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Meet The Team

Ellie Buck

Founder & Coach

I have been coaching and developing people for most of my adult life in one way or another and in 2015 my passion for coaching and a love of Functional Fitness collided when we opened our doors.

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Leila Johns

Founder & Coach

As far as I can remember I have always been interested in exercise and have played a whole host of team sports…hockey, football, rugby as well as tennis, squash and athletics.

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Amy Shaw

Founder & Coach

I started Functional Fitness in May 2012 and coaching at Valesco Fitness Collective since the day we opened our doors and have never looked back.

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James Iles

Coach

I joined Valesco in 2017 and became part of the coaching team soon after! I’ve trained in many different ways over the last 15+ years and now spend my time coaching, training and competing within the sport of Functional Fitness!

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Maddie Griffin

Coach

Hey Team! I’m Maddie!

I joined the Valesco Coaching team in 2022 and have been loving coaching across both our sites ever since!

My background in both Group Coaching and Personal Training started back in 2018. I have since gone onto complete my Pre/ Post Natal course and BWL L1.

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Ella Rothwell

Coach

My Functional Fitness journey started in 2018 when I was living in London and working as a musician. After moving back to Bristol, I completed my coaching internship at Valesco and have been part of the coaching team here ever since!

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Thea Hill

Coach

I started as a member at Valesco in 2022 (with a tiny wee break to be on a Worlds Cheerleading team…) and I quickly fell in love with the sport and community. I hold my CF Level 1 and boast a gymnastics repertoire including over 10 years coaching!

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Will Gibbs

Coach

I moved to Bristol in 2019 for my PhD and, having never been involved in sports growing up and deciding to give Functional Fitness a go, found myself booked on a taster class at Valesco! I’ve now been a Coach since September 2022.

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Johnny Barlow

Coach

I started my Functional Fitness journey in 2014 and now offer many years of training and coaching experience. I also know a thing or two about Vegan nutrition so let me know if I can help!

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Simone Bellofatto

Coach

Hey, I'm Simone. Sport has always been a big part of my life and in 2015, I stumbled upon Functional Fitness which was an instant connection. I am now a Coach and incredibly proud to be a part of this community.

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Gemma Rowland

COACH

I’m a Strength and Conditioning Coach, who specialise in Youth Physical Development and I’m super excited to join Team Valesco to deliver Valesco Kids and Teens Fitness.

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Jade Alexander

Coach

I was instantly hooked on Functional Fitness from my very first experience! I knew that this was something I wanted to be involved in! More than 5 years on, I've never looked back and I now offer experience from coaching and training at many of the gyms across Bristol over those years.

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Dec Heaslewood

Coach

Functional fitness combines my two favourite things; exercise and people!

I've been a PT and trained Functional Fitness for over seven years, having found a love for gym training whilst playing Squash.

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Dan Keast

Coach

I came into Functional Fitness in 2020 after an injury stopped me cycling. I fell in love with the community & challenge Valesco provides. I am now a part-time member of the coaching team at Valesco, currently holding my CF-L1.

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Lucie Peters

Sports Rehabilitator

I am a Graduate Sports Rehabilitator graduating with an MSc from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

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Harley and Finn

Gym dogs

We love being Gym dogs as we get loads of fuss and attention from all the amazing Valesco members. Our favourite things are laps, scratches, cuddles and attacking wallballs when no one is looking!

Leo

Gym dog 

I love people so being the gym dog is the best job ever! I also love sleeping, eating chalk and watching over all the lovely Valesco members when they are in class.