Meet the Expert
DaShon Rivers
Health Fitness Specialist
With 7+ years in the industry, I have utilized unique scientific & psychological training methods to help my clients reach their fitness, sport, and health goals. My experience includes working with a variety of special populations such as individuals with medical ailments, pregnancy & postpartum, children, senior citizens, athletes, and more! My level of expertise and unique training style is also a result of my previous gymnastics career, kinesiology degree, and many certifications.
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It Starts Now!
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Degrees & Certifications:
Master of Education in Sport Administration | University of Miami
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology | University of Illinois
Certified Personal Trainer | National Academy of Sports Medicine
USA Gymnastics Certified Instructor
BARRE Above Certified Instructor
GOFLO Certified Instructor
Consumer Wellness Advocate Certification
American Heart Association CPR & AED Certification
American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
Blood-Borne Pathogen Certification
Founding Member of Men's Health Fitness Council
Prior Contributions to the Industry
Research Experience:
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2016: Pedagogical Qualitative Research Laboratory
- worked under Dr. Benjamin Kern focusing on the development of physical education programs and modifications
of children's wellness
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2015-2016: Renal & Cardiovascular Disease Laboratory
- worked under Dr. Kenneth Wilund studying the effectiveness of lifestyle alterations on co-morbidities linked to chronic kidney disease
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2015: Neurocognitive Kinesiology Research Laboratory
- worked under Dr. Charles H. Hillman examining the correlation between physical activity and improved neurocognitive function within the youth population
Work Experience:
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2017-Present: Founder & Owner of MASA Fitness, LLC.
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Featured in Brewer, Clive. Athletic Movement Skills: Training for Sports Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2017. Print.
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2017-2018: Men's Heath Fitness Council - Founding Member
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2015-2018: UIUC Activities & Recreation Center - Level 4 Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor
- designed fitness plans for over 200 clients​
-​ administered fitness screenings to clients and the Police Training Institute
- served on the Administrative Committee as Project Manager of the 2018 Midwest Fit Fest ​
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2017: UIUC Division I Athletics - Strength & Conditioning Coach Intern
-​ helped athletes set, pursue and attain individual and team goals
- developed training programs using scientific data to improve athletic performance
- experience with baseball, soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics, tennis, wrestling, and track team
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2016: Renal Research Institute Champaign-Urbana Dialysis - Exercise Specialist
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2016: 3D Gymnastics & Cheer Inc. - Gymnastics Instructor
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2016: UIUC Division I Athletics - Athletic Training Aide
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2015-2016: Lifetime Fitness Program - Group Fitness Instructor
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2015: FitKids After-school Program - Physical Education & Fitness Instructor
