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.
Rachel Lakey (they/she)
Rachel is a powerlifting and strength training coach at Prism. Five years ago, they fell in love with a barbell and haven’t looked back. They compete at the national level and are currently training for their first pro meet. Rachel is passionate about expanding queer inclusion and representation in powerlifting and is involved in advocacy efforts around the Pacific Northwest. They have two small dogs named Roy and Bandido who often tag along at the gym! Rachel is known for her technical expertise in strength training and competitive powerlifting, as well as her light-hearted humor and unconditional support for her clients. They train clients of all experience levels, from first-timers to elite lifters. If you think you and Rachel would be good fit, fill out their client interest form.
Specializes in:
- General Fitness
- Bracing
- Powerlifting
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
Erin Eichenberger (she/her)
Erin is caring, personable, and enjoys creating individual approaches to fitness and wellness for people who move about their world in bodies of all shapes, sizes and abilities. She works collaboratively with beginners, people experiencing autoimmune conditions, chronic and/or acute injuries, and any kind of trauma. It is her mission to empower all individuals to connect with their inner strength— to release external expectations and preconceived notions about health, and to rewire their nervous system toward willing, wonderful and wild freedom of movement.
She went to East West College of the Healing Arts to become a licensed massage therapist, completed an Iyengar yoga teacher training, studied tantric yoga, craniosacral therapy (CST), mindfulness-based therapy, pranayama breathwork techniques, Ayurveda, and energy healing including Reiki. In 2017, Erin enrolled in PCC’s Exercise Science program and received a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certificate.
Erin’s favorite season is fall, she has a background in folk music performance and a border collie/kelpie mix furbaby, Reba.
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
Damon King (he/him)
Lifelong recreational and competitive athlete turned International professional basketball player, turned fitness & lifestyle coach, Damon King has been an avid participant in the world of sport and health for as long as he can remember.
At age 3, an early love of basketball formed, and like a gateway drug led him to playing multiple sports in his schooling, where he competed successfully, eventually becoming a Division I collegiate basketball athlete, and professional career player overseas. The various extensive structured regimens and skill development that Damon’s own physical training have consisted of, have lent themselves to a deep understanding of the body, as well as a passion for the world of fitness at large. As a coach, Damon has assisted people in all walks, levels of fitness, and phases of life. From specific sport training, to lifestyle fitness training for beginning to moderate level clients looking to get healthy and prioritize their fitness journey, he’s been sharing his wealth of knowledge and leading by example.
He has 6+ years group/personal training experience, 8+ years basketball clinic focused group/individual experience, and is ISSA certified. Helping others achieve their goals is a large catalyst for the programming Damon continues to develop within UPLFT. Through virtual classes, fast-paced bootcamps, and private coaching sessions, a fun but focused atmosphere, compassion, and hard work, meet to get results. Uplifting others, and showing them the route to learn, grow, and see themselves through much improved, healthier eyes is at the heart of the UPLFT mission.
Specializes in:
- General Fitness
- Bodybuilding
- Aesthetics
Board of Directors
- Shawna Williams (she/her)President
- Claire Doody (she/her)Vice President
- Tyra Lovato (she/her)Treasurer
- Julice Ogando (she/her)Secretary
- Cee Webster (they/them)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.