Train With The Experts
MEET THE TRAINERS
Jay
“Free spirit”
There is no box that can contain this man, but yet he can adapt to every box he wants and his biggest strength: He even fits in boxes he did not even know he had, talking about ‘thinking outside of the box’. He loves to just move around literally and mixes all kinds of sports.
Jay has been coaching for over 10 years but is not afraid of still learning and developing his coaching skills. If you get coached by Jay you better prepare for a nickname because he already got one ready for you before you step into the room.
Brenda
Nicknames: “energizer bunny”, “Brennie”, “Vandy”
with Brenda you have no choice but get swept away by a powerful snowball of energy, enthusiasm and passion. She has it in abundance and will literally lose her voice spurring her students on (true story)
From the first moment you are in her classes you will know; this is the real deal. Whatever qualities you would want in a coach she has. And I’m not talking about her credentials like being an ex-gymnast or going to the Crossfit Games ( she has those too) You’ĺl find a coach who truly cares and who is capable to teach you about proper movement and technique no matter your level.
She brings it every f-ing class (pardon the French) and she’s been doing so for over a decade. Fiercely loyal and focussed; there are no off-days with her, and pretty soon she’ll have you striving for more too!
Cedric Renel
“Steady Force”
If Brenda is the whirlwind, Cedric is the calm in the storm. He’s the balancing power at Stoked, bringing a calm yet focused energy to every class. Methodical, attentive, and always aiming to help his athletes thrive, Cedric is here for one thing: your progress.
A CrossFitter with nearly a decade in the sport and four years of coaching under his belt, Cedric thrives on those moments when things click for his athletes. Whether it’s nailing a lift or breaking through a mental barrier, nothing makes his day more than seeing you succeed—and knowing his coaching played a part in it.
Step into one of his classes, and you’ll see what he’s all about: a coach dedicated to the process, ready to help you build your best self, one step at a time.
Santtu Toiviainen
“Saint?”
Hey there! My name is Santtu, the short Finnish baldie of the Stoked team! I’m originally from Finland, but have lived in Amsterdam already for a few years now. After pushing my own athletic limits first in football (soccer for you Americans..) for 15 years, I found CrossFit and experienced love at first sight. I have done a couple of competitions myself and the fire still burns hot, but nowadays I am most passionate about helping others to reach their fitness goals, be it to compete, getting back to fitness after a long break or just to maintain an active lifestyle. Whatever the case might be, I’m here for it and for YOU. My focus is on foundations and proper and safe technique, and whether you are a more experienced athlete or new to CrossFit I’m here to help you grow, find new goals, smash them, and then some more!
When you walk into my class, you’ll be guaranteed to be greeted with a big smile, awkward Finnish handshake and probably a bad joke that I will be the only one laughing at. What you will also be greeted with is uncompromised professionalism and genuine passion for fitness and human performance. My first priority as a coach is to make sure everyone is safe, but a very close second is that, whatever challenges life throws at you, you’ll have the best hour of your day and leave my class with a big ol’ smile on your face (and probably a very sweaty t-shirt and wobbly legs). Can’t wait to get to know you and start smashing those goals of yours together!!
Ps. Get ready to be swiped away with some banger beats during my classes 😉
Aurora Lesnik
Aurora is a small-town girl from Slovenia with a big passion for the human body and its incredible capabilities. She’s always asking, “How can we maximize human performance?” a curiosity that led her to the Netherlands to study physiotherapy and, soon after, discover the world of CrossFit. Five years later, she’s still learning, growing, and bringing her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm to STOKED, helping members to unlock their fullest potential.
But coaching isn’t just about training it’s about building a community. With her mix of expertise, goofiness, and a whole lot of love for the community, Aurora tries to create an environment where hard work meets fun.
Beyond CrossFit, she’s also a high-level ultimate frisbee athlete, competing at an elite level. In 2024 alone, she became a European and World Beach Champion and even traveled to the USA to compete with a top team from Toronto.
Whether she’s coaching or training in the gym or dominating on the field, one thing is certain, Aurora is all in. And she’s here to help you push your limits, have fun, and get STOKED about your progress!
Dagmar Manuhuwa
My name is Dagmar, but my friends often call me Daggie.
My sport has always been Powerlifting and CrossFit. I had the privilege of learning this under the guidance of Brenda and Jay at another gym. Eventually, I decided to develop myself as a Personal Trainer/Coach because I wanted to combine my love for strength and conditioning training with coaching of people.
For me, the gym feels like a second home. I love the vibe, the energy, the fun, and the mindset that sports bring out in people and connecting them with each other under one roof. It’s amazing!
As a Coach, I want everyone to feel at home in the gym. That’s why I give personal attention to everyone, from beginners to more advanced athletes. Plus, I always bring positive energy with me (that’s just who I am!), and you’ll occasionally hear me singing or see me dancing (I used to take singing lessons and danced a lot in the past) because that also brings energy.
I also love how working out together brings out the best in everyone, both physically and mentally. That smile and the feeling of accomplishment—that’s what I do it for!
This is my drive and my passion, which is why I coach people with full enthusiasm every single time.
Franziska Lancaster
Franziska, founder of CORESET, has studied the human body since the age of 16. She has accumulated almost 10 years of experience and knowledge working in the fitness industry.
Franziska believes in the power of education delivered in a playful way. She believes that in building confidence you create autonomy in your body. Serious about sustainable results, fun and effective is definitely Franziska’s style.
Franziska has that “IT” factor that makes for an excellent coach. She has the knowledge, people skills, personality & energy to give students a great experience. Each and every time out!
A glimpse of her background:
- Trained the Dutch Holland Acht rowing team for the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 (bronze medal).
- Certified Pre and Postnatal Coach
- Founded and ran the first Mobility program in the Netherlands at Vondelgym.
- Founded the yoga and Mobility program at Vondelgym.
- B.A. (hons) in Contemporary Dance.
- First female in Kuwait (UAE) to initiate a men’s only yoga program.
- Studied various forms of Movement Therapy such as the Klein and Alexander Technique, as well as myofascial release.
- 200 hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training.
Stamatia Bountouki
‘Matou’
Get ready for high-energy workouts, unstoppable motivation, and a touch of Greek fire! I’m here to push you, educate you, and make sure you understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it. Expect a lot of explaining (I can’t help myself!), a lot of laughing, and most importantly—a lot of progress.
Your goals? We’re reaching them. Your limits? We’re breaking them. No excuses, just strong, confident, unstoppable women.