The Movement Revolution Family
We are dedicated to enabling our clients to maximize their potential, through the power of neuro-intensive exercise.
Certifications and Specialties:
Meet Our Team of Experts
Our team of Neuro Exercise Specialists have over 60 years of cumulative experience in working with neurological populations. Our coaches’ education level ranges from at least a bachelor’s degree to a PhD in exercise and wellness related fields while holding additional certifications and training in neurological symptom-specific exercise. We understand the unique impact of the conditions affecting our clients allowing us to develop the most impactful exercise programs that help them live stronger each day.
Eric Johnson
CEO & Founder
Eric founded Movement Revolution with the mission to foster hope and invigorate life through exercise, for people with neurological conditions.
Eric has a passion for coaching clients to reach their goals by maximizing their potential. Exercise and wellness quickly became his passion and guided his career path to sharing his experiences as a coach to enhance the lives of others through neuro-intensive exercise. Daisy Asimakopoulos
Director of Operations
Daisy was an athlete all throughout high school, but in college she became passionate about working with special populations and started working with children affected by neuromotor disorders and orthopedic conditions. She graduated with an Exercise Science degree from Illinois State University. While working at the top rehabilitation hospital in the country, Daisy began developing adaptive fitness programs for people with neurological disorders.
Daisy’s strong understanding of program development for conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and stroke recovery pairs perfectly with her passion to push clients toward their fitness goals. When not training, Daisy is in constant communication with clients and physicians to make sure the Movement Revolution experience is a great one.
In her free time, Daisy enjoys spending time with her husband & kids, traveling, and finding the best outdoor patios – live music required!
Katherine Jacob
Neuro-Exercise Specialist
Katherine has been involved with athletics for many years. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Sport Management Degree where she also played for the EIU volleyball team. She has coached for 7 years training college level athletes.
Ever since Katherine’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, it became her new passion to train those with neurological conditions and strive to make a difference in their lives while helping them to accomplish their goals. She is a certified Rock Steady Boxing Trainer. She likes to push clients to their full potential to give them the best quality of life. Katherine has the knowledge and experience to build a well rounded and functional program that is individualized for each client.
In her free time, she enjoys playing in volleyball leagues, working out, eating at new restaurants with her husband and attending sporting events.
Liana Lorenzi
Neuro-Exercise Specialist
Liana found her love for sports and exercise in high school when she was part of a travel volleyball team that played year round. She noticed as she was playing she also found interest in the role athletic training and the rehabilitation played inside of volleyball.
Austin Pohlman
Lead Neuro-Exercise Specialist
Austin was a three-sport athlete in high-school, until he suffered a few major concussions in competition. Seeing the impact of rehabilitation in his own life, fostered a passion to enable and help others through their own personal journey.
Austin turned that passion into a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from the University of Dayton and will complete his masters in the summer of 2020. A internship in the Neurology and Psychiatry department of Northwestern Medical further confirmed that this was his correct path. Leveraging a scientific approach to rehabilitation and disease prevention, Austin has helped numerous clients with varied neurological conditions from Parkinson’s disease, MS, Brain Cancer and others, to improve their functional wellbeing and become more confident in their everyday lives.
In his free time Austin likes to walk his dog Finn, play sports with friends, and enjoys watching a good movie. He likes all types food and is always open to new suggestions or recipes!
Breea Bell
Community Development Coordinator & Lead Neuro-Exercise Specialist
MS, NASM-CES, PES, NASE-CSS
Breea realized early on in her career that she was passionate to work with the special population community concentrating on Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, among others. Breea has a personal connection with the Parkinson’s community as her grandfather had the disease for 12 years. Making a difference in the lives of individuals with adaptive needs is a passion she strives to achieve each day here at Movement Revolution.
Breea has a bachelors degree and Masters Degree in Exercise Science with a dual concentration in Preventative Injury and Rehabilitation. She also is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) with both the Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist certifications in addition to her NASE Speed specialist Level II certification.
Parth Patel
Neuro-Exercise Specialist
Parth began his journey as an adult as a biophysics major. During that time, he learned that he did not enjoy spending time alone in a lab. He had been active through martial arts, lacrosse, and powerlifting throughout his young adult life and into adulthood. Many times, he would get injured and would try to learn why this occured and how to prevent this moving forward. This led him to earning his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Health and Human Physiology.
