WHO WE ARE
Backyahd was created by three Boston fitness instructors that strive to create a place where everyone feels seen and that serves as a second home to all. A place where GRIT meets PLAY and hard work is understood rather than repeatedly requested. A place where being there serves a greater purpose and that purpose is understood and supported by everyone else. Backyahd is deeply entrenched in the Boston community and is dedicated to giving back to the very city that it serves.
LAURA
MUCCI
MODALITIES
STRENGTH | CONDITIONING | FUNCTIONAL TRAINING | YOGA | BOXING | PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM STRENGTH COACHING
CERTIFICATIONS
NASM, CFSC (CERTIFIED FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH COACH), ANIMAL FLOW, MAD DOGG, TRX AND 200HR RYT
FITNESS STYLE
LAURA LIKES TO ASK QUESTIONS TO UNDERSTAND HER CLIENTS GOALS AS WELL AS THEIR LIFESTYLE, MAKING IT A POINT TO UNDERSTAND THEM AS A WHOLE PERSON. THIS ALLOWS HER TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THEM & CATER HER INSTRUCTION TO THEIR NEEDS. WHEN IT COMES TO COACHING IN CLASS, SHE BELIEVES IN WORKING HARD WHILE HAVING A GOOD TIME IN A FRIENDLY & WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.
ROB
MODALITIES
STRENGTH | CONDITIONING | FUNCTIONAL TRAINING | PLIABILITY | MOBILITY | BOXING | ATHLETIC TRAINING
CERTIFICATIONS
VELASQUEZ
NASM, TB12
FITNESS STYLE
ROB LOVES TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES HIS CLIENTS TICK. HE KNOWS HOW TO PUSH THEM TO THEIR LIMITS BUT ALSO PULL BACK WHEN NECESSARY. HE BELIEVES IN A WORK-HARD-PLAY-HARD MENTALITY AND KNOWS THAT WHILE NOT ALL FITNESS NEEDS TO BE SERIOUS, MANY EXERCISES TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF CONCENTRATION AND COMMITMENT. ROB’S MAIN FOCUS IS ON THE HUMAN FOUNDATION AND HE HELPS HIS CLIENTS WORK ON BALANCE, MOBILITY,FLEXIBILITY, AND FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH.
LAUREN
RICH
MODALITIES
BOXING | STRENGTH | CONDITIONING | YOGA | FUNCTIONAL TRAINING | PRIMAL MOVEMENT | MOBILITY
CERTIFICATIONS
NASM | 200 RYT | INN HEALTH COACH | ANIMAL FLOW | USA BOXING TRAINER
FITNESS STYLE
THERE ARE THREE WORDS TO MOST DESCRIBE LAUREN: PASSION, ENERGY, AND CREATIVITY. SHE IS TRULY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HER AND DEDICATES HER ENERGY, KNOW-HOW, AND CREATIVITY INTO GETTING THEM TO THEIR GOALS AND BEYOND. SHE BELIEVES FITNESS IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST REPS OR MOVES; IT’S ABOUT LOVING THE LIFE YOU LIVE AND KNOWING THAT A GREAT LIFE IS ONE THAT IS HEALTHY AND PAIN-FREE. LAUREN TAKES PRIDE IN KNOWING THE “WHY” ABOUT HER CLIENTS AND IN MAKING THEM DIG DEEPER THAN JUST THEIR PHYSICAL GOALS; SHE IS, IN EVERY WAY, COMMITTED TO THEIR JOURNEY.
LAURA
RICHARDSON
MODALITIES
STRENGTH | CONDITIONING | FUNCTIONAL TRAINING | BOXING
CERTIFICATIONS
ACE CPT | MAD DOGG SPIN | FFB PRE & POST NATAL CORRECTIVE EXERCISE SPECIALIST
FITNESS STYLE
ORIGINALLY FROM RHODE ISLAND, LAURA CAME TO BOSTON 13 YEARS AGO TO PLAY D1 SOCCER AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY. WANTING TO PURSUE HER PASSION FOR FITNESS AFTER GRADUATING, SHE BECAME A CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER AND GROUP EX INSTRUCTOR, TEACHING AT THE LIKES OF EVERYBODYFIGHTS, ORANGETHEORY FITNESS, AND AXL SPIN STUDIO. FROM MARATHONS TO TRIATHLONS, SHE THRIVES ON PUSHING HER OWN LIMITS AND DOING THE SAME WITH HER CLASSES. MOST RECENTLY LAURA HAS TAKEN HER PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS FULL TIME HELPING HER CLIENTS LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES!
