Staff - XFit
Meet the Trainers
David Poland
Owner, Trainer | david@xfitmo.com
I was originally born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved to Springfield, Missouri when I was 15 years old and attended Hillcrest High School. Athletics were always a big passion of mine as a kid. After winning a state championship in high school baseball, I decided to keep pursuing my passion at a collegiate level. I attended Evangel University in Springfield MO and played baseball for the duration of my schooling. I graduated with a Recreational & Physical Education degree in the Spring of 2007. During that time, I had developed a passion for fitness and health and decided to pursue it as a career. As soon as I graduated, I became certified with I.S.S.A & N.S.C.A and my personal training career started. This passionate focus for fitness and health opened up a whole new world of growth, not only for myself but for others as well. I have been training full-time for 12 years now and have enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve been fortunate enough to help hundreds of clients over the years, both in person and online, achieve all different types of goals. From fat loss, building muscle, sports specific goals, improved mobility, rehabilitation, to most importantly, nutrition. Personally, I have competed in 4 NPC fitness shows, the last one being at a national level. I also a fitness advisor for KY3, where I do regular fitness segments with Paul Adler on Fit Life, a segment of Friday morning’s local news. After having a few years of personal training under my belt, I opened up my own private studio in 2010. XFit has been an amazing journey of hard work along with great teamwork from my amazing staff and clientele. These people have made XFit what it is today. I’m excited for many great years to come and hope to be able to help you in the future.
Ryan Stewart
Trainer | ryan@xfitmo.com
I played Semi Pro football for 1 season prior to an ACL knee injury but I have always been involved in sports and have taken interest in human anatomy and kinesiology.Incollege my interest shifted from physical therapy to business then got involved with personal training while being employed at StJohns Radiology dept. I was employed part time doing both jobs with school in the middle, then decided to take a leap full time with personal training. I worked for a private studio, then with the same local company that opened up a full gym. In 2007 I opened my own studio and employed 10 trainers from 2007-2011. I generally carry a full schedule and currently train 28 people and have had approximately 75% of them over 5 years. I feel that I have kept a great repor and even better relationship with my clients over the years.
With training I find that no 2 people are ever the same and there are generally always barriers and differences with everyone. Some clients may havea dispostion or biomechanical issue but with private training it makes it much easier to identify these things. I have personally worked with clients from the athletic level to the lite rehabilitative level and each individual requires different attention to needs.
Best of health and success.
Pamela Morris MS, MPA
ACSM Health Fitness Specialist | pamela@xfitmo.com
Pam is a personal trainer and fitness consultant. She specializes in small group and one-on-one training. Pam has 25 years experience as a Health Fitness Specialist and over 10 years as a nutrition health instructor. Pam has participated in numerous fitness DVD's, infomercials, television segments, and radio talk shows. Her vast knowledge and vibrant personality goes hand-in-hand with her style of personal training. Pam has trained athletes and clients of all ages and fintess levels. Pam's group class specialties include Pilates, Yoga, Interval, HIIT, free weights, and Myo-Therapy.
Theo
Trainer | theo@xfitmo.com
Degree
B.S. in Exercise Science Pre-Physical Therapy
Certifications
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
ACTION CPT
First Aid CPR/AED
Areas of Expertise
Athletic performance & movement
Weight Loss
Resistance training and Muscle gain
Functional movement
Strength and Conditioning.
Growing Up, I have always been physically active. I didn’t start taking Health and Fitness more seriously until I turned 15 and started to develop my skills as a basketball player for the English Youth National Basketball team back in England. Once I started to exercise more frequently, I really began to think about the ways I could challenge and push myself to be a best version of myself and I truly realized how much I wanted to pursue a future in the Health and fitness industry. I continue to work with strong, motivated individuals of all ages and fitness ability one on one and in group settings, while gaining more knowledge and experiences from other opportunities and industry research. As a fitness coach, I take pride in helping each and every client along their journey to meet their health and fitness goals. I want to truly turn your goals into your motivation and show you just how amazing you are and that you can really transform physically and mentally when it comes to health and wellness. Each and every one of us has a journey that we are on and I take pride in providing support throughout that journey because together, our limits are endless.
