Dylan Smith and Ester Garrido
Owners
Dylan and Ester met in 2013 when Dylan was teaching for the National Personal Training Institute (a 600hr trade school for personal trainers). Ester was making a career change to follow her passion of fitness and the two became fast friends with Dylan providing guidance and coaching as Ester graduated NPTI and entered the world of personal training. Over the course of the past decade, Ester and Dylan have worked together out of several different facilities before finally pulling the trigger on opening their own location.
Dylan Smith
FOUNDER
At the age of 14, Dylan fell in love with strength training and quickly realized that the ability to evolve one’s physique, strength, and capabilities over the course of training has a dramatic carry over to all facets of life outside of the gym. The continuous struggle of setting goals and overcoming them through hard work and determination builds not only an impressive physique capable of great feats of strength but also a resilient mind capable of taking on any challenge faced in life.
By 2007, Dylan sustained a severe spinal injury which required surgical intervention and multiple years of Physical Therapy. It was incredibly difficult to overcome the negativity of his physicians, PTs, and family members who advised him to “just find a new hobby.’ That was not an option. Dylan set forth on finding the best path forward to full recovery which required extensive learning on his own as many of his PTs had not been supportive or knowledgeable enough to designate a clear path back to rigorous strength training. This period of time became one of the most valuable periods in his career as he took things into his own hands and got himself back under the bar.
Fast forward to 2011 and Dylan began working full-time as a personal trainer in a big box gym working with general fitness clients. In addition to his full time client load, Dylan also taught professionally for the National Personal Training Institute, a 600 hour trade school which certifies personal trainers.
In 2012, Dylan became deeply involved in the sport of Powerlifting and competed in countless competitions from the local to national level. Due to his knowledge and experience, he became one of the foremost authorities on Powerlifting within the DC/MD/VA area and has coached lifters through local, regional, national, and international level competition. His best lifts include a 615 lbs Squat, 515 lbs Bench Press, and 705 lbs Deadlift.
Despite his love for powerlifting, Dylan highly values aesthetics as well. After all, we spend so much time in the gym, shouldn’t we love the way we look as well? Taking a hiatus from competitive powerlifting, Dylan trained for the sport of bodybuilding entering his first show in 2021 in both Bodybuilding and Classic Physique divisions and took home multiple awards including one for the best legs in his division.
Through many mentors and high quality coaches over the past 10 years and more, Dylan has developed an extensive knowledge base centered around human movement and strength training. There are few individuals with a better eye for detail in movement alongside the ability to clearly explain and cue the necessary improvements to a client with success. The training Dylan writes is challenging and will push you as hard as you need to be pushed to reach your goals. Do not expect any cheerleading or for feedback to be sugar coated. Dylan will address issues in a clear and concise manner and most importantly will not hesitate to call you out if you are not giving it your all. Clients who are the best fit to work with Dylan are highly dedicated, coachable, and possess a desire to step outside their comfort zone to go ALL IN on the process required to reach their goals.
Ester Garrido
OWNER
Ester was always interested in sports from a young age. She developed a love for softball and ice hockey in her high school years and loved the structure and discipline that being in a team sport provided for her. She later went to a trade school that did not offer sports and found herself struggling with her health. In her late teenage years into her early 20’s she found herself struggling with simple tasks, like going up steps and even trying to go for a light jog. The effect that she started to notice it having on her life at such a young age bothered her so she decided to take charge.
She dove into nutrition first and recognized quickly that she had responses to certain foods. She learned how to cut out foods that didn’t serve her. Little by little she dove in deeper and started to add exercise back into her routine, now that food started to seem simpler and she was feeling better because of it.
She later found herself going back to school for a whole new career. Personal Training. Intrigued by the human body and its ability to heal through food and proper guidance with exercise, she found herself at NPTI. Under Dylan Smith’s guidance her desire to learn and understand the body, bloomed. After finishing up at NPTI she continued on her journey to help herself. She then realized that helping others learn to love food and exercise was a passion that she wanted to share with everyone.
Understanding that the best gift that she could give herself and the people around her, especially her loved ones, was the gift of health. Over the last 10 years she has developed a strong reputation in her communities and was able to build her own Personal Training company. Where she independently trained a wide range of clients, from young athletes to adults looking to be healthy and strong. She has worked with so many amazing clients and watched them each grow into a newer, stronger version of themselves inside and outside of the gym.
