about us
THE MISSION
Utah Fitness Professionals empowers individuals of any sexuality, gender expression, ethnicity, and age to reclaim relationships with their bodies to live longer, happier, and more fulfilling lives!
Together we unlock your active, healthy, and vibrant potential - let’s get started!
JOHN VALDEZ (HE/HIM)
John Valdez (he/him) is a fitness enthusiast from Provo, UT. He has a BA from Brigham Young University and has been a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine since 2024.
He is also a seasoned martial artist, with a second-degree black belt in American Kempo and cross-training Taekwondo, kickboxing, Tai Chi, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
As a gay man, John specializes in working with queer people to gain muscle, lose fat, and increase functional flexibility. His training methods include weightlifting, high-intensity interval training, circuit training, supersets, and more!
AARON JEFFERS (HE/HIM)
If you care about training, and not just working out, we’re gonna get along ;)
I’ve been coaching for 3+years and training for 15. I started at 14, learning basic lifts from my dad, and got hooked immediately.
I grew up an athlete (soccer, cross country, skiing, biking, climbing) but music was my first passion. I’m a drummer at heart, and pursuit of that mastery shaped how I approach everything: always improving, always refining.
After high school, I explored everything from CrossFit to bodybuilding to calisthenics. But real progress didn’t happen until I found my own coach in 2019. He rebuilt my foundation from the ground up and pushed me to become a coach myself. With his mentorship, I earned 4 certifications and began building my own coaching philosophy.
Now, I coach with one goal: help you move better, feel better, and actually enjoy training to build a body you’re proud of. Some of my proudest achievements:
• 435 lb deadlift
• Sub-7 mile
• 44” box jump
• 24-hour row
• Currently training for a 55km ultramarathon
If you want to fall in love with training, and maybe test your limits along the way, I’ve got you 🤝
NICK RHODES (HE/THEY)
Nick Rhodes (he/they) is originally from Utah and began his personal fitness journey in 2019, discovering a passion for strength training and sustainable lifestyle change. He coached at a local group-fitness gym in 2023 and has been training clients independently ever since.
Nick is a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). His approach blends strength training, functional movement, mindset development, and sustainable nutrition practices. He believes fitness should enhance your life—not consume it—and works with clients to build strong, lasting foundations.
In addition to coaching with Utah Fitness Professionals, Nick works full-time in higher education, where he builds intentional learning communities. That background shapes his coaching philosophy: people thrive when they feel supported, empowered, and capable of growth. Having lived in multiple states before returning to Utah, he brings a broad perspective and a deep appreciation for helping others feel at home in their own bodies.
Ready to reach your fitness goals?