Adrian Ramirez
Adrian Ramirez is the founder of RockSalt Pilates, a revolutionary and personalized approach to Pilates that blends music, creativity, and energy. His journey began after an injury led him to Pilates, a practice that healed his body and transformed his well-being. Realizing his true passion for fitness, Adrian left a successful career at Disney Corporation to dedicate himself to Pilates, training rigorously to become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after instructors.
In 2012, Adrian brought his vision to the Bay Area, opening his first studio in San Carlos, which quickly expanded and evolved into RockSalt, with locations in Redwood City and San Mateo. His tailored approach, driven by dynamic routines and personal attention, has helped countless clients achieve fitness goals they once thought impossible. For Adrian, the most rewarding part of RockSalt is witnessing the profound physical and mental transformations of clients over the years. The joy and spirit of the RockSalt community fuel his passion, making it a truly unique and inspiring space for everyone involved.
Amy Beltrami
Amy Beltrami grew up in the Bay Area and has been a lifelong dancer with over 40 years of teaching experience. She discovered RockSalt in 2017 through her daughter and began teaching in 2019. RockSalt has been essential to her physical and emotional well-being, and Amy is passionate about making exercise fun and accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
Amy Killeen
Amy Killeen joined RockSalt in 2014 as a client and became an instructor 10 years later to share her passion for fitness. With a background in competitive dance, collegiate hurdling, and civil engineering, she brings athleticism, rhythm, and precision to every class. Amy loves helping clients build strength, confidence, and community.
Ana Marie Corona
Angelica Sanchez
Angelica Sanchez found RockSalt during a time when she needed to reconnect with movement and was hooked after her first class. Teaching at RockSalt has deepened her passion for fitness and wellness. Angelica loves RockSalt's unique approach and aims to create a community where clients feel challenged, energized, and empowered. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see clients surpass their limits and grow stronger with each class.
April Walker-Heminway
April Walker-Heminway has always been passionate about staying active, from 10 years of dance to teaching aerobics and exploring fitness at various gyms. She discovered Pilates and RockSalt about 7 years ago and fell in love, joining the team as an instructor in March 2023. April enjoys creating fun choreography and playlists but finds the most reward in seeing clients grow stronger and achieve moves they once found challenging. She feels lucky to be part of their fitness journeys.
Cassie O'Hearn
Cassandra O'Hearn brings a background in mental health and working with children to her role as a RockSalt instructor. While completing her hours to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she discovered RockSalt and fell in love with its unique blend of strength and cardio-focused workouts. Inspired by the joy of intentional movement, she decided to teach and share that experience with others. Cassandra values the studio's fun, lighthearted atmosphere, where clients can disconnect from the outside world for 50 minutes, challenge themselves, and embrace their strength.
Christine Fanizzi
With over 14 years of fitness teaching experience, Christine Fanazzi brings passion and energy to every RockSalt session. Outside the studio, she's a mom, wife, bodybuilding competitor, and triathlete. Christine’s classes feature upbeat pop playlists, with favorites like "Beauty and the Beat" for warm-ups and soothing cool-downs. Post-workout, she loves chicken salad but admits French fries are her guilty pleasure. Christine perfectly embodies RockSalt’s spirit of stretch, strength, and sweat!
Emma Danz
Emma Danz has always been passionate about movement and its transformative effects. A former collegiate soccer player, she expanded her fitness journey after college by exploring group fitness classes, eventually starting her teaching career in 2018. Her exploration led her to RockSalt, where the musically-driven, tempo-focused, and athletic-based movements stood out as truly unique. Emma loves RockSalt’s welcoming environment, which caters to all fitness levels and makes every workout enjoyable. She feels privileged to guide clients through movement, which she sees as essential medicine for body and mind. Inspired by her students' dedication to becoming their best selves, Emma brings energy and enthusiasm to every class.
Eva Martinez
Eva Martinez began her teaching journey with yoga and discovered RockSalt along the way, falling in love with the studio’s vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Now a proud member of the RockSalt team, Eva cherishes the fun music, friendly community, and positive energy that greet everyone at the door. She finds joy in watching clients challenge themselves, grow, and celebrate their progress, making each class an inspiring experience for all.
Gisselle Morales
Joyce Zheng
Joyce Zheng found her passion for Pilates while working at a startup in downtown San Mateo, often visiting RockSalt after work to unwind. Her love for fitness grew, inspiring her to transition into teaching both Yoga and Pilates. Choosing to teach at RockSalt was a natural decision, as it was where her Pilates journey began. Joyce now commutes from San Francisco to San Mateo to share her enthusiasm for dynamic, engaging classes. She enjoys crafting energizing playlists and helping others find balance and inspiration in their fitness journeys, just as she has.
