Meet the NPTI Team

Matthew has been a part of the NPTI team since 2015. A former NPTI student, he understands the ins and outs of the programs offered, and believes in the potential for success upon graduation. He is a personable and reliable worker, and always makes the student and staff needs his top priority. With a background in sales & management spanning 10 years, Matthew is committed to marketing, student outreach, social media management, as well as improving the curriculum & day to day operations. He is a great addition to the NPTI team, & he loves seeing students succeed! 

Education & Achievements:

•  Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; minor: Criminology (Cal State San Marcos)
•  NPTI Personal Trainer Diploma
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
•  NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
•  NASM Weight Loss Specialist

Samantha runs the Admissions & Operations of our Yoga Teacher Training Programs and began working at NPTI in 2016. Her background post college includes experience as a sales supervisor, weight loss consultant, and personal trainer. She attended NPTI in 2015, and proudly promotes the confidence building and invaluable knowledge NPTI offers. She loves all facets of fitness and health, and is eager to help others achieve their fitness career goals. She has been teaching CPR for NPTI since 2017, & helps NPTI maintain its approval at the state level by ensuring NPTI meets BPPE regulations. She also strives to build relationships with local gyms to provide job opportunities for students, and spearheads alumni outreach. With her attention to detail and strong work ethic, her goal is to support the staff and students both inside and outside of the classroom!

Education & Achievements:

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; minor: Public Health (UC Irvine)
• CPR/First Aid Instructor (Health & Safety Institute)
• NPTI Personal Trainer Diploma
• NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
• NASM Weight Loss Specialist

Cathy is a seasoned professional with a career spanning over three decades. Since 2010, she has dedicated her expertise to NPTI, where she currently serves as the COO. Her skill set includes staff management, marketing and sales strategies, a commitment to student success, and a dedication to customer service.

Cathy firmly believes in the exceptional value that NPTI provides to its students, considering it the premier institution for hands-on personal training experience. As the COO, she oversees all NPTI locations in California, ensuring that each one upholds the institution's high standards and caters to the unique needs of every student. She advocates NPTI as a beacon of excellence in the field of personal training and fitness education.

Paul is a certified fitness professional with over 20 years of experience in personal training, corrective exercise, and wellness program leadership. Currently an Instructor and Personal Trainer at the National Personal Training Institute in San Diego, Paul educates future fitness professionals through both classroom instruction and practical lab training, while also serving a diverse private clientele through 1 on 1 personal training.
With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Illinois State University and multiple NASM certifications (CPT, CES, CNC), Paul brings deep expertise in biomechanics, posture correction, and evidence-based program design. His career includes senior leadership roles managing large-scale corporate wellness operations, notably as Vice President of Operations at Plus One-Optum, where he oversaw teams across multiple fitness centers and launched successful wellness initiatives nationwide.

With over 20 years of diverse experience, Ricky is a results-driven professional specializing in fitness coaching, wellness education, and team leadership. A certified personal trainer, holistic life coach and former EMT, he has designed and led custom fitness and wellness programs across a variety of settings: from personal training studios and youth development programs to wilderness expeditions. Known for fostering motivation, resilience, and personal growth, Ricky combines a deep understanding of human health with a passion for teaching sustainable fitness and lifestyle habits.

Coach Czar is the Lead Yoga Teacher Trainer at NPTI, bringing a diverse educational background to his role. He graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and further expanded his expertise by earning a 500-hour RYT certification at Samatva Yogalaya in Rishikesh, India.

Coach Czar is dedicated to empowering his students by instilling confidence in their personal yoga practice. His training programs go beyond traditional yoga instruction; he equips his students to cross-train clients in personal training settings and excel as yoga teachers in group fitness environments.

Under Coach Czar's guidance, students delve into core philosophy texts and explore a wide range of yoga styles, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Restorative, and Viniyoga. His teaching ability extends to both brand new beginners and seasoned veterans of the practice, ensuring that every student receives the guidance they need to thrive in their yoga journey.

With a dedication to helping people heal, become stronger, more balanced, and mindfully aware, Coach Czar is committed to shaping the next generation of skilled and confident yoga teachers at NPTI.

With over a decade of experience and 22,000+ sessions, Andy is dedicated to guiding individuals toward lifelong happiness by empowering them to optimize their physical and mental well-being. His passion lies in educating and facilitating individuals to achieve their fullest potential in body and life. Beginning as a mentor for youth, Andy transitioned to personal training, specializing in safe and customized programming for each person’s unique needs. Additionally, Andy has delivered seminars for collegiate courses and corporate health initiatives, centered around the transformative power of fitness on overall quality of life. Having worked with over 200 clients, Andy takes pride in fostering purposeful, enduring relationships, with an average client tenure of four years. For six years, he successfully owned and operated his own gym, gaining invaluable expertise in providing long-term support and guidance to clients. Witnessing clients and students discover their untapped potential and empowering them to reach their personal best is a true source of fulfillment for him. We are excited to have Andy as the Instructor at NPTI's newest Oceanside location!

Dana is the Admissions Director at NPTI Sacramento. She is a proud NPTI graduate, where she received her education and diploma as a Fitness Professional, and now gets to help others do the very same! Following her graduation from NPTI, she developed her own personal training business with a focus on customized individual training programs as well as high intensity group fitness boot camps. Dana also became a Yoga teacher in October 2020. In her spare time, you will find her working out, practicing yoga, and exploring the outdoors on hikes.

At NPTI, Dana makes it a point to get to know each and every student, while providing support and guidance to them throughout their fitness journey. She is actively involved in the course curriculum, enrollment, faculty management, event coordination and business development. Her upbeat and organized approach to both her personal training and to her role as Admin Director of NPTI Sacramento creates a motivating and encouraging environment for both students and alumni alike.

Education/Certifications:

• California State University of Sacramento- BA in Communications
• National Personal Training Institute- Diploma of Personal Training
• Certified Yoga Instructor
• Basic Life Support Instructor (CPR)- American Safety

Instructor Conor Foley has been working in the fitness industry for over a decade in a variety of capacities. He began personal and group training in 2008 and quickly opened the first CrossFit affiliate in Davis, CA. After realizing he needed to take his education further he received a B.S. in Kinesiology from Sacramento State in 2013. He received his CSCS from the NSCA in 2014 and shortly after began his Strength and Conditioning business, Paramount Performance, while concurrently working as a physical therapy aide. His love of all things fitness and his knowledge of the industry naturally led him to NPTI Sacramento, whose educational standard will raise the bar for all trainers and collectively improve the industry as a whole.

Education/Certifications:

• CSUS- BS Kinesiology
• NSCA CSCS
• Spinning Level 1
• NASM CPT- D
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
• NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
• NASM Weight Loss Specialist
• NASM Youth exercise Specialist
• NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
• Crossfit Level 1
• Crossfit Endurance
• Crossfit Kids
• Crossfit Olympic Lifting

Brittainy began her pursuit of education in Exercise Science and Kinesiology as an undergraduate student at Humboldt State University in 2009. As a member of the school’s track and field team she fell in love with coaching just as much as competing. She graduated with her B.S. in Kinesiology from HSU in 2013 and also walked away with the school’s 2nd best female mark in the long jump event in the programs history.