ABOUT PERSIST FITNESS

Meet the Team

Sarah Buckley
OWNER + PERSONAL TRAINER

Meri Jones PERSONAL TRAINER

Emily Faas PERSONAL TRAINER

MEET SARAH

I get asked a lot: How did you become a trainer?


It was a circuitous route! In 2010 I graduated from the University of Dayton with a BA in Political Science and International Studies with a concentration in human rights. I wanted to help people! I wanted to advocate for them and make an impact! I was also very passionate about exercise. At UD I was a member of the Women’s Track and Field team and after graduating my training routine felt a little bit like, “what now?!” I know some of you are familiar with that feeling: I want to move, but how do I start and what do I do?

After graduating I was working for a local non-profit, Dress for Success Cincinnati and was teaching spinning classes on the side. I got my foot in the fitness door by teaching spinning and other group fitness. Personal training isn’t like other, traditional.

What’s my training style? Professional and comfortable. I like to get to know the people I’m working with.

The fitness industry can feel like the wild west. I was happy to be working as a personal trainer, getting to help people with their fitness everyday, but I didn’t feel at home. My goal for my clients is that they feel heard, are educated about how they can better themselves, and In 2018 I started Persist Fitness with the goal of creating a non-intimidating environment that meets people where they are and helps them to construct and achieve goals. I am here to provide the individuals with the chance to do things and be someone they may have never thought possible!

Currently, I hold my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credentials from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I have my Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist and Internal Strength Model Coaching certifications. I am an ELDOA 1 & 2 Student.

I have two children named Colin and Sloane. We have a dog named Karl. Additionally, I compete in powerlifting, and in my spare time, I enjoy reading and cooking.

Meet Emily

Emily is a strength coach, nutrition coach, and competitive weightlifter with a passion for helping people feel strong, capable, and at home in their bodies. She believes fitness and strength should support your life—not consume it—and her coaching reflects that balance. Emily is especially passionate about working with people navigating new or challenging seasons of life, and she brings a mix of encouragement, realness, and results to every session.

USAW-1, WAG-CNC, CF-L1 & L-2, Conjugate Strength for CF, Three Trees Training

Meet Meri

Meri is a personal trainer and mobility specialist. Her passion in life is helping people move and understand their bodies better. Anyone with a body can train with intention so that they can live the life of their dreams, experience their biggest adventures, and move through the world with confidence. Meri specializes in injury recovery, longevity-focused training, and turning complex concepts into fun, easy-to-understand analogies so you can learn along the way. She’s not just your coach—she’s on your team, walking with you every step of the way as you work toward your goals. 

 NASM-CPT, FRCmsVictory Virtual Fitness