Our Staff
Co-Founder George Toney
Martial Arts training is a powerful force in George's life. It introduced him to his amazing wife, Katie, and has kept him in good health. It also gave him the discipline to complete college, grad school, and law school. George has taught self-defense for the past 30 years at USC and all over the world.
George studied Kendo and Kickboxing with Sensei Ken Nagayama. He later trained with Alan Chang, did Iaido and Aikido with Sensei Daniel Furuya, boxed with Bobby Stewart, kickboxed with Sifu Mar Elepano and Guru Mark Stewart, and did Tai Chi Chuan with Sensei Hirakata and Seto Sensei.
George trained for more than 20 years in Muay Thai with Kru Chai and is a certified instructor in the World Muaythai Council. He has studied Hayastan Grappling under the renowned Gokor Chivichyan for more than 25 years.
George is one of Gokor's senior students. Gokor was the 2004 IMACC heavyweight No-Gi champion and was the 2005 NAGA directors advanced heavyweight champion of their 10th anniversary tournament.
Liene Bertasjus
Liene is our TRX instructor. She is passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle and is motivated to inspire others. Liene graduated from USC and is one of their most decorated rowers. She's the only three-time All-American and is a member of the CRCA West Region First Team. She even earned a place on the Pac-10 All-Conference Rowing Squad.
Liene was a member of Murjanu Rowing Club in Jurmala, Latvia, for seven years. She earned a bronze medal at the 2005 Junior Worlds and countless other medals from regattas all over Europe.
Kim Nygaard
Kim is our youth fitness instructor, and she has been educating, coaching, and inspiring children through physical education for more than 35 years. As an Olympic silver medalist in dragon boat racing, Kim uses her extensive knowledge to teach dragon boat racing to our students. Additionally, Kim is a published author who is nationally recognized for her innovative physical education programming.