Ester loves to develop individualized programs for all of her clients and will push them to look past their own excuses. She delivers honest feedback while pushing you to understand how to move better and progress yourself to the next level. She loves to explain the form and technique behind the movements allowing you to feel your best while performing the movements. Giving you the power and knowledge to make exercise a necessary, but fun activity.
Sebastian Baytan
Coach
Sebastian Baytan holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from George Mason University, establishing a strong foundation for a career dedicated to enhancing performance. Since entering the competitive powerlifting scene in 2016, Sebastian has consistently sought to increase his knowledge and expertise, both as a competitor and as a coach committed to developing athletes through strength and conditioning.
Starting his coaching career in 2018, Sebastian has gained extensive experience in powerlifting, sports performance, and personal training. His expertise is further enriched by hands-on roles in high school and private strength and conditioning programs, as well as significant experience in sports performance physical therapy as a technician and intern. This diverse background ensures a comprehensive approach to training, emphasizing injury mitigation and strategic development.
Sebastian’s mission goes beyond physical strength. He aims to empower individuals, fostering resilience and confidence through tailored strength training programs. His belief in the transformative power of strength training is encapsulated in his mantra, “Strength is Absolute.” While his primary background is in strength and conditioning, Sebastian firmly believes that everyone, regardless of their background, can benefit from and needs to strengthen and condition for the demands of life. This inclusive approach ensures that his training philosophy caters to a wide range of clients, helping them achieve their personal best.
Certifications
• B.S. in Kinesiology
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• USA Powerlifting Club Coach
• USA Weightlifting Level-1 Coach
• Barbell Rehab Method Certified
Experience
• Competitive Powerlifter since 2016
• Powerlifting Coach since 2018
• Personal Trainer since 2018
• National Level Competitor
• National Level Powerlifting Coach
• Experience in high school and private strength and conditioning
• Former physical therapy technician and sports performance physical therapy intern
Arielle Patra
Coach
Hi! My name is Arielle Patra and I am a trainer here at Training Education (TED) in Manassas, VA. I have been coaching strength sports for about 2.5 years and have been working as a personal trainer for about a year. I am also NASM and CPR certified. I left a life of science and biology in 2022 to pursue what I love and I haven’t looked back! I also hold my pro card in powerlifting as a 52kg female and have been lifting since 2018.
One of my biggest goals when coaching and training clients is to help instill self-confidence in them. I have my own journey that I’ve been on to gain confidence in myself and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. I thoroughly enjoy coaching strength sports, weight-loss clients, and general fitness clients! All of my clients throughout the years have become cherished friends of mine and I always take every one of their goals seriously – as if they were my own. I am incredibly excited to represent TED as one of their personal trainers and I cannot wait to learn, grow, and help every single one of my clients develop a strong sense of self and grow as individuals, as well. I bring PASSION to the table. And I will challenge and encourage all of my clients to do the same!
Mica
Mica has 10 years of coaching experience. She’s very passionate about treats, sleep and daily walks.
Mica’s qualifications include:
Training Ed front door super greeter
Nutritional taste tester
Sleep Specialist
Belly Rub extraordinaire
Motivational coaching
Although Mica is no longer accepting new clients she is at the studio most days offering the above services.
Outfitted with the best equipment
At Training Ed, we pride ourselves on providing top-of-the-line equipment to serve clients of all ability levels. Our facility is equipped with Rogue Fitness Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Barbells, and Racks alongside a Titan Fitness Functional Trainer, EFS Lat Pull/ Low Row, Texas Strength Systems Combo rack and deadlift platform. Additionally we have a myriad of other strength equipment including TRX, Plyo boxes, medicine balls, and much more. With our extensive range of equipment, Training Ed is committed to helping you become the strongest and most fit version of yourself!
Exceptional Features and Amenities
Training Ed boasts a spacious open-layout facility designed to maximize your personal training experience. Every piece of equipment was hand picked based on being the highest quality and application for our clients. Stay hydrated with our filtered water fountain/bottle fill station and wipe off that sweat with our fresh and clean towels. Our facility is also equipped with a private bathroom and separate shower room for clients who desire to wash up before heading out. We pride ourselves on maintaining a supremely clean and well maintained facility.
GET STARTED at the premier personal training facility in Manassas, VA.