Team

Erin Edson | Director of Strategic Initiatives

Erin

Erin Edson, born and raised in Buffalo, has been involved in the area of sports and coaching for most of her life. Growing up she played many sports including Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey and Soccer. Throughout high school and college she coached multiple lacrosse camps, clinics and local club teams. She attended Fredonia State University, and has her Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management with Minors in Athletic Coaching and Business Administration. While at Fredonia, she competed on their Division III Women’s Lacrosse Team for all 4 years. She then attended Daemen College and earned her Masters Degree in Executive Leadership and Change. While at Daemen, she worked as a Graduate Assistant in their Division II Athletic Department. She has over 8 years of administrative experience in the health care, higher education and athletic settings. 

Erin joined the Dr. Derek Health and Fitness team in 2020. 

She enjoys staying active, cooking and spending time with her family and friends!

Olivia Courtney | Client Experience Coordinator

Olivia

Olivia Courtney was born and raised on Long Island. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelors in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition. Olivia participated in cheerleading from a young age and continued throughout high school where she coached for three years.

When she’s not in the gym you can find her at the movie theater or reading in Delaware Park. She loves the outdoors and is an avid backpacker and hiker.

 

MEET THE TEAM


JOSH BEITER


Carl Neuman


Eli lavarnway


Tricia Calabrese


Diane Charsley

 


JAKE Porth

 

Josh Beiter | Head Trainer

Josh

Josh Beiter was born and raised in Pendleton, NY. After graduating from Starpoint High School he attended Bryan University for his degree in exercise science. Josh grew up playing ice hockey and has been around the sport as a player for 10 years and as a coach for 2 years. 

 

Josh’s love for the sport led him to his love of fitness his passions include music, comedy, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Buffalo Bills, and of course fitness. 

Carl Neuman | Trainer

Carl

Carl Neuman has been involved in the health and fitness field since 2003. Carl studied Physical Education at Niagara County Community College and has been a Personal Fitness Trainer since 2009. He also managed a Vitamin Shoppe for over 8 years and gained knowledge in nutrition and supplementation. 

Carl loves to workout, golf and spend time with his family. He is a huge Buffalo Bills fan and can talk about football all day. 

His passion for learning and helping others achieve their health and fitness goals has made him a key member of Dr. Derek’s team since 2014.

Eli LaVarnway | Trainer

Eli

Elijah (Eli) LaVarnway was born and raised in Cowlesville N.Y. and has been a part of the sports and fitness world since the day he could walk. Growing up he played many sports such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, swim team, cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, and soccer. He currently attends the University at Buffalo where he will receive his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Physiology. He also works at some of his father’s pharmacies where he gains additional knowledge of drugs and supplements, however he hopes to begin his career as a personal trainer soon.

 In his free time Eli is an avid outdoorsman and spends his free time hunting, fishing, and studying agriculture, as well as planting fields and raising animals. He also loves to play guitar, paintball, cheer on the Bills, and spend time with his friends and family. 

Eli’s passion for athletics, training, learning, and helping others has led to his internship with Dr. Alessi in 2022. He hopes to now learn from the best and perfect his own craft so that he will one day be able to help others with peak efficiency.

Tricia Calabrese | Trainer

Tricia 

Tricia originally hails from Buffalo, N.Y. A veteran fitness professional, her extensive background includes strength and cardiovascular training, yoga, pilates, aquafit, and zumba. With a passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals, she owned and operated her own fitness facility for 15 years. Trained and certified, she taught the Cleveland Clinic weight loss program.  

Outside work, Tricia enjoys spending time with family, reading, gardening, and cooking.

 

Diane Charsley | Trainer

Diane

Diane Charsley, born and raised in Tonawanda, NY. She has always been drawn to sports. She participated in little league baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball and skiing. However, after tearing her ACL playing competitive volleyball at age 30, she turned to golf and never looked back.

Diane graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a BA degree in Communication. She recently retired from nearly 40 years of work with the Federal Government—including The Federal Reserve Bank, Department of Treasury and The Social Security Administration. Diane first began training with Dr. Derek in 1998-2000. She continued to follow him, and came back strong in 2014. Diane has enjoyed many years as a client of both personal and group training experience. She is looking forward to taking on the role of trainer and using her 12+ years as a client to provide an exceptional experience.

 

 

Jake Porth | Trainer

Jake

Jake Porth was born and raised in Lockport New York. He graduated from SUNY Niagara, under the Personal Training program, and now attends the University at Buffalo to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He credits his professor and advisor from SUNY Niagara, John Strong for his knowledge in personal training, as well as his understanding that one cannot be complacent in the field, and must continually educate themselves.


At age 16, Jake first walked into a boxing gym, which would go on to change the trajectory of his life as he knew it. After training for sometime, he knew that he had to make some serious lifestyle changes if he wanted to succeed. He changed his dietary habits, and incorporated exercise into his everyday life, and then noticed that his overall quality of life improved. From there, he knew that helping people do the same was his calling.


Jake has had 7 amateur boxing matches, and is currently training to transition into mixed martial arts. He also loves running, spending time outside, whether it is sunny or snowy, and can talk your head off about the Buffalo Bills, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the UFC.