The Coaches Behind North End Fitness & Training
Our coaches bring expertise, energy, and a genuine passion for helping people of all ages and fitness levels become stronger, move better, and build confidence through personalized coaching, personal training, and functional fitness.
Get to know the team behind your training, your progress, and the supportive community we're proud to build every day at North End Fitness & Training.
About: Coach Phil is passionate about functional fitness and has spent more than 15 years helping people of all ages and fitness levels become stronger, healthier, and more confident. Since 2025, he has also served as the Strength & Conditioning Coach for high-performance athletes at New Rochelle’s Tennis Innovators Academy. His credentials include CrossFit Level 3, CrossFit Kids, and ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
Philosophy: “I believe in training for function over appearance, and building bodies that move well, adapt, and stay capable through every stage of life. Movement is medicine, and everyone deserves the opportunity to feel strong and capable.”
Coach Phil
About: Coach Cesar is a Certified Personal Trainer who has been part of the North End Fitness & Training team since 2016. A lifelong fitness enthusiast and NPC competitor, Cesar's passion for training grew from his own journey of learning, transforming, and pushing himself to new levels. Today, he loves sharing that knowledge and helping others discover the same sense of accomplishment through their own fitness journey.
Philosophy: “My philosophy is that fitness should be simple, sustainable, and individualized. Master the fundamentals, stay patient and consistent, and build strength that carries over into everyday life.”
Coach Cesar
About: Born and raised in New Rochelle, Coach Ish is a New Rochelle High School graduate and a United States Marine Corps Reservist. He holds both an A.S. in Health & Wellness from Westchester Community College and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Lehman College. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in Physical Education. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Ish became a Certified Personal Trainer in 2022 and is passionate about helping others build the habits, strength, and confidence to reach their goals.
Philosophy: “Fitness is about building habits you can rely on for life. The numbers matter, but at the end of the day, the most important question is: ‘How do you feel?’ If you feel stronger, healthier, and more capable, we're on the right track.”
Coach Ismael
About: Coach Dez is a Certified Personal Trainer who has been training clients for more than 11 years and joined the North End Fitness team in 2024. He’s passionate about functional fitness and helping people build the strength, confidence, and mobility to move through everyday life with greater ease, whether that's carrying groceries, walking long distances, or playing with their kids and grandkids.
Philosophy: “I believe that fitness should support a full, functional life — less is more, strength should build independence, and progress only matters if it improves how you actually live.”
Coach Desmond
About: Coach Carlos brings 25+ years of experience in fitness and a passion for helping people become healthier, stronger, and more confident. A former boxer and longtime bodybuilder, he brings a deep knowledge of training and nutrition to his coaching, with an emphasis on science- and data-backed guidance. He is especially passionate about helping clients understand the why behind their training and nutrition so they can make informed choices and take ownership of their health.
Philosophy: “Coaching goes far beyond training. It's about being a positive role model, building meaningful relationships, and using science-backed guidance to help people make lasting changes in their health, confidence, and lives.”
Coach Carlos
About: Coach Mike is a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach specializing in muscle-building, fat loss, and evidence-based training. A former varsity rower, he used structured training and nutrition to transform his own physique, adding 40 pounds of lean muscle. He earned his Master of Social Work from Binghamton University, shaping his empathetic and personalized approach to coaching. Mike helps clients build strength, confidence, and trust in what their bodies can do.
Philosophy: “I aim to help people work through what scares them, build confidence through small, measurable wins, and learn to trust their own strength and abilities.”
Coach Michael
About: Coach Shomari is a former boxer who is passionate about helping clients develop strength, confidence, and consistency through thoughtful, individualized training. He meets each client where they are and uses clear coaching, measurable progress, and practical guidance to help them build lasting habits and become stronger in and out of the gym.
Philosophy: “I love to meet women where they are, help them quiet the pressure and self-criticism they've been conditioned to carry, and show them through measurable progress that they're far more capable than they realize.”
Coach Shomari
Coach Darryl
About: Coach Darryl is a Certified Personal Trainer who has been training clients for nearly four years. His passion for fitness grew through coaching youth sports, including 5th and 6th grade football and modified girls' basketball. Today, he specializes in strength and conditioning for athletes, helping them build the physical foundation to perform at their best.
