“I’m a big kid deep down (okay, and maybe on the surface too…), and I believe that movement should be fun! So many of us stop prioritizing playtime as adults and start thinking of exercise as a chore. My mission is to change that.

I have a background in acrobatics, Kung Fu, parkour, and Ninja Warrior training. I am also a certified yoga teacher with a focus on trauma-informed mindfulness, and I volunteer with the Daya Foundation, teaching incarcerated women to become yoga instructors.

My passion is helping people who may have a difficult time with traditional exercise regimens. I know that working out may pose extra challenges for individuals who are transgender, neurodivergent, or living with chronic conditions, and I want to help alleviate that. Everyone deserves to have a healthy body that they feel at home in.

Outside of work I love comics, video games, dressing in costumes, and medieval lore. Tell me about your favorite superhero or DND class! I’m here for all things nerdy.”

Person dressed as Captain America with purple and blue hair, wearing a costume featuring a star emblem on the chest, and making a fist in a heroic pose.

Derek Anderson

Owner

IG: @superhero_derek

Qualifications

  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer

  • ACE Sports Conditioning Specialty

  •  200 Hour Yoga Training

  • TIBS level 1 + 2 (Trauma Informed

  • Brain Sensitive Mindfulness)

  • Level 3 Parkour Certified (WFPF)

  • First Aid, CPR/AED certified

Makaela Montgomery

Gym Director

IG: @coach_makaela

“My athletic journey is rooted in the world of competitive gymnastics. I rose to success in Sport Acrobatics becoming a US Champion, a member of the US National Team, and an international medalist. I’ve also left my mark at the national level in Trampoline and Tumbling, showcasing my commitment to the various sports of gymnastics.

But my passion goes beyond personal achievements. I am ignited by the successes of the athletes I’ve had the privilege to coach. From gymnasts as young as 1 year old to adults rekindling their childhood dreams of being a gymnast or even a superhero, I’m dedicated to helping everyone realize their aspirations.

Beyond the gym, I’m an adventurer at heart. You’ll often find me gliding (mostly) gracefully on roller skates, downhill skiing in winter or paddle boarding during summer! I share my life with my husband, Justin, and our cat, Jack.

My mission is simple: to empower individuals to make their dreams come true, both in the gym and in life.”

A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a dark green t-shirt, a necklace, and standing in front of a light-colored textured wall.

Qualifications

  • USA Gymnastics Instructor

  • Safe Sport

  •  Safety & Risk Management

  • School of Judging: Women’s 4/5

  • Preschool Fundamentals & Theory

  • School Age Hands on Training

  • First Aid, CPR certified

“My movement journey began with ten years of gymnastics, during which I competed at the Junior Olympic level. After leaving gymnastics, I spent eight years as a dancer, specializing in ballet and contemporary. I’ve studied at and performed with many studios at a pre-professional level, such as Open Space Dance and Northwest Dance Project.

In 2023 I started combining my gymnastics and dance background to pursue acro dance, while also training in martial arts tricking and various circus disciplines. For the past two years I’ve been teaching acro dance, strength training, and hand balancing here at Superhero Fitness.

Outside of my professional endeavors, I’m passionate about bugs, fashion, and Fortnite.”

A young woman is standing on one leg outdoors in a forest, holding her other foot behind her as she balances on her standing leg. She is wearing a beige crop top, yellow pants, and red shoes, with her long brown hair down. The background shows trees and green foliage.

Sydney Schommer

Coach

IG: @beetleetle

Qualifications

  • Night Flight Aerial’s 2024 “Fright Night”

  • Northwest Dance Projects 2019“Winter Wonders”

  •  Scholarship Award 2018 Nashville Ballet

  • USA Gymnastics Oregon 2012/2015 Level 5 & 7 State Champion

  • America’s top 100 Gymnastics scores – 2013

“Hi I’m Liam, I’d describe myself as a jack of all movement trades. I enjoy dancing, parkour, tricking, skiing, aerial, and contact improv. To name a few. I’ve been training parkour for almost 10 years, lifting for 3 years and dancing for 2 years.

 

I’m also an avid photographer, chef, and artist. In my free time you’ll find me spending time in nature, or hopping around the city to find new places to flip. You can find me teaching:

Contact Improv Basics

Intro to Powerlifting

Practical Movement Skills

Contemporary Dance

Looking forward to teaching you!”

