MEET OUR TRAINERS.
At Rise Performance 618 every trainer gets OTA certified, meaning they are equipped in the programing, coaching, and principles to create better athletes.
DYLAN SAMUEL
My name is Dylan Samuel, and I am a Strength Coach/Health Teacher at Carterville High School.
I found a passion for sport performance training during my time on the football team at McKendree University. While attending school, I obtained both a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Master’s in Teaching. I take great pride in being able to help student-athletes become the best version of themselves both inside and outside of the weight room.
DAWSON MONTFORT
Dawson Montfort is a distinguished strength and conditioning coach with an impressive track record as a 4x national champion and 2x world champion in the field. With a passion for developing athletic potential, Dawson has successfully trained thousands of athletes across a diverse range of sports, from professional to youth levels, including those as young as eight years old. His expertise has led to the training of athletes who have achieved over 30 state, national, and world records in powerlifting, as well as numerous individuals winning state championships. Additionally, Dawson has propelled over 60 athletes into collegiate sports careers. His commitment to excellence and tailored training programs ensures that every athlete he works with is empowered to reach their peak performance.
MYA KING
Hi my name is Mya King! I am a graduate of Harrisburg High School where I played softball for 4 years. I started my college career at SIC, graduating with an Associate’s degree while playing softball in the primary position of center field. I transferred to Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas to continue playing softball and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Fitness and Wellness in 2024. In my free time I enjoy spending time in the gym, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
PAM HALL
My name is Pam Hall, and I love spending time with my family, working out, and training clients each week. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Services from Murry State University. I have been teaching fitness classes for 32 years and have been a NASM Certified Trainer for the last 17 years. I have a passion for encouraging people to be the best versions of themselves. I enjoy teaching people how to change their lifestyle for the better through exercise and nutrition. I teach a weekly HIIT class and run 4-5 Six-week Bootcamps per year. I believe that everyone has their own strengths, and I am here to create a plan that will fit their individual needs. At the end of the day, it is NOT about comparing yourself to fitness models, but to create a body that YOU love and are comfortable in every day. I will make you WORK HARD, but I will ALWAYS do it with a smile!
Bryce Smith
Hi, I’m Bryce Smith, a dedicated youth strength coach and personal trainer at Rise Performance. I specialize in helping athletes build strength, resilience, and unlock their full potential. As a former football player at Aurora University, I understand the drive and discipline required to push past both physical and mental barriers. This mindset is at the core of every training session I lead, whether I’m working with young athletes or clients of all fitness levels. Currently studying at the University of Southern Illinois, I’m continually expanding my expertise in strength and conditioning to better serve my clients. While it sometimes feels like I live in the gym, I thrive in this environment, it’s where my passion for fitness comes alive and fuels my work each day.
Mykel Gary
I’m a Southern Illinois native, born and raised in Carbondale. I graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 2014, earning honors in both academics and athletics. I went on to Southern Illinois University, where I completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2016 and earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2018. During undergrad, I competed as a sprinter for SIU’s Track and Field Team until an injury in 2016 shifted my focus to coaching and personal training.
I earned my master’s in Recreation Administration in 2021 and added certifications in personal training, injury prevention, and performance enhancement. Since then, I’ve coached multiple high school sports—track and field, wrestling, and cross country—while also serving as a speed and strength coach for basketball, softball, and soccer teams during their off-season and preseason training.
Beyond athletics, I’ve worked with clients across all fitness levels, helping with weight loss, muscle gain, general health, and injury rehab. I’m currently the head track and field coach at Carbondale Community High School, where our team has earned a conference title, broken four school records, and sent several athletes to the state finals.
Callie
Callie is OTA certified and specializes in strength training and injury prevention specifically for dancers. She focuses on helping young athletes build balanced strength, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of injury through smart, targeted training.
Averi Vanderzille
Averi specializes in working with youth athletes, offering volleyball-specific training designed to improve strength, agility, coordination, and on-court performance. As a former collegiate volleyball player, she brings firsthand experience and a clear understanding of the training volleyball athletes need to perform their best.
Macie Atchison
Macie is a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who works with clients of all ages and experience levels. She helps individuals build confidence in the gym, develop sustainable habits, and work toward their goals through smart, individualized training.
TESTIMONIALS
Rise Performance Athletes
"My son started working out at Rise Performance and his self confidence has flourished. Something I didn't think about! Bryce is so great with young kids, not just teaching them weight but real life. He feels like it’s his place!"
