Coaches
Endorphin Fitness is home to some of the top coaches and fitness professionals in the region. These specialists are not only extremely knowledgeable, but more importantly, they are passionate about what they do. We encourage you to get to know the following phenomenal individuals:
Michael Harlow - Founder and Head Coach
Michael Harlow is the Owner/Head Coach of Endorphin Fitness and a USAT Level II certified coach. As a coach, Michael has coached over 200 athletes from age 6-70 and across all levels. He has taken athletes from middle of the pack to top honors at National & World Championships. Michael has extensive knowledge of physiology and what it takes to excel at triathlon, but more importantly, he has a passion for sharing his love of endurance athletics with others.
As an athlete, Michael has been competing in triathlon for over 18 years during which time he has consistently ranked in the top 5% in the Nation. In 2009, Michael won the Virginia Triathlon Series overall and represented the state of VA in the Best of the US Competition for the second time. Michael has raced for Team USA for 3 World Championships in Short Course Triathlon, Long Course Duathlon, and XTERRA, claimed Regional Champion honors in Long Course Triathlon as well as XTERRA, and won multiple races in short and long course triathlon, duathlon, adventure racing, cycling, cyclocross, and running.
Molly Frazee - Director of Operations and Marketing
Molly began with Endorphin Fitness as a marketing intern her senior year at the University of Richmond. The goal of the internship was to prepare for the Grand Opening of the EF Training Center in the West End. After the opening in January 2006, Molly received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and became the facility manager and marketing coordinator for EF. She enjoys working in the fitness industry and the fulfilling environment at Endorphin Fitness. She is a recreational runner but has not yet caught the triathlon bug, though some still hold out hope.
David Luscan - Director of Sports Performance
David Luscan has been involved in endurance sports for over 20 years, first as an age group swimmer and now as a top Mid-Atlantic amateur triathlete. He represented Delaware at the Best of the US Amateur Championship in 2008, finishing 14th overall and ending the year as the 4th ranked male in the highly competitive 35-39 age group for the Mid-Atlantic Region. David now lives in Richmond with his wife and daughter and aspires to even loftier goals this year while dedicating himself to helping you achieve your own.
- USA Triathlon Certified Coach
- USA Cycling Certified Coach
- FIST Certified Bike Fit Specialist
Tyler Johnson - Sports Performance Coach
Tyler has a real passion for endurance sports and an extensive twenty-year background in multi-sport, cycling and running. He wants to focus his efforts on developing athletes who share a desire to be the best they can be, and are willing to learn, grow and have fun. Tyler has a particular interest in working one-on-one or in small groups to develop strong team and community spirit.
Tyler has a wealth of experience gained as a professional Triathlete and bike racer, a national team member, a resident athlete at the US Olympic training center, and having been coached by some of the best coaches in the world. He would like to share what he has learned along the way.
As a Junior and Elite Under 23 Duathlete, Tyler raced internationally with success at World Championships as a Top USA finisher. Also, in road triathlon, Tyler was an Under 23 National Team Member. Tyler raced professional XTERRA triathlon with 11 Podium finishes, 3 of which were right here in Richmond. Cycling brought Tyler success as a Cat 1 road cyclist, pro mountain biker and pro cyclocross racer.
An elite athlete, Tyler’s many accomplishments speak to his dedication and passion for all endurance sports.
Rusty Linville - Sports Performance Coach and Personal Trainer
Rusty began with Endorphin Fitness as an intern in the Strength and Personal Training Department. After graduating from VCU in December of 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Physiology, he began working as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at EF. His fitness background began at an early age. Growing up, he fell in love with baseball and continued to play through high school, earning 1st Team All-State at Monacan High School. From there Rusty went on to play for Randolph-Macon College. He is the only baseball player to have been inducted into Monacan High's Athletic Hall of Fame. Rusty is now focused on helping people change their lives through fitness as the coordinator of the Endorph Fitness Challenge. He has a passion for helping people tap into their true potential.
- ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist
- NSCA-CSCS Certified
- American Red Cross CPR/First Aid
- BS Exercise Science and Physiology
Renee Kunnen - Sports Performance Coach and Personal Trainer
One of Renee's greatest passions is helping others lead healthy lifestyles and reach their fitness goals. Through her own experience during triathlon and marthon training, Renee has learned that the benefits of a healthy lifestyle go well beyond the physical. She is excited to share these benefits with people of all ages and levels. Renee has a master's degree in Health and Movement Science and a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. Along with personal training at Endorphin Fitness, she is also a coach for the EF youth and adult triathlon teams. She enjoys long distance racing the most and has completed 2 Ironmans and 9 marathons. With numerous triathlon age group awards under her belt, she has also qualified for the Boston Marathon and the 70.3 World Championships.
- AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer
- MS Health and Movement Science
- BS Athletic Training
Sally Fraser - Multisport
Sally Fraser has been an avid runner and cyclist for over 15 years and a competitive multisport athlete for the last six years. She was a member of Team USA at the Duathlon National Long Course World Championship in 2007. Combining her love of teaching and her passion for endurance sports, she became a USAT certified coach. She enjoys helping people discover the "triathlete within." Being the mother of three young triathletes, she finds working with the youth teams especially fulfilling.
- USA Triathlon Certified Coach
Brian Brown - Sports Performance Coach
Brian has been coaching Mountain Bike technique for over 8 years. His focus on bike handling and balance started out at a young age in BMX freestyle biking. He later applied those skills to mountain bike "trials" riding (urban stunt and obstacle riding). His coaching technique now combines those skills with the rigor and strategy of off-road racing. He enjoys helping mountain bikers get started, have more fun, ride more efficiently, or all of the above. Brian is an avid multisport triathlete; competing in XTERRA off-road triathlons, Ironman on-road triathlons, adventure races, and running events. Brian is also a Business Process Improvement Manager here in Richmond.
Brenda Averette - Sports Performance Coach
Brenda has been coaching runners for over 10 years. She is currently head coach for the boys and girls cross country program at James River High School. She has also coached cross country at the middle school level. Brenda has organized several running and athletic clinics for all ages and fitness levels. Her professional coaching experience spans cross country, track and field, winter conditioning, and run training from the 5K to the marathon.
Brenda is also an accomplished athlete. In 2002 she became a top-ranked endurance athlete, ranking 9th in the region. She is a Boston Marathon-qualified runner and veteran of over 10 marathons.
Her unique coaching style draws from her own experience. She strives to motivate each athlete to live their best life and reach beyond their comfort zones.
- USA Track and Field Certified Coach
Jen Yates - Sports Performance Coach
What started out as a way to get herself fit turned into a passion to help others do the same. Jennifer is a certified Personal Trainer (ACE) since 2001 and Pilates Instructor (ISCA) since 2003. In the fall of 2006 she began teaching weight training group classes for Gold's Gym. This ignited a new passion for fitness by allowing her to effect larger groups quicker and providing new avenues to share the joy of the lifestyle that she loves. As a result, she became certified as a Spinning Instructor (MadDogg). Exercise and fitness is as second nature to her as breathing. It's a way of life that she enjoys and hope to positively influence her children to do the same.
- ACE Personal Trainer - American Council on Exercise
- ISCA Pilates Instructor - International Sports Conditioning Association
- Spinning Instructor - MadDogg Athletics
- First Aid & CPR Certified - American Red Cross
Whitney Wallin - Sports Performance Coach
Whitney Wallin has been coaching swim lessons for over 12 years. She was an NCAA All-American at the University of North Carolina. She qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2000 in the 800m freestyle and again in 2004 where she qualified for the 800m freestyle and 400 IM. She represented the US in the World Cup in Shanghai, China. Whitney is also a kindergarten teach in Henrico County.
Betsy Downey - Sports Performance Coach
Betsy Downey began swimming when she was 5 years old. She attended the University of Virginia on a swimming scholarship and graduated in 2004. She loves working with children and started teaching swim lessons when she was 15. After college, Betsy was the head swim coach at a local high school and worked with the master's team at ACAC in Charlottesville. She loves coaching all ages and has worked with people as young as 6 months to 94 years. Currently Betsy is in graduate school at MCV and coaches for Endorphin Fitness.