Trainer | angie@xfitmo.com
Angie has been a Springfield resident for 12 years. She has always had a passion for fitness and nutrition, which led her to becoming a personal trainer. Her style of training focuses on both strength and conditioning to help her clients achieve their personal fitness goals. She has been actively personal training for the past two years, and has taught Beach Body for the previous 15 years. Angie thrives in building relationships with clients and helping them reach their goals. Her drive for personal connection and her passion for fitness has helped her create lifelong friends with her clients.
Amy McCracken
Trainer | amy@xfitmo.com
Certifications
NASM CPT, CNC and Weightloss Specialist
My love of fitness has followed me throughout my life, starting in highschool with volleyball and cheerleading and has stayed with me as an adult with Crossfit and Physique training.
I believe fitness is a great avenue to help people overcome challenges, whether that's depression and anxiety that have held them back from being their best, gaining self confidence, or just wanting to live a healthy lifestyle. I love the self confidence, strength, and feeling of accomplishment it gave me and I want to pass that on.
I’m constantly learning to create and utilize movements, programming, methodology in training and nutrition to help people reach their goals. No two people are alike, we are like a blank canvas that you can mold and shape to create your best self.
Flexible nutrition is my jam as I believe it is the base of any healthy program. I believe you only grow once you get outside your comfort zone. I will challenge you to be the best version of you.
Prior to turning my passion for fitness and helping others into a full time career, I worked in Retail Management for 18 years. I am a wife and mom of two teenage boys. We are an active family and if I’m not in the gym you will find me at a Wrestling tournament, Cross County meet, or football game.
Ben Hoffman
Nixa Store Manager/Trainer | benhoffman@xfitmo.com
Growing up I was a very active kid. I skateboarded for 7 years before I decided I wanted to try football and track. At the beginning I did not have the build for football but with the guidance of my coaches and the weightlifting program I grew like a weed. That is where my love for weight training started. After High school at the age of 20 I joined the Air Force and and spent my 21st birthday in Iraq. During my deployment I found myself helping other Airmen with their fitness goals and was amazed at how they transformed their bodies, mindsets and overall health in a short 5 months! At that point I was hooked on helping others! The following year after my 22nd birthday I herniated 2 discs in my lower back and was told by the doctors that I better find a different hobby. I was crushed to say the least. This was my life and passion. That night I made the decision that I wasn’t going to give up. I was going to rehab my back, get mobile, get stronger, and come back better than I started. I became a Physical Training Leader for my flight, and my Squadron for the rest of my 9 year military career. After the military I worked for the railroad for 6 years but I was never fully satisfied. I have always wanted to get into the fitness industry and help others. When I resigned from the railroad in Kansas City, MO I relocated back to my hometown of Nixa, MO and got certified as a personal trainer and and have been learning and practicing what I preach daily ever since. To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of personal training is getting to know clients and our members. Everyone has their own unique life story and it’s amazing and also humbling to see how our stories shape our mindset, beliefs, and behaviors when it comes to health and fitness. I want to know YOUR story, and I want to help you create a new chapter in health & fitness!
Mallory Keith
Trainer | mallory@xfitmo.com
My favorite things in life are people, dogs, food, and fitness. Not necessarily in that order. I have always loved being active. I played every sport imaginable growing up, and continued my love for sports all through High School. I started playing competitive basketball when I was 10, and always knew I would be a college basketball player. My goal never changed, until I got really big into track. I was on my way to be a college runner and decided at the last minute to do neither. I wanted to live a life outside of sports, and I wanted to focus on my education. I stayed active in college and spent most of my time in the rec center. Once covid hit, there were no basketball courts or gyms open. I started running again, and running a lot. Without realizing it, I ended up losing too much weight. Once the gyms opened back up, my husband encouraged me to start lifting to put some muscle back on. I had no idea what I was doing, and the idea of being in a gym with machines was terrifying. My husband got me started, and once I was comfortable I was hooked. I love the atmosphere of the gym, seeing results, and the feeling of knowing that you are bettering yourself by the end of every session. I am excited to have the opportunity to help others who were once in my shoes; lost and uncomfortable. I recently graduated from Missouri State University, got certified as a personal trainer, and now continuing to chase my passion for fitness!
