Owners Larry & Emily Chauvin

Larry Chauvin, founder of Austin Youth Fitness, is starting his 15th year of teaching at Casis, and his eighth year as physical education teacher. In 2005, Larry started running to lose weight and get in shape. He lost 30 pounds and gained a great love for running. Larry started entering many 5Ks and 10Ks in Austin. This new love for running led him to complete his first marathon at Disney World in 2008. Now Larry has 10 marathons under his belt, and he's training for more! "I want to bring my knowledge of fitness and teaching to young runners while also having fun," Larry says. 

Emily Chauvin has her Masters in Exercise Physiology from UT and loves passing along her passion for fitness with adults and children. Emily rode in the M.S. 150 on two different occasions, and ran her 1st marathon in 2008. She is now a tax accountant at Maxwell, Locke, and Ritter and continues to spread her love of fitness to her co-workers, clients, and anyone who will listen. Emily and Larry first met in April 2011 to discuss having Emily come on board as a biking camp coach. This job turned into a friendship, which turned into an engagement and finally a marriage. They are now happy residents of Deep Eddy raising their beautiful daughter Tacy and fun loving son Jack as well as rescue dog Penny.

Owner Allison Phillips

Allison is the co-owner and Programs Director for Austin Youth Fitness. She holds a Masters in Education from the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in Exercise Physiology. Her career in health and fitness spans three decades, and includes serving as an Adjunct Faculty Member and Teaching Specialist in UT’s Department of Kinesiology & Health, and leading women’s fitness classes and personal training with “Backyard Fitness,” a business she founded in 2005 while also working as a full-time “stay at home mom.” For the last 15 years, Allison has turned her attention to children’s health, and she partnered with “Coach Chauvin,” founder of Austin Youth Fitness, in 2009. Two years ago, she, along with Larry, started a non-profit - the David Phillips Foundation, in memory of her husband - with a mission to support and uplift children and their families through sports and recreation programs that allow them to heal, grow, and play. She currently serves as the President of DPF, and works closely with other founding board members, along with her AYF team of coaches, to bring “play” to kids all over Austin, with particular attention to low-income communities and Title-1 schools. She refers to her work with AYF and DPF as “the critical work of play,” and says “Giving children the gift of play, helping them learn the importance of an active lifestyle, and teaching them that ‘Fitness is fun!’ is not just my job, but my calling.”

Coach and Business Manager Laney Phillips

Laney leads yoga, running, and cycling programs for Austin Youth Fitness, and works behind the scenes as the Business Manager, managing the “Fitness & Fun” at AYF’s 20+ schools and park locations. She holds a degree in Health Sciences - Community Education, with a Minor in Business, from UT Tyler. In her time at UT Tyler, she worked in RecSports teaching yoga classes for fellow students, and she worked in the Department for Academic Success as a tutor in Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology. Laney is also a professional dancer, and she trained and performed with “Dance Italia” in Lucca Italy this past summer. Currently she is working on projects locally with Delve Dance Collective and Spaces of Fontana. Laney is an Austin native, and has enjoyed Pease Park since she was a child. One of her favorite childhood memories is learning to ride her bike at Pease, where she now teaches kids how to ride! She loves Austin, being outside, exploring the urban trails, biking through the city, and teaching kids and youth to do the same.

Coach Amanda Phares

Amanda leads yoga, running, and cycling programs for Austin Youth Fitness, and works for the David Phillips Foundation as their Non-Profit Manager, with her primary roles being community outreach and liaison between AYF and DPF’s Title-1 schools. She holds a Liberal Arts degree in Health & Society, as well as a degree in Social Work, both from UT Austin. In her time at UT, she worked for RecSports on the Fitness & Wellness Team as a Senior Program Assistant, and was a presenter at the regional TexFit conference. Amanda grew up in ATX, and enjoys the “Austin-Fit lifestyle,” spending time in the sunshine, riding her bike through the city and around Town Lake, hiking and trail-running on the Greenbelt, and incorporating yoga into her daily life. She says Pease Park is one of her favorite green spaces in our green city, and she loves leading AYF classes and camps here, taking mindful walks along Pease Park’s Shoal Creek trail, and practicing yoga under the Pease trees.

Santiago Boulton

Hometown: Austin,TX

Years coaching with AYF: 1.5 years

Groups you coach: Gullet running, Cunningham running, and Barton Hills biking.

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I go to school at ACC.

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Austin High Track

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: running a 4:20 1600m

Coach Matt Brigstock

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Years coaching with AYF: On my 2nd year

Groups you coach: 10k Training Club

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I work for a research and consulting firm. Outside of work, I compete in marathons and triathlons!

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Nothing beats the trail around Lady Bird Lake!

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Austin Marathon

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Qualifying for the 2024 Ironman World Championship in Kona

Coach Naj Chidmi

Hometown: Tangier, Morocco
Years coaching with AYF: Since August 2021
Groups Coach(ed) at: Running & Biking - Westenfield Park, Barton Creek Elementary, Sanctuary, Girls School, Casis Elementary
Aside from AYF, what do you do? Senior at the Univ of Texas @ Austin studying Exercise Science & Disability Studies. Soccer coach at Lonestar Junior Academy
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Favorite Place to Run: Clark Field on UT Campus, Favorite Place to Bike: Ann & Roy Butler Trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Longhorn run!
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Finished 16th place in my age group/division at the Austin Marathon!

