HEATHER GRAY

HEATHER GRAY

Exercise Specialist + Fitness Coach

I’m Heather Gray. I’m a former Labor and Delivery Nurse, turned Fitness Coach. I have a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, as well as in Nursing. I’m a Certified Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist here at Thrive Proactive Health. My experience with helping women through their labor and delivery process, as well as my own pregnancies and postpartum experiences really ignited an interest in prenatal and postnatal fitness. 

I feel it’s so important for women to know how to make fitness work for them in this phase of their lives; how to make it supportive of their changing bodies. It’s possible to have a well-functioning body so you can enjoy your family, do all the things you love to do, and have the energy to care for yourself and others. I would love to educate and support you during your pregnancy and postpartum period.

HEATHER’S EXPERIENCE

BS in Exercise Science from Old Dominion University

BSN from Sentara College of Health Sciences

NASM CPT

GET TO KNOW HEATHER OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Heather grew up locally in Chesapeake, VA. She’s married with two young boys and 3 rescued pit bulls. She enjoys being active, running, reading, going to concerts and being outdoors with her boys.

SHELLY HILLIARD

KATE THURSTON

TAYLOR OUZTS

ASHLEIGH SANZONE

Client Experience Administrator

I believe that no matter what life throws at you, there is always a way to find joy.  Whether life is as good as it gets or you find yourself in the midst of difficult circumstances, choosing to prioritize health and wellness is imperative.  I love working in the health and wellness industry where I can help direct people to what is best for their body and mind, encouraging them to seek wholeness in order that they too can thrive.

You Outside of The Office:

I have 5 kids, ages 20,18,16,15,12.  Native Virginia Beach-er.   Married to my college sweetheart Eric for 24 years.   Love to spend time at the beach, hang out with my family (especially when they’re ALL together) and think summer should last 11 months a year.

ALLISON ALLEN

MARKETING COORDINATOR 

I love creativity and being able to express myself through photography and seeing what this world has to offer. I truly believe that social media is where this world is heading for marketing and it excites me to help businesses expand their audiences through all social media platforms through digital media marketing.

After working as a receptionist in the dental world for several years, she decided it was time for a change of pace. She moved to Virginia Beach and began to use her knowledge from school in the field of
marketing in the real world.

Education / Certifications / Training Courses:

She received her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Dutchess County Community College, she continued her education at the State University Of New York at New Paltz and graduated with her
Bachelor’s Degree with a focus of Marketing.

Outside of The Office: Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and golden retriever and doing various activities that include
photography, working out, watching movies and much more.

BRITTANY PRUS

PROGRAM DIRECTOR + REHAB AID

Brittany is a motivated, enthusiastic professional with a passion for people and education. She enjoys getting to know each of our patients, and their goals, in order to assist in their overall progress. Brittany believes that teamwork, innovation and quality are the backbone elements that create an enjoyable experience for our clients, and empowers them with the tools to progress towards a thriving lifestyle. When Brittany is not interacting with our patients, she is either pushing our team to grow and develop, or out in the community connecting with various individuals organizations on behalf of Thrive.

GET TO KNOW BRITTANY OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Brittany has two boxer fur babies she loves spending time with. She loves impacting the younger generation and finds time to volunteer in the community when she can. When Brittany is not at work you can find her at the gym, meal prepping or spending time with loved ones and making memories.

TARA THOMAS

MANDY STEVENS

Rehab Aid + Exercise Specialist + Fitness Coach

Mandy adores fitness because she believes that through building your body you can build the confidence and strength to take on everyday life. Through challenging yourself physically you also challenge yourself mentally as well, enabling one to take on new opportunities and ultimately living your life to its fullest. Personal training is so much more than physical appearance and what you are “able” to do,  it is helping people see how beautifully and wonderfully made they are. 

Before coming to Thrive Mandy worked at a small gym in upstate NY called Infinity where she taught strength and conditioning to individuals as well as group classes. She enjoyed helping athletes improve their performance, individuals build strength to go outside and hike, and helping people who wanted to have the energy to keep up with their kids/grandkids.

MANDY’S EXPERIENCE

• BA in Art Education Towson University
• NASM CPT
• Precision Nutrition Cert
• Certified Physical Preparedness Specialist

GET TO KNOW MANDY OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Mandy is an avid outdoor enthusiast and traveler. She enjoys snowboarding, surfing, longboarding, hiking and eating all the food! Exploring, learning different cultures and meeting new people brings life…and she loves encouraging others to do the same!

She enjoys indie-folk coffee house music to electronic

She loves the new Mr.Rogers film. She feels like she needs to watch it on a regular basis to remind herself how to constantly love people.

Mandy lived in Japan for 3 years and it continues to be one of her favorite countries! She also loves Sri Lakanka, the culture and people are beautiful. 

