Team Bios

Mike Fickling
C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 1
Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level II
Metabolic Typing Advisor Level 1

Mike is continuing on a path that started many years ago with his experiences with love, loss, climbing trees, sports, martial arts and his natural inclination to have fun and lead by example.  Mike is living his love everyday through his present connection to his nourishing environment, his loving family, amazing teammates, evolving clients and the ever-expanding universe.  As a C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 1 and C.H.E.K Holistic Lifestyle Coach II, Mike coaches clients to realize a balanced, intelligent approach to health, fitness & life.

David Drake
C.H.E.K Practitioner Level I
Holistic Lifestyle Coach I

David has been personal training since 1996, when he graduated from Furman University with a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science. In 2000, David was named Charleston's best personal trainer in the City Paper. As a C.H.E.K Practitioner (Corrective, Holistic, Exercise Kinesiologist) and Holistic Lifestyle Coach, David strives to optimize the full mental, physical, and chemical (nutrition) potential of each client. His focus on holistic healing and wellness allows each client to explore and chose his or her own unique path to attaining goals. David specializes in work and sports related injuries. As co-owner of Progressive Fitness, David's vision is to create a center where he can uplift health and exercise professionals by promoting the holistic model.

Annie Banks
C.H.E.K Exercise Coach
Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 1

Annie Banks is a C.H.E.K Exercise Coach and Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level I, as well as Yoga Alliance certified Instructor. She received her yoga training from the Asheville Yoga Center in western North Carolina. Over the course of ten years she has practiced, taught, and continued to integrate a holistic approach to mind and body wellness. With the additional certifications in functional exercise and holistic lifestyle coaching, and most recently a pre and post natal yoga certification, Annie is enthusiastically incorporating her continuing education into her career. Annie is an integral member of the Progressive Fitness team and currently offering both individual fitness training and private yoga sessions.

Brett Bracken
CHEK Exercise Coach
CHEK Golf Biomechanics, and ACSM-HFS
Metabolic Typing Advisor Level 1

Brett attended Charleston Southern University as member of the track and field team.  He finished with multiple school records and Big South all-conference awards in the Pole Vault.  He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from CSU and is currently working on a Masters in Health Exercise and Sport Science from The Citadel.  He currently holds certification of a CHEK Exercise Coach, CHEK Golf Biomechanics, and ACSM-HFS."

David R Stowers
Massage Therapist - LMT Lic # 4686

David moved to the Charleston area in 1992 and is a graduate of the College of Charleston with bachelor degrees in Biology and Philosophy, and a minor degree in Psychology. After college he enrolled at the Charleston School of Massage where he now teaches since receiving his certification in 2006.
David also celebrates foreign study at the Beijing Olympic Training Center in China, where he was certified in Tuina*, a massage form used in the Chinese medical field. After returning he incorporated this eastern style with the knowledge attained from his western background.

Holding true to his belief that balance is vital to true health David approaches each session from the point of view that the mind, body, or spirit can never alone be the cause of dis-ease; rather, that it is the reliance upon each other that enables ailments to manifest within the entirety of our being. From this approach he has developed an integrated style which focuses on the individual needs of each client, allowing for the bodywork to adapt to the changes of everyday life.

Julie Kirby
Massage Therapist - LMT Lic # 6502

Julie moved to Charleston in 1996 and graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelors Degree in Interpersonal Communications.
In addition to being a full-time licensed Massage Therapist, she is also a Massage Instructor at the Charleston School of Massage, a Professional Member of ABMP, (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) and is certified in CPR. She practices yoga regularly and has completed her Yoga Teacher Training Certification (200 hrs).

She strongly believes in a holistic approach to restoring and preserving health and encourages massage therapy as an integral part of the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Julie approaches each massage session with a firm, confident touch guided by specific knowledge of anatomy and body movement along with a keen sense of personal intuition creating a truly individualized experience for each client. She constantly improves her techniques through continuing her personal education by participating in workshops, classes and mentorship in an effort to provide her clients with the most effective treatments she can.

  47 B Windermere Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407

  843-225-6622

  843-225-6628

  progressivefitness@knology.net