Client Testimonials

Rachael Lisman
32
Croton-On-The Hudson
3.5 years
Fully Remote Programming Client

I cannot say enough great things about Joan, her workouts, and her ability to mold the exercises to me and my needs. Before I started working with Joan (virtually through the app), I knew I needed to workout more, and wanted to be in my best shape for my upcoming wedding, but needed guidance on what I should actually be doing. I also wanted someone to hold me accountable so I actually worked out when I said I would. The trouble was that I have medical issues where it has made working out with trainers in the past very difficult. I have never had an issue since working out with Joan. She is an expert and knows exactly what my body can handle. She is there every step (or squat) of the way pushing me within the realm of what I can do to physically be the best I can be.

I am convinced Joan is part trainer, part therapist, and part angel. She is amazing and truly cares about her clients. I actually really enjoy working out now, and love the personalized workouts through the app. She is very quick to make updates or modify as needed. Thanks to her I felt great on my wedding day, and have kept up with the workouts even after because they’re now my “me time” each day. I am so grateful to Joan and the ability to work with her. She has become a friend and confidant, and I truly can’t recommend her enough.

Michelle Khudak
Downtown Jersey City
34
Occupation: Sales Operations
Training Age: 5 years, 5x/week
In-person client

Joan's unique approach to fitness is both inspirational and effective. She is the epitome of a subject matter expert. Her knowledge of her field is truly unmatched, as is her commitment to her clients. She is the only person I would wake up at 4:30am three times a week and sweat for! Her programs are tailored specifically to the unique needs of her clients and their bodies. She is meticulous and the time she dedicates to her programming shows in the results I personally experience from our sessions. She regularly checks in to make sure she's in tune with how you are feeling and how you are progressing against your goals. Her passion is people, and the business aspect feels truly secondary. She is a phenomenal trainer who has pushed my body beyond what I thought I was capable of, and I feel the healthiest and strongest I have ever felt. She is personable, thoughtful, compassionate, challenging, and exceptional in her mastery of all things health and wellness. I can't say enough amazing things about Joan, my trainer and my friend.

Christina Stathopoulos, PCC, ACCC
30
Northvale, NJ
3 years
3x/week virtual training
Owner, Hear Her Roar: Life & Leadership Coaching for Women
Coach & Trainer, Accomplishment Coaching
917.819.5113 | christina@hearherroar.net

Hire her. If you've made it into the testimonials, it means you have a gut feeling Joan is the one for you, and I am telling you that you are right. 

I met with Joan for an initial consult at 28 years old, just a few months after my wedding. I had years of built up shame and insecurity around working with a coach 1:1 and as a result, had 0 experience in it. My fitness background was some cardio classes here and there (which I hated) and a few stints in a gym guessing how the weightlifting equipment worked. I have now worked with her for almost 2 years, and have blown both of us away with my ability to get strong, lift big, and actually enjoy showing up for more. Plus, her in-person private studio is the most amazing place you will ever get to train in your life. 

If you are yearning for a coach who will get you, hear your needs, and help customize programs to get you to your desired goals without the need to suffer all the way through it, then Joan is the one. What most impresses me about Joan--and trust me, there is a list of things that are way impressive--is her ability to help you feel like you don't need to compare your path to anyone else's. Your fitness and strength journey get to be true to you and you get to see results along the way. 

Joan has coached me through a pandemic, through a pregnancy (yup, she got me strong enough to be able to train up until 36 weeks), and now continues to support me as I navigate my postpartum body. If she can have me comfortably and excitedly pushing a 400+lb sled when I'm about to pop out a baby, imagine what she can do for you. 

Florencia Cuenca
30
Union City, NJ
2 years
3x/week
Performer, Singer, Dancer, Director, Actor

When I decided to begin my fitness journey I was feeling very vulnerable… Thank goodness I found Joan! From our very first session she made me feel I was in a safe place. She listened to my doubts, concerns and questions and with all her knowledge she made me feel like this was something I could do. She is an awesome trainer and human being! Joan tailors the training very specific to the client’s level

Personal training gives you motivation to continue training. Some weeks it is hard to stay motivated. Joan has really kept me moving

As a result of my training with Joan, I have become healthier, happier, stronger and more confident.

Believe me, Joan will change your life.

Aline Melo
Hoboken
38
In person client, transitioned to remote
5Years

Joan is a terrific trainer, people oriented, very knowledgeable and kind. She keeps me motivated by bringing different options each session and educating me about each exercise. She is passionate and walks the walk, not only by practicing strength training and looking the part, but by keeping herself informed and relevant in her field. Above all she cares for her client’s well-being and you cannot put a price on that.

