Let’s celebrate our celebrity fitness trainers around the country! And come out and get your workout on with these superstar trainers at the BET Experience – Love Healthy Wellness Pavilion, June 27 and 28.
Meet The Celebrity Trainers
Massy Arias
Celebrity trainer for Trey Songz & B.O.B.
Website: www.mankofit.com
Massiel “Massy” Indhira Arias is the exuberant Certified Personal Trainer, formerly known as Mankofit, who is changing lives and inspiring a new generation of trainers. Born in the Dominican Republic, Massy has been an American resident since the age of 14 and currently resides and trains out of Los Angeles, California. She sets the example for how adopting a healthy diet and active lifestyle can change individual lives mentally, physically, and spiritually. She has committed herself to a healthy life with which she herself has emerged from depths of depression and physical limitations to become the glowing motivational force she is to millions around the world
The bilingual trainer’s maturity has developed from a life of worldly experiences that has tested her strength throughout the years. By working through obstacles and taking control of her own future, Massy’s knowledge, perseverance, and ingenuity have given her the ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. She has earned the respect of both women and men by showing that it is possible to accomplish almost anything with dedication, focus, and a positive mindset. She remains a humble role model to both the English and Spanish speaking communities and only looks forward to reaching around and motivating the world.
Dolvett Quince
Celebrity Trainer
Website: www.dolvett.com
Heading into his fifth season on the hit NBC show “The Biggest Loser,” Dolvett Quince is proving that his passion, regimen and dramatic transformational results are making him one of the most in-demand fitness specialists in the country.
In 2004, Quince opened Body Sculptor, a private personal training studio in Atlanta with a commitment to “changing lives one rep at a time.” His business had a solid following, but it wasn’t until a local radio personality started talking about it on his show that Quince and his business really took off. He then widened his business to training other trainers, which then led to training celebrities like actors Angela Bassett, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Baltimore Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox and singer-songwriter JoJo, among others.
Soon after, Quince was cast on “The Biggest Loser.” His connection with the audience garnered the attention of Mark Burnett, who cast him on the NBC series “Stars Earn Stripes,” which followed a group of celebrities accompanied by members of the military and law enforcement, competing in various challenges for their favorite charities. He has also guest starred on the hit BET series “The Real Husbands of Hollywood.”
A.J. Johnson
Celebrity Trainer
Website: theajzone.com
A.J. grew up in a very academic household in rural New Jersey, and at the age of seventeen she lost her mother to cancer. Even though she felt drawn to the arts from a very young age, AJ pursued a Psychology and Chemistry major at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating Magna cum Laude in Psychology. Deciding that her artistic calling should also be explored, AJ moved to Hollywood.
AJ has appeared on a number of television series, and her feature film roles include House Party, Skin Deep, The Inkwell, Assassins (with Sylvester Stallone), Dying Young (with Julia Roberts), Sister Act (with Whoopi Goldberg), and John Singleton’s critically acclaimed feature Baby Boy.
AJ’s father told her from his death bed, “You’re not able to save me, but take all of who you are and what you know and go save the world.” His words lead her to redefine her life’s purpose, dedicating herself to wellness education and training. When she is not sharing the screen with Julia Roberts, Ving Rhames or Sylvester Stallone, AJ is a renowned lifestyle coach and wellness advocate. She created THE AJ ZONE, combining her passions for health and philanthropy.
Michael Blanks
Fitness Instructor and Owner of Body Theory
Website: www.bodytheory.net
Michael Blanks was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania and it was there at the Boys and Girls Club and at the Martin Luther King Recreational Center that he developed a love for fitness and of community.
Michael believes in making health and fitness fun. He developed a style of cardio and strength training called “Drenched Cardio,” a high impact, fast-paced, kick-ass workout that will push your body to the limit. Using his unique and varied background of basketball and dance, Michael is able to consistently develop training techniques for his clientele, especially the professional athletes who come to him for training and advice. When not helping his adult clients, Michael devotes much of his time to inspiring youth and getting them on a positive path. He created Drenched Fit for Kids (free on Fridays) where young people can have fun being active, inspired and learning about physical fitness. He’d one day like to open a recreational center of his own and dedicate it to his mother and father, giving back in the same way the Boys and Girls Club and the MLK Center gave to him. “There’s a big problem today with youth and obesity. I want to be part of the solution for that,” he states.
