OUR
STORY
Gnarl·y :​(ˈnärlÄ“/ )- something or someone awesome, cool, excellent, wonderful, amazing, radical, incredible, tough, great, intense, extreme, or fantastic.
.
Gnarly Fit is a concept that has evolved over the last 7 years. Health and fitness has been a passion of ours for over 13 years and we have worked on and off in the fitness industry throughout that period of time. It has been a goal that one day we would open up our own fitness facility that embodies our values to help create the ultimate environment for one to come and better themselves. Rather its to lose weight, gain weight, look better, feel better, stress relief, or making friends, Gnarly Fit has been designed to be the place where one can come to work to be their best selves.
It has been a passion of ours to design our own gym wear that reflects everything we stand for. All of our apparel is custom cut and designed to make you look good, feel good, and have the ability to withstand even the toughest workouts.
​​
The TEAM
Jesse DeLavern
Owner
B.S. Exercise Science
NASM Certified Nutrition Coach
Bodybuilding Contest Prep Coach
Jesse was born and raised in Plainwell, Michigan and has been an athlete his whole life. In High School, Jesse was a big proponent in athletics and was a member of the soccer, track, cross country, and swim team. Besides school athletics, Jesse was also an avid snowboarder, surfer, motocross rider, and competitive bodybuilder.
​
Jesse graduated from Western Michigan University with his Bachelors of Exercise science. Throughout those years he won multiple bodybuilding shows, was a prep coach and personal trainer to bodybuilding and figure competitors, and was a manager of a local gym chain.
​
​
​
Elise Munson
NASM Certified Nutrition & Macro Coach
Elise has had a passion for fitness as long as she can remember. Growing up around her father and several brothers, there wasn't a time she wasn't in her basement gym blaring Metallica to PR's with them or on the field playing every sport under the sun. Later in life, she understood nutrition was a huge key in living a healthy lifestyle. She quickly became certified as a nutrition and macro coach once she realized she could help others unlock their full potential in their active lifestyles.
​
Elise has been doing online nutrition coaching for over a year and is confident in helping others achieve their fitness goals. Whether you want to pack on some muscle, cut down on body fat, or simply maintain where you're at she can assist you with macro and nutrition coaching. Macro tracking is extremely beneficial for anyone who wants to take control of their nutrition without giving up all of the foods that they love.
Have you already tracked your macros before? Need a readjustment? Elise can help do a macro readjustment which includes maintenance macros, cut macros, and bulk macros for you to follow on your own!
_JPG.jpg)
Gaby Owens
IFBB Women's Physique Pro
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Gaby Owens is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a lifelong passion for fitness. As an athlete for most of her life and a mother of two, Gaby's commitment to a healthy lifestyle runs deep. She holds the prestigious title of IFBB Women’s Physique Pro, a testament to her dedication to competitive athletics for over two decades, specializing in bodybuilding for the past 15 years.
Throughout her fitness journey, Gaby obtained her certification as a personal trainer, dedicating the last decade to training a diverse range of clients. Her expertise spans from mobility and functional movement patterns to body recomposition and strength training. Gaby is driven by a genuine desire to witness her clients succeed, providing guidance, encouragement, and motivation to help them achieve their goals.
Regardless of your age, fitness experience, or fitness goals, Gaby will serve as both a cheerleader and coach on your journey to feeling, looking, and being your best self.
Joseph Cervone
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Golf Exercise Specialist
MATRIX Sprint 8 GX Specialist
ACE BOXING 101 Instructor
"I was born and raised in in Madison, New Jersey. In middle school, I fell in love with soccer and lacrosse and after high school, I added bowling and wrestling to the list. I joined the rugby team my freshman year in college and in my free time you can find me outside playing at the local park, looking for new trails to hike, hanging out with friends, or spending time with my family.
​
I fell in love with Michigan when I was 10 and came out here to experience a camp up in Three Rivers called Camp Wakeshma. I met some great people and made incredible memories that showed me that this is the place I want to make a difference.
​
I currently am a student at Western Michigan University finishing my bachelors degree with the long term goal of completing my doctorates degree in Physical Therapy. I started my health journey when I was home in 2017-2018 volunteering at St. Barnabas Hospital. I ended up finding myself and my passion after shadowing the Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Pediatric Therapists there. After returning to Michigan the following year, I started working at Planet Fitness as a Member Services Representative but was still wanting to grow. After parting ways, I had the pleasure of working at Armor Physical Therapy as Rehab Technologist. The team I worked for was amazing and the experience showed me what my future can look like if I stay dedicated. After a year of working at Armor, I completed my certification and joined the YMCA as a personal trainer.
​
I love to think that my niche of people is infinite. I will never turn you away because we all start somewhere, but our goals and dreams are what connect us. Whether you’re trying to get back into the swing of things, starting from scratch, looking to take it to the next level, trying to avoid surgery or you’re going into/coming out of it, or just trying to look to the future and continue doing the things you love, I’m you’re guy. I believe if you have the will, I’ll find the way! With a strong mindset, we can do anything. Never give up on yourself or your dreams, because I am here to help you make them a reality.
