You can learn more about each one of us here as well
David Larson, DHSc, MS, MBA, CSCS
Owner & Coach
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and health science, mentoring the next generation of health professionals, and publishing work that challenges outdated fitness dogma.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.
Mike Bernknopf, BS, NASM-CES
Head Trainer
Mike has been a Certified Personal Trainer in Old Town Scottsdale 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 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
Certified Personal Trainer
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 in Old Town Scottsdale.
MIMI JASPERSON, NASM-CPT
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.
Karen Maier
Personal Trainer
50+ Fit & Fab was created by Karen Meier after she got Fit & Fabulous at 60! At 52, Karen realized that 45 lbs of extra weight, no energy & eight medications was a miserable way to spend to live the rest of her life. Determined to take control, Karen discovered strength training could naturally lower A1c levels. She picked up weights, worked with a trainer, and, for the first time, found a fitness routine that was empowering, engaging, and life-changing. In just 90 days, her A1c dropped below prediabetic levels, and over time, she reduced her medications to just one. Fitness became more than just exercise—it became a lifestyle. At 60, Karen is in the best shape of her life, with a metabolic age of 52. Inspired by her journey, she became a Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach in 2024 and a Certified Life Coach in 2021.
Kayla Bellaire, MS, NASM-CPT
Personal Trainer
Kayla is an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, an M.S. in Medical Nutrition, and an M.S. in Nursing. She specializes in helping busy professionals, shift workers, and beginners build a “Lifestyle Athlete” routine – training that fits real life and still delivers real results. Kayla’s coaching style is science-backed, structured, and empowering, with a calm intensity that helps you feel comfortable, confident, and capable in your body. Having been active her whole life through sports and training, she brings that same energy into her coaching and loves helping clients make fitness feel fun and eventually addictive. Kayla has worked with all ranges and levels of fitness, meeting clients exactly where they are, and building them up with smart progressions. Her method is built on four pillars: Train, Move, Fuel, and Recover – so clients can gain strength, improve energy, and develop consistency that lasts. If you’re ready to feel athletic and thrive in your body, Kayla will help you build a routine, and results, you can keep for life.