Bruin-Owned Fitness and Wellness Businesses

Now, more than ever, we've discovered the importance of self-care and prioritizing our mental and physical health. Our Bruin-owned business series continues featuring several fitness, wellness, nutrition-focused, therapeutic organizations and coaches. Explore the services they have to offer and see how they can inspire a healthier, happier you. Different industries will be highlighted in future issues.


eTone-fitness-mountain-climbers.png
CEO/Founder:
Erin Beck ‘07
Phone #:
310-430-8469
Location:
Los Angeles
Email Address:
Website:
Services:
Online Group Fitness Classes
About:
eTONE Fitness was created to provide everyone with access to exceptionally coached online group fitness classes. They deliver live workouts every day, with coaches who provide real-time feedback, motivation and options for every fitness level. There is no equipment needed, so you can take your workout from anywhere! All eTONE classes are 45 minutes long, bodyweight only, delivered via Zoom, and designed for all fitness levels. Classes can be purchased individually, or save money by purchasing a membership.
Review:
“Great workout with amazing instructor and music to motivate me in these unusual times! Thank you and love seeing everyone on Zoom.” - Jahan J., Client
Woman Doing Yoga
Owner/Founder:
Krystal Walden ’08
Phone #:
323-646-3551
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services:
Yoga, Fitness, Massage, Special Events
About:
Founder/CEO Krystal Walden ’08 specializes in helping individuals, from beginners to athletes, get back in touch consciously with their mind, body and soul. She offers a unique fusion of athletic gifts and accreditations, and strongly emphasizes body awareness and alignment for maximum injury prevention and recovery. In 2002, Krystal Spa® was born and has since provided guests with holistic lifestyle improvements and overall health enhancements achieved through yoga, fitness, massage, spa events and innovative products. The Krystal Spa experience will leave guests feeling excellent about themselves, by strengthening their minds, keeping their bodies healthy and their souls in good spirits. Walden has worked with the best professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team, and UCLA Men's and Women's Track & Field Teams. She has also competed as a world-class and UCLA Track athlete trained by top track and field coaches across the nation and Olympic medalists.
Review:
“Krystal's passion for health and healing is evident from the moment I stepped into her yoga class. She is alert and aware of every single person in the classroom, whether there are 10 people present or 50. Her attention to detail, her dedication to proper alignment for maximum benefit, and her ability to make you feel welcome whether you are a beginner or advanced is inspiring and refreshing. As a yoga teacher myself who has been practicing yoga for some 20 years, I have experienced certain instructors who seem like they are "phoning" their class in; not Krystal! She has helped me bring a deeper awareness to my own practice which I then, in turn, try to pass onto my own yoga students." - Noriko Moser - Professional Ballet Dancer and Broadway Performer, Certified Yoga Teacher
Jagged Dance Fitness
Owner/Instructor:
Jessica Anderson-Gwin ’09
Phone #:
310-730-3862
Location:
Santa Monica, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Fusing Dance, Aerial and Fitness Classes, Private Practice and Rehearsals, Shoots and Events, Party Packages
About:
Jagged Vertical Dance Fitness is a studio fusing dance, aerial and fitness center offering a variety of dance classes, such as aerial yoga, pole dancing, group classes, cardio belly dancing and much more. At JVDF, they make fitness an art where guests learn to fly, dance and have fun looking awesome without realizing a workout is taking place. With a large selection of classes and all-star instructors, JVDO offers a 1,266 square foot dance floor equipped with 10 poles, 4 aerial hoops, 6 aerial hammocks, 4 silks, 2 dance trapezes, a cyr wheel and full length mirrors. Owner and instructor of JVDF, Jessica Anderson-Gwin ’09, has 19 years of dance experience, 6 years of pole experience and graduated at UCLA with a bachelor's degree in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in dance. She founded Jagged: A Contemporary Pole Dance Company in 2009 and has since fabricated pole sets, taken pole dancing on national television, is the subject of the documentary "Off The Floor," and continues to perform with her company in as many diverse places as possible.
