Meet our trainers and staff
Ryan Marsh, Owner, Personal Trainer
Ryan has been a trainer at APF since 2001. He graduated from UGA with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science as a Fitness Specialist in 2001. Ryan continued his studies at UGA, earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2003. In addition to his degrees, Ryan is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the NSCA. As a leader of the APF team, Ryan focuses on putting together training programs that incorporate all aspects of fitness. He enjoys working with clients of all ability levels to help eliminate weaknesses and modify training based on every individual’s limitations. Ryan’s personal experience in fitness includes endurance sports from 5k’s, 10k’s, half marathons, and marathons to mountain bike races and triathlons, including 5 Iron Man competitions. Ryan was a soccer player throughout his youth, as well as a competitive swimmer who became a swimming coach and still enjoys giving lessons. He has been married to Bree, another APF trainer, since 2005 and they have a son named Liam. Ryan believes the world will be just fine if everyone practices the golden rule.
Bree Marsh, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Counselor
Bree has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Georgia and is a registered and licensed dietitian. She has been a personal trainer at APF since 2001. She is a former professional figure competitor and loves the sport of bodybuilding. She has been competing on and off since 2002. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, and the occasional 5k. Bree welcomes all population groups. She specializes in female strength training and loves sharing her knowledge and personal experience to help women accomplish their health and fitness goals. She is married to Ryan Marsh and has one son.
Dee Prince, Founder, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Counselor
Dee is the founder of Athens Personal Fitness. He has a BS in nutrition from The University of Georgia. He has 35 years of experience in the fitness industry, including 10 years working directly with physical therapists and physicians in the rehabilitation field. He is certified with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and works with all population groups. He specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation. Dee is a former bodybuilder and continues to be very active at the gym with his own fitness.
Patrick Abercrombie, Personal Trainer
Originally from Seattle, Patrick graduated from Washington State in 2018 with a bachelors in kinesiology where he also competed as an athlete on the men’s rowing team. He is an ACSM certified personal trainer and has spent the last five years working in various gyms and as an aid in physical therapy clinics. Patrick moved to Athens in August of 2022 to pursue his Masters in Exercise Physiology at the University of Georgia and began training at Athens Personal Fitness shortly after. He has experience working with all ages and populations and specializes in helping clients with strength development and training for athletic events.
Zach Porter, Personal Trainer
Zack is originally from Cartersville, GA and attended Georgia Southern University on a ROTC scholarship. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he went on to serve as an infantry officer in the 1st Infantry Division where he was in charge of running his platoon’s physical fitness program. After completion of service, he returned to Georgia Southern and graduated with a master’s in public health in 2019. Since then he has gained experience by working as a cardiac rehabilitation specialist, a strength and conditioning coach for the 4th Infantry Division, a clinical exercise physiologist and weight management specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and a personal trainer in several different types of settings. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D), a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with Distinction (TSAC-F*D), a USA Weithlifting Level 1 certified coach (USAW), and a certified adaptive Tai-Chi instructor. He specializes in functional strength movements, speed and power production, and tactical and athletic performance training. You can usually find him either in his garden or home gym with his wife and cats.
Diane Johnson, Flexibility Specialist
Diane Johnson has over twenty years experience with Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), a technique which allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. She has over ten years experience teaching Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR), which includes Table Treatment, Foot Fitness and Anatomy U. With a combination of simple stretches, strengthening exercises and small ball routines, she helps her clients achieve their fitness goals by restoring better movement patterns.
Denise Patterson, Massage Therapist
Denise is APF’s massage therapist. Her company is Body Mechanics, LLC. She provides therapeutic, neuromuscular, and orthopedic massage. She graduated in 2001 from the Atlanta School of Massage. She is also certified in Clinical and Neuromuscular therapies. Denise specializes in injury prevention and stress and pain management. She loves keeping her clients moving for daily activities, work, fitness, and even running marathons in 50 states!