Team

Matt Dixon

Matt Dixon, MSc is the owner of purplepatch fitness, a professional coaching company that assists individuals, group and companies achieve optimal performance in fitness and life. As an exercise physiologist, former professional triathlete and elite coach, Matt coaches some of the best professional triathletes in the world, including multiple Ironman Champions, as well as many executives of leading worldwide companies. His unique coaching philosophy combines latest scientific research, with extensive athletic and coaching experience, which is tailored to all levels of athlete and fitness enthusiast.

For more information on Matt and purplepatch fitness visit: http://www.purplepatchfitness.com

Tyler Stewart

Growing up in Connecticut, triathlon was the furthest thing from Tyler Stewart’s mind. In fact, with an intense fear of the water, she was quite happy to stay on dry land doing a variety of sports from track to equestrian. In 2003, she did a triathlon as a dare and has never looked back. She burst onto the amateur scene winning back-to-back Overall Female Amateur titles at the 2005 and 2006 Ironman World Championships, breaking the course record each year and was named Inside Triathlon’s 2006 Amateur Triathlete of the Year. When Tyler turned pro in 2007, her goal was simple: finish every race with a smile. Her rookie season included a 2nd place finish at Ironman Lake Placid, an overall win at Cancun 70.3 and a 3rd place finish at Ironman Florida where she recorded the fastest Ironman bike split of all-time. At the end of that first year she was named 2007’s USAT Rookie of the Year for her efforts. In 2008 she joined the LUNA Pro Team, and continued to establish herself as one of America’s brightest stars in the sport of triathlon finishing near the top of every race she entered. After some time off due to an illness, Tyler emerged back onto the scene in 2009 with a victory at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, setting a new course record in the process, and a top-10 finish at the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

Today Tyler’s life is a constant juggling act. She and her husband, Johnny, are the owners of a thriving business in the San Francisco Bay Area called WAGS. She somehow manages to fit in training to compete against the best in the world in between running her business, teaching indoor cycling classes at Velo Collective and her TRX clinics at Fitness Anywhere. It’s a busy life but she wouldn’t change a thing. At the end of the day, she knows she’s lucky to have the chance to do what she does…and you’ll always find her smiling.

Learn more about Tyler online at http://www.tyler-stewart.com

Olivia Dillon

Olivia Dillon is a Professional Cyclist with Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12 and also rides for the Irish National Team. She is the 2010 Irish National Road & Time Trial Champion. She also holds the Irish National Time Trial Champion title for 2008 & 2009 and represented Ireland twice at the World Championships. Olivia contributed to Peanut Butter & Co Twenty12's multiple NRC race wins in 2010 and she has earned many top 10 individual NRC placings. Before moving to San Francisco in 2006, Olivia spent many years racing triathlon on the east coast. Other sporting highlights include competing on the Irish National Volleyball Team before moving to New York in 1998.

In 2008 after twelve years in the Financial Services industry, Olivia decided to follow her passion and race her bike full-time and work in the fitness industry as a Personal Trainer and Cycling Coach & Instructor. Olivia has a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick, Ireland and a Masters in Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. Olivia is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and has a USAC Coaching License.

Olivia will teach Cycling and Strength classes at VeloSF and will work as a Personal Trainer.

Andrew McWhorter

Team Love and Velo|SF Coach Andrew McWhorter is a Level 1 USA Triathlon Certified Coach with nearly 10 years experience in triathlon. Andrew constantly strives to further educate himself in all 3 elements of the sport – although he is an incredibly talented swimmer – helping many achieve their PRs.

Alex Farioletti

Alex Farioletti is an elite level track cyclist with a diverse background. Recently crowned the "Gold Sprint World Champion" at this year's largest bicycle industry convention, Interbike, Alex has successfully competed in a wide variety of cycling competitions around the world. He is the six-time IFBMA Cycle Messenger World Champion, one time North American Cycle Courier Sprint Champion and the two time New York State Keirin Champion. Currently he is working with USA Para Cycling on the development of Bay Area athletes of differing abilities and training next years track season. In 2009 he was selected to be on the Gatorade sponsored reality show "The Quest for G: The Series" where he trained with the best coaches and trainers in the country, alongside world champions and record holders. He is our MWF 12 pm abridged 1 hr workout leader - a perfect lunchtime effort if you need some extra intensity in your day, drop in!

