About Us

Studio Environment

Alive! offers a clean, inviting, and serene training environment, free from distractions and interruptions. Private 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 private, 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

I began my pursuit of fitness and good health in 1986 when I joined my first gym.  Over the years, I’ve experimented with different strength training methods and shared my passion with those around me wishing to improve their own levels of fitness, strength and ability.  But, after 25 years of traditional strength training and overtraining resulted in several injuries, I was searching for an alternative way to gain and maintain strength safely.  When I learned about Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio and the SafeStrength® philosophy, I knew I had found what I was looking for and feel very excited and fortunate to join the Alive! team as a SafeStrength® Trainer.  I’m also is certified as a personal trainer through NASM. When not in the Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio, I can be found riding my horse or playing softball.

Kathy Pedrini, Certified SafeStrength® Trainer

Being physically active all my life, I was looking for a way to safely improve my upper body strength. I’d read about slow motion, high resistance strength training and wanted to learn more. I found James and Taru at Alive! Whole Fitness Studio, and soon afterwards, was getting trained to become a SafeStrength® Trainer.

Since completing the training program, I’m excited to spread the news about SafeStrength®! This exercise protocol has not only changed my life, it’s changed my view of working out in traditional gyms for many hours and days per week. The fact that I can fully workout all of my body’s major muscle groups in two 20-minute sessions per week is amazing!

My goal is to be an example of the benefits of this type of exercise and to encourage and support others to improve their functional fitness. The stronger we age, the better our bodies will be. I’m in my 50’s and am aging powerfully so I can continue doing the active things I enjoy, like traveling, cycling, snowshoeing, and keeping up with my 8-year old granddaughter.

Linda Kerwin, Certified SafeStrength® Trainer

I am one of those inspired women over 50 that Taru talks about and has coached to get me where I am today.  Earlier this year, I spent an less than an hour with Taru in a coaching session and came out with a new direction for my life. Her husband James was soon to start up a training session to teach the SafeStrength® program. I  completed this rigorous course and want to pass on this knowledge while helping people get stronger. James is an excellent instructor and I have learned a great deal about the body and how to maintain it without risk of injury.

In 2004,  I was certified as a Level One Ski Instructor at Bear Valley Ski School.

With my new role at Alive! Whole Life Fitness Studio, my intention is to encourage others to get strong and stay strong, and support them to lead healthy, vibrant lives. I am excited to work with and watch the progress of others as their goals are realized.

Linda Kerwin worked for Alive! as a SafeStrength® Trainer for over 4 years, and is now on call for when one of our regular Trainers is not available.

Bodhi the Dog

Bodhi (short for Bodhisattva) is our newest Trainer. He 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!