Meet The 108 Human Movement Specialists

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Owner of Fitness Studio 108 

NASM Master Instructor 

Program Director 

Annie Malaythong is the owner and founder of Fitness Studio 108, an international presenter on fitness related topics, tv personality, Mom and NASM Master Instructor.  Annie is a graduate of Fresno State University, CA with a degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.  

As a former collegiate pole-vaulter that worked through two knee surgeries and competed at the Division I collegiate level for Boise State University and California State University, Fresno, Annie is known for “raising the bar” in everything she does in her personal and professional life. 

Annie's educational background and experiences working in Physical Therapy, leading teams in a corporate gym settings earlier in her career and having her own Personal Training Studio (Fitness Studio 108) has led her to become a Master Instructor for The National Academy of Sports Medicine, International Speaker and Presenter on Fitness Education and a Nationally certified personal trainer, Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach, TV Personality and most importantly Mother and Wife. 

Annie opened her first fitness studio in 2009 in Fresno, CA and at the height of the Great Recession in the United States. After leaving her beloved position of managing fitness teams at corporate  gyms , Annie has proven time and time again that she is dedicated to educating and inspiring current and aspiring career personal trainers to be successful. 

She has also presented fitness business workshops for Net Profit Explosion (Fitness Business Coaching), selected as a head coach for Everlast Boxing as a F.I.T Master Instructor/Head Coach and was selected as a reoccurring personal trainer on a popular television show on MTV called “I Used To Be Fat” where she was responsible for developing nutrition and fitness plans and coaching on and off screen for teens looking to lose 80 to 100lbs in 3 months on television. 

With her experience and love for the industry, Annie continues to be sought out by various fitness companies for her expertise to teach, present or contribute content. 

Certified Personal Trainer 

Exercise Physiologist

Licensed Massage Therapist 

Zen is a Georgia State University graduate with a degree in Exercise Science and is a certified Exercise Physiologist under the American College of Sports Medicine. He is also a certified Muay Thai and Jeet Kune Do instructor at the Francis Fong Martial Arts Academy where he has been a member of for 10+ years.  And our head manual and licensed massage therapist at Fitness Studio 108.

Zen has worked in cardiac rehabilitation at Northside Hospital as an intern where he assessed new patients and developed individualized treatment plans. He also trained patients on proper execution of the exercise program with an emphasis on posture correction and balance for fall prevention for at risk patients. He monitored patient EKGs, blood pressure, and heart rate as well as provide ongoing moral and mental health support and encouragement to patients. He has received professional training on cardiac rehabilitation equipment, exercises, and patient care.

While working in a hospital setting, he learned that he rather work in the preventative side of the health industry rather than the reactive side to be the most effective and to be in a positive environment that promotes growth, self responsibility and community. Zen also learned that he  thrives when given freedom of creativity to approach each individuals needs to evolve and keep each day exciting and different.

Certified Personal Trainer 

Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach

Corrective Exercise Specialist 

Deirdre "Dee" da Cruz is our most senior certified personal trainer at Fitness Studio 108.  She has been integral in helping develop the culture and community of Fitness Studio 108 in Georgia.  She is also a wife ,a mother of two, a nationally certified personal trainer, Level 1PN Nutrition Coach and Corrective exercise specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  Dee has always had a love for exercise and nutrition and is always excited to share her ongoing knowledge.  

Dee was diagnosed with Celiac Spruce Disease 15+ years ago and knows first hand the behavior change, dedication and commitment it takes to adapt to living a healthier lifestyle.  She understands the obstacles that someone may endure while on their journey to feeling better and is the absolute best accountability coach. 

She has a well rounded background in nutrition and women's strength training and has developed into one of the most demanded women's personal trainer at Fitness Studio 108.

With her knowledge and ongoing studies of women's nutrition and women's health in general, Dee works to provide, coach, and hold our women of 108 accountable to adapting simple behavior changes into their current lifestyle.  Dee has worked with pre and post natal women, pre/post and menopausal women and overall women who strive to be stronger and healthier. 

Certified Personal Trainer 

USA Weightlifting Coach

Corrective Exercise Specialist 

TJ Garretson is nationally certified with distinction in personal training through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is also certified as an USA Weight Lifting Coach, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Sports Performance Nutrition Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine . He is experienced in powerlifting, Men’s Physique competition, and an array of different martial arts including Muay Thai and Combat Submission Wrestling. Along with his different forms of training, he also has five years of experience in the supplement industry as well.

TJ empowers individuals to live a healthy lifestyle long term. A lifelong student, he continues to further his education to pass down his knowledge to those who want to take control of their lives. 

His passion for the health and fitness industry started in high school where he first began weight training. After seeing what hard work and dedication could accomplish he was hooked. From there, it evolved to him exploring different athletic endeavors and a desire to learn about different training and healthy lifestyle methods. Health and fitness have played an integral part in his life and has given him the motivation, confidence, and drive to accomplish anything that he sets his mind to. He is a firm believer in giving back to people and for him, there is no better way to give back than to help others succeed in reaching their goals.