Danielle Hauptman

As an undergrad at UC Davis, Danielle was introduced and developed a passion for cycling. During her 4 years on UC Davis Cycling team, she raced on the road and spent 2 summers racing the track. Her love of the bike and addiction to adventure travel led to several multi-week self supported trips through Europe. In 2005, after a few too many years off the bike and too many hours at the desk, Danielle decided to mix things up and train for a triathlon. And as they say the rest is history! Danielle has a BS in Community Health from the University of California, Davis and a Nursing degree from Samuel Merritt College in Oakland. She currently works at UC San Francisco as a Registered Nurse specializing in oncology research . When not cycling, running or swimming, Danielle can be found playing with her dog, Pulgas, at the beach or sitting in a coffee shop planning her next adventure abroad!

Meredith Kessler

Meredith is someone who strives to acquire proficiency in more than just one field while living her philosophy of BALANCE in life. Meredith grew up in Columbus, Ohio where she was a 4-sport athlete and was inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Meredith went on to receive a Division I athletic scholarship at Syracuse University where she participated in field hockey and track. After graduation, she used her graduation money to purchase her first triathlon bike and entered in a full Ironman 2 weeks later. From that moment on, she caught the spirit of Ironman competition and hasn’t looked back. Since that first Ironman in 2000, Meredith has competed in over 20 full Ironman races all over the United States. She was undefeated in her 2009 season having been the 1st place amateur woman in every race while breaking several course records, as well as Ironman Canada Champion in the Woman's PRO field in 2010. She works full-time at RBC Capital Markets in San Francisco and maintains a rigorous daily training schedule as a professional Ironman triathlete.

Meredith takes pride in being the best wife, daughter, sister, friend and mentor that she can possibly be everyday. Her family, friends and coach (Matt Dixon MSc) are paramount in her life and their support helps fuel her energies to compete at such an elite level. Whether she is competing in an Ironman, planning parties for others, teaching, at work, or hanging out with friends, Meredith feels fortunate to be around people who have a zest for life.

To learn more about Meredith, visit her online at http://meredithkessler.com.

Alison Starnes

Alison is an professional cyclist on Team TIBCO and also is a member of the US National Team. Alison graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Nutrition, and played NCAA tennis in college. For the last two years, she worked as an exercise physiologist and is a USAC Level 2 certified coach, but is now focusing on competing as a professional cyclist full time. When not on the bike and spinning around Marin, Alison loves to return to Redding to her parents' cattle ranch and get back to her cowgirl roots.

Find Alison online at http://alisonstarnes.com.

Monique Petrov

Monique Petrov has been a cPT and Coach in this area for many years. She truly has a passion to teach – coupled with an athletic career that simply stands on its own. As an incredibly talented triathlete, you’ll find Monique always eager to share her wealth of knowledge! We are fortunate to have her in our VeloSF line-up!

Gardie Jackson

Gardie Jackson is Founder and CEO of Elevation, a dynamic strength training business, specializing in flexibility, core stabilization, and sports specific training. Over the years, he has worked with several Olympic hopefuls in bobsled, skeleton, downhill and cross country ski racing.

Gardie has over 18 years experience in the strength and conditioning business, having worked and directed programs at the Silver Mountain Sports Club, the Waldorf Astoria Spa, and the Stein Ericksen Lodge all located in Park City, Utah, among other locations in Orlando, Florida.

Gardie is also a certified cycling coach for Vision Quest Coaching based in Chicago, IL. He is an accomplished Category 1 road bike racer and a cross country ski racer, in which he serves as an ambassador to Salomon. He has certifications in IFEA (Advanced Trainer), USAW and Reebok Pilates. He holds a BA from Furman University.

Gardie is the newest member of the Velo|SF team, and you will find him both personal training and coaching in the classroom.

Kate Ligler

Growing up on the basketball courts of Indiana, Kate discovered her love for cycling after a knee injury forced her to rehabilitate on the bike - soon funneling her into bike racing from the IU Cycling Team to the Little 500 at Indiana University and beyond. Entering her 11th season of road racing, including 3 on the National Circuit, she is an avid enthusiast and supporter of Velo|SF's clientele seeking health, fitness, and performance. Kate is a Velo|SF coach, NASM certified personal trainer, and General Manager of the facility. She aims to be a resource and advocate for every member and to celebrate and support each goal, milestone, achievement and/or victory.