Natasha Clark
Brooklyn
Training Age: 4 years
100% Remote Client

Joan is absolutely amazing! My life has completely changed for the better since beginning her program. Her approach is catered to you and your body- no one size fits all nonsense- you will be pushed but not more than you can bear. She is one of the most thorough people I've ever met in my life, she truly does take the time to find out what your goals are, what are your motivations etc and develops your program based on your needs. For the first time in my life I'm getting my stomach flat and I feel sexier than ever. I'm learning how to develop discipline and mental toughness. She's my trainer for life! Nobody else can even compete

Gurleen Sohal
Goldman Sachs
Downtown Jersey City
In person client
3 years
3x/week
36

First off, I'd like to emphasize how unfit and a complete noob I was before coming across this app and then Joan. I had NO idea how to workout, where to even begin, what the process was, and of course I had all the fears and preconceived notions about my appearance and what I didn't want vs what I wanted. Turns out, I was hella wrong about A LOT of what I once thought and Joan was here to give me the truth, in the kindest, warmest, most approachable way possible. She has endless patience, is a super intelligent in a way I didn't think was possible (I didn't even know there were degrees in what trainers do, this woman has a Master's Degree? What?! how cool. She knows her stuff!! Ask her anything and she'll know!), and gives me the best, most incredible and actually interesting workouts. She helped me figure out everything I once had NO clue about, and somehow she makes it all seem manageable and understandable to noobs like me. All in all, it's been 5 months and I've gone from a hesitant and unsure twice per week to 5 days a week with her. Honestly, if you're going to invest in anything, invest in yourself, invest in Joan, and be patient. I've learned the hard way things take time. It's only the beginning for me and I already feel incredible. Also know that she really cares, not in the superficial, short-game kind of way, she will BE THERE for you for the long-game.

Saeideh Kirby & Jason Kirby
Wife & Husband
Energy Engineer & Entrepeneur
34
3x/week for 6 years
Union City, NJ
In person Clients

I wish I could rate 6 stars! I've had so many trainers throughout years and Joan is the best. She is very professional and knowledgeable. Her knowledge doesn't end with a certifications, she actually studied in this major and she is a kick ass athlete herself. She hold’s a master’s degree in her field which I have never encountered with a trainer. She adapts to every situation and her true goal is to help you achieve your goals. I've waited to write this review after 4 months of training with her to give an honest feedback and she continues to impress me, every day.

Phillip S.
45
7 years
Hoboken, NJ
Pediatrician
In person client

Excellent, high level personal trainer. The definition of a teacher and coach. I’ve been working with Joan for gaining overall strength for general fitness and also some additional mobility work. After several years of being misinformed by dismissive physical therapists and less than average trainers, I finally can bear weight overhead painlessly. I can run a few miles without hip or knee discomfort. She really takes the global and full body approach. She delves deep into things outside of training too, she reminds me the time we spend together is important but the time outside is far more important. Accountability, gradual lifestyle change, managing stress levels, and sleeping and eating habits are of paramount importance and she takes care of all of that by continuously reminding me I can handle anything with patience and gradual improvement. The faith and care she has for her clients is... beyond me. She’s different.

Pasqual and Sandra G.
Husband & Wife
Perfumer and Art Dealer
Madison, NJ
3x/week
52 and 54

For the first year of Joan training us, she would drive from Hoboken to Madison to train us in our home gym. We couldn’t believe she was willing to commute so far but we were so blown away by her during our consultation that we HAD to hire her, despite the commute. After the first year, she opened her own studio and now we commute to her and boy, is it worth it.

Both my wife and I have had such a positive experience training with Joan. I have had so many injuries, aches and pains and random little discomforts I could never get past with other trainers. This was the first time I got through that wall because Joan provides a lens through which I feel is uncommon with novel trainers. She has an honest answer to every question, she created an experience unlike any other I’ve had, and her level of professionalism is quite unparalleled. I’ve found that a majority of trainers lack common business and interaction skills which still, to this day, surprises me as I cannot wrap my head around a trainer who doesn’t take their work seriously. Joan is always on time, warm, kind, patience, always follows up, always answers messages and questions, is never, ever in a bad mood, she never complains, never talks down to me, never makes me feel small. As a 50 year old, I expect this kind of service. You’d be hard pressed to find someone of her caliber at a regular old gym.

My wife is particularly very fond of her sessions with Joan. She has lost a significant amount of weight which was simply a by-product of the work she was doing with Joan. My wife’s scope was simply to feel better in her 54 year old (but feels like 35!) body, but Joan over-delivered (as per usual).

We are at the point of simply maintaining and just enjoying our workout sessions. We feel incredible, we love the bodies we have and are more than happy to continue training with Joan for the duration of our time here on Earth.