Philosophy: “I believe fitness should extend beyond the gym and into everything you do in daily life. My goal is to help people build the strength and endurance they need to feel capable, confident, and energized, whether they’re training in the gym, at home, or simply keeping up with everything life demands.”
About: Coach Steph is a fitness coach, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer who brings energy, intention, and a thoughtful approach to every session. During the school year, she teaches physical education and enjoys working with kids and teens. In the summer, she coaches CrossFit at camp, helping young athletes build confidence and a love for movement. Outside the gym, Steph enjoys challenging herself through HYROX training and running.
Philosophy: “I aim to create a space where people feel comfortable challenging themselves and trying something new. With the right guidance, encouragement, and a little hard work, I believe everyone can become stronger, move better, and discover what they’re capable of.”
Coach Stephanie
About: Coach Damian is passionate about helping people build the physical capacity to live life on their own terms. With a focus on functional fitness, longevity, and injury prevention, he works with adults and seniors to improve strength, mobility, and confidence, helping clients do more of the things they love, for longer.
Philosophy: “Movement is the foundation of a long, capable life. Whether you're looking to maintain your independence or keep doing the things you love, my goal is to create a safe environment where you can challenge perceived limits and discover you're capable of more than you think.”
Coach Damian
About: Coach Steven is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who earned his DPT from New York Medical College and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. With a passion for weightlifting, running, and all aspects of fitness, Steven combines evidence-based practice with a personalized approach to help individuals build strength, improve movement, and achieve long-term health. His experience coaching CrossFit and working with diverse populations allows him to help athletes and everyday individuals build confidence, resilience, and sustainable fitness habits.
Philosophy: “I believe fitness is for everyone. My own journey overcoming obesity and recovering from injuries has shaped the way I coach, focusing on sustainable habits, building confidence, and helping people become stronger, healthier, and more capable for life.”
Coach Steven
Meet Our Team
About: Sara is Director of Marketing & Operations at North End Fitness & Training, where she brings more than a decade of experience in digital marketing, brand strategy, and operations to the family business. She oversees everything from marketing and partnerships to events, systems, and the day-to-day member experience. Sara is passionate about people, building genuine relationships with members, coaches, and community partners, and creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and connected.
Philosophy: “I believe the best way to serve people is to start by listening. I lead with empathy, curiosity, and data to understand what people need and create experiences that help them feel seen, supported, and like they belong.”
Sara Censoprano
About: Isabella is the Front Desk Specialist at North End Fitness & Training, where she helps create a welcoming experience for every person who walks through our doors. Currently studying to become a nurse, Isabella brings a natural passion for caring for others, along with her organization, creativity, and attention to detail, to everything she does. She knows our members by name, greets them with a smile, and is often the first friendly face you'll see when you arrive.
Philosophy: “I believe everyone should feel welcomed, cared for, and valued. My goal is to make every interaction I have with a current or prospective client a positive one, so that everyone who walks through our doors feels supported and leaves with a smile.”
Isabella Onorino
About: Our on-site nutritionist Caitlin is a Nutrition Counselor with a Master of Science in Nutrition from Hunter College. Passionate about the connection between food, health, and science, she takes a balanced, practical approach to nutrition and helps clients develop healthier eating habits that fit into their everyday lives.
Philosophy: “I believe in a simple, balanced, and comprehensive approach to healthy living. My goal is to help clients transform their eating habits while providing the support they need to work toward their own goals.”
Caitlin MacShane
About: Led by Dr. Carolyn Baek, PT, DPT, CLT, OCS, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with more than 11 years of experience, Baek Physical Therapy provides personalized, one-on-one care for individuals and families of all ages. Pain shouldn’t be something you simply learn to live with. Dr. Baek takes the time to understand the root cause of your symptoms and creates a treatment plan tailored to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, improving mobility, returning to exercise, or simply looking to move with greater confidence, her approach helps you feel stronger, move better, and get back to the activities you love.
Philosophy: “People heal faster when they have a clear plan and a clinician who truly knows them.”