About Us

Studio Environment

Alive! offers a clean, inviting, and serene training environment, free from distractions and interruptions. Sessions are by appointment only. You work one-on-one with one of our Certified SafeStrength® Trainers – their total attention is on you and your training session and mindfulness is emphasized.

Our studio is located in Redwood City, CA, on Veterans Boulevard near Brewster. Because we give our clients one-on-one workout sessions with no interruptions, we cannot accommodate “walk-ins.” That’s why we don’t publicize the exact address. However, we do offer you the opportunity to visit the studio during a pre-scheduled demonstration time. Contact us for more info or to make an appointment.

James Bell, SafeStrength® Master, Certified NLP Practitioner

James was so impressed with the changes in his health, he decided to learn how to use this particular slow motion, high-intensity strength training method to train others. He interned with Gary Lindahl, P.T., Level II SuperSlow® Master, and a year later took the rigorous test to become a Certified Level I SuperSlow® Instructor.

As a result of his ongoing work over the past three years with Alive!’s clients, James has developed a slow motion, high intensity, low impact strength training program called SafeStrength® which is now used exclusively for Alive!’s clients. In addition, he has created a SafeStrength® Trainers Certification Training Program so others can learn this safe and effective method.

Taru Fisher, Certified NLP Coach, NLP Master, NLP Health Practitioner, and WealthyMind™ Trainer

Taru  is passionate about supporting you as you extend your reach and become the vibrantly alive person you deserve to be. She has overcome her own significant health issues and forged a new lifestyle for herself and that’s why she knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have the very same innate capability.

Her experiences on her spiritual path have given her an understanding of what is possible beyond the limitations of the ordinary mind; she believes in the absolute potential in each and every human being.

Taru received her training with the NLP and Coaching Institute of California and is a Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, and NLP Health Practitioner, as well as a WealthyMind™ Trainer. As a graduate of The Coaches Training Institute (CTI), she is also a trained Co-Active™ Coach. Both of these coach training organizations are ICF (International Coach Federation) accredited coach training programs.  She is also a member of the Institute for the Advanced Studies of Health (IASH).

Lori Krause, Certified SafeStrength® Trainer

Transitioning from a 20-year career working Patrol for the Redwood City Police Department to the calm and quiet of the Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio, it would be easy to think that Lori Krause had gone (pardon the expression) soft.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Since discovering SafeStrength ® training, Lori is even in better shape now than she was during her Correctional Officer days, when her desire to be super-fit resulted in several injuries.

When the pain got to be too much, Lori started seriously searching for an alternative that was safe; and knew she found it when she discovered SafeStrength® training.

Lori brings the same qualities of focus, patience and understanding to her work at the Alive! Studio that she developed as a Community Service Officer.

Lori is also is certified as a Personal Trainer through National Association of Sports Medicine. When not at Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio, she can be found riding her horse or playing softball.

John Davi, Certified SafeStrength® Trainer

I started slow-motion, high-intensity training on my own in 2003, but it only “clicked” when I found Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio and SafeStrength® training. After I began working with James in 2011, I quickly became stronger, and am now in the best shape of my life.  I decided I liked the program so much, that I wanted to go through the Trainer’s training, and join the company. I’m thrilled to now help others realize their fitness and health goals through Alive!’s safe yet rigorous strength-building program.

Outside of the studio, I’m a father of three, budding rum aficionado, veteran of a number of startup companies, and current startup executive and advisor.

 Mary-Helen McMahon, Certified SafeStrength® Trainer

Mary-Helen McMahon was already a health coach and educator when she came to Alive!

Her decision to add SafeStrength® training to her services came as a result of her experience as a client. After surgery to fix a break in her arm, physical therapy only took her so far. Alive’s SafeStrength® program helped her recover full use.

After seeing that it was also increasing her overall functional strength, and that sports and daily activities were easier, Mary- Helen made the decision to undergo the rigorous 3-month SafeStrength® Trainer’s Training program.

When not working with clients at the Alive! studio, Mary-Helen teaches a clean eating program to enhance physical and mental vitality, and helps women and their families manage the challenges of dealing with breast cancer.

 Bodhi the Dog

Bodhi (short for Bodhisattva) heads up our “Wag More, Bark Less” Program and can be found in the Studio most days in the morning practicing what he preaches.

Bodhi specializes in wiggling, wagging, and loving people. He is also an accomplished stretcher, and does downward dog like nobody else. He believes in exercise, discipline and affection, like his hero, Cesar Millan – the Dog Whisperer.

He believes in having fun, playing, running, taking long walks, fetching balls, snuggling, socializing with other dogs and being a loyal friend and mood-lifter.

Bodhi is continuing his education and is working toward his Canine Good Citizen certificate so he can help others wag more and bark less.

When he’s not helping Taru with her work, his favorite job is greeting clients and making them smile!