A motto I live by is “If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else.” – Booker T. Washington. Let’s build that foundation so you can take on the world!
Rachael DeLavern
Owner
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Rachael was born in Toronto, Canada in 1992, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She attended Rogers High School, where she played Volleyball and Soccer. She was Captain of her Varsity Soccer Team for four years. Rachael has continued playing soccer the last 6 years in Co-Ed Recreational leagues in the Kalamazoo Area.
Rachael moved to Kalamazoo in 2015, where she was a Certified Personal Trainer and Class Instructor for 2 years at a local gym.
​
Rachael is passionate in helping others succeed and live their best life. She founded Project Give in 2021 where she manages events, and raises funds for the Feed the Children Programs, Community Food Pantry and Medical Missions held periodically throughout the year.
Emma Muffley
GNARLY60 Coach and Personal Trainer
CF-L2 Trainer + CrossFit Nutrition 1 Certificate
Emma is a full-time student, has obtained her CrossFit Level-2 Certificate, and is a competitive athlete. She is currently studying at Western Michigan University where she plans to obtain her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science: Strength and Conditioning. Her ultimate goal as a coach and athlete is to be able to educate others on how to live a HEALTHY and SUSTAINABLE lifestyle both in and out of the gym.
Mary Dow
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
Mary is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer. She was a year-round athlete in high school, with multiple awards and achievements in track & field and cross country. She holds records in the 5k, 800m, and 1600m run along with multiple meet records.
Mary has been personal training for 2 years with intentions of getting her nutrition and strength and conditioning certifications. Outside of personal training, she is also focusing on her own physical fitness with aspirations of of doing the Open and qualifying for the Games. It is her mission to promote healthy lifestyle changes that are sustainable and create a well rounded fitness program for each individual.
Stephanie Scott is a corrective exercise specialist, certified by the American Council on Exercise as a group fitness trainer with extensive education and certifications in adaptive movement, barre, Pilates, yoga and pelvic floor rehabilitation.
With an education and a focus on trauma-informed fitness coaching, Stephanie focuses on your health journey from a holistic perspective, digging into the root causes of pain, injury and instability – as well as identifying emotional and mental blocks to help all students reach their highest potential.
Stephanie Scott
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Elise has had a passion for fitness as long as she can remember. Growing up around her father and several brothers, there wasn't a time she wasn't in her basement gym blaring Metallica to PR's with them or on the field playing every sport under the sun. Later in life, she understood nutrition was a huge key in living a healthy lifestyle. She quickly became certified as a nutrition and macro coach once she realized she could help others unlock their full potential in their active lifestyles.
​
Elise has been doing online nutrition coaching for over a year and is confident in helping others achieve their fitness goals. Whether you want to pack on some muscle, cut down on body fat, or simply maintain where you're at she can assist you with macro and nutrition coaching. Macro tracking is extremely beneficial for anyone who wants to take control of their nutrition without giving up all of the foods that they love.
Have you already tracked your macros before? Need a readjustment? Elise can help do a macro readjustment which includes maintenance macros, cut macros, and bulk macros for you to follow on your own!
Elise Munson
NASM Certified Nutrition and Macro Coach
Michael Collier
NASM CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
PRECISION NUTRITION CERTIFIED NUTRITION COACH
FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SYSTEMS CERTIFIED- FMS 1/ SFMA 1 AND 2
ISSA CERTIFIED KICKBOXING INSTRUCTOR
My fitness journey started early after seeing the movie Karate Kid. The scene at the end where he wins the trophy, has a cute girlfriend, and everyone is cheering…I was thinking, “Sign me up!” From there I would go on to compete in local, state, and national level competitions before opening my own dojo and teaching while attending Western Michigan University.
I maintained my fitness as I graduated from WMU then went into law enforcement and after years of working night shifts, work stress, and life events like getting married, having children, and all of the other things, found myself not prioritizing my health and getting more and more out of shape.
Then in my early forties, and 70 pounds overweight, I finally had enough. I got winded climbing a flight of stairs, lost my self confidence, and felt trapped in my own body. It was time to make a change. I spent years getting myself back in shape while trying every fad diet, workout program, and shiny new gadget, until finally developing a program that would work for my goals, my schedule, and my lifestyle.
However, I knew that if I wanted to keep my progress, that I would need to be held accountable. And, that’s why I became a personal trainer. Knowing that no one wants to work with a personal trainer that doesn’t look the part or practice what they preach was the accountability piece that I needed to keep me in shape. Now, I love helping other people do the same thing, whether they’re finding fitness for the first time, or regaining their health to become the best version of themselves.
I have a passion for my athletes to achieve their goals, whether it’s a weight loss or strength goal, participating in their first 5K race, or just feeling and moving better now and as they get older. I want them to have an improved quality of life in every aspect.