Personal Trainers in Arlington
We're a team of personal trainers in Arlington who specialize in the connection between physical training and mental wellness. Each trainer designs custom programs and provides hands-on coaching that adapts to your needs.
Our Trainers
Jonah MacLagan
Founder, Trainer
NASM-CPT, BS Health Science
Jonah specializes in training people who are managing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. He's worked with clients for 6 years using movement and strength training as tools for mental wellness, drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience with severe depression and anxiety. "I managed my mental health well with exercise and a healthy lifestyle, but I wasn't completely free of depression and anxiety until God healed me and set me free."
He founded Empowered Fitness in 2022 after earning his NASM certification and Health Science degree from Arizona State University. His approach is grounded in understanding what it takes to break through when you're stuck. He knows the mental barriers that keep people from showing up, and he's built his practice around helping clients develop the habits and resilience that create lasting change.
Jonah designs programs that address physical pain alongside mental health, recognizing that both affect how you move and feel. His coaching is direct, supportive, and focused on meeting you where you are while pushing you toward what you're capable of.
He's fluent in Portuguese and offers sessions in both English and Portuguese (Serviço em Português também).
Alex Chen Shulman
Trainer
Biomechanics, Functional Patterns
Alex works with people experiencing chronic pain, posture issues, and movement dysfunction. His approach uses biomechanics principles to improve how you move in daily life, not just how you perform exercises in the gym. He focuses on posture, breathing mechanics, and pressure management to build strength that actually transfers to the activities that matter to you.
Trained in Functional Patterns methodology, Alex teaches clients to reconnect with their bodies and move efficiently. His programming addresses the root causes of pain and dysfunction rather than just treating symptoms. You learn why your body moves the way it does and how to correct patterns that create problems.
Alex's coaching is practical and methodical. He helps you understand your own movement, build genuine strength, and develop trust in your body's capability. His goal is to help you move out of chronic pain and into confidence through training that makes sense for how you actually live.
He's fluent in Mandarin and offers sessions in both English and Mandarin (提供普通话服务).
Nick
Trainer
NSCA-CPT, CFSC, FMS, Precision Nutrition Coach
Nick specializes in strength training fundamentals and disciplined program execution. With 16 years of experience, he's worked with everyone from professional athletes to 90-year-old clients, building programs around proven training principles that create consistent results. His approach focuses on mastering the basics and executing them with precision.
Before joining Empowered Fitness, Nick owned and operated his own gym in Newton Centre and has trained throughout the Boston area. He's worked as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness director, giving him a comprehensive understanding of what creates long-term success. His technical expertise comes from certifications in functional movement, strength coaching, and nutrition, combined with years of practical application.
Nick's coaching is structured and direct. He builds programs that prioritize fundamental movement patterns and progressive strength development. You learn to train with consistency and discipline, developing capability that translates beyond the gym. His experience across diverse populations means he adapts methods to fit your situation while maintaining the standards that produce results.
Katie Duca
Trainer
Katie works with clients who want to build strength through proper movement while being reminded that their worth isn't tied to performance. She particularly helps women develop confidence in training and discover what they're physically capable of. Her coaching blends biomechanics and functional movement with faith-rooted encouragement, creating a space where you can grow without comparison or judgment.
Her programs are built on proper form, strength, mobility, and stability. She believes caring for your body is an act of stewardship - honoring what you've been given rather than punishing yourself toward some standard. Drawing from Psalm 139:14 ("fearfully and wonderfully made"), she reminds clients that you're designed with purpose, and training is about stewarding that design. Her approach reflects the openness and trust Jesus describes in Matthew 18:3, helping you approach growth with a willing heart instead of perfectionism or fear.
Katie creates an environment where women can take up space, step into their strength, and train without apology. She helps you build capability from the inside out - body, mind, and spirit - with the assurance that God has hope-filled plans for your future (Jeremiah 29:11), both in the gym and beyond. Her coaching is supportive, encouraging, and grounded in the belief that everyone is uniquely created with purpose and worth.
Our Approach
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Start with a free consultation
We start with a free 30-minute to one hour consultation, an open conversation about your intentions.
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We'll build your program
Your program is created based on the latest research and tailored to your specific needs and goals.
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Begin your training sessions
Most clients train twice a week for sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your goals and what your schedule allows.
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Continue training on a schedule
While we encourage a three-month commitment to see tangible results, the timing is flexible to accommodate what works for you.
Peace of Mind Build Momentum Manage Your Stress & Anxiety Strengthen Your Body & Mind Find Accountability Improve Your Energy
Get Started Today
Are you ready to start changing your life? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17