MEG
HENNESSY
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
SQUAT THRUSTERS
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
HIGH ENERGY, GOOD MUSIC, AND ONLY THE BEST VIBES. SHE LOVES WATCHING PEOPLE PUSH THEMSELVES OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE AND REALIZING THEIR OWN STRENGTH, SO EXPECT TO ALWAYS HAVE A CHALLENGE THROWN YOUR WAY!
ABOUT MEG
AS A FORMER COLLEGE LACROSSE PLAYER AT HARVARD, FITNESS AND BEING A PART OF A TEAM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY OF MEG’S. SHE’S A FIRM BELIEVER IN SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU BETTER EACH AND EVERY DAY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS SHE LOVES THE BY COMMUNITY SO MUCH. WHEN NOT AT THE GYM YOU CAN FIND MEG TEACHING AT SWEATFIXX, RUNNING, TRAVELING, AND SPENDING TIME WITH LOVED ONES.
ALYSSA
SEALES
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
CHEST PRESS OR DEADLIFTS
FAVORITE CLASS AT BACKYAHD
STRENGTH (UPPER BODY)
ABOUT ALYSSA
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
BIG BEATS & ENDLESS ENERGY!
ALYSSA IS A FORMER COLLEGE SPRINGBOARD DIVER AND GOT INTO THE BOSTON FITNESS SCENE DURING HER SENIOR YEAR AT NORTHEASTERN. A SELF-DESCRIBED BUSY-BEE, ALYSSA WORKS AS A SOCIAL MEDIA PLANNER DURING THE DAY, IS AN INSTRUCTOR AT BARRY’S, AND NOW JOINS THE TEAM AT BACKYAHD. WHEN SHE’S NOT WORKING YOU CAN FIND HER SWEATING ALONGSIDE YOU IN CLASS, TRYING NEW RESTAURANTS, AND HANGING OUT WITH HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
DANIEL
NEGRON
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
BENCH PRESS
FAVORITE CLASS AT BACKYAHD
LOWER BODY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
TO BE PUSHED TO YOUR LIMITS AND HAVE SOME FUN DOING IT!
ABOUT DAN
BORN AND RAISED IN HARTSDALE, NY DAN MOVED TO BOSTON ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY FROM TUFTS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. DAN PLAYED COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR TRINITY COLLEGE FOR WHICH HE WAS AN ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETE, NSCA ALL-AMERICAN, AND A CAPTAIN HIS SENIOR YEAR. DAN BELIEVES IN PUSHING HIS CLIENTS TO REACH THEIR GOALS, REQUIRING GRIT AND PERSEVERANCE, WHILE STILL EMPHASIZING PROPER BODY MECHANICS AND HAVING FUN. HE LOOKS FORWARD TO COMBINING HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HUMAN BODY AND BEST PRACTICE EXERCISE TO HIS FITNESS REGIMENS.
CARLY
BIRON
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS
FAVORITE CLASS AT BACKYAHD
LOWER BODY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
ABOUT CARLY
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
A WELL ROUNDED WORKOUT WITH A LOT OF SWEAT AND BIG BEATS TO GET YOU THROUGH IT
SWIMMING FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MASS AMHERST BROUGHT OUT A LOVE FOR EXERCISE IN ME. I WENT ON TO STUDY KINESIOLOGY AND GRADUATED WITH MY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN KINESIOLOGY WITH A FOCUS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PERSONAL TRAINING. AFTER GRADUATING, MY LOVE FOR GROUP FITNESS BLOSSOMED AND I’VE BEEN APART OF THE BOSTON GROUP FITNESS INDUSTRY EVER SINCE!
LIT2LIFT
ABOUT DARREN
DARREN GRADUATED FROM BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY IN 2018. HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BOSTON AND ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR SPORTS. IN HIS JUNIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE DARREN CO-FOUNDED LIT2LIFT TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. IN 2020 HE BECAME AN ACE CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER. HE HAS SINCE BEEN TRAINING AT VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA, OFFERING BOTH GROUP AND INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING. DARREN USES HIS LIT2LIFT PLATFORM TO CONTINUE PUSHING THE FITNESS CULTURE IN HIS COMMUNITY.