Close-up of a smiling man with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt, in a room with windows in the background.

Liam Petite

Gym Director

IG: @liam.pettee

Qualifications

  • Ashland Spring Jam 2025

  • Host of PDX Summer Jam 2025

  • Photography

  • CPR certified

“I have always dabbled in movements and action sports, but my passion is martial arts tricking. I am a self-taught practitioner of Tricking for over a decade. I have dabbled in lots of martial arts such as

  • Taekwondo

  • American KickBoxing

  • Muay Thai

  • Escrima/Kali

but since gravitated to tricking. I love the creativity and flow of tricking and has been the biggest outlet of expression for me. My journey of tricking has led me to travel across the country, compete, and make lots of connections with people all over the world, and now has led to teach to the new generation here at Superhero Fitness.

I also enjoy playing video games, movie theaters date with my partner, and cooking.”

A smiling young man standing outdoors in a city park with trees and buildings behind him.

Raymond Van

Coach

IG: @ray.pdx

Qualifications

  • 2nd Dan ITF Taekwondo

  • 2nd Dan STO Taekwondo

  • 2016 Mighty River Classic Lightweight Champion

  • PDXtricking community leader

  • Vietnamese Speaker

  • CPR/AED Certified

Check out our specialty coaches

  • A woman with tattoos wearing a red outfit, doing a yoga pose in a forested area with trees and greenery.

    Hans Tabb

    Flexibility Coach

    Hans, originally from upstate NY, spent the first 20 years of life exploring movement and mobility through dance, yoga, and gymnastics. Since relocating to Portland in 2015, she has developed a passion for contortion training and performing. With a degree in kinesiology and health science, Hans offers valuable expertise in optimizing the balance between flexibility and strength. Since graduating in 2020, she has been dedicated to teaching, empowering others to understand their bodies and achieve flexibility goals safely.

  • Smiling bald man with a beard wearing a dark blue shirt against a black background.

    Cory Sylvester

    Handstand Coach

    After 10 year journey of following a dream, Cory landed the role as the artist of the German Wheel for Cirque du Soleil’s “Quidam”.

    For another decade, Cory performed around the world for over 2 million people, through the closing of the classic show in 2016.

    Trained at the National Circus School in Montreal, and now with over 2 1/2 decades of being involved the the circus world, Cory shares his disciplines and helpful insights to help develop skills of aspiring students.

  • A woman with long, curly brown hair wearing a pink top and earrings, sitting indoors with a whiteboard in the background.

    Lauren Risting

    Icarian Acro Coach

    Lauren specializes in the exciting realms of dynamic L-basing and icarian acrobatics. Her teaching emphasizes the combination of strength, precision, and trust required to master these high-energy movements. Whether it’s soaring through the air in icarian or navigating the dynamic interplay of L-basing, Lauren helps students safely push their limits while using her decade plus of experience to help build a solid technical foundation. Each class is an opportunity for students to explore, grow, and enjoy the thrill of acrobatics in a safe and encouraging environment.

    Beyond technical skills, Lauren is deeply passionate about cultivating a sense of community within the acro world. Her classes create a space where partnerships flourish and connections are made both on and off the mat. Believing that acro is about more than just physical movement, Lauren fosters trust, communication, and camaraderie among practitioners. Together, they build a supportive, inclusive community where everyone can grow, from beginners to advanced acrobats.

  • A man with a beard and a gray t-shirt being lifted by a person lying on the ground. The man is smiling and the background is a plain white wall.

    Vadim Avakyan

    Acro Yoga Coach

    Vadim is an Acro Yoga coach with over 4 years of experience guiding practitioners of all levels in this dynamic discipline. He blends elements of balance, strength, and flexibility to cultivate a supportive and enjoyable learning environment. His  approach emphasizes trust, communication, and community, helping students develop not only their physical skills but also meaningful connections with their partners.

    Dedicated to fostering a sense of playfulness and exploration in every class, Vadim inspires others to embrace the joy of movement. Outside of coaching, he  deepens his practice through classes and workshops, collaborating with others to create innovative teaching materials and explore new methods for skill development. When not practicing Acro Yoga, you can find Vadim enjoying nature through hiking, gardening, and biking.