During this time, Parth had been working as a rehabilitation aide at Athletico Physical Therapy and that’s where he learned of his passion to help patients. He remembers the first patient that he worked with post-surgically and helped progress and the absolute joy it brought him to help someone else achieve something that was so meaningful to himself. He then moved on to Northwestern Medicine where he worked in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedic, neurological, lymphadema, and in-patient. During this time, he earned his Master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Pain Science. It was during this time that he took a high liking to pain science and pain disorders and helping those experiencing pain to the betterment of their lives and handing them the tools necessary to meet their goals.
Parth loves spending time with his girlfriend, Nicky, traveling, experiencing new and unique things, especially within nature, and he absolutely loves trying new foods.
Alex Tran
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Growing up Alex loved playing basketball and dancing recreationally. However, his passion for exercise grew when he began weightlifting in high school. Early on he experienced many injuries such as a pectoralis major tear and herniated lumbar disc. Although the injuries were mild setbacks it opened a door which allowed him to use his knowledge to help others overcome their own difficulties.
Originally, Alex majored in Business Administration and planned to find a career related to the field. After some reevaluation he ended up switching majors and graduated from Aurora University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree. After graduation, Alex received his Exercise Physiologist certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Alex had previous experience working as a rehabilitation aide and fitness instructor for the geriatric demographic, many of which were diagnosed with medically complex conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
During his free time Alex loves going to all you can eat restaurants, cooking, weightlifting, and playing with his dog Luna.
Shari Manakul
Business Administrator
Shari graduated with her bachelors of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Soon after graduating Shari’s father was diagnosed with dementia so she put everything on pause to become her father’s primary caretaker for five plus years. She is confident that a big reason as to why her dad is still here today is because of the exercise and daily routine that she did with him. That exercise truly prolonged his quality of life. Which is why she strongly believes in the work at Movement Revolution.
Although she decided the hospital setting was not for her, she still enjoys helping others and bringing light into people’s lives. Shari has an immense compassion for others and in her free time she loves to volunteer and donate to women’s shelters and local food pantries.
Matt Costa
Education and Program Development Coordinator & Neuro Exercise Specialist
Matt developed an interest for studying the human body while training for multiple sports in high school. He was fascinated with how each exercise translated into a sport-specific movement on the field. Matt studied exercise science at Slippery Rock University in western Pennsylvania, where he went on to get his Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity, studying Physical, Intellectual, and Developmental disabilities.
Matt is extremely passionate about working with individuals with chronic conditions, and was previously the Director of Training for a nonprofit organization in Pittsburgh. He has tremendous experience working with individuals with Strokes, Spinal Cord Injuries, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. He believes everyone can improve their quality of life through purposeful physical training!
In his free time, Matt enjoys any outdoor activity! He is an avid golfer, enjoys recreational sports, snowboarding, and watching the Buffalo Bills on Sundays.Ed
Ed Cruzat
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Ed graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a degree in Kinesiology. His passion for movement and education truly blossomed in his mid-20s when he herniated discs in his lower back. Ed rehabilitated his spine with orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors. He grew a thirst for knowledge on proper biomechanics and rehabilitative techniques through that process. This has led to a career spanning 15 years of experience in movement science and rehabilitative therapy. Collecting various certifications over the years, he has helped and educated people through their injuries – an essential driving force in his life. Ed is excited to carry that passion and experience to Movement Revolution as a Neuro Exercise Specialist.
In his free time, Ed absolutely loves video games. He also dabbles in boxing/Muay Thai, mountain biking, kettlebell training, and basketball. He is a die-hard Bulls fan but an even bigger fan of his wife and baby daughter.
Leana Giron
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Leana developed a love for fitness later in life, having spent many years being frustrated with her body and the difficulty it posed when it came to physical activity. After starting at the University of Central Florida initially as an engineering major, she began to learn more about her new passion, leading her to switch her major to sport and exercise science and human. It was during her first semester in this new degree program that she heard the phrase “delay the zone of disability,” meaning the point in life during which independence is lost; and learned that there were career opportunities in working with special populations like herself. From that point on, that was the goal.
