Our Instructors
Owner - Josh Gardner
At 15 years old Josh Gardner started researching weight training in hopes that he could get bigger and stronger (every boy's dream). His brother's friend approached him asking Josh for guidance with losing weight. Led only by his own experience, Josh couldn't believe it when 6 months later he'd helped him lose 50 pounds. At only 16, he got a feeling in his stomach - a combination of excitement and gratitude. Right then and there he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
Josh went to college and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences from UF and, soon after, his NSCA certificate (National Strength and Conditioning Association). At the time, he was the only student to graduate the program with a personal thank you letter in his permanent file from one of his professors whom he'd helped to lose weight.
“The amount of gratitude I receive from helping someone reach their goals is priceless and I would do this job for free if I could!"
Right after college, Josh immediately began working as a personal trainer. His first client was on several medications and her insurance premiums were through the roof. First, Josh helped her to lose so much weight she was able to stop all medications. Later, her insurance company not only lowered her premium but began matching the amount of money she put into her health savings account each month as she continued to submit her improving health reports. Her life was changed on so many levels.
And that's why Josh never "works" a day in his life.
He loves knowing that the results aren't just visible. When he helps someone get healthier, the results trickle down throughout their life whether it be relationships, health issues, self-esteem, or just that their pants fit better. It's why he's been doing this for over 20 years.
Ken Duong
Ken started his professional career like many people do - by getting a job that paid the bills. But working as a financial advisor? at Merrill Lynch wasn't exactly his passion. When his greatest champion and best friend, his mom, was diagnosed with cancer, Ken couldn't find much to keep him sane in life except for his workouts.
Soon, friends began to join him during his workouts. They saw great results and Ken realized the impact he could have on people through fitness. All at once, he decided to get his National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certificate in personal training, quit his job, and begin training people full-time.
One of his most memorable clients was a young guy who was mentally and physically in a rough place. He needed a lifestyle change, and soon. Ken kept him consistently motivated for the next 5 months, by which point he'd lost 40 pounds and actually got his first girlfriend! And he's not the only one. Ken has helped hundreds of people through personal training and group fitness training to get and stay motivated on a healthier life.
When he isn't exercising or helping someone else get their mind and body moving in a more positive direction, Ken loves to travel! He's been to 29 different countries in all and has eaten something good in every single one of them! If you see Ken in the gym, he's likely to give you a hug, a high five, or tell you to drop and give him burpees (but only if you're late!).
Jackson Le
Jackson started training clients in 2019 with a NETSA certification. He wanted to share what he was learning about fitness to help other people hit their goals. He loved watching people get into classes or personal training sessions and teaching them the proper way to train safely for the long term. He watched his clients gain more confidence and become mentally tough, and that only made him want to go harder and help more people.
To Jackson, FENIX stands for rising up from rock bottom and never quitting - and that's exactly what he wants to help his clients do. "Everyone who comes into FENIX is family," according to him, and if you meet him and get a big old Jackson hug for the first time you'll see what he means.