KYLA HELGELAND ALEXANDER
SHE/HER, STRENGTH COACH, AERIAL COACH, LICENSED MIDWIFE
Kyla grew up here in the PNW. She was always active as a kid and started lifting weights a couple of years after her first child was born. She continued strength training through her next two pregnancies, but there was very little information about exercise in pregnancy at the time. She learned as much as she could and combined that with her intuition about her own body, and was impressed at how much better she felt during postpartum recovery. At 30, she went back to school to become a midwife. Working with pregnant & postpartum people allowed her to see how the way that they moved and used their bodies affected their discomforts & outcomes. She started pursuing more education about pelvic floor & core function and expanded into personal training with that as a focus. After several years of practicing as a midwife, she retired and, with Thomas’s support, expanded her personal training business. They decided to combine forces and open a training studio since they have different backgrounds but a similar approach to training clients. She is certified in Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise and Low Pressure Fitness. She is also an aerialist and instructor and has created an online course called The Postpartum Aerialist.
THOMAS ALEXANDER
HE/HIM, STRENGTH COACH, CIRCUS COACH, LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST MA 60095037
Exercise has been a part of Thomas’s life for as long as he can remember. He started bodyweight/combat training when he was around five and weightlifting when he was 10. He has worked with elite power athletes as their strength & conditioning and Olympic lifting coach. His first certification was the NASM personal training course, which interested him in using exercise as a corrective tool. Things snowballed, with him pursuing more continuing education as he worked with clients who were in pain and hadn’t found relief elsewhere. He and his previous business partner became known in West Seattle as the people you saw after you had tried everything else. When his partner retired in 2018, he joined Kyla in opening a small personal training studio. He has numerous certifications, including Poliquin PICP, CHEK Practitioner Level 2, & Muscle Nerds. He recently completed an in-depth educational program about low back pain with Dr Stuart McGill. He is also a licensed massage therapist specializing in fascial release work and has been practicing circus arts, including partner acrobatics and trampoline, for several years.
ZOE SPIRO
ANY/ALL, STRENGTH COACH, HANDSTAND COACH
Meet Zoe - a passionate, adventurous, community-oriented circus artist and fitness coach. Her journey into the circus world began in 2013 when she discovered her love for acrobatics and aerial arts. Since then, Zoe has honed her skills and become a specialist in Cyr Wheel, performing across the country. With a background in kinesiology and certifications from NASM and Progressive Axis Training, Zoe brings expertise and enthusiasm to her roles as a personal trainer, handstand, and cyr wheel coach. Zoe's commitment to the process of choreographing performances and guiding clients toward their fitness goals is unwavering. Her passion and dedication are evident in everything she does.
KEN BLASZAK
HE/HIM, ACRO COACH
Ken has been practicing acro since 2015, when he started taking classes at a climbing gym in Chicago. He taught a little during 2021-2022 but started teaching earnestly since Misfit opened in 2024. Ken's style strongly emphasizes safety, strong technique, and inclusivity while still being fun! Ken believes that play isn't exclusive to kids and that adults should also have an outlet for fun, silliness, and exploration in a safe, vibrant environment.
ALYSSA LUNA-FINCH
THEY/THEM, KIDS CIRCUS COACH
Alyssa(they/them) was first introduced to circus in 2007 in college and eventually discovered aerial arts in 2012. While learning aerial, their main focus was on Lyra, duo trapeze, flying trapeze, and, in the past 3 years, pole fitness. They have traveled teaching circus to children of many different backgrounds across the states with Circus of the Kids & spent a summer coaching at Smirkus Circus. Alyssa is also a coach at SANCA, where they were a part of the outreach program and taught youth classes and duo trapeze with their partner, James and flying trapeze. Alyssa is a dedicated SAHM to their exceptional child and enjoys roller skating, the outdoors, baking, and making art.
NOELLE
SHE/HER, OFFICE MANAGER
Noelle is a newbie to the world of weightlifting. As a transwoman, she's explored several different avenues of body modification, from plastic surgery to hormones, tattooing, and piercing. She is always excited to find new, positive, healthy ways of understanding her body.
JAZMINE FOX-STERN
SHE/THEY, ACRO COACH
Jazmine gets so much joy from partner acrobatics that she is compelled to share it with others. Shaped by many movement forms (dance, yoga, Aikido, rock climbing, bike touring, gardening, and hiking), Jazmine particularly loves the ways acro-yoga builds social trust and playfulness along with strength, balance, and mobility.
As a teacher, Jazmine enjoys asking and answering questions and witnessing moments of insight, courage, and growth. As a Rolfer, she loves to help people understand their bodies better, move more efficiently, and live with less pain (see BodyLiteracyProject.org to learn more). When teaching yoga, acro, or bodywork and casually talking as an anatomy nerd, she loves helping people find wonder and unexpected strength in their bodies.
LESLIE ROSEN
SHE/HER, AERIAL COACH
Circus maven and bellydance queen (Bellydance, stilts, aerial, fire/glow) Leslie has created performances for everyone from the Cirque du Soleil and Seattle Art Museum to the NFL half-time show. Appearing alongside national music acts and performing for celebrity clients in major music festivals, TV, movies, magazines, and corporate events worldwide.
Catch her with the Dark Cabaret Band "The Black Hearts Society" or Directing the Bellydance Troupe "Sirens of Serpentine"
As a teacher, Leslie strives to create a body-positive and inclusive environment. Meeting each person where they are and moving forward together. Creating art in the community can fill our lives with creativity, beauty, connection, and joy.
A proud native of the great state of Maine, Leslie makes her home in Seattle until the circus comes to town.
DEXTER
STUDIO DOG
Dexter is our official greeter and provider of moral support. His favorite thing is snuggles, but he will give personal space on request. He loves meeting new people, friends, and dog friends.