Kat Minnis
Kerri Weyer
Kerri Weyer has a background in Marketing but has always been passionate about athletics and fitness. A RockSalt client since the first studio opened in San Carlos, she now loves teaching and helping others achieve their fitness goals. Kerri’s classes are driven by upbeat music, challenging workouts, and a positive, energetic atmosphere that keeps clients motivated and excited to move.
Kristin Thompson
Madeline Waldsmith
Madeline Waldsmith grew up participating in group sports and, after college, turned to group fitness classes to fill the void. She discovered RockSalt after moving to the Peninsula from San Francisco and quickly became hooked. After attending classes regularly, she joined the RockSalt team as an instructor a year ago. Madeline’s goal in both her personal and professional life is to make others feel good, and she finds great joy in providing a space for clients to build confidence, improve their physical and mental well-being, and grow within a supportive community.
Marisa Higgins
Raquel Gandolfo
Raquel Gandolfo discovered RockSalt after the pandemic and quickly fell in love with the challenging yet fun atmosphere of the classes. Pilates had always interested her, but she found RockSalt to be the perfect fit with its advanced level and dynamic pace. When Christine offered instructor positions, Raquel was thrilled to join, knowing it was an opportunity she'd longed for. She loves being an instructor at RockSalt for its creativity, the amazing community, and the friendships she's built. Raquel is grateful for the opportunity to connect with incredible people who share her passion for fitness.
Ren Vardi
Ren Vardi discovered RockSalt a year into their teaching journey and quickly found a supportive community that focuses on growth, strength, and fun. After over six months of teaching on the reformer, the studio has become their happy place. Ren thrives on the magic that happens when the killer playlist, amazing clients, and 50 minutes on the reformer come together for an unforgettable experience.
Ruth Kabeche
Ruth Kabeche is a 500-hour yoga certified instructor who taught at CPY for three years before joining RockSalt a few months ago. She discovered RockSalt through Emma and took her first class with Marisa, instantly falling in love with the studio. Ruth loves being a RockSalt instructor for its incredible community of both instructors and students. She believes the workout is one of the best she has ever experienced.
Sabrina Chuang
Sabrina Chuang began teaching at RockSalt in January 2020, seeking a break from her career in advertising. With a lifelong love for music and movement, she quickly embraced the energetic, music-driven classes at RockSalt. Sabrina’s favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy RockSalt brings to clients—whether they’re new to the workout or achieving long-term fitness goals. She loves witnessing the smiling faces that come and go from the studio, energized and empowered by their experience.
Samantha Armas
Samantha Armas has always been passionate about fitness, staying active through sports and group workouts, which she found far more energizing than exercising alone. Her love for Pilates began after trying classes at various studios, but it was RockSalt that truly felt like home. The welcoming community and incredible energy made an immediate impression. Teaching fitness had always been her dream, and joining the RockSalt team was a decision she treasures. Samantha loves helping clients feel strong, empowered, and accomplished, both physically and mentally. For her, teaching at RockSalt is more than a job—it’s a chance to share her passion and make a meaningful impact within an inspiring and supportive community.
Sean Olivier
Sean Olivier holds a BA in Fitness Wellness and an ACSM-EP certification. After interning as a personal trainer, he transitioned into Pilates, inspired by his aunt and cousin, both instructors. Sean also works as a personal trainer at a private gym. He believes Pilates offers a unique fitness style that's gaining popularity, and he enjoys helping others achieve a great workout while providing an exceptional experience.
Stacie Ulm
Sylvia Kalivitis
Toni Callahan
Toni Callahan has a lifelong passion for fitness, with Pilates as her favorite focus—mat, hot, and reformer alike. Her enthusiasm for movement led her to teaching, where she loves helping clients improve their strength, balance, and form. Toni joined RockSalt for its top-notch instruction and incredible community. She finds it rewarding to see clients grow stronger and more confident through the unique and accessible workouts that make RockSalt so special.
Tristan Helin
Tristan Helin grew up playing sports like football and wrestling, which fueled his passion for fitness. A certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, he was inspired by his mother, a RockSalt Pilates instructor and studio owner. Tristan enjoys the holistic benefits of Pilates, from building strength and flexibility to enhancing mental well-being. He thrives in RockSalt's uplifting atmosphere and is dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals.