About Raise The Bar Training Studio
Our Goal is Your Goal:
At Raise The Bar Training Studio, we strive for personalized customer excellence. Our client’s fitness goals always come first. The skilled team of RTB Training Studio personal trainers customize a plan for fitness and nutrition that works with your life demands to help you create a new, healthier lifestyle that gets results in a fun and friendly atmosphere!
Our Mission Revolves Around You:
We strive to improve the lives of individuals of all generations by provide the highest quality private training experience and raising the fitness standards for all.
Meet Our Team
More information on our trainers
MIKE BERNKNOPF
Head Trainer
Mike has been a Certified Personal Trainer for 15 years, working with hundreds of clients over the years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from a research intensive program at Arizona State University in 2009. Following graduation, Mike received…
Mike Bernknopf
Mike has been a Certified Personal Trainer for 10 years, working with hundreds of clients over the years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from a research intensive program at Arizona State University in 2009. Following graduation, Mike received three nationally recognized certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine for Corrective Exercise and APEX. Focusing on a corrective exercise curriculum and bio-individuality, he uses his passion for improving the human condition through exercise and nutrition to optimize individual client’s results. Through continuous research and education, he continues to make a lasting impact on each and every one of his clients.
BRIAN MCCARTY
Personal Trainer
Working at Raise The Bar Training Studio for over 10 years, Brian is a certified Personal Trainer, specialty in A.A. Exercise Science & Advanced personal training. His interest in personal training began when he sustained a severe injury to his back several years ago…
Brian McCarty
Working at Raise The Bar Training Studio for over 4 years, Brian is a certified Personal Trainer, specialty in A.A. Exercise Science & Advanced personal training. His interest in personal training began when he sustained a severe injury to his back several years ago. Through his process of recovery, he fell in love with strength training and functional movement patterns. This influenced his decision to pursue his degree in 2014 in Advanced Personal Training and Exercise Science at Bryan University. Brian also has extensive experience in athletic recovery for people with disabilities. He uses his expertise to constantly help clients meet and exceed their goals and motivate them to pursue and achieve new ones. He strives to always provide an individualized and positive training experience to all of his clients.
MIMI JASPERSON
Personal Trainer
Mimi has been passionate about fitness and movement her whole life being a life-long dancer. Receiving her bachelors in Dance Performance & Choreography at Arizona State University connected her to the Kinesiology program, where she learned about the body’s interconnection and somatic cuing.
Over the years, Mimi’s love for dance transitioned to a passion for fitness with a focus on strength & core training and nutrition. Personal passion turned into professional when she became a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM. As a mother of an active toddler, her goal as a personal trainer is to help other women and moms find confidence and foster mental balance through fitness to feel empowered in all aspects of their lives.
Mimi Jasperson
Mimi has been passionate about fitness and movement her whole life being a life-long dancer. Receiving her bachelors in Dance Performance & Choreography at Arizona State University connected her to the Kinesiology program, where she learned about the body’s interconnection and somatic cuing.
Karen Meier
Trainer
Karen found her true passion in her late 50’s as a Personal Trainer, helping others live their best life of fitness & wellness.
She is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach & Certified Life Coach. Her specialty is working with women 50+ to tone, build strength & age the healthiest way possible. She partners with her clients through their fitness journey with highly personalized, strategic programs that meet THEIR needs. She prides herself on making the workouts fun, interesting and even entertaining at times!
Karen didn’t start working out until she was 52 years old. Diagnosed with pre-diabetes, 45 lbs overweight & looking at an 8th lifelong medication, she decided she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life like this. She figured out the magic formula to a healthy lifestyle is Exercise, Nutrition & Mindset.
She lost 45 lbs through Resistance & Strength training, followed a solid nutrition plan & is down to ONE medication. At 60 years old, she feels fabulous & has tons of energy.
Originally from Detroit, she spent the majority her career in Sales & Marketing. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Advertising way, way, way back in the day of legwarmers, Jane Fonda workouts & Richard Simmons Deal-a-Meal!
David Larson
Co-Owner
David Larson is a highly sought-after strength coach, educator, and performance expert who delivers results with purpose and precision. With a Doctorate in Health Science, a Master’s in Kinesiology, and an Executive MBA from Arizona State University, he brings serious credentials and real-world grit to every session.
Over the past decade, David has coached hundreds of clients, taught over 10,000 students, and carved out a reputation for cutting through the noise in an industry full of fluff. He’s a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Precision Nutrition Level 2 Coach (PN2), Olympic Weightlifting Coach, and a published author in health and fitness.
As the owner of Raise the Bar Training Studio in Old Town Scottsdale, David specializes in helping high-achieving clients transform their bodies and optimize their performance. His training style is science-backed, brutally effective, and built to meet you where you’re at—whether you’re recovering from injury, prepping for a big life change, or just tired of spinning your wheels.
When he’s not coaching, David is a university professor teaching kinesiology and health science, mentoring the next generation of health professionals, and publishing work that challenges outdated fitness dogma.
If you’re ready to raise the bar on what you expect from your health and performance—let’s get to work.
Kate Larson
Co-Owner
Kate Larson is the co-owner of Raise the Bar Training Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona, alongside her husband, David. A former distance runner and longtime nutrition coach, Kate has always believed in the power of simple, consistent habits to build lasting health.
As a mom of three, she brings a real-world perspective to the studio’s mission of helping clients stay strong, active, and resilient through all stages of life. She remains deeply involved in shaping the community and environment that set Raise the Bar apart.
Outside the studio, you’ll usually find her running trails, spending time with her kids, or enjoying the Arizona sunshine.