Meet our Team

Laird Swensen studied Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Utah and then went on to obtain a degree in Nutrition Education from Weber State University. He received his CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) through the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and USAWL1 through USA Weightlifting.

Laird’s vast experience training all walks of life has led to a unique compatibility and expertise to assist people in finding what works best for them, working side by side to guide (not carry) them to their goals. That being said, his attitude is one that will motivate you to do you best and understand the individual differences of the people he works with.

Matt Wells graduated from BYU Idaho with his bachelors in exercise physiology with an emphasis on movement and rehabilitation.  He has an incredible background in the fitness and wellness industry as a wellness director, personal trainer and expert in fitness modifications.  He also specializes in strength training, weight loss, hormonal health, bio-mechanics, and nutrition.  Matt has always been passionate about exercise and helping others achieve their wellness and fitness goals, he personally competes in power lifting.  Matt will meet you where you are with a warm smile, he is motivating, makes exercise fun, and will ensure a safe and effective workout every single class.

Ashley has her bachelors in Social Sciences from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Ashley has been in the wellness industry for over ten years and she has her 200 hour yoga training certificate and specialized in hot yoga.

She loves working with clients of all abilities and teaching them the benefits of stretching, meditation, mindfulness and yoga. She is an expert with modifying yoga positions to fit everyone, regardless of fitness level.

Ashley is passionate about helping people find their strength and peace through the different outlets and methods of health and fitness, especially in the outdoors on hikes while exploring nature. You’ll find Ashley hiking in the mountains, traveling, and playing with her pups every chance she gets.

Alexee is a 200HR registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. For her, yoga is a fun way to connect with her body and mind, and she loves getting to share the wellness benefits of yoga with others.  Alexee loves engaging with clients on hikes and understands the healing benefits of being in nature as well.

Alexee also attended culinary school at the Park City Culinary Institute, and has used her education there to deepen her understanding of nutrition and the role food can play in our overall wellness.  Alexee is passionate about connection; with our bodies, minds, and each other.  She is inspired by each client at Unite, and is excited to connect with you as you take the steps to living your best lives!

Ella’s wellness journey began as a guest at Unite Fitness Retreat in 2023, where the experience sparked her path to yoga teacher training.  She went on to earn her 200-hour certification through the Be More Konnected Yoga School in New Jersey and believes yoga is a powerful tool for living with intention and balance.

Now a third-year student at the University of Utah, Ella is studying Kinesiology with minor in Nutrition, and she is excited to explore how food shapes mood and performance. Ella loves connecting with and learning from the people she meets along the way, especially Unite clients who inspire her daily. When she’s not practicing yoga or studying, you’ll find her reading, trying a new recipe, or hanging out in the mountains.

Dr. Justin Danover believes in a holistic approach to pain relief, combining his expertise in strength and conditioning and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer West College, Dr. Justin Danover brings a unique perspective to patient care. His extensive certifications (including Functional Range Assessment/Release, Fascial Manipulation, ELDOA, and SOMA Joint Pumping) allow him to integrate advanced rehabilitation techniques with chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Danover is passionate about helping patients understand their bodies and achieve lasting pain relief.He’s dedicated to helping patients of all backgrounds – from athletes to those simply seeking a more active life – discover the root cause of their pain and find long-term solutions. Dr. Danover’s friendly demeanor and commitment to patient education make him a trusted partner on your journey to wellness. In his free time, he enjoys fitness, skiing, and spending time with his family. Go Hawks!

Justin Bean earned his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, Master’s in Sports Medicine, and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Utah. He is certified in Level 1 Dry Needling and Graston Technique (IASTM), enhancing his ability to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

While Justin treats all areas of the body, he specializes in the hip, knee, and foot/ankle. He has a strong background in orthopedic and sports-related injuries and works closely with athletes, combining his clinical expertise with personal experience.

Outside the clinic, you’ll find Justin in the mountains—trail running, biking, or skiing. His passion for endurance sports and healthy living fuels his commitment to helping others lead active, pain-free lives.

Ted has a passion for helping people live healthy and meaningful lives. It’s why he pursued his Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University 15 years ago. Through his counselor training, he noticed how easily his clients became stuck on their symptoms and diagnoses.

That’s when he became certified in coaching which helps people connect with their strength and motivation instead of ruminating on the things they see as broken. From this place, Ted’s clients build confidence and motivation – the two not- so-secret ingredients of real and lasting change.