Leana has spent several years in the field working in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and outpatient therapy for orthopedic and neurological conditions. Neurologically-affected populations have always held a special interest for her, as she was diagnosed with a movement disorder in her teens, and has prior experience working with clients recovering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and more
Liam Moore
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Liam was originally born in Seattle, Washington where he grew up and discovered his passion for exercise through his love of swimming, climbing, and soccer. During High school Liam underwent three ACL surgeries in a four year stretch and spent much of that time in rehab. Due to this he grew to appreciate the rehabilitative properties of exercise as well as the unique meaningful relationship that trainers provide to their clients when helping them reach their goals. Liam began to volunteer as a swim coach for children with intellectual disabilities and made it his goal to turn this passion into a career.
Liam left Seattle in order to study Exercise Physiology at Marquette University in Milwaukee Wisconsin. While here he developed an interest in working with special populations and connected with Movement Revolution in order to complete his Senior internship. He loved every second of the internship and developed a passion for training clients with neurological conditions and was thrilled when they reached out about making him a full member of the team post-graduation. Liam received his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology degree from Marquette and moved out to Chicago in order to continue his work at Movement Revolution.
In his free time Liam enjoys going for walks, riding his bike, reading, and exploring new places.
Tess Grimes
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Tess found her love for exercise through sports growing up and continued that passion into her college studies. She graduated from Marquette University in 2021 with a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology. During college she was motivated to help others learn how to begin exercising and became an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer. While training college students, she found that lot of people needed direction on how to start and began to help them not only with exercise but changes to their lifestyle. Moving forward she went on to teach group training classes and learned the best ways to challenge them on a daily basis. Tess realized that communication and relationships with the people she trained was what continued to make the most impact on their goals. Tess’s goal is to make movement and exercise something that can be carried over into everyday life.
In her free time, Tess enjoys doing anything outdoors and is always open to trying new outdoor activities.
Paul Jo
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Paul had started weightlifting in middle school. In highschool, he was a three-sport athlete, participating in football, wrestling, and track and field. Upon experiencing a couple of injuries, he gradually developed an interest in the science in exercise. In 2021, Paul graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise Science. After graduating, he worked as a Rehabilitation Aide and Personal Trainer prior to coming to Movement Revolution.
Paul realized his passion for helping and educating others. In his free time, he enjoys playing disc golf, playing tennis, and exploring new restaurants and activities with his girlfriend.
Erik Ojeda
Neuro Exercise Specialist
Erik has a passion for helping others. His journey in the field of exercise science has been an exciting one, culminating in the achievement of my Master’s degree in Sport Science and Rehabilitation from Logan University in 2023. Working with individuals and witnessing their transformation and progress is incredibly rewarding for him. He dedicates his spare time to coaching soccer. It’s a fulfilling experience to share his expertise and guide young talents on the field, helping them develop both their skills and character. Beyond his professional and coaching endeavors, he has a faithful dog named Lazy, a lovable German Shepherd who brightens his days. When it comes to food, he has a joy for spicy dishes.
Ultimately, his love for adventure, soccer, helping others, and embracing bold flavors shapes who he is as an individual.
Elena Lindstrom
Client and Community Relations Coordinator
After receiving her B.A. from Macalester College, Elena gained experience in customer service, event planning, and program coordination by working in different non-profit settings, from youth enrichment programs to higher education. In June 2022 at age 27, Elena was diagnosed with grade 3 brain cancer and began treatment with surgery, chemo, and radiation. Elena came to Movement Revolution as a client after being discharged from PT, seeking a way to keep up her strength while continuing treatment. Elena credits Movement Revolution’s caring staff, encouraging environment, and specialized exercises as being instrumental in maintaining her mental and physical health during her first year of survivorship – and she is so thrilled to now have the opportunity to support others living with neurological conditions in this new role!
In May 2023, Elena completed her M.A. in Humane Education from Antioch University New England and launched a webinar series called CANCER +. Elena lives in Skokie, IL with her husband Ryan and their cat companion Macy. In her free time, she loves to watch movies, try new plant-based recipes and restaurants, and spend time with family and friends.