Review:
“I've tried almost every aerial class here (Silk, Lyra, Cyr Wheel, Hammock, LyraOgraphy, Aerial Yoga, and Flexibility classes) I can say with full confidence that jagged is a very relaxed and safe space for people to learn the aerial arts and it's definitely wayyy better than a gym membership.” – Clara F., Client
Woman Doing Yoga
Founder:
Jiling Lin ’06, L.Ac
Phone #:
575-342-1050
Location:
Ventura, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Acupuncture, Herbs, Yoga
About:
Jiling Lin ’06 is a Ventura acupuncturist, herbalist and yoga teacher. She specializes in treating pain, trauma and complex chronic conditions with acupuncture, cupping, herbs, therapeutic diet, lifestyle and exercises. Passionate about living life as art and environmental stewardship, Jiling brings years of outdoor education, improvisational dance and global adventures to her Earth-centered teachings and practices. Her adventures in hiking, backpacking, surfing, climbing, botanizing and traveling re-inspires her daily loving commitment to reconnecting with the wilderness of the human spirit and with the wild world surrounding us.
Review:
“Jiling blends incredible technical skill and efficiency with an intuitive knowing and deep care for her patients. I feel so seen and held in my sessions! The treatment she offered helped catalyze a dramatic shift leading to positive transformation in my health, and ultimately greater wellbeing. Also the treatments felt very tailored to my needs that day and really addressed my concerns specifically.” - Paula W., Yoga Teacher, Mountaineer & Adventuress
Man With Food
Owner:
David Minishian ’15, M.P.H.
Phone #:
562-470-6466
Location:
Long Beach, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Gym/Physical Fitness Center, Private Training, Semi-Private Training, Small Group Training, Online Training, Nutrition & Lifestyle, Behavioral Change Program, Health Workshops, 1-On-1 Coaching, Fitness Boot Camp
About:
Sculpt Fitness is a transformation center that helps people create a sustainable lifestyle and build the body they've always wanted. The mission began in 2013, when David Minishian ’15, M.P.H., started personal training with a research lab at UCLA. There, he trained obese and diabetic patients who had the goal of transforming their health using only exercise and nutrition. For the past 8 years, Minishian has worked as a personal trainer independently, as well as in various small and large gyms. He has also organized health programs for high schoolers, taught nutrition in rural countries with medical mission groups, run small group classes for mothers in an after-school program and coached sports teams. With an overwhelming amount of misinformation regarding health and fitness, Sculpt Fitness strives to educate, equip and inspire each person to become stronger, healthier and teach clients about well-researched principles that are guaranteed to work forever.
Review:
“Although it's only been one month since I joined Sculpt Fitness, I absolutely love it! They are super welcoming and not judgmental when I asked for help during workouts. By far the best decision I made was to join. Steven is an awesome coach. I look forward to going to his classes at 5 a.m.! David is very knowledgeable when it comes to nutrition. I can't wait to see my progress in this journey because I have them to guide me! MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY ARE SUPER CLEAN. EVERY EQUIPMENT GETS CLEANED AFTER EVERY USE!” - Alyssa V., Client
Woman Doing Yoga
Yoga + Meditation Teacher:
Ali Owens ’09
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
In-Person Lessons - Yoga, Meditation, Health and Nutrition, Online Lessons and Coaching Sessions, Group Classes, Corporate Classes and Programs, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga and Meditation, Workshop and Retreat Leader or Guest Teacher
About:
Ali Owens ’09 has been leading yoga and meditation classes since 2010 in Los Angeles. A yoga teacher, mother of two, nature lover and avid traveler, Owens has traveled the world extensively leading workshops, trainings and retreats. Her journey began at UCLA, when she originally signed up for a course in yoga as a way to unwind from the long days of training. After graduation, Owens completed a 200-hour teacher training program while working full time for the Greek and Pantages Theatres. After a few years of balancing her corporate career with teaching, Owens decided to leave her job and fly to Bora Bora to work alongside her teachers on their up-and-coming paddle board company. While the company did not come to fruition, it was the impetus from which her teaching career began. Owen’s passion lies in empowering others to reduce stress, discover their intuition and live in alignment with their heart through movement and meditation.
Review:
“Ali is an amazing yoga teacher! Her class is both relaxing and challenging. Not only does she calm you with her voice, but her flow keeps you on your toes (literally and figuratively). The pace keeps you moving, and Ali is so encouraging throughout the class. Mix in her great playlist, and you have an amazing yoga experience. I will definitely be practicing with her again.” - Gloria K., Client
Steve Han
Licensed Acupuncturist:
Steve I. Han ’03
Phone #:
424-322-0575
Location:
Marina Del Rey, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Acupuncture, Sports Medicine, Pain Management
About:
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in philosophy, Steve I. Han ’03 became a licensed investment broker and was chasing fast money during the stock market’s ups and downs. He witnessed how people gave up their health in order to gain wealth, and saw some of his family members and business partners fall ill. With no intention of getting into medicine, Han started martial arts training, which kept him grounded, focused and disciplined. He developed an interest in Qi-Gong and Taoist philosophy, and ultimately sparked his interest in the healing arts and acupuncture. Over the years, Han has learned that the greatest challenge in healthcare is to persuade people to behave in healthier ways. He saw firsthand how Type-2 Diabetes undermined his mother’s physical health, witnessed how his uncle’s alcoholism led to his insanity and eventual death, saw how his father’s gambling addiction raked away at his spirit, and his heart still aches for his brother’s depression. Han’s goal is to educate and inspire his clients to live a healthy lifestyle by making informed choices with an emphasis on prevention and self-cultivation. He believes the role of a doctor is to teach patients about what they eat/drink and feel/think can enhance or diminish their quality of life, so they can take responsibility for their own health.