Coach Manny Edwards

Hometown: Austin, TX
Years coaching with AYF: Since January 2023
Groups Coach(ed) at: Eanes Running
Aside from AYF, what do you do? Freshman Kinesiology student at Houston-Tillotson University & Track and Field athlete
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Tarrytown and Ann & Roy Butler Trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Texas Relays
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Mile PR: 4:11 & AAU Club 17-18yr National Record 3k

Coach Courtney Ewing

Hometown: Houston,TX

Years coaching with AYF: since the beginning! (Lost track of the years)

Groups you coach: Running group at Casis

Aside from AYF, what do you do: hike, read, travel

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: around town lake and finding new hiking spots

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I’ve run 4 half marathons, and countless 5 and 10ks

Coach Ben Hamilton

Hometown: Austin, TX
Years coaching with AYF: Since January 2023
Groups Coach(ed) at: 10k Training Group, and the after-school programs at UT Elementary.
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I run Cross Country and Track for Austin High School
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Town Lake Trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: 3M Half Marathon because it is a super fast course!
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: PRs: Mile-4:39, 2 Mile-10:12, Half Marathon-1:20:21

Coach Suzanne Harman

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Years coaching with AYF: 4 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: NYOS Charter School
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I'm a stay at home mom to three boys - 15, 12 and 5. I play chauffeur a lot and some days drive to and from school three or four times. I also love to cook and enjoy making healthy, delicious meals, as well as some fun treats from time to time. I also do commercial acting and modeling when I get a chance, which is a lot of fun.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: I enjoy the trail around Lady Bird Lake, but mostly stick to my neighborhood.
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: My greatest accomplishment is raising my three sons. Life has been a wild ride, but they are growing into smart, kind young men. I love when I get to watch my kids excel at things they love.

Coach Tai Hoang

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Years coaching with AYF: This is my second year with AYF

Groups you coach: Hill Elementary Running Club on Wednesdays 3:15-4:15 pm

Aside from AYF, what do you do: Run, cook, watch and play sports (play at intramural level), participate in community service, hang out with friends

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Lady Bird Lake or Shoal Creek Running Trail

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: The only one I have participated in, in the Austin area, is the Longhorn Run, so I will say that. I have volunteered at the Austin Marathon though which is a fun event as well to watch and support runners.

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: My proudest moment is running a PR 5k time of 24:49 during the Longhorn Run in 2022 in my first time running since sustaining an ankle injury while running in Pease Park just a couple weeks before. I was also a part of my 8th grade middle school cross country team that won the 8th grade men's regular season middle school Cross Country Championship which really sparked my love and passion for running, even though it is more recreational now than it was back then.

Coach Gloria Huan

Hometown: Houston

Years coaching with AYF: 1 year

Groups you coach: Pease Park Running + Biking

Aside from AYF, what do you do: Tennis, Running, and Engineering @ UT

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Around Town Lake and ending by jumping into Barton.

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Longhorn Run

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Running a half & deadlifting 300

Coach Katherine Jones

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 2 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: Alpha Running, Alpha Biking, Baranoff Running, Cedar Creek Running, 10k Training
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Nutritional Sciences from UT Austin. I am super passionate about the intersection of nutrition and children's health and wellness, and am working towards my registered dietician certification.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: I love biking on Bee Cave Road, 360, Lime Creek Road, and the 45SW Mixed Use Trail!
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Austin Marathon
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Biking from Austin to the Montana-Canada border and back in the summer of 2021! My favorite fitness accomplishment from my ride was biking up and down Pike's Peak in Colorado!

Coach Janet Koroma

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Years coaching with AYF: This is my first year!

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I love to run, swim at Barton, crochet, volunteer, and play games with friends.

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Either Mueller Lake Park or Shoal Creek Trail

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: The Austin Marathon

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: On my first "real" hike I went up 12,000 feet!

Coach Courtney Lyles

Hometown: San Angelo, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 1 year
Groups Coach(ed) at: Girls School of Austin, Casis Elementary, and Lee Elementary
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I am currently an exercise science major pursing a physical therapy track at the University of Texas.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: My favorite place to run is on UT’s campus and the surrounding parks and neighborhoods.
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: My favorite race has been Run for the Water!
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: My biggest fitness accomplishments so far are winning second at Nationals with a  competitive dance team and continually improving my 5k time!

Coach Karen Marshall

Hometown: Austin, TX

Years coaching with AYF: 4 years

Groups you coach: Brentwood Elementary

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I'm a PE teacher at Brentwood

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Mueller Park

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Capitol 10,000

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Appreciation Award for being a Charter Member of the Carment Kiara Youth Organization (45 years)

Coach Declan McGinnis

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 5 years (3 as junior coach)
Groups Coach(ed) at: Summer Camps and Holiday Camps
Aside from AYF, what do you do? Currently studying Political Science at University of Portland and have been playing soccer since 3 years of age.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: I love to bike around Lady Bird Lake.

