SWEAT AND SOCIAL DISTANCE
Mindset. Appreciation. Purpose. Sweat.
Kelley Vargo, Founder & Chief Dreaming Officer
As class president from sixth through twelfth grade, I have always felt called to lead and inspire. I guess that drive has stayed with me, and after an MS in Strength and Conditioning and MPH in Public Health Communication and Marketing, I knew I wanted to share my education, experience, and enthusiasm to change the world for the better.
By day, I am a professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University in Washington, DC and a Master Trainer and Health Coach for the American Council on Exercise and by night you'll find me here, at Sweat and Social Distance.
Vivi Alvez de Sa, Editor in Chief
I currently works at George Washington Univ. in the School of Public Health as a Senior Practicum Associate, mainly advising MPH students. A proud Univ. of MD and Villanova graduate, my background is in education and counseling and I have worked in all levels of education, from pre-k, grade school, community college, universities, and now, graduate students! My background in counseling and psychology help her form meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. I have always enjoyed fitness and movement, and am close to 100% attendance at Kelley's metabolic effect class. When Sweat and Social Distance started, I knew she had to help to keep Kelley's class alive!
Celeste Bonin, Chief Creative Officer
Im a seasoned veteran in just figuring out life as it happens (aren't we all?). I'm a former WWE women's champion and pro wrestler. I currently own and operate an women's clothing brand and I am an advocate of the strong of synergy between our mental, physical and emotional health. With the current pandemic, we have an opportunity to look at our lives, take an inventory and seek a community of likeminded people to offer and receive support. The most valuable thing we can share is our own personal knowledge learned through experience.
Claudia Cavazza, Veterans & Video Co-Officer
Claudia is an ERYT-200 yoga teacher, a VETOGA graduate, a non-profit with a mission to bring free yoga and meditation to veterans, first-responders and their families. Claudia completed the trauma-informed yoga training via Prison Yoga Project, is an advanced Professional Yoga Nidra facilitator specialized in the Integrative Amrit Yoga Nidra Method, & holds a Certified Trauma Professional and a Compassion Fatigue Professional certification. She founded the corporate wellness company WRKwell, to deliver VOI (Value on Investment) focused stress management solutions to local corporate employees.
Grant Dziak, Chief Strategy Officer
After playing football in college at The Ohio State University, I went full steam into the hospitality industry, running bars and restaurants for 8 years. During this same time, combining my experience in fitness, and passion for the business world, I built out my life coaching business, which I continue today, and has given me some of the most amazing coach-client relationships, but more so, amazing friendships.
I believe each individual has the ability to have control over their own mind, and that mindset controls all. I love being a liaison between the amazing experiences, people, lessons, success’ and failures I’ve been fortunate enough to come across, and helping expedite others through their own bullshit, on that same path.
Mallory McPherson-Waden, Chief Instructor Officer
Mallory has been teaching group fitness classes since she was a sophomore in college at GW. Her first certification was Les Mills BodyPump, followed by Spin, Zumba and Pink Gloves Boxing, and now she is also an ACE-certified Personal Trainer. She runs the group fitness and personal training programs for GW Campus Recreation and teaches one-credit fitness classes in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Science at GW. She is about to complete (in two months!) her Master's degree in Public Health!
Shawna Poliziani, Chief Branding Officer
I graduated from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 2013 with a BFA in Graphic Design. I had two internships as their Graphic Design Intern; J.P. Morgan and Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation.
Upon graduation, after a year of a Monday-Friday 8-5 with Yenkin-Majestic, I decided it wasn't for me. I freelanced on the side with my own company, ShawnaPoliz Design until I branched off on my own in April 2017. Now, I work from home with my pup Roman on projects that set my heart on fire. I probably drink too much coffee and laugh a little too much to call it "work" - and honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
I have a very strong background in Solopreneur (Solo Entrepreneurs) design + branding, and small business design + branding.
Brian Stamps, Veterans & Video Co-Officer
I'm a retired Marine. Since retirement I've been working in personal fitness, and martial arts. I've taught at several of the area universities as well as government and corporate organizations.
Nikki Vivekanandan, Social Media Officer
A second-year undergraduate student at The George Washington University studying nutrition science, Nikki is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the fitness industry. Her favorite forms of exercise include lifting, yoga, and walking her cat. She also runs a wellness blog www.instagram.com/livemashealthy.
