About Raise The Bar Training Studio
Matt Pithers
Matt has been passionate about fitness his whole life, which led him to receive his BS in kinesiology and become a Certified Personal Trainer in 2009. He had a short competitive body building career during in which he won two natural body building competitions in 2014. Matt and his wife, Hannah, started their personal training company in Kansas City in 2015, where they trained until 2022. He specializes in teaching people the importance of functional training, strength, and mobility to help everyone use their body to its full potential for their whole lives. He loves to make fitness approachable for everyone and has a long career of success with clients starting at all ability levels!
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!
DIANNA VAN ALLEN
obert & Dianna have been married for 24 years and have 3 children. Robert has been in the finance industry for 25 years and Dianna has been a Nurse for the last 15 years. Both have a strong interest in the fitness industry and enjoy weightlifting, hiking, and yoga. They are looking forward to joining you at Raise The Bar!
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.
Private Training Studio In Old Town Scottsdale
By Scottsdale Small Business Excellence Award Program

Meet Our Team
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
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
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.

BLAZE HUTKIN
Blaze, as a former Division 1 rugby player at the University of Arizona, he brings extensive athletic experience to his sessions, understanding the commitment required for excellence. Beyond rugby, Blaze has trained with NFL and college football standouts which translate into his....
Blaze Hutkin
Blaze, as a former Division 1 rugby player at the University of Arizona, he brings extensive athletic experience to his sessions, understanding the commitment required for excellence. Beyond rugby, Blaze has trained with NFL and college football standouts which translate into his elite-level insights into fitness and performance. He emphasizes functional mobility and strength training to help you achieve goals and enhance overall well-being. With certifications in Strength & Conditioning, Corrective Exercise, and Nutrition, he crafts personalized programs tailored to your needs, whether you're aiming to build strength, improve mobility, or enhance overall fitness.
Hannah Pithers
Hannah received her BS in Kinesiology and became a full-time certified personal trainer in 2009. She has a background in competitive dance, as well as certifications in yoga, pilates, pre/post-natal training, post abdominal surgery recovery and hernia prevention, and most recently, indoor bouldering. She has worked with clients of all ability levels over her career and loves creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. She is passionate about helping people to feel empowered, strong, confident, and capable in every aspect of their fitness!

Dustin Goetz
Dustin is NASM certified with 16 years of personal training experience. He specializes in Fat Loss, Nutrition, Lean Muscle Hypertrophy and Injury Rehabilitation. He prides himself with staying up to date with the newest scientific research studies and data to insure peak results. Dustin has competed in 3 National Bodybuilding competitions and works with everyone from general population to advanced athletes.
ROBERT VAN ALLEN
rt & Dianna have been married for 24 years and have 3 children. Robert has been in the finance industry for 25 years and Dianna has been a Nurse for the last 15 years. Both have a strong interest in the fitness industry and enjoy weightlifting, hiking, and yoga. They are looking forward to joining you at Raise The Bar!

Karen Meier
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!