Review:
“I came in initially super anxious and scared to do treatments. I had heard such positive reviews from my classmates, so I decided to give it a go. I have never done acupuncture or cupping, but I was desperate to relax. Right away, Steve made me feel comfortable, relaxed and safe. After the second visit, the results were incredible. I've had a good night's sleep, and I have had less neck and upper back pain." H.K., Client
Woman and Girl Playing Jenga
Founder:
Bren M. Chasse ’05
Phone #:
626-765-9944
Location:
Pasadena, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Trauma & EMDR, Child & Family Services, Group Therapy, Binge Eating & Bariatric Therapy, Expert Testimony & Court Services, LGBTQ+ Affirmative Care
About:
Bren M. Chasse ’05, LMFT, is a leading therapist in Pasadena, California, who specializes in working with clients that have experienced trauma. In conjunction to her psychodynamic approach, Chasse is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which allows clients to rapidly process the trauma of their past and regain a feeling of control over intrusive traumatic memories, feelings of dissociation or disconnection with their body, and re-establish a feeling of being fully embodied. Chasse’s commitment to providing trauma-informed care has further led her to become a CAMFT-Approved CE provider. She regularly facilitates workshops for other therapists on the neurobiology of trauma, the social construction of eating disorders, working with binge eating disorder, and providing comprehensive psychosocial pre-surgical assessments for bariatric patients. Chasse’s workshops have a strong emphasis on the neurophysiology of trauma. Specifically, she believes that effective trauma work requires a concrete understanding of the bidirectional impact of trauma on the brain-body connection, particularly through the vagus nerve. Chasse is a licensed marriage and family therapist who provides in-person and telehealth sessions, and works with individuals of all ages. She provides her clients with a safe space to explore their past experiences, gain greater insight into the impact of those experiences, strengthen their relationships, increase resilience, and heal the painful wounds of their past.
Review:
“The best of the best. Bren not only listens and helps you feel seen and heard but most importantly, she challenges you in ways that no therapist will. The work I have done with her has been profound.” - Thomas G., Client
Group of People Walking
Founder and CEO:
Dr. Lucy T. Vo ’09
Phone #:
714-451-6783
Location:
Newport Beach, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression; Therapeutic programs include evidence-based social skills groups, individual and family therapy, and parent consultation
About:
After working at UCLA’s acclaimed Lynda and Stewart Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Lucy T. Vo ’09 decided to commit her life to helping others, whether that was through mentorship, therapy, advocacy or more. While at UCLA, Vo developed and strengthened her skill set to work with individuals with autism and other developmental delays. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she has also had experience working in the community helping people manage depression, anxiety, trauma, impulsivity and inattention, which honed her ability to deliver evidence-based treatments. Vo’s love and passion for working with teens and their families and young adults solidified as she continued her training as a psychologist. Her goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for her clients while helping them navigate their social world and personal challenges. Vo is PEERS certified from UCLA, is bilingual in Vietnamese and English, and is committed to providing the most effective social skills training to individuals that are looking to maintain long lasting friendships as well as learning about intimacy and dating etiquette.