Sydney Mavengere
Coach / NASM CPT | sydney@xfitmo.com
Greetings! I'm Sydney Mavengere, and I've been immersed in the world of fitness and athletics for over a decade. My journey began when I stepped onto the football field at Jarret Middle School here in Springfield. A few years later I was blessed to play football at Evangel University. Through those years I grew a passion for fitness that I am here to tell you about. Armed with a NASM Personal Training certification, I am on a mission to share my wealth of knowledge and empower others to transform their lives through fitness.
**My Approach**
My training philosophy is all about becoming a lifelong athlete. I firmly believe that fitness should encompass a well-rounded approach, spanning weightlifting, running, calisthenics, and flexibility training. I'm a firm advocate for the integration of various disciplines because I've seen firsthand the incredible benefits it brings to overall wellness.
**Commitment to Learning**
The world of fitness is ever-evolving, and I'm committed to staying on the cutting edge. I'm constantly seeking out new techniques and approaches to enhance strength, flexibility, and general well-being. There is always something new to discover, and I embrace the challenge with enthusiasm.
**Motivating Approach**
I subscribe to the belief that progress is a journey, not a destination. Good things take time, and I'm here to guide you through every step of your fitness journey. By appreciating the small victories along the way, we can translate this mindset to life itself. Taking it slow and savoring the little moments can lead to profound transformations.
**Together We Grow**
Over the years, I've had the privilege of training with various coaches, each imparting their unique wisdom. I've absorbed these teachings, bundled them up, and I'm ready to pass on this invaluable knowledge to the next life long athlete. Believe in me, and together, we can cultivate your potential.
Ready to embark on your fitness journey? Contact me today, and let's start working toward your goals one step at a time.
Nathan Massey
Trainer | nate@xfitmo.com
I’ve had the privilege of experiencing a remarkable journey in life. As a former basketball and soccer player, I competed at a high level throughout high school, college at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, and in the Premier Arena Soccer League.
After a severe knee injury (ACL, MCL, and meniscus), battling COVID, and undergoing arthroscopy, I faced major setbacks — weight gain, pain, and loss of motivation. But with faith and perseverance, I rebuilt my life and body.
These challenges taught me powerful lessons and guided me to my true calling: helping others overcome obstacles and improve their lives through fitness. There’s nothing more rewarding than making a positive impact on others.
Hadley Casias
NASM Certified Personal Trainer | hardley@xfitmo.com
Hi, I’m Hadley Casias — NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, and Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at Southwest Baptist University.
As a former D1 Beach Volleyball player and lifelong athlete, I’m passionate about helping people lose body fat, build lean muscle, and feel stronger and more confident. Whether you’re an athlete or just starting out, I bring high energy, big results, and a love for movement. I’m currently studying Exercise Science at Missouri State University and continuously expanding my fitness knowledge to help clients achieve lasting results.
Julius Jager
Personal Trainer | julius@xfitmo.com
I’m from Aurora, MO where I played in multiple leagues for soccer for 14 years. I didn’t start taking fitness seriously until after a season ending knee injury. I then was struggling with anorexia for a little over a year. This is when I start going to the gym around 3 years ago. Quickly falling in love with the process of growing physically and mentally. I then had a large set back tearing my quad and the labrum in my shoulder putting it to a halt for 3 months. I have been coaching off and on for over a year now, where I like to specialize in weight loss, strength building, and injury recovery. After my recent injuries in spring of 2023, I was able to cut off 40 pounds in a little under 4 months.
Kaitlyn Sullivan
Certified ACSM Exercise Physiologist | kaitlyn@xfitmo.com
Hi I’m Kaitlyn! I have a Bachelors in Exercise & Movement science from Missouri state university. Working out and eating healthy has always been a top priority for me! I’ve been working out for over 10+ years.
I started with track in junior high, then faded out from the sports side and stayed in the gym lifting weights and running, that’s what I had the most passion for.
After high school, I went to MSU for exercise & movement science. I just knew it was something I wanted to be able to help people with in the future and show my kids one day that it is a top priority.
I’ve previously trained people, done bodybuilding competitions and then became a mama to two boys. I have stayed home with them for the last few years, but knew I wanted to fit training in because that’s where my heart is!
It’s rewarding helping people see results they never thought they might see and gain friendships along the way!