About Ascend
Ascend Fitness & Spa is your one-stop-shop for well-being in Downtown Cleveland. With compelling classes, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, award-winning personal trainers, a full-service day spa, and a connected community of members, we offer everything needed to support a healthy lifestyle at the right cost.
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Our Team
ERIN JALKANEN
Operations Manager
Erin received a Bachelor of Science in Education with an Exercise Specialist major from Bowling Green State University.
She is a certified Personal Trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and has her Group Exercise certification with AFAA. Erin came to Ascend from corporate wellness where she has worked for the past 13+ years. Customer service is number one with Erin and she is excited to be here for you!
Random Fact: Erin has gone trout fishing with her dad in PA every spring for the past 13 years!
Contact Erin at ejalkanen@ascendfitnessandspa.com
KIM LAU
Spa Manager
Kim’s interest in holistic means to restoring, promoting and maintaining optimum health led her to a career in Massage Therapy. She graduated from New York College of Health Professions and has been a licensed Massage Therapist since 2007. Her experience ranges from managing boutique spas in Manhattan to franchise based spas in Northeast Ohio.
Random Fact: Kim worked for the management company that managed the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend
Contact Kim at klau@ascendfitnessandspa.com
EVAN NICHOLAS
Receptionist and Trainer
Evan has his Bachelor’s of Forensic Science and has an Associates of Applied Science. He has gotten his Personal Training and Nutrition credentials from NASM. Evan has been in the fitness industry for the last 5 years but has been personal training for 3. He was also a college athlete and competed in Olympic Powerlifting. Evan specializes in HIIT, Olympic Power Lifting, Functional Movement Training, and Physique. He loves to travel and adventure, bringing that excitement into all his training and nutrition.
Random Fact: Evan recently moved back from Hawaii where he found a passion for extreme sports and free climbing
Contact Evan at enicholas@ascendfitnessandspa.com
INDIA HENDERSON
Receptionist
Meet India Henderson, born and raised in Cleveland, currently enrolled at CSU for Pre-Physical Therapy, with a minor in business. She owns a business currently, selling custom-designed clothing, and is very involved in the community. India is working to start a non-profit to help educate minority communities on financial literacy. India is also serving in the United States Air Force reserve, working directly with the pilots. In her spare time, India enjoys traveling, trading stocks, and working out.
Fun Fact: India is the oldest of 8 children
Contact India at ihenderson@
BRANDI SCHOOLEY
Receptionist
Brandi is pursuing a bachelor’s in management at Cleveland State University. Her goal is to graduate next spring of 2023. With her degree, Brandi hopes to one day own her own businesses, preferably a coffee shop and a gym.
In her spare time, she enjoys working out and reading– hence wanting to own a gym. Currently, her favorite genre to read is fantasy, and her favorite books are Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Series. Her love for books and coffee has inspired the idea of a coffee shop where you can rent/purchase books!
Brandi is excited to help people along their fitness journey here at Ascend!
Random Fact: Brandi is an Irish Twin with her sister. They are 11 months almost to the day apart. Cool beans.
Contact Brandi at bschooley@
SHELBY HAGER
Receptionist
Shelby received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Tiffin University. She is looking forward to increasing her knowledge even more about the health and fitness world while collaborating with the rest of the Ascend Team. She hopes to share her knowledge and experience with you!
Fun fact: I named my dog after “Rory” from Gilmore Girls.
Contact Shelby: Shager@ascendfitnessandspa.com
THOMAS
Receptionist and Trainer
Thomas is an ACSM – Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. He received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Health Coaching and Health Promotions from Baldwin Wallace University! While attending Baldwin Wallace, he was a member of their football team.
Thomas has a wide range of experience, from working with athletes to special populations clients in all age groups. He has worked both in Strength and Conditioning and Corporate wellness settings. These experiences allowed him to better gauge where an individual is on their fitness journey and what tools will help them reach their goals.
He is passionate about helping people reach their goals and doing what others believe they cannot! Thomas believes in a holistic view of wellness and that you can achieve the physic of your dreams through working smarter, not harder, doing the little things, and taking it day by day!
Contact Thomas
