About Prism Moves
Working to fill gaps in the fitness industry.
Women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, larger bodied humans and those that want to move their bodies for joy instead of weight loss rarely have access to fitness spaces that accommodate them and make them feel welcome.
Prism Fit, now Prism Moves, was created to become such a fitness space.
Why the name change?
As membership at Prism Fit grew, it became apparent that not only was this fitness space vital, it would not be able to operate as a typical boutique fitness gym. The communities that Prism Fit attracted were the same communities that experienced wage gaps, meaning the generally accepted gym fees of $165 a month and up were not accessible. Prism Fit began offering sliding scale memberships and a once a week free BIPOC class, but the need for these memberships started to exceed the operational capacity of the business.
Dissolving the Prism Fit LLC and creating the nonprofit Prism Moves allows for the organization to expand its free and sliding scale memberships, as well as create additional programs such as free youth and family classes, and continuing education for Prism Moves coaches and individuals interested in becoming fitness instructors. Prism Moves believes that fitness is for everyone and fosters inclusivity by constantly educating and committing to reducing racism, sexism, body shaming and toxic fitness industry norms. Prism Moves works with other and welcomes their their employees and clients to join Prism Moves for the physical and mental health and wellness benefits achieved through exercise and community.
We are a 501(c)(3) approved organization.
Meet the Team
Coaches
Asher Kondziela (they/she)
Asher grew up in Philadelphia and after a few years in North Carolina and Chicago, she made her way to Portland in 2008. After working in medical device and technology sales, she created a more dynamic career for herself that would fulfill her passion for health and personal connections. In 2012, she became a fitness coach.
She holds a Masters in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. After coaching in several gyms in Portland, Asher saw a pattern of gaps in service to certain communities, and Prism Moves was born as a result to focus on and fill those gaps.
Vanessa Dickens (she/her)
Vanessa has been in the fitness industry for the past 20yrs. From an aerobics/pilates instructor to weightlifting coach. She started CrossFit in 2009 and started coaching in 2010. Vanessa has competed for several years in local CrossFit competitions, Strong Man/Power Lifting and finally settled with Olympic Weightlifting, and currently competes in the USAW Masters National level. She absolutely love coaching weightlifting and gymnastics! Throughout these years she’s never stopped learning, researching, and pushing herself to grow both as a coach and an athlete. Her coaching philosophy is that movement can be JOYFUL, through a trauma-informed lens – it can be healing, movement doesn’t have to look or feel any particular way to make “sense”. Strength, stability, flexibility, balance, power, mobility, endurance- It supports our brains, mental health, cardiovascular system. Movement helps us show up in our lives in the way we want to; hiking with friends, learning new sports, lifting kids. I’ve helped amazing humans strengthen their bodies for the marathon of pregnancy, the trauma and healing from surgery, and for feeling stronger in their everyday routines. In her spare time, she runs around with three crazy dogs, binges on Netflix and eats all the cookies!!
Credentials: L2, USAW 2, Power Monkey Alumni/Weightlifting staff, Brand X Kids, Carl Paoli Gymnastics, Human movement specialist.
CF certifications in: Gymnastics, Kettlebell, Weightlifting, Mobility, Football, Aerobic capacity, Adaptive Training. ACLS/CPR.
Specializes in:
- Beginners
- General Fitness
- Olympic Weightlifting
Simar Tate (he/him)
Simar Tate, he/him, certified personal trainer, registered yoga teacher and music playlist maker 🙂
Simar enjoys helping clients find suitable modifications to a difficult movement. Often modifications can get a bad rep because folks think it’s less work or that they are bowling with the bumper guards. But modifications are such a great entry point for those difficult movements. During a modified movement, you are still moving your body and ideally targeting those same intended muscles but in a more approachable way for your body
Rocket (hippo/land seal)
Radar (rabbit/jumping bean)
Personal Trainers
Sarah Giffrow (she/her)
Sarah (a.k.a Spocker) is a half-Taiwanese small business owner, barbell enthusiast, roller derby referee, and mom. She grew up as a sedentary kid who struggled with her health, but after finding a sport she loved in college, she began a 20-year journey of training for wushu, playing competitive roller derby, and learning to love her big body–all while finding opportunities to get nerdy about movement and the body whenever possible.
Her time in sports and in the gym made her want to help others find what she was lucky enough to stumble upon: a way to move and live that actually feels GOOD. She believes that everyone deserves to feel good in their own body, no matter what that means to them. Sarah is here to listen with compassion, and help you find the fun and empowerment that’s been missing from your fitness.
Certifications:
- ISSA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer
- Roller Derby Skating Official (referee)
- Former Roller Derby Junior Coach
Specializes in:
- General Fitness
- Powerlifting
- Olympic Weightlifting
Tyler Welch (he/him)
What can be said about Tyler that has been said in countless bios scattered across the expanse of the internet? Trainer, author, athlete, dad, player of tabletop games….how can one person be reduced down to a few simple lines?
Pretty easily, in fact:
- Over 20 years as a personal trainer and strength coach
- Strength and mobility expert
- Specializations in powerlifting, strongman, kettlebell sport, Olympic weightlifting, yoga, and gymnastics.
- Author of The Adventurer’s Guide to Exercise and the Arcane Exercise series
Board of Directors
- Adriana Javier (they/them)President
- Claire Doody (she/her)Vice President
- Jon Erdtsieck (he/him)Treasurer
- Erica Aten (she/her)Secretary
- Libby Sommer (she/her)Member at Large
- Michelle Paschold (she/her)Member at Large
3 simple steps to start your fitness journey
Sign up for a free week
Start with a free week of online classes to get to know us, our community, and how we can help you!
Find your flexible program
Engage with our programs and find what you like best.
Crush it and be proud
Find your routine and be amazed by what your body can do.