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OUR TEAM
FOUNDER
Ruben Belliard, founder of The Training Lab, is a driven individual who hails from the vibrant Lower East Side of New York City. His relentless pursuit of an active lifestyle and a desire for new experiences led him to join the Marine Corps, where he served as an infantry rifleman, an Instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the period from 1997 to 2004.
After his honorable service in the Marines, Ruben decided to channel his passion for fitness into a rewarding career in Manhattan. Drawing inspiration from his time in the military, he discovered the immense potential that lies within individuals when they push their limits and embrace the notion of “trying.” This belief shapes Ruben’s personal lifestyle and forms the foundation of his client training philosophy.
Ruben’s personal achievements in various disciplines highlight his dedication and commitment to physical excellence. He has successfully competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a national level, conquered Ironman and all distance triathlons, excelled in cycling, running, and even triumphed in challenging obstacle races.
In 2008, Ruben established Warrior Fitness Boot Camp, a venture he owned and operated until 2016. During this time, he closely observed his clients’ evolving fitness interests and the difficulties they faced when attempting to make significant changes. Motivated by a desire to help people develop a strong foundation that empowers them to pursue their aspirations, Ruben established The Training Lab. Through this innovative endeavor, he educates individuals and challenges preconceived notions about their own capacities, drawing inspiration from his military training. At The Training Lab, the focus is on training hard and training smart, fostering an environment where clients can surpass their perceived limits and achieve their goals.
JOHNNY GARCIA comes to the fitness industry after having left the corporate world, where he co-founded and operated The Manhattan Kid’s Club childcare centers for fifteen years. He has been a trainer since 2012 and serves The Training Lab as both a personal trainer and group class instructor. He holds certifications from The American Academy of Personal Training, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and CrossFit (Level 1).
During Daria’s childhood, she was a figure skater and during her high school career, she was a competitive cheerleader. She then attended the University of Louisville from Fall 2011-Spring 2015. She earned her Bachelors Degree of Science in Health and Human Performance (concentration: exercise science) and a minor in Sports Administration in May 2015. She represented the University of Louisville as not only a competitive cheerleader, but also football and men’s basketball game day cheerleader. After college, Daria moved back to New Jersey where she started her personal training career. Currently, Daria trains at d&I Fitness in New Jersey as well as coaches cheerleading athletes (age 6-18) in tumbling and conditioning at Star Athletics. For fun, Daria likes to spend time with her 3 dogs (a Yorkie, Beagle mix, and Great Dane), and travel the world! She enjoys challenging herself, being outdoors, and experiencing life!
Jose Carchi is a proud native of Washington Heights in New York City, where he was born and raised. His academic journey led him to the University at Buffalo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences.
Before fully immersing himself in the fitness industry, Jose had a lengthy and impactful career in healthcare. His background as a collegiate multisport athlete laid the foundation for his eventual transition to becoming a full-time ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor in 2018.
Jose is deeply passionate about athletic-based training and is relentless in pushing the boundaries of his mental and physical capabilities. This passion and determination are evident in his coaching style, where he empowers and motivates his clients to break through their own limits and achieve their fullest potential.
In addition to being a HYROX Affiliate Coach, Jose holds several notable certifications, including ACE Sports Performance Specialist, Level 1 Precision Nutrition, Level 1 Olympic Weightlifting, and TRX Certified Instructor. These qualifications highlight his commitment to providing the best possible training and guidance to his clients, helping them reach their fitness and health goals.
ALEXIS DREISS
Alexis Dreiss is a versatile individual who has transitioned from a career as a dancer and singer to a passionate fitness enthusiast. Her upbringing in her father’s gym laid the foundation for her interest in fitness, but it wasn’t until she took a job at the front desk of a gym in the city that she fully embraced personal training and group fitness. This role, which was initially meant to support her during audition seasons, unexpectedly led her to discover a love for the vibrant and challenging atmosphere of the fitness world.
In 2017, Alexis decided to deepen her commitment to fitness by obtaining a certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). This decision marked the beginning of her journey as a fitness professional. Since then, Alexis has gained experience working at various gyms across the city, ultimately joining the team at The Lab in 2020.
Her qualifications include certifications from NASM, as well as from the Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) program, where she has completed both Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. With this extensive background, Alexis is well-equipped to help others achieve their fitness goals while continuing to pursue her own.
Director of Communication/ Coach
Gabriela Olivier was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She excelled academically and was rewarded with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Sociology from Boston College. After spending a brief stint in Madrid where she served as an English Language Co-Teacher, she returned to the US to lead a successful Corporate Event Planning career in both the Hospitality and Financial Services Industry.
Gabriela’s passion for movement emerged in her early years as a multi-sport high school athlete and a semi-professional salsa dancer. This passion continued well into adulthood, where she became active in marathon running, boxing, cycling and obstacle course racing. Gabriela embraced the concept of hybrid fitness which led her to The Training Lab after moving to NYC for a new corporate role. Little did she know, her first Training Day class with Ruben Belliard would serve as a new beginning for both her fitness and her professional journey.
Gabriela instantly fell in love with the concept and became an active member in The Training Lab community. After experiencing a step function change in her physical capabilities and mental resilience, she decided that she wanted to do nothing else but help others achieve the same. After three years as a Training Lab client, she parted ways with her corporate employer, joined the Training Lab leadership team and hasn’t looked back since.
Gabriela is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. In addition to her training responsibilities at the lab, she proudly serves as Director of Communications and leverages her robust experience in Corporate Event Planning to play a significant role in the execution of Training Lab sponsored events.