Meet the Teacher
Paul Williamson, MS, RYT, PES, CPT
Paul has been a full-time trainer for over 18 years while obsessively pursuing mastery in the application, integration, and teaching of a multi-disciplinary physical practice built on first principles.
He began his career as an academic / intellectual who lived far more in his mind than his body, but was never satisfied with the answers he was taught… So for many years, he went down the rabbit hole in search of more profound and effective ways to develop himself and his students. This included the intense study and practice of strength training, mobility, pain and injury rehab, yoga, meditation, primal and somatic movement, nutrition, and much more.
In 2011, he opened his own training facility in Dallas, but 6 years later he let go of his then-thriving business due to bizarre and transformative experiences in his meditation and movement practice. He knew that these experiences had the potential to change his practice, his teaching methods, and his life — but to explore them required total immersion.
He spent the next 2 years living as a nomad while he alternated between practicing his craft in the solitude of nature (including 7 straight months of living in national forests) with spending time teaching serious students and other teachers / trainers in Los Angeles, CA and Boulder, CO.
Ready to return to living in one place, he moved to Phoenix just before the pandemic, where he built a studio into his home and has been teaching / practicing ever since.
Experience & Education
18 years as a full-time trainer / movement coach
Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in Exercise Science + numerous certifications in personal training, yoga, performance enhancement and more (details below)
Extensive training in many mind-body disciplines, including…
20+ years of multi-disciplinary strength training (including lifting, calisthenics, gymnastic rings, etc)
15+ years of professional corrective exercise and rehabilitation of aches, pains, and injuries
12+ years of daily meditation / breath practice
10+ years of yogic study / practice
7+ years of handstand / hand balancing training
…and 10+ years of obsessively pursuing mastery in the application, integration, and teaching of a truly holistic practice of mind-body mastery
Degrees & Certifications
MS in Exercise Science
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania
Certified Yoga Teacher
Trained and certified as a yoga teacher by Patrick Beach / Awakening Yoga Academy (RYT-200)
BS in Fitness & Wellness
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science degree in Fitness & Wellness from California University of Pennsylvania
Cooper Institute (CPT)
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through The Cooper Institute
NASM-CPT
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through The National Academy of Sports Medicine (most recognized certifying body in fitness industry)
Cooper Institute (BM)
Certified in Bio-Mechanics of Resistance Training through The Cooper Institute
NASM-PES
Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through The National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASE Specialist
Level 2 (of 2) Certification from The National Association of Speed & Explosion (for speed, power, and agility training)