Coach Blake Miller

Name : Blake Miller

Hometown: Wichita, KS

Years coaching with AYF: Two Years

Groups you coach: Running Clubs Monday and Wednesday at Casis

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I am a pe teacher at Casis Elementary

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Spicewood Valley Trails

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Watching FC games

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I competed in track and field as a high jumper for four years while in college.

Coach Steven Moreno

Hometown: Laredo, TX

Years coaching with AYF: 2 Years

Groups you coach: Running Club

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I am a physical education teacher at JJ Pickle elementary. I also coach football and track at LASA High School. I've been with the Austin ISD for four years.

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Walnut Creek Park

Coach Hien Nguyen-Phuoc

Hometown: Hue, Vietnam

Years coaching with AYF: 2nd year

Groups you coach: Yoga @ Blazier

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I love to workout at the gym before work and going dancing in the evening.

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: I love to dance West Coast Swing in the evening at Go Dance.

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I won a world championship title in 2019 for Linedancing.

Sally Phillips

Hometown: Austin, TX

Years coaching with AYF: 2018-present

Groups you coach: Cunningham on Tuesdays

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I’m a student at UT studying exercise science

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Town lake trail

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: Run for Water

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I went to regionals with my high school cross country team

Coach Ellie Phillips

Hometown: Austin, TX
Years coaching with AYF: 6 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: Monday & Wednesday Pease Park Biking & Camps!
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I am a sophomore at the University of Texas @ Austin and work at No Comply skate shop.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: My favorite place to bike in Austin is through downtown and on the Town Lake Trail.
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: David Phillips Memorial Mile
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I just love moving my body, it makes me feel good inside and out!

(Coach Ellie is on the right, and Coach Laney is on the left in Colorado!)

Coach Mary Renfro

Years coaching with AYF: Starting 2nd year

Groups you coach: Odom and O’Henry

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I teach Physical Education at Odom Elementary and I'm on the board for the David Phillips Foundation.

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: On the trails!

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: The Austin Marathon and the Trail of Lights are my favorite, but I also love Run for the Water and the Turkey Trot.

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Running 27 miles for the first time.

Coach Mary Roe

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 3 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: Fit N' Fun and Cycle the City summer camps
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I go to school at Regis University in Denver, I like to do yoga and go on hikes. I also love to go to dance classes and concerts!
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: The Shoal Creek Trail or just in my neighborhood
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Any Black Swan Yoga event!
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Hiking a 14er in the Rockies.

Junior Coaches

Junior coaches like Cristo, Liam, Henry, and Steve (left to right) have participated in AYF for many years and have earned the position of coach! They assist our lead coaches by being an example, making connections with the kids, and adding to the overall energy of our groups!

Coach Ofmara Samudio

Hometown: Great State of Texas!
Years coaching with AYF: 3 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: NYOS Running Group
Aside from AYF, what do you do? NYOS Pre-K to 3rd Teaching Aide 
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Wells Branch Trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: NYOS Fun Run

Coach Adriana Seng

Hometown: Houston, TX
Years of coaching with AYF: I've coached with AYF for about 2 years.
Groups you coach: NYOS running, Westenfield Biking, and Beginner Biking
Aside from AYF, what do you do: I graduated from UT Austin with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science, I currently play soccer in an adult league, and love to travel and explore cultures.
Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: Walking Town Lake Trail 
Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: DPF Memorial Mile :)
Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: The proudest moments in my fitness journey are chest pressing 100 lbs, leg pressing 450 lbs, and earning 2nd place in a regional UT women's club soccer tournament in the SEC conference.

Coach Jill Stockton

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Years coaching with AYF: I started in 2018 but took a year off when Covid hit. So maybe 4 or 5 years?

Groups you coach: Brentwood Run Club

Aside from AYF, what do you do: I love to workout at HIT Athletics. My favorite style of workout is a great strength and conditioning class. I also enjoy metabolic conditioning classes, cycling, paddle boarding, and an occasional yoga class here and there.

Favorite place to run or bike in Austin: I enjoy running in my neighborhood and sometimes trail running with my husband and son in Walnut Creek. I also love to run on Lady Bird Lake with friends because the people watching make the miles go by faster!

Favorite Austin Area race or fitness event: I have run the Cap10K in the past, but I haven't done a race in quite a while. I mostly just enjoy working out and exercising to reduce stress and stay healthy.

Fitness accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment:  I won a beach fitness competition this past summer while on vacation in Mexico with my husband. I was the oldest female competing and even beat my husband's time.  The grand prize?? Bragging rights! HA

Coach Elizabeth Whitaker

Hometown: Richardson, TX
Years coaching with AYF: Starting my second year
Groups Coach(ed) at: Casis Running
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I am a first grade teacher at Casis Elementary. I love to hike and be outdoors. I am happiest when the sun is shining and I am surrounded by people I love!
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Zilker Park or Greenbelt
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Thankful for my health and getting to spend time with kids getting our bodies moving!