me and began my own journey in movement. I joined a boxing gym during a time when I was out of shape and unhappy. I boxed Golden Gloves for 4 years, winning titles “Most Improved”, “Most Dedicated”, and “Best Boxer.” Truly one of the highlights of my life was the time I spent training with my Coach and challenging myself physically and mentally. Alongside winning those titles, I also found happiness.
In my 30’s I discovered my true love in movement through practicing yoga and becoming a certified yoga teacher. Working intentionally with the breath became a foundational part of my movement, mindfulness, and mental health. This supported me as I transitioned in my 40s and used weight training to embody and affirm my gender. I give so much credit and gratitude to the teachers I met along the way. I can’t think of a better way to thank them than to pay it forward, which is why I began to teach.
My approach to personal training and coaching is rooted in care, accessibility, and connection. I’ve worked in a variety of physically rigorous professions, including nightlife, drag/burlesque, and food service, while navigating chronic illness and recovery from surgeries. With the support of physical therapists and mentors, I’ve learned how to negotiate with the body through using yoga and strength training as part of recuperation and recovery. I’m passionate about collaborating with clients to create effective and sustainable workout programs that prioritize strength, mobility, and mindful movement. Mental health is an important part of my coaching philosophy, and I believe progress comes from listening to your body every day and moving with compassion.
I understand that starting a fitness journey can feel vulnerable, and my goal is to help my clients feel comfortable, supported, and at ease from the very beginning. Being Black, Non-binary, and Trans, I also know that not all spaces are welcoming or safe. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental environment for members of the LGBTQIA community.
As an accessible, supportive coach, my goal is to help you feel stronger in your body, steadier in your mind, and supported by a community that reminds you that you are never doing this alone.
CREDENTIALS:
RYT200 -CORE POWER YOGA
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE (NASM CERTIFIED)
CERTIFICATIONS:
CPR/FIRST AID
DEI CERTIFICATION CORNELL UNIVERSITY
MEET CONOR TOBIN
I have always been active throughout my life, whether it was playing sports or starting my own training in high school. Movement has always been a constant for me. After graduating from college, I thought I was supposed to join the corporate world and sit at a desk like many of my peers—but I quickly realized that wasn’t the right fit. I found myself constantly thinking about how and when I would fit my workouts into my schedule, often prioritizing them over my work. That’s when it clicked: exercise was the most fulfilling part of my day, and I wanted to share that with others.
My background as a Psychology major plays a big role in my training style. Fitness isn’t just physical—it’s mental, too. I’ve experienced firsthand how the same workout can feel completely different depending on your mindset, energy, and stress levels. Because of that, I stay tuned in to how each session feels, and I bring that same awareness to my clients. I know that every day is different, so I’m constantly checking in and asking questions to make sure each session meets you where you are.
Exercise is incredibly powerful—the physical and mental benefits can truly transform your day. But it can also feel challenging or overwhelming at times, and that’s where I come in. I want my clients to feel supported and confident, knowing they have someone in their corner. I’m here to guide you, push you when needed, and help you build something sustainable. I’m excited to work together and help you reach your goals.
Education – B.S. in Psychology, Xavier University
Credentials – CPT, ISSA
Certifications – CPR/AED/First Aid
MEET CAT FITZPATRICK!
Cat is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with an MBA from the University of Illinois and a Philosophy of History degree from St. John's College. Her background in both Eastern and Western philosophy shapes a thoughtful, intentional approach to teaching that encourages curiosity, awareness, and mindful movement.
She specializes in working with individuals experiencing chronic pain, chronic illness, and mobility limitations, creating classes that help people move with greater confidence, ease, and comfort. Cat teaches slow flow vinyasa, breathwork (pranayama), and meditation in Chicago.