Rahman “RAY” Grayson, AKA Mr. Shut Up and Train
Celebrity Trainer of Def Jam Recording Artist, August Alsina
Website: www.mrshutupandtrain.com
Rahman “Ray” Grayson, began his personal training career in 2004 as the go-to expert in Atlanta’s athletic and entertainment community. By employing his signature “in motion” style of fitness training and his life-long healthy living philosophy, his business swiftly grew and is now known and respected by his elite clientele throughout the world. Grayson’s method for success includes a modern, technology-savvy fitness program that can serve any person at any time anywhere- in any place.
Grayson is a favorite among many A-lister celebrities. He has worked with world-renowned performers including Mary J. Blige, Usher, Kelly Rowland, Lloyd, Monica and Boris Kodjoe. His executive clients include vice presidents at Def Jam, Radio One in Atlanta, and Revolt TV. He has worked extensively with professional athletes including Jarrett Jack, Joe Johnson, Derrick Favors, Shannon Brown and former New York Giant and Super Bowl champion James Butler.
Grayson spearheaded his pro-bono Total Fit Challenge in 2011. The social-media-driven month-long challenge has captured the attention of millions of viewers. After only two years, the Total Fit Challenge has grown from just under 1,000 participants to nearly 100,000 active participants in more than 100 countries. The project’s success has garnered the attention and sponsorship of national brands like T-Mobile, Kill Cliff, Radio One, Monster Headphones, and Queen of Kale, to name a few.
Grayson is entrenched in a variety of health and wellness events throughout the year. Some include the 2014 Essence Festival, where Grayson co-hosted the Fitness Fashion Show with Cynthia Bailey on the Wal-Mart Main Stage. He also partnered with Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed and Dr. Ian Smith to help launch the Atlanta’s Healthier You initiative. Grayson has been named Buzzfeed’s “Top 20 Fitness Gurus on Social Media” and Bossip’s “Top 20 Health and Fitness Motivators on Social Media.” Grayson is a contributing author in the best-selling self-help book, Gentle Woman and is currently penning a new book, as well as a ground-breaking fitness multimedia project.
Grayson is from Plainfield, New Jersey and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He resides in suburban Atlanta with his wife, Camille, and their three sons.
Deanna Jefferson
Celebrity Trainer and Health & Fitness Expert
website: www.deannajeffersonfitness.com
Deanna is a graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree double majoring in Kinesiology and Public & Community Health. She has over eight years of health and fitness experience and is currently the sole proprietor of My Fitness Boot Camps, LLC and owner of Fab Body Factory gym in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Deanna has had the joy of working with an array of celebrities from radio and television personalities Free and Sunni And The City to the CEO of BET Networks, Debra Lee to WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins. Deanna also conducts fitness training for men, women and children through her group exercise and personal training programs, and she stresses the importance of a clean diet through her meal planning and nutrition consultation services. Deanna draws from her experiences as a former NCAA collegiate athlete in competitive cheerleading/tumbling and acrobatics, and from her experiences working with both athletes and non-athletes alike.
Deanna is highly qualified as a health and fitness expert, working over 11,000 active hours in her career field. She holds a nationally accredited personal training certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Deanna is also a licensed coach holding a professional-grade coaching license from the United States All-Star Federation (USASF), the national federation that governs competitive all-star cheerleading in the United States.
Deanna is a strong believer in giving back to the her community and shares her passion of health and fitness by working with several non-profit organizations including the High Tea Society, Usama Young’s Youth Foundation, Women of Noble Character, The Girl Scouts of America, Maryland Multicultural Youth Center, and United Communities Against Poverty. On the heels of Michelle Obama’s childhood obesity platform, Deanna’s company hosts programs, where children ages four through twelve years old learn about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating through fun activities, games, and discussions.
As Deanna advances through her career, she will continue to grow her brand and has goals of positioning herself as one of the most sought after trainers in the country. By setting her brand in the public eye with celebrity clientele and large media appearances, she realizes that she can be a positive influence and inspiration to people of all walks of life. Where does the passion come from? Deanna states, “God has given me a fervent enthusiasm and charisma to pull people off couches and lead them to more fulfilling lives mentally and physically. It is my pleasure and purpose to sculpt healthy people!”
