MEET THE TEAM

Mike Soster, NASM-PES, M.S.​
Owner, Head Trainer

Master of Science: Human Performance and Injury Prevention
Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist, NASM
Certified Speed and Explosion Specialist, NASE
Certified Personal Trainer, ACSM
Youth Fitness Specialist, IYCA
Veteran, United States Air Force

Email: FunctionsofLife@gmail.com
Phone: (216) 785-5433

A graduate of North Royalton High School, Mike entered the armed forces in December 2001, where he served 6-years in the United States Air Force as an F-15 Avionics Specialist. He later attended East Carolina University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Fitness. A short tour in San Diego under the direction of fitness expert Todd Durkin, allowed him the opportunity to work with NFL superstars such as Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Shawn Merriman, and several others, which he claims to be paramount to his success as an effective Strength and Conditioning coach. He completed his Master of Science degree in 2010 from California University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Human Performance and Injury Prevention.

“I was blessed to be in the presence of such great people throughout my earlier years in this business. Not only that, but I was fortunate enough to have them actually care about the direction I took in the field. To give anything less than everything I have to this gym and the people that believe in it would be disrespectful to all those great people that left their legacy within me. Thank you for all your support in helping us create one of the most unique and powerfully energetic facilities in Northeast Ohio.”

Holly Corwon
Fitness Class Instructor / Personal Trainer

B.S. Marketing, University of Akron
CrossFit Level 1 Certified

Email: hollycorwon@gmail.com
Phone: (216) 926-7388

Holly is a graduate of and former cheerleader for Padua Franciscan High School. She graduated with honors from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. After 10 years in the marketing and graphic design fields, Holly realized she needed a change from the corporate world. While always active, in 2008, she started Crossfit and found a passion for the sport of fitness. In 2010, Holly became an L1 certified Crossfit trainer and began a new journey to help others achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Holly has coached at 3 Crossfit gyms in Northeast Ohio and 1 in Georgia. She currently coaches individuals and group classes at 2 local Crossfit gyms, as well as Functions of Life. Holly embraces an active lifestyle within and outside of the gym. She enjoys competing at local Crossfit competitions, as well as various group classes, running, tennis, skiing, boxing and hiking in the mountains.

“I believe in balance for myself and my clients. “Life” happens and you can’t always make it to a class or eat the perfect macros in a day, but you can always do something to work towards being the best person you can be physically, as well as mentally. No one else can do it for you. Work hard in the gym so you can live the life you want outside of the gym.”

Arin Pruitt
Fitness Class Instructor / Personal Trainer

B.S. Exercise Science
NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Fitness Class Instructor

Email: arinpruitt.fol@gmail.com
Phone:  (440) 586-1050

Arin Pruitt graduated from Brookside High School in 2014 as a 4-Year Letterman in Track and Football. He then went on to John Carroll University to earn his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Arin played football for John Carroll as a 4-year letterman, becoming conference champions in 2016. After graduation, he interned at Mississippi State University for Strength and Conditioning working with primarily the football team. He then returned to Cleveland where he quickly became certified through the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) taking his first job at LA Fitness.

Fitness and health has surrounded his whole life since being involved so heavily in sports. He fell in love with training through college and grew a real passion for helping others. He gained valuable experience working under some of the top strength and conditioning coaches and having hands on experience with Southeastern Conference (SEC) Athletes.

“Over the last couple years, training has become my true passion in life. Sports has helped me realize the importance of exercise and how it can be an amazing tool towards our physical and mental well-being. Whether making someone faster around the bases, scoring touchdowns, or just getting that body ready for summer, I’m ready to help all of our clients reach their specific goals.”

Brian Alberty
Personal Trainer

NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Strength and Conditioning Coach

Email: albertybrian2@gmail.com
Phone: (440) 915-6378

Brian is a 1995 graduate of John Carroll University where he played football for his first two years and went on to begin a successful business career working at McDonald and Company Securities and taking on an executive role of his family-owned business, founded in 1954. In 2016 the business was sold and in February of 2019 he officially stepped away to begin his next chapter. His passion has always been coaching/developing people, not only in business but also in youth sports.
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Brian started 360 Coaching, LLC in 2019 to coach small business owners along with individuals/teams from a fitness perspective. In addition, he is currently coaching freshmen football at Walsh Jesuit High School.
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“My keys to success in training and coaching are as follows and pertain to both client and trainer: Clear open dialogue on establishing goals that can be measured and monitored, unified understanding of expectations, consistency, hard work, commitment, and a never give up attitude.”