Review:
“The Social Growth Center is an exceptional office. The vibe and the ambiance here makes you feel relaxed, calm and welcome the second you walk in. Visiting with Dr. Lucy Vo you leave feeling even better. She is one-of-a-kind and does not at all come off as someone just asking questions. She is relatable, she is personable and someone you can tell truly cares and believes in what it is she speaks. It's truly to help You as a person and individual. Her staff is amazing, all of them seem to be an extension of each other, they all care about each person they come into contact with, including each other! You can see and feel the passion in this office. They are making a difference! Fully recommended.” – Keniel O., Client
Woman Talking Class
Founder:
Carolyn Fetters ’89
Phone #:
657-231-6779
Location:
Huntington Beach, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Nutrition Coaching, Nutrition Certification, Nutritionist, Sports & Fitness Instruction, Personal Coach
About:
Balanced Habits provides balanced nutrition and food coaching to health and weight loss seekers and fitness businesses who want sustainable long-term solutions. For over 25 years, Carolyn Fetters ’89 has been a nutrition expert and counselor, making conscious decisions each day to take care of herself by eating properly and exercising to live a healthy and fulfilling life. A goal of hers early on was to not follow in her family’s footsteps when it came to poor eating habits. She was not raised by health-conscious parents, lost two siblings to obesity-related causes in their mid-50s, and decided early on that this was not going to be her fate. In 1994, Fetters and her husband created a one-on-one nutrition program called LIFE, to support their gym clientele. It seemed only natural to apply her energy and enthusiasm for nutrition in a way that would help people throughout North America, and to better understand how to make more healthful nutrition choices to support their own goals. In 2008, Fetters created KICK START, a short-term, community-type event built around a nutrition program. Both programs became so popular and successful that in November 2012, they realized that they too could help their clients and community learn how to eat right and live healthier lifestyles. They named the company Balanced Habits™ and re-branded the original programs to Balanced Habits™ LIFE and Balanced Habits™ KICK START, to emphasize that we all have habits and the goal is to have more balanced habits. Fetters has now worked directly, and indirectly, with over 175,000 people with the nutrition programs she created to educate people on how to eat real food in the right portions, and to support their body and lifestyle. Balanced Habits supports communities and fitness businesses all across the U.S. and Canada, by developing a proven and profitable Department of Nutrition and providing the “one-stop-shop” opportunity they were previously missing.
Review:
“I was encouraged to do the KICK START to drop some weight for my brother’s wedding. Little did I know that it would change my life. I lost 25 lbs., but I had more weight than I wanted to lose so I took part in the LIFE program. I loved the feeling of support I received, I love the menus and recipes, I love that it is portioned so that you lose weight. After seeing early success, I was able to stay focused and the program continued to work for me. I stayed on the program for 21 weeks and I lost 80.5 lbs!!! I am below 200 for the first time in 15 years!” - Heather G., Client
Roger Fachini Jump Kicking
Owner/Instructor:
Roger Fachini, M.S. ’91
Phone #:
805-915-8346
Location:
Richmond, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Martial Arts School; Tai Chi, Self-Defense, Knife-Defense, Tang Soo Do, Kendo and Fitness
About:
East Bay Tang Soo Do is Richmond's top source for effective Korean karate and self-defense instruction, specializing in teaching all skill levels, ages 12 and up. Grandmaster and head instructor Roger Fachini is a 7th-degree black belt with 40 years of experience, who has studied and earned rank in several martial arts. He’s trained with a variety of world-class instructors, and emphasizes precise attention to detail, persistent focus on improvement and effective technique in his teaching.
nutrition-by-lizzy
Owner/Founder:
Lizzy Cangro Ext. ʼ20
Location:
Farnham, United Kingdom
Website:
Services
One-To-One Coaching on Nutrition, Exercise and Mindset
About:
Lizzy Cangro is an expert nutritionist and wellness coach with a passion for helping people feel good about themselves and get the body they deserve. She holds an M.A. from the University of Cambridge, an M.S. from King’s College London and a fitness instruction certificate from UCLA Extension. As a 1:1 coach, she helps clients turn their backs on the diet industry and reclaim unconditional love for their body using a powerful combination of nutrition, movement and mindset.
Review:
“At 39, I was diabetic with a range of borderline metabolic concerns. Lizzy crafted a plan for me to address these with incremental corrections in diet and exercise. Her practical and realistic approach made me comfortable and confident that I could sustain my new lifestyle. I’ve just turned 40 ─ no longer diabetic, with blood sugars, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol all under control and at healthy levels.” - David R., Client
phoenix-rising-sun
Founder:
Dr. Dara Goldenberg ’00
Location:
Huntington Beach, California
Email Address:
Website:
Services
Specializing in Loss and Grief, Early Attachment, Pre-natal, Post-natal, Motherhood, Alchemical Psychology
About:
Dara Goldberg, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and author who specializes in therapy, dreamwork and meditation to help women (gender expansive) live in their true light at any stage of life. She guides her clients through high-focused, short term therapy processes (about 10-20 sessions) to identify core wounding and how it relates to their symptoms, returning the power to their hands and continuing with appropriate recommendations for sources of self-healing and community.


To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.