In her spare time she enjoys dabbling in watercolor painting! It’s a great way to unwind and relax.

ANA TRAPP

AVERY RODRIGUEZ

REHAB AID

Avery is a recent graduate from Salisbury University and received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, and became a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is very excited to continue her education and start at Old Dominion University’s Masters of Science in Athletic Training Program in the summer of 2020. Avery has always enjoyed helping others, and she has the dream of becoming an Athletic Trainer.

GET TO KNOW AVERY OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

• Avery has 3 other sisters who are her favorite people in the world.
• Grew up in Baltimore, MD and is new to the Virginia Beach area.
• Avery is a coffee and food connoisseur who is always looking for new, cool places to eat in Virginia Beach.
• Favorite foods are Pho, Ramen, and other Asian cuisine.
• In her free time she likes to read, go to the beach or hiking, and loves spending time with her family.

KARYN PEREIRA

BACK END MANAGER

Karyn is an energetic, motivated professional who thrives within a team environment. Her passion for physical therapy is seen daily as she prepares treatment areas, equipment, and materials, along with performing procedures under the supervision of our physical therapists.

She is currently enrolled in a physically therapy assistant program and will graduate in 2018, which will lead her to continuing her passion as a licensed PTA. Working at Thrive has allowed her to focus on her education and gain hands-on experience as she finishes schooling. She also has 20 years worth of customer service experience, and understands the great importance of building and maintaining client relationships.

VIVIAN TAKAFUJI

Acupuncturist

Vivian is dedicated to the practice of the holistic healing arts and draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address health concerns and improve well-being. TCM theories are used to identify the “root” of a health condition, rather than treating only the “branches” or clinical symptoms. Her goal is to integrate complementary treatment strategies with Western medical supervision to best support the patient as a whole.

Vivian listens with a patient ear and treats with a compassionate heart. Her philosophy is that we all possess an innate healing wisdom and the patient and therapist can work as a team to bring the body-mind into balance.

GET TO KNOW VIVIAN OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

• Vivian used to be a DJ and danced Polynesian dance professionally.
• Vivian’s favorite food is Indian or Thai, her favorite color is purple and her favorite sport is gymnastics!

MATT CAMPBELL

Program Director Restorative Fitness

Matt brings over 18 years of experience in the fitness industry and a passion for movement and people!  He has an insatiable appetite for learning and has always had a fascination with how things work. That curiosity first manifested during his studies at VCU and evolved over a life of navigating his own chronic pain and injuries and the search for information and hard to find answers. He credits that important journey, though, with truly learning the capabilities of the applied human body and the transformative power of strength training.

From his time at VCU to over a decade spent coaching in some of the top clubs in NYC and now back to his home state, he has trained in a myriad of gym and fitness centers from private clubs to some of the most prestigious facilities in the country. He remembers taking some of the first fitness courses in “Functional Training” and has done extensive continuing education in the areas of posture, biomechanics and corrective exercise. The only thing that rivals his passion for improving the way people move, is his desire to empower his client in their own health journey; to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. He is a true coach, completely committed to and invested in his clients and their success.

Matt is also a devoted husband and proud father of the two most creative, determined and independent girls. In a house of all women, he admits that he is completely outnumbered but also acknowledges that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

If not in the gym he may be found coaching his daughters’ sports, going on adventures with his family, singing and playing music (he plays three instruments), or enjoying a rare choice bourbon with friends.

DANIELLE LAMBERT

Director Of Massage Therapy

GET TO KNOW DANIELLE OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

Danielle has been married to her wonderful husband Kyle for six years. They have two Border Collies: Penny who is 5 and Copper who is 9 months. They love to take them on adventures, but their all-time favorite is a trip to the OBX. Sound or sea, they love any beach the best. She loves any kind of music she can dance to and can be spotted at a stoplight dancing it out in the car. She loves to read and believes that getting lost in a good book is good for your soul. Danielle is a comedy fan and loves to laugh so shows like The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family are her favorite. Her ideal free day would be a sunny day on the beach with my family, a good book, and some good music.

CHANTAL OWEN
CMT + CR + CCA | PROVIDER

PAIN RELIEF, PAIN MANAGEMENT, AND RELAXATION SPECIALIST

Chantal specializes in providing pain relief, pain management and relaxation to individuals seeking to optimize their personal and professional potential, well-being, and quality of life. She has over 8 years of experience working holistically with people challenged with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunctions, hormonal, digestive, and autoimmune disorders.

Through her own life challenges and needs for physical, emotional and mental balance, Chantal has developed a unique set of skills and a keen sense of empathy for people eager to restore, improve and maintain their health and well-being. Her mission is to support her team’s work in providing peace, comfort, connection, meaning, and purpose during time of struggle, as well as physical demand and need for superior athletic performances.