Amanda Ryan
Teacher Transitioned to Full Time Trainer
1.5 years
Hoboken, NJ
30
Fully Remote Programming Client

Joan is a magical unicorn in the fitness world (and in the regular world). She is extremely smart, caring, and thoughtful. I came to her on the recommendation of a friend. I was dealing with a year and a half of lower back pain that had severely dampened my spirit and fitness regime. As soon as I stepped into her studio, I knew I had found someone special. Joan sat with me for the better part of an hour, listening and empathizing. She immediately knew what to do and how to help. I was shocked at the level of connection we had, but even more shocked at how SMART she was (is). I decided the virtual route would be best for me. I was hesitant at first, but the level of care she gives (even to her virtual clients) is bar none the best in the business. She gave me thoughtfully crafted workouts catered to my specific needs. She CHANGED the way my body felt AND looked through her programming. She provided feedback and guidance on every video/novel I sent her through the app. She is responsive but also understands personal boundaries which is awesome. On a personal note, Joan has guided me through one of the toughest decisions of my life- a full change in careers. She CARES and that is something you don't find every day, specifically in the world of fitness. If you get to train with her, consider yourself blessed.

(You can crop the photo so people aren't looking at my bathroom haha also hope selfies are okay cuz it's all I got!)

Ivette Carino & Evelyn Carino
Sisters
Ivette: Scientist, Evelyn: Operations Manager
29 & 31
Ivette: In Person, Evelyn: Remote programming
1 year
Jersey City, NJ

After a lower back injury and three-year hiatus, I decided to get back to lifting and found Joan online. I have been working with Joan for about five months and it is one of the best things I have done for my mental and physical health! Joan has far exceeded all my expectations as a trainer. In a short amount of time, Joan has helped me conquer my fear of re-injury, reduce my back pain significantly (!) through mobility and breathing mechanics, and rekindle my love for heavy lifting. I look forward to my workouts because they are simple, effective, and carefully crafted by Joan based on my goals.

Joan’s impeccable work ethic and passion for helping people feel good about themselves are some of the reasons I am so happy to have her on my team! Joan is supportive, relatable, understanding, kind, non-judgmental, intelligent, and so many other qualities that make her a great coach and woman. One of my favorite things about our sessions is that I always learn something new – whether it is about strength and movement or local restaurants I need to try!

I would recommend training with Joan to anyone with an interest in strength and mobility, especially if you are recovering from an injury. Before Joan, I went to five different physical therapists and a pain management doctor and I am never going back. I’ve learned that the only way to get through it is movement – we are stronger and more resilient than we think! I am thankful for all that Joan has taught me so far and I look forward to many more PRs with her. 

Swetha Neni & Aadil Neni
Wife & Husband
Remote Clients
Jersey City, NJ
3.5 years & 1 year

I’ve worked with Joan for over two years now and I can confidently say that she has made my life so much richer. I’ve always had very delicate health and never had confidence to exercise and do any kind of weight training. When I started working with Joan, she was very patient and slowly helped me find my strength. She is the most thoughtful coach I’ve ever worked with. She listens to every bit of feedback and I feel how much effort she puts into every workout.

Austin & Hunter Stahl
Brother & Sister
24 & 27
1.5 years
Colorado
Fully Remote

Joan is absolutely PHENOMENAL! I have always participated in fitness (an array of group fitness classes, overpriced memberships at Equinox etc.) and nothing seemed to work for me… until I met Joan. She put intentionality and a strategic lens behind my fitness routine – teaching me the how and why – and giving me a structured approach to fitness. I have recommended her to EVERY person who has confided in me about their struggles with fitness or asked me about my routine – and they have all had the same results. She cares to the core and personalizes each routine to your specific goals – even working around disabilities and injuries. I can’t say enough how appreciative I am to have met Joan – THANK YOU!

Jillian Decker-Dinallo
Hoboken, NJ
1 year
Training 4x/week

I couldn’t have found Joan at a more perfect time. I was healing from a back injury and didn’t know if I would ever be able to get back to where I once was. Forget about the actual workouts, the compassion and dedication she has for her clients is unbeatable. I’ve worked out with multiple trainers in the past and they’ve all taught me about form, strengthening, etc but not to the level that Joan has. She is incredibly brilliant when it comes to the human body and how it functions. This played an important role when working out with an injury. Joan put together a personal plan to help me heal which included working closely with a personal trainer she set me up with. Even after I finished my session, she was constantly researching on how to help me and checked in to make sure I was always feeling ok! Customer service in any type of field is very important to me and hers would be 5++ stars. It’s only been a few months, but I’m starting to feel like me again all thanks to her. It’s corny, but I honestly don’t think I would have healed as fast as I did without her help. She has given me my strength and helped me push side my fears towards working out. I’m very grateful to have found her!!