Local Personal Trainer Staff

Meet Mal, a dedicated fitness warrior and the latest addition to our Bulldog Gym family. After four years in Jackson, GA, following her husband’s 12-year military service, fitness became Mal’s anchor through life’s challenges. She’s hosted boot camp trainings in the army wives community, contributed to “We Wear Blue” to honor the fallen, and is now a Certified Personal Trainer with a Certificate of Distinction from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Mal’s mission is to meet you where you are on your fitness journey and offer a secure space for your transformation. Discover her inspiring journey here and get ready to embark on your own transformation with Mal as your guide.

Ben is a native of Jasper County and has been involved with fitness and athletics for more than 15 years. His passion for health and fitness runs deep, as can be seen from his own personal endeavors. While in high school he played football and ran track. In recent years, he has competed in Florida and Georgia NPC Men’s Masters and Open Class Physique shows in which he placed in the top 5 in both 2016 and 2017. Ben is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise. He also holds a Youth Fitness Specialist Designation from ACE.

Garrison has been involved in sports and fitness his entire life, including playing high school football here in Jasper County. As a high schooler, he also was a First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State player. 🏈

Post high school, Garrison attended Georgia Military Academy, where he received an associate degree in science. He then continued his undergraduate studies at Georgia Southern University where, in 2019, he received a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. While at GSU, Garrison participated in a Strength and Conditioning Internship Program and won the “Strongest Eagle” competition. 🦅🎓

Garrison has also recently competed in the Men’s Physique category at the “Lee Haney Games,” placing 1st in both the True Novice and Open Categories. As a result of his success at this show, he earned a designation as a Nationally Qualified NPC Bodybuilder! 💪

Garrison is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine

Elena is a living example of what she believes, fitness changes and evolves with us as we pursue life and our goals. Fitness is truly for everyone but it may take a different shape or form as we move into new stages of our lives.

Elena is pursuing her corrective exercise certification through NASM in 2023 and cannot wait to help her clients at Bulldog Gym accomplish their goals!

Alicia is the Assistant Manager of Bulldog Gym.  She is also a  certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach and Senior Fitness Specialist with The American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.).

She has additional certifications and experience as a Silver Sneakers instructor, boot-camp instructor, and Group Power instructor. Her enthusiasm for health and fitness has encompassed more than 37 years of an active lifestyle, including fitness instructor, weight trainer, competitive bodybuilder, and a 5K/10K runner. She looks forward to working with clients to achieve their fitness goals!

Russ Watts, along with his wife, Renae, is the proud owner of Bulldog Gym since February 2015. Living his lifelong dream of owning a gym, Russ is truly passionate about the fitness industry and cherishes every moment of his journey. With over 33 years of experience in the IT industry, Russ has successfully transitioned into the realm of fitness and brings a unique perspective to his role as an owner and trainer.

Russ holds several qualifications and certifications that contribute to his expertise in the field. As a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), he possesses the knowledge and skills to guide individuals in achieving their fitness goals. Additionally, Russ is a Biomechanics Corrective Exercise Specialist (TBMM) and an ACE Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, allowing him to address specific movement patterns and design tailored exercise programs.

Passionate about helping athletes improve their performance, Russ is a certified FMS Level 1 and 2 practitioner, specializing in Functional Movement System and BioMechanics Assessments. Furthermore, he is a RRCA Certified Level 1 Running Coach, providing professional guidance to runners of all levels. Russ’s expertise extends to nutrition coaching as well, as he is a PN Level 1 Nutrition Certified Coach, helping individuals optimize their dietary habits for overall wellness.

With a deep commitment to providing exceptional services, Russ offers a range of programs at Bulldog Gym. These include Body Composition Analysis/Coaching, Running Coaching, Functional Movement System/BioMechanics Assessments, and Nutrition Coaching. Whether you’re seeking to improve your physical fitness, enhance your running technique, or make positive changes to your nutritional habits, Russ is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

Through his extensive qualifications and genuine passion for fitness, Russ Watts brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Bulldog Gym. His mission is to empower individuals on their fitness journeys and support them in leading healthier, happier lives.