About Us

Rock Solid Fitness is Tampa Bay’s Premier personal training studio. Their unique data-driven fitness program helps their clients feel better, look better and function better, all in only 30 minutes twice a week. All workouts are supervised and monitored by expert, college educated Fitness Coaches. Rock Solid’s unique proven process gets results for people of all ages and stages of life, including those with physical challenges. Their program works, works for everybody, and works every time – and it will work for you!

Our Mission

To improve the quality of people’s lives in our community through strength training, nutritional guidance, education & compassion, one person at a time.

Meet the Founders

Patty & Dave Durell

Patty and Dave Durell moved to Florida in 1995, and have been empowering and challenging people to be their best through physical fitness ever since. They first started as a Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA’s), helping people overcome life changing orthopedic and neurological events.

During this time, they started a personal training business to help discharged physical therapy patients continue improving through supervised strength training programs. Their training business expanded to include people of all ages and stages of life, from those who had never exercised to professional athletes.

The business eventually outgrew other people’s gyms, and they opened Rock Solid Fitness, a membership-based fitness coaching and consulting studio, in 2012. Originally located in Clearwater, they moved to a larger facility in Dunedin, FL only 4 years later due to continued rapid growth.

Patty is a Master Level Personal Trainer, Certified Conditioning Specialist, licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, and the CEO of Rock Solid Fitness. She has been featured on many business and fitness podcasts, local TV, and news magazines. Patty is also on the Advisory Board for the Saint Petersburg College Sports Management Program, as well as the Palm Harbor University High School Medical Magnet program.

Dave has formerly worked as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a Strength and Conditioning Consultant to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Southeast Missouri State University. He has been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and has written 2 books on strength training. He holds a Master’s Degree in Health Fitness Administration, and is a Master Level Personal Trainer and a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.

Drew Carpenter

Fitness Coach Manager

Drew@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Drew graduated from the University of Tampa in May of 2013, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, with a concentration in Adult Fitness. Drew has his Personal Training Certification with the International Sports Sciences Association (I.S.S.A.). Drew is a devoted Boston sports fan, and enjoys playing hockey and football in his spare time.

James Gizzi

Fitness Coach

James@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

James received his B.S. in Human Performance with a concentration in Exercise Physiology and a Minor in Sports Studies from The University of Tampa in 2017. In 2018, he received his M.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Strengthening and Conditioning from The University of South Florida. His spark and passion for helping others for their health and fitness started at the young age of 11. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching and going to sporting events, listening to the Beatles, and gaining more knowledge in exercise science about the body and nutrition. James is a die-hard New York Yankees, New York Giants, Brooklyn Nets and Tampa Bay Lightning fan.

Georgette “Jet” VanBuren

Community Manager

Social@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Georgette “Jet” VanBuren joined Rock Solid Fitness in the spring of 2019 as our Community Manager. Jet is a sales and customer service professional with a BA in Social Science/Psychology and one year post graduate in Public Administration. With her vast entrepreneurial and sales experience combined with a high degree of professionalism, Jet brings the knowledge, energy and work ethic to assist in providing a great experience for our clients. In her free time, she likes to golf, windsurf, hike and enjoy quality family time.

Mark Johnson

Sales & Marketing Manager

Mark@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Mark has been an entrepreneur and developer throughout his career. He graduated from The University of South Florida with a B.S in Business Administration, with a focus in finance. Mark is motivated by his drive to help others succeed and achieve their goals. In his free time, he likes spending time with his wife and friends, working out, and adventuring in the outdoors. Mark is also a huge basketball fan, and loves anything to do with basketball.

Mike Baum

Fitness Coach Consultant

Mike@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Mike graduated with his B.S. in Kinesiology from The University of Texas- El Paso in 2014. In 2018, he graduated with his M.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Science from The University of Tampa. His spark and passion for helping others better their health and fitness came during his high school years working at the YMCA for many years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, and running, practicing guitar, as well as trying new breweries and places to eat. Mike is an avid Florida sports fan and loves the Miami Dolphins, Heat, and Florida Gators.

Jeff Drain

Fitness Coach

Jeff@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Jeff’s passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle began during his freshman year of high school when he was taking a weightlifting class as well as playing JV football. During that time, he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008 when he was 15. After finishing high school, he attended the University of South Florida in Tampa where he earned a B.S. in Health Science. He plans on returning to school soon to pursue a Master’s degree in Exercise Science. Jeff is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association, as well as a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach. In his free time, Jeff loves to spend time with his two cats or in the great outdoors kayaking, hiking, fishing, and tubing. He listens to all genres of music and enjoys collecting military clothing.

Noor Awwad

Client Services

Noor@RockSolidFitnessFL.com

Noor is a high school student attending Palm Harbor University High School. She is currently enrolled in their Biomedical program and aspires to pursue a career in Biomedicine. Noor began her journey with the Rock Solid Fitness family as a volunteer but was offered a job after her hours were completed to become an official member of the team as a Client Services Specialist. During her off-hours Noor enjoys going to the beach, spending time with her friends, and listening to music.