Chantal has learned and mastered effective and non-invasive massage techniques that focus on the medical benefits of soft tissue manipulation, mobilization, alternative pressure and essential oils to provide superior and cumulative customized results.

“As Paulo Coelho said “I bear many scars, but I also carry with me moments that would not have happened if I had not dared to go beyond my limits.” I embrace the belief that, in the pursuit of balance and well-being, there is no such thing that shortcut or easy fix; it requires dependability, discipline, determination and commitment.”
– Chantal

JEN FEDOROWICZ

Energy Medicine Specialist + Yoga Instructor

Jen Fedorowicz is a Reiki Master,  B.E.S.T. (Bio-energetic Synchronization Technique) practitioner and E-YRT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) as well as the founder of jEnergy.  Jen works with clients to get energy moving through the body for physical + emotional healing.

All of life is a reflection of your energy flow. Whether you have blocks causing physical disease or blocks keeping you stuck in life.

Jen’s signature service, “jEnergy”, is a fusion of ancient yoga practices along with energy medicine as a certified Energy Codes Facilitator. jEnergy infuses Energy Codes into her teachings to help you activate untapped energy and neurocircuitry in your body and empower your hidden potential to become one with your true, essential self. Her work is grounded in practical, accessible movement patterns, breathwork, and meditations.

Jen is a teacher at heart and equips every client she encounters with easy tools to use and incorporate into your life to keep your energy flowing and help you access the healer within you.

NEVA BARNO, MS
PROVIDER

Cognitive Enhancement Specialist

Neva believes we all experience setbacks and challenges that we need to overcome in life, whether that’s in the athletic/performance realm or everyday life. And even if nothing is going “wrong”, there are skills that we may need to learn to optimize our well-being.

“I personally believe that every day I wake up, I should strive to be better. What can I do? What can I learn to be better? How can I invest in myself today? What skills can I put in my tool belt? What do I not know about myself that I need to know to be better?” 

Neva is excited to bring individuals performance from level 5 to 10; she wants to take people to a new level of excellence that they have never experienced before. One of Neva’s many passions with mental performance, is assisting patients in overcoming injuries, in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to: injury rehab, conditioning the mental state while enduring injuries, overcoming injuries to produce optimum performance, and coming back from high-stress injury environments with a clear mind.

TRACY HELLER
PHD + CMPC + BCB | PROVIDER

COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT SPECIALIST

Dr. Heller specializes in helping individuals optimize their mindset in order to perform at their highest level. She is eager to provide services to individuals and groups that are motivated to move to the next level of success.

From the time that she worked with a sport psychologist as a teenager, Dr. Heller knew that this was the career for her. She is enthusiastic about providing innovative services using cutting edge skills and techniques that are supported by research. The tips and strategies from that she specializes in can help individuals breakthrough performance slumps, gain a sharper edge, and advance past their status quo both on and off the field.

“I started working with a sport psychologist to maximize my potential as an individual and athlete. I believe in leaving it all on the table and giving 100% so I always know that it is my best effort every time, regardless of the outcome. Even in defeat or after a setback, every experience is a chance to grow and develop.”
– Tracy

DANTE LEONE

DPT + OCS + CSCS | PROVIDER

Dante believes in empowering people to have the knowledge and tools they need to control their health and wellness. As a healthcare professional, he takes pride in guiding his patients to improve their well-being and be able to enjoy all of life’s activities.

Dante loves being able to work one-on-one with all types of people to build strong lasting relationships around the common goal of optimizing health. He understands the complex biological, psychological, and social impacts to our health, and addresses these various factors with a holistic treatment approach.

Dante has spent his career in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, as well as an embedded physical therapist in an industrial setting. He has worked with a variety of patients, including athletes, weekend warriors, post-surgical, manufacturing, and chronic pain.

DANTE’S EXPERIENCE:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
• Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• Certification in Dry Needling
• Pain Neuroscience Education
• Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition

GET TO KNOW DANTE OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

• A proud father of two young boys, and husband of a teacher
• Passionate about the impacts of nutrition on health
• Dante grew up in Wisconsin, but definitely born for the beach life
• Loves being outdoors, going to the beach, live music, obstacle course races/Mud runs, vegetable gardening and cooking.
• Favorite music – Jam band, folk, americana, alternative, R&B, Neo-soul
• Favorite movie – He loves documentaries. Some of his favorites include The Game Changers, What the Health, Forks Over Knives, A Life on Our Planet.
• Dante was lucky to go to Sicily with his wife for their honeymoon, and would love to go back. It doesn’t get any better than Italian food straight from the source.