An interview with Bret Huotari from Asend Performance on July 11, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Bret is a certified personal trainer through AFPA and AED/CPR certified through the American Red Cross. He has been a professional personal trainer and boutique fitness general manager for twelve years. His specialization lies in physical therapy, behavioral psychology, corrective movements, and breathing mechanics. He has opened and grown many locations and developed leaders in the fitness industry. As a passionate fitness enthusiast, Bret is committed to pushing the boundaries and shifting the health and fitness paradigm. His personal philosophy is that everyone and anyone can change their life by building their confidence and discipline through the will of decisions. His long-term goal is to design and develop innovative fitness equipment that helps assess and improve posture, breathing and human performance.
Please tell me a little about your background.
My background is in personal training with a specialty in physical therapy and an emphasis on breathing mechanics. I focus on mental health and wellness with my clients as well as physical improvements.
Can you tell me more about Ascend Performance Training?
My business name is Ascend Performance Training. We are a training facility whose prime goal is to help people live their lives to the fullest potential.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I would love to be involved in some way. My father has Parkinson’s, and we plan on getting involved!
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
I think a big goal would be to improve quality of life and find things they are passionate about and to give back!
What type of training and how long are the programs?
Our programs can range from 6 weeks to 1 year. We do an initial consultation and provide a recommendation.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Personal training can boost confidence and provide a fun solution to exercising!
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
I’d like to see fitness and wellness professionals paired with clients and improving not only the physical aspects of their life but also their mental performance and confidence. I’d like to have many facilities as well as providing an opportunity for fitness professionals to design their own equipment!
What events do you participate in?
Our business is just opening, but we plan to have many outreach events, from charity walks to addiction resources for the community!
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Our website is ascendperformancetraining.com You can go to our website and fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you within 3 hours to set up a consultation. During the consultation we will assess your goals and provide a custom program that will suit your needs!
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
In the Parkinson’s community, we discover boundless strength as we stand together, supporting one another through every challenge. United, we triumph over adversity, empower each other with unwavering resilience, and forge a collective spirit that knows no bounds.