He loves helping his clients go deep emotionally and make changes that align with their most authentic selves. When Ted isn’t coaching or working with his therapy clients, he enjoys backcountry snowboarding, mountain biking, paragliding, and finding any excuse to go camping in the desert.

May Bartlett is a Master Certified Coach through The International Coaching Federation with over a decade of coaching experience. She also holds a Masters Degree in East/West Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies. I specialize in working with people seeking fulfillment outside of the norm – whether you’re a change maker, leader, advocate, or otherwise – the common thread I see in my clients is they’re seeking something not easily found, clearing new paths into the unknown to find something better for themselves.

May’s passion is helping people break free from societal norms to live their most meaningful and impactful life, however that might manifest for you! She loves coaching because despite the number of external barriers keeping us from pursuing our soul path, we all have hidden inner barriers holding us back. These thoughts, beliefs, stories, and emotional states create the lenses through which we see the world. If we try to create external changes through the same lenses we’ve been wearing, we won’t get very far. By working together to understand and change your lenses, you’ll unlock possibilities you can’t yet imagine.

Cori’s first encounter with coaching changed her life. She was working as a wilderness adventure therapy guide with teenagers who were mandated to her program. She wanted so badly to help these young humans live more meaningful lives but felt stuck in a situation where she wanted change more than them.

That’s when she called a coach. She noticed how quickly her formerly stuck life found direction and momentum. Cori immediately enrolled in a coaching certification program and since then has accumulated 500 plus hours that qualify her as a Professional Certified Coach.

She loves challenging people to overcome fears and take risks almost as much as she loves seeing her clients reach goals that they never thought possible. Her experience, skills, and knowledge combined with clients strong desires to make an impact in their life are what allows for positive changes to unfold. When she isn’t coaching, she enjoys being outside and spending time with her dog.

Terence has a true passion for health and fitness and connecting with others. This has led him to pursue a career where he can help people live balanced lives and finding fun ways to reach their fitness goals. He has been teaching fitness classes for over a decade. Terrence has a background in boxing, basketball, yoga and climbing.

He has his 200 hour yoga training certification and specializes in 7 different styles. In his free time Terrence enjoys hiking, bouldering, meditating, reading and freestyle dancing.

Christina has been in the health and wellness retreat industry for 20 years and collaborated with Drew Paulos and Leah Britt in creating the Unite program. Bringing her knowledge of the fitness camp industry and customer service experience with her, she handles Unite’s marketing and assists with the pre-camp process.

Christina has a bachelors degree from the University of Montana in Social Work and has been inspired to be in the “Helping Profession” for as long as she can remember. She loves visiting on the phone with clients before they come, helping to make sure Unite is the right program for them. She enjoys painting modern art, yoga, a good cup of coffee, daily walks and camping with her family.

Drew has a passion for health and wellness and in helping people achieve their goals through living a balanced lifestyle. In 2016 Drew received a prestigious award for his entrepreneurial success with Unite Fitness Retreat as one of Utah’s top new companies.

Drew is an avid outdoorsman and you can find him camping, fishing, and doing anything recreational out and about in Utah with his family. Drew received his MBA from Westminster College. Drew enjoys working out alongside our guests and believes in the power of awareness to change ones health and wellness.

“UNITE the body + mind to create lasting change.”- Drew Paulos

Ty spent 32 years of his career working alongside Tom Guinney at Market Street Restaurants. Under Tom’s tutelage, he learned the importance of using only the highest quality ingredients for every recipe. As the executive chef for MS, Ty sourced food from the best purveyors in the country, building strong relationships with them. He continues to use only the finest ingredients for the meals he serves and puts his love for healthy living into every dish.

Living a healthy lifestyle is important to Ty and he deeply respects those who are doing the same. His passion for exceptional food, is what drives his creativity and desire to make meals for people that are sometimes referred to as the best meal they have ever tasted. His knowledge and background give him the tools to create meals that are locally sourced, organic, balanced and delicious.

You can find Ty on the golf course before the sun is up, everyday there is not snow or frost on the ground.

Kaori Crosland was raised in Japan, where food is a significant part of the culture. The Japanese attention to detail helped form Kaori’s approach to her work. She’s passionate about the art, and craftsmanship of cooking and her meals are as beautiful as they are delicious.

As owner-chef of her own business, Sanji, Kaori enjoys developing healthy and satisfying recipes you can easily duplicate at home. She uses local ingredients whenever possible. She also enjoys leading cooking classes and demos and producing events for groups and individuals. Kaori loves traveling and spending time with her family in her free time.