Meet the Trainers
At Jungle Gym, we believe fitness should feel like belonging—not intimidation.
Our trainers come from different professional backgrounds, but they share one mission: to help you feel strong, celebrated, and supported in a space that welcomes every body. From personal training to small-group classes to customized fitness plans, our team meets you where you are and helps you grow in the ways that feel right for you.
Taija Ventrella
they/them
Taija Ventrella is a personal fitness trainer in Asheville, North Carolina. They work with women, queer people, and other open-minded folks to help them uncover the strength already in their bodies and claim their power in the world.
Taija enjoys working with people who have felt out of place in traditional gyms. Never a “jock” themself, they connect more with book lovers, artists, and activists—and create a space where fitness doesn’t feel like getting picked last in gym class all over again.
Living with chronic migraines has shaped their approach because they know the challenge of starting from zero and the balance between exercising for relief versus pushing too far. Over time, Taija discovered that smart, adaptable movement can reduce pain, build confidence, and allow more freedom to enjoy life.
They have completed certification programs in personal training and corrective exercise from the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the Body Positive Fitness Alliance. Taija was also voted among Asheville’s top three personal trainers by Mountain Xpress readers for two years in a row.
Originally from the mountains outside Boulder, Colorado, Taija studied biochemistry at Warren Wilson College and later worked as a lab technician, and that love of science influences their evidence-based perspective on fitness. When not in the studio, they love spending time outdoors with their young child, reading, laughing with friends, and seeking out the best hot wings in town.
Neil
they/he
Neil Goss is a certified personal trainer in Asheville, NC, passionate about supporting clients on their journey to a more active and empowered lifestyle. They meet each person where they are, offering open arms and a strong foundation to grow beyond personal goals and expectations.
Neil first began working out to strengthen weak shoulders. Traditional gym culture didn’t appeal, so they pursued a home-based approach with dumbbells, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises. What started as a simple routine grew into something transformative, bringing unexpected rewards in strength, discipline, confidence, and mental health. Inspired to share these benefits with others, Neil became a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Neil is also an artist, working in fiber processes like weaving, natural dyeing, and sewing. The patience and presence required in textiles deeply inform their training philosophy: progress comes from slow, steady, and mindful practice.
Their mission is to champion and encourage clients toward health and wellness goals through strength training and movement, while cultivating consistency, discipline, softness, and resilience—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Chelsea
they/them
Chelsea has been a personal training apprentice with Taija since December 2024 while pursuing formal certification. With over 10 years of independent training and mentorship from various coaches, Chelsea brings dedication and a deep curiosity for breath, strength, movement, and body awareness.
Their background in circus arts and partner acrobatics, practiced since 2015, shapes their approach to fitness. Chelsea values embodiment, patience, mobility, empowerment, and sustainable progress—qualities refined through years of training and teaching. Specializing in building strength and technique from the ground up, they emphasize safe progressions, clear communication, and compassionate coaching. Chelsea holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Communication and Leadership, and is also a certified yoga teacher and mental health professional. They appreciate the way personal training integrates movement with regulation.
In their free time Chelsea enjoys family time, strong coffee, dogs, and anything that involves moving and being outdoors. Their mission as a trainer is to help clients build lasting strength, confidence in their bodies, and joy in movement.