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.

Coach Allison Phillips

Hometown: San Angelo, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 10 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: Casis Running Group, Cycle the City Summer Camp, O Henry Running Group, and is currently the Cycle the City and Summer Camp Coordinator 
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I'm a fitness instructor and personal trainer, and I also do marketing for iGnite Your Life.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt & Town Lake
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Austin Marathon
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: I'm an IronMan! I completed the Houston Hermann Memorial IronMan in 2013.

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 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 Katherine Jones

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 1.5 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 Courtney Lyles

Hometown: San Angelo, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: First year coaching
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 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? Junior in high school and has been playing soccer since 3 years of age
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: "I love to ride my bike around Lady Bird Lake with my dad!"

Coach Amanda Phares

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 5 years
Groups Coach(ed) at: Running, Yoga, Biking, Beginner Biking & Camps!
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I love riding my bike down to Barton Springs or Deep Eddy, teaching yoga classes at UT, experimenting with vegan recipes, and going to music shows.
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: My favorite place to run and bike is the Shoal Creek Trail, and my favorite yoga spot is Barton Springs.
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: I love the Downhill to Downtown 3M Half Marathon.
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Completing my first sprint triathlon with all my besties in Tyler, Texas!

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 freshman 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 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.

Coach Ofmara Samudio

Hometown: Great State of Texas!
Years coaching with AYF: 2nd year
Groups Coach(ed) at: NYOS Running Group
Aside from AYF, what do you do? NYOS Pre-K to 3 Teaching Aide 
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Wells Branch Trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: NYOS Fun Run

Coach Elizabeth Whitaker

Hometown: Richardson, TX
Years coaching with AYF: First Year
Groups Coach(ed) at: Never coached before but loving it so far!
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!

Coach Rachel Williams

Hometown: Austin, TX
Years coaching with AYF: Since Spring 2023
Groups Coach(ed) at: Forest Trail Running
Aside from AYF, what do you do? I am participating in the Texas 4000, an Advertising student at UT Austin, and I host a radio show on KVRX 91.7!
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: My favorite place to run and bike is the Shoal Creek Trail.
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Texas 4000
Fitness Accomplishments/PRs/Proudest Moment: Finishing a triathlon and biking a century!

Coach Margaret Worsham

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Years coaching with AYF: 1 year
Groups Coach(ed) at: Fit N' Fun camp and Cross Country Group
Aside from AYF, what do you do? Run cross country and track, play soccer, and play piano
Favorite Place to Run or Bike in Austin: Town Lake hike and bike trail
Favorite Austin Area Race or Fitness Event: Cap10K

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!