Meet Our Trainers

Nick Soliz

BS Exercise Science

Nick earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University. While earning his degree Nick played baseball for Eastern Michigan University, a Division I team. Nick has worked in the SCI Recovery field for two years. During his experience he has worked with many clients with different levels of injury to work towards their individual goals for recovery. Nick's strength in conditioning, speed, agility training and strength bulding stem from a background in baseball, as a player and a coach. Nick is CPR and First Aid Certified.

Melissa Peters

Personal Trainer

Melissa has been working in the exercise arena since 1998 as both a certified personal trainer and also as a group fitness instructor. She worked at the Detroit Medical Center for over three years and specialized as a trainer in their spinal cord injury recovery program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. Currently Melissa is a student at Wayne State University working towards a BS in Allied Health Sciences. Upon completion Melissa will continue her education at Wayne State University in their Physical Therapy program. Melissa has worked with a wide variety of clients who suffered from spinal cord injuries and specializes in core strengthening with a focus on functional movement.

Mia Jeanene Grimes

BS Kinesiology

Mia attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) majoring in the Division of Kinesiology. She Earned a BS in Movement Science in 2000. Mia has worked as a strength trainer for the Athletic Department during her attendance at U of M. She also experienced working at Stanford Sports Medicine as an exercise therapist. She enjoys working with all populations, as her experience ranges from athletes to therapy patients. Working with people to attain a goal motivates her to provide the best experience and progress with her clients.

Eric Myers

BS Exercise Science

Eric completed his B.S. in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University, completing his senior year with an internship at Oakland Orthopaedic Fitness and Rehabilitation. Throughout his internship, he gained practical and invaluable experience working with patients of all populations. Eric came to Walk The Line after spending some time as a Personal Trainer and takes a heavy interest in core utilization, strength, and development. Eric is a former hockey and baseball player and is motivated by the positive results his clients achieve.

Josh Gibbs

B.S. Exercise Science

Josh earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from Saginaw Valley State University. While working as the strength coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League in 2007, Josh was also training as the starting center for SVSU. After his career at SVSU he spent time traveling with Nico Izzi, Pro motocross rider, where he directed all of the nutrition and exercise routines. He is CPR and First Aid certified and is always continuing his education in the world of exercise. Josh loves to motivate and strive to new limits. He is excited to be working with the clients at Walk The Line and looks forward to pushing boundaries in SCI recovery.

Zach Gehring

BS Exercise Science

Zach graduated from Eastern Michigan University and holds a BS in Exercise Science. He also earned a PT certification from NPTI and is CSCS certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Zach has spent the past five years in the personal training industry. He credits much of his experience and knowledge in the field of exercise to his mentor Kirk Vickers who was voted one of the Top 100 Trainers by Men's Journal. Zach takes a very functional approach to training and believes the human body can continually be strengthened and improved.

Christopher Griffin

B.S. Exercise Science, CSCS

Chris has a B.S. in Exercise Science - Sports Medicine from Eastern Michigan University. He also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Chris has six years of experience in both commercial and corporate fitness settings. He has had the opportunity to work with diverse and challenging populations. Chris' training philosophy is "intelligent intensity"; he believes exercise selection should be based on form, function, and effectiveness. Chris specializes in strength development and stresses that every training session is a chance to progress and achieve goals, both short and long term.

Leah Humphries

BA, CSCS

Leah has strong background in athletics and training. She attended the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, New York for high school to play hockey where she was trained by an Olympic Strength and Conditioning Coach. She then attended Adrian College to earn a BA in Exercise Science and was also a member and captain of the Women's Ice Hockey Team. Upon graduation, Leah became CSCS certified through the NSCA as well as CPR and First Aid Certified. Leah looks forward to having fun and working hard to help the clients at Walk the Line to achieve their goals.

Darryl Nelson

BS, MED, ATC

Darryl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and a Master of Education degree in physical education from the University of Georgia. Darryl worked as a student Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning coach at Maine and UGA. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer through the National Athletic Trainer's Association. Darryl has worked in the field of strength and conditioning for the last 12 years in facilities such as International Performance Institute in Bradenton, Florida and Mike Boyle's Strength and Conditioning in Boston, Massachussetts. Darryl is currently the strength and conditioning coach for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Jesse Hamilton

BS Health Promotion/Wellness, CSCS

Jesse earned his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. After graduation, he furthered his education at Marshall University to obtain a Masters degree in Exercise Science. Jesse is also a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association where he earned his CSCS certification. Prior to joining Walk the Line, Jesse has worked as a graduate assistant at Marshall University, an assistant strength coach at Jacksonville University, and as a strength coach in the Cincinnati Reds minor league organization.