Michael Vana

Expert Rating Certified
Fitness Manager
Fitness Class Instructor
Personal Trainer

Email: MVana32@yahoo.com
Phone: (440) 552-8701

Michael graduated from Valley Forge High School in 2012 and moved on as an Education major in college only to realize the classroom wasn’t the place he wanted to be. Inspired by his brothers, Michael began his path in the exercise sciences, learning about how to correct form, transform the body, and how to successfully coach others. At age 19, Michael took a job at Planet Fitness as front desk personnel, only for management to quickly realize he has what it takes to be on the floor working directly with clients. From there, Michael moved on to other fitness studios such as My Personal Trainer in Broadview Heights and BrownsFit in Downtown Cleveland. In 2020, he took a break from personal training while moving into a management role. In doing this, Michael realized he missed personal training a lot and wanted to find a way to do both. So he decided to join the team at Functions of Life where he can work on the business side of things as a Fitness and Office Manager, as well as using his abilities as a personal trainer part-time.

“As I have found success in my own physical goals, I have also found a sense of fulfillment by passing knowledge to others. With the growing issues in America of metabolic conditions, obesity, anxiety, and depression, I understand the necessity of a healthy lifestyle. If I can even help just a handful of people not to be a statistic, then I have served my purpose. After 8 years, and all the hundreds of clients I have come across, I can proudly say I absolutely love what I do and hope to be doing it for a long time to come.”

Jake Smykowski

NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Fitness Class Instructor
Email: smy23@live.com
Phone: (440) 759-5458

Jake graduated from North Royalton High School in 2014, and then went on to complete his Associate in Arts from Tri C. While working with animals for 10 plus years, Jake has been on a mission to find his purpose. Through the pain of losing his mother at age 19, Jake was able to find the blessing in the pain. Through the last couplemonths of his mom’s life, Jake made a decision and completely transformed his body. He was able to lose 100Lbs and ultimately make his family and his mom proud! Fitness and nutrition started as something Jake did to make his mom proud, but then quickly turned into something he ultimately did for himself! Now recently becoming a certified personal trainer, Jake hopes to inspire and motivate others to become the best versions of themselves! “ I am forever grateful and thankful for this opportunity I have to be able to help others. Whether it is through fitness goals, nutrition tips, mental health, or talking about your favorite dessert! I want to be a light for others when you walk in the gym. Everyone is facing a battle everyday, and if I’m able to provide someone with a great workout and smile while you’re here. That’s all I want to do! Let’s be great today!”

Andrew Vaughn

B.S Exercise Science, Ashland University
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Fitness Class Instructor

Email: andrewvaughn341@gmail.com
Phone: (567) 215-7022

Andrew Vaughn graduated from Black River High School in 2014 where he was a 4-year letterman in Football and Baseball. He then went on to attend Ashland University to pursue his degree in Exercise Science. At Ashland, Andrew played football he was also a 4-year letterman and was a two-time conference champion in 2015 and 2017. He then interned with the Strength and Conditioning program at his own school, working with the men’s basketball, baseball, and football teams as well as the women’s softball team. After graduation Andrew accepted his first job as head trainer at Sharpen Skills Training in Brunswick.

Health and fitness has always been a priority in his life primarily due to his heavy involvement in various sports. He fell in love with training and the results that come with it. Helping others and the relationships that develop are what make training so special to him.

“Through the years training was always associated with bettering myself for a sport. The relationships I developed during that process will last a life time. However, recently, training has become a daily routine for me. It has brought so much joy, comfort, and peace to my life. If you want to get better at your sport, or if you want to pursue your dream body, I’m excited to be apart of all our clients journeys.”

Minka
Certified Mascot, K-9​

Born: August 6th, 2011
Favorite Food: Cozumel Enchilada Leftovers
Favorite Pastime: Hole Digging and Squirrel Hunting
Most Memorable Moment: Survived Cat Attack, August 3rd, 2012

“They just kinda let me lay here all day. It’s a good gig. I don’t bite, but every once and a while I’ll wonder out of my cave to make sure you got a good workout. Give me a nice hard back scratch and we’ll be perfect friends.”