ABOUT JONADY
JONADY WAS BORN & RAISED RIGHT HERE IN BOSTON. HE GRADUATED FROM BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY BACK IN 2018 WITH A DEGREE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE. A YEAR LATER, HE RECEIVED HIS ACE PERSONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND HAS BEEN A TRAINER SINCE. JONADY IS ALSO THE COFOUNDER OF LIT2LIFT. A LIFESTYLE FITNESS BRAND THAT STRIVES TO MAKE FITNESS & HEALTH ACCESSIBLE AND FUN TO ALL!
LEA
TALLIA
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
BARBELL DEADLIFT
FAVORITE CLASS AT BACKYAHD
STRENGTH
ABOUT LEA
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
LEA AIMS TO TEACH PROPER TECHNIQUE AND TAKES PRIDE IN THE SCIENCE BEHIND HER PROGRAMMING. SHE'S A STICKLER FOR FORM AND CONTROL, SO YOU CAN EXPECT LOTS OF THE BASICS AND POWER MOVEMENTS IN HER CLASSES. SHE LOVES HER BASS AND HEAVY BEAT DROPS SO LEA WILL KEEP YOU VIBING AS YOU LIFT HEAVY.
LEA EATS, SLEEPS, AND BREATHES STRENGTH TRAINING. GROWING UP AS A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST STARTED LEA'S PASSION FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE- SHE LOVED SEEING HOW POWERFUL AND STRONG THE HUMAN BODY CAN BECOME WITH PROPER TRAINING. LEA WENT ON TO BECOME A COLLEGIATE RUGBY PLAYER AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY IN CHICAGO WHERE SHE LIVED FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS AND STARTED HER PERSONAL TRAINING CAREER.
LEA JUST MOVED TO BOSTON LAST YEAR AND IS EXCITED TO WORK WITH A COMMUNITY THAT WELCOMES STRENGTH AND POWER. SHE HAS BEEN TRAINING AND TEACHING GROUP FITNESS CLASSES FOR OVER 6 YEARS NOW.
LEA IS ALSO A COMPETITIVE POWERLIFTER WITH NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL RECORDS IN SQUAT, BENCH, DEADLIFT, AND TOTAL. SHE'S CURRENTLY TRAINING WITH HOPES TO COMPETE AT THE ARNOLD NEXT YEAR. SHE IS TAKING NEW
PERSONAL TRAINING CLIENTS AND WILL BE TEACHING CLASSES SOON!
OUTSIDE OF THE GYM, LEA CAN BE FOUND BAKING PROTEIN PACKED DONUTS AND DESSERTS (SHE'S ALSO A CERTIFIED NUTRITIONIST!). SHE HAS TWO CATS THAT SHE IS ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED WITH #CATMOM
WILL
HEWITT
FAVORITE STRENGTH EXERCISE
BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUAT
FAVORITE CLASS AT BACKYAHD
STRENGTH
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS
DYNAMIC MOVEMENT, EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH, POSITIVE ENERGY, BIG LAUGHS
ABOUT WILL
I’VE BEEN TRAINING FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND COACHING FOR 5+. I ENJOY SHARING THE GIFT OF STRENGTH TRAINING AND CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER. DON’T LET APPEARANCES FOOL YOU, I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT.
OUR LOGO
OUR LOGO IS A STRONG AND MULTIFACETED REPRESENTATION OF THE BRAND; IT ABSTRACTLY PORTRAYS 3 HOUSES SHARING A BACKYARD WHICH CREATES A PHYSICAL SPACE WITHIN THE MARK ITSELF, INDICATIVE OF THE SHARED SPACE OUR GYM WILL CREATE WITHIN THE BOSTON COMMUNITY. THE LOGO ALSO INCLUDES A TRIANGLE, WHICH, IN ADDITION TO BEING THE STRONGEST SHAPE, STANDS FOR BACKAYHD’S 3 FOUNDING MEMBERS AS WELL AS UPWARD MOVEMENT AND GROWTH.
