TRAINERS

Mike Claytor

"You get back what you put into something, and there is no substitute for hard work."

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mike Claytor moved to Santa Barbara in1998 to advance his education, where he received a degree in business and finance with a minor in kinesiology. Additionally, he earned certificates as a personal trainer through ISSA, a USAT triathlon coach, and an EMT. Upon graduation, Mike worked in a variety of training and rehabilitation centers, learning from some of the most respected experts in the industry. In 2006, his passion for fitness translated into creating a state-of-the-art facility - SB Training.

Mike built SB Training intent on sharing with the community of Santa Barbara his unique training concepts, principles, and core values. Personally, he began
competing in triathlons, mountain bike racing, power lifting, and Jiu Jitsu
tournaments. Through the combination of academic knowledge and practical
experience in training and competition, he is highly qualified to coach and motivate his own clients, and athletes.

Mike strongly believes that a varied, well-rounded fitness program is the best way to get and stay healthy. During the decade Mike has owned SB Training, he has used this philosophy as a guiding principle for the development of Strength Happens, the unique method for helping people become more fit and healthier. Strength Happens has helped hundreds of people attain their goals: from being better able to deal with the physical needs of daily life, to achieving more satisfying results as they challenge themselves in recreational and competitive sports.

Now known as one of Santa Barbara’s premier personal trainers, Mike will continue to share his love for fitness with his clients and staff, whom he personally trains in the Strength Happens philosophy and method. Mike is a motivator. He works to inspire the people around him by practicing the disciplines he teaches. 

Sloane Claytor

As the managing partner and leader of Strength Happens, Sloane brings over 25 years of personal training experience and a genuine passion for the work. She believes a proper strength training program is the foundation for a healthy, active life—building a strong muscular system unlocks the body's full capabilities.

Sloane trains the body as a whole unit, building a strong foundation to handle the physical and mental demands of sports, recreation, aging, and injury. As a full-time working mom of two active young athletes, she knows firsthand how hard it is to prioritize your own health while juggling everything else—and she brings that understanding into every client relationship. She lives by example, believing that with support and dedication, an active and healthy lifestyle is possible for anyone.

Outside of Strength Happens, Sloane is sneaking in her own favorite workouts—strength training, running, and swimming—spending time with her and Mike's two daughters, and taking as many family trips as time allows.

Luke Schurmer

“We dissect failure a lot more than we dissect success” - Matthew McConaughey

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara. Growing up in this environment was a constant inspiration to get out and stay active whether it was through a swim in the ocean, surfing, or a scenic hike. In high school I developed a passion for fitness and as the years progressed I decided to dedicate my time and energy into the gym, earning my certification through NASM. I learned about Strength Happens through family and friends and Mike has since become an excellent mentor and an invaluable resource for my continued study and practice of health and wellness. Outside of the gym I like to devote some of my time to music, playing guitar and singing in a few local rock bands.

Brenna Flatley

Brenna's focus in training is to help clients feel strong, confident, healthy and happy. Brenna grew up with an active lifestyle but as she got older she developed a true love for health and fitness. Brenna experienced first hand that physical and mental health are interconnected.

Brenna looks forward to helping others accomplish their goals and improve their quality of life both mentally and physically.

Christian Blackburn

"Well-being is realized by small steps, but it is truly no small thing." - Zeno

Christian is a dedicated Holistic Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer at Strength Happens. Originally from Chicago, he followed his passion for the film industry and moved to Los Angeles in 2012. However, he discovered that his true joy and purpose came from inspiring others to reach their goals and live their potential.

In 2015, Christian made a transformative shift by becoming a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. His journey into the fitness world opened his eyes to the power of a holistic approach to living a healthy life.

Christian specializes in mobility training as a Functional Range Mobility Specialist and is experienced in nutrition and behavioral coaching through Precision Nutrition. With a commitment to a well-rounded approach, he collaborates with physical therapists, massage therapists, and professionals in the wellness field to help clients create positive, lasting change.

His holistic coaching goes beyond the physical aspects of fitness. By focusing on mindset, habit formation, movement, nutrition, sleep, and recovery, Christian empowers his clients with the tools needed to excel in all areas of life. His own personal experiences overcoming major obstacles further fuel his passion for spreading the gospel of good holistic health.

Outside of the gym, Christian enjoys running, cooking, painting, and pondering the secrets of life with his loyal canine companion, Leo. He also loves to share the joy of karaoke with his fiancé Caitlainne. Together, they are thrilled to contribute to the Santa Barbara community and help individuals thrive.

Experience the transformative power of a holistic approach to health and fitness with Christian. Take those small steps towards well-being and unlock your full potential.

Lissy Knowles

Lissy is an ISSA-certified personal trainer with a lifelong passion for strength, movement, and showing up strong in every sense of the word. Her athletic roots began in competitive gymnastics as a child, and over the years she has explored everything from long-distance walking to roller derby.

At the core of her strength, both physical and mental, is a consistent commitment to weight training, supported by dynamic aerobic work. She found her rhythm with the Strength Happens training approach, a method that builds real strength while supporting overall health and longevity.

Lissy believes lifting weights does more than sculpt your body—it builds confidence, resilience, and self-trust. She is passionate about helping clients get stronger in a way that lasts, while reinforcing the connection between how you care for your body and mind and how you show up in your life.

A longtime Santa Barbara local, Lissy recharges by the ocean and thrives on connection with her family, friends, and community. At Strength Happens, she is proud to be part of a welcoming, fun, and inspiring environment where clients feel seen, supported, and motivated to keep showing up.

Justin Rodriguez

Justin brings a lifelong passion for fitness and physical performance to every client he trains. His interest in human movement began at 15, when he first fell in love with weight training—a passion that grew through years of self-study and eventually led him to a degree in Kinesiology & Exercise Science at Westmont College, where he also played baseball and won a National Championship his senior year.

He gained hands-on experience translating movement science into real-world injury prevention and recovery through his time in Westmont’s athletic training room and at Alta Orthopedics.

With over a decade of strength training experience, Justin specializes in hypertrophy, fat-loss coaching, and building sustainable health habits—the kind that become part of who you are, not a routine you reset every Monday. Above all, he’s committed to creating an environment where every client feels encouraged, capable, and seen, with the guidance and support to thrive in the gym and in life.

Outside of Strength Happens, you’ll find Justin on a long walk, grabbing coffee with his wife, or soaking up everything Santa Barbara has to offer.