MEET OUR
Maureen Amirault, Owner
Maureen Amirault is a nationally certified ACE Personal Trainer with a degree in Exercise Science/Athletic Training. She has more than 20 years of experience designing individual programs for women’s health, injury rehab and weight loss! She is certified as a Group Exercise and Personal Trainer course instructor, and also holds certifications as a “Brains and Balance” specialist, Precision Nutrition Coach, and TRX Group instructor.
Her specialty is her ability to design programs for any level- from elite athletes to 80-year-old women, and she requires commitment and drive from every client. She is known as a “Trainer’s Trainer” because of her ability to see and correct even the smallest of compensations, and as a result, her clients achieve results from correct, targeted training.
Maureen is an accomplished “Figure” competitor in the NPC. She competed for 3 years, and never finished below 3rd place! She is a national level competitor, and as a result of winning her first show, has a lifetime invitation to compete in the National Level “Team Universe” show in NYC. The greatest lesson that she learned while competing is a thorough understanding of dieting AND balance. She has modified this approach to build a lifetime of healthy nutrition!
Cynthia Carlson, Trainer + Nutrition Coach
Cynthia is a Level 2 certified nutrition coach from Precision Nutrition and is passionate about helping people eat better so that they feel better. By using her client’s goals as a guide, Cynthia assists in creating lifestyle changes, not diets. As a result, her clients see lasting change, even when faced with real life challenges.
Cynthia’s philosophy is that eating well doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s simply a matter of learning skills that generate healthy habits which ultimately become a part of one’s everyday routine.
Cynthia also holds a personal trainer certificate with the American College of Sports Medicine. She believes that combining exercise with a solid foundational nutrition plan is the way to pave the road to being in the best shape of your life—for the rest of your life.
Cathy Downing, Trainer
Cathy is an ISSA and Essential Fitness Certified Personal Trainer who’s passionate about empowering women to master the skills she’s honed over the years. Like many members of the Essential Fitness community, Cathy found her love for fitness later in life after years on the gain-weight/lose-weight roller coaster.
Since joining Essential Fitness, Cathy has embraced the supportive community of like-minded women and achieved incredible personal success. Now, she’s dedicated to helping others do the same!
Outside of fitness, Cathy is happily married and the proud mom of two young men and a daughter-in-law.
Mindi Lane, Trainer
My fitness journey began at just 14, igniting a lifelong passion that has only grown stronger over the years. From early gym sessions to a career spanning roles as an elementary school teacher, a manager of personal trainers, and a sales leader for Bally Total Fitness across Northern California and Washington State, fitness has been the constant thread in my life.
I’m proud to hold NASM CPT, FNS, and YFS certifications, which equip me to help others transform their lives. My true calling is empowering everyone—especially women—to embrace fitness as a lifelong journey. Whether you’re just starting or looking to reach new heights, I’m here to guide, motivate, and celebrate every step of the way.
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Our Mission
The team at Essential Fitness is committed to teaching you how to lift with confidence, change your eating habits, and finally reach your fitness and nutrition goals!
Our Blog
How to believe in your own anchorMay 10, 2021 - 8:30 am
This place is my anchorMay 4, 2021 - 4:27 pm
Control What you CanMay 4, 2021 - 4:23 pm
What Is Your Bedtime?January 1, 2020 - 9:01 am