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Whether you're looking to elevate your fitness routine, improve your nutrition, or completely transform your lifestyle, you’re in the right place. We are dedicated to connecting you with expert personal trainers and certified nutrition consultants ready to support your goals — no matter where you’re starting from.
Book your personalized consultation below to start building a plan tailored to your unique needs, preferences, and schedule.
Not sure who to work with? Scroll down to meet our team of trainers and consultants — get to know them both personally and professionally to find the perfect fit for your journey. We believe the right connection makes all the difference.
Welcome to Your Next Step in Health & Wellness
consultation
The path to a healthier,
stronger
you begins here.
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Meet Aaron Krauss
With over 7 years of dedicated experience in personal training, Aaron Krauss has become a transformative force in the wellness community of Abilene since 2017. His passion for fitness and nutrition runs deep, and he’s committed to helping individuals amplify their greatness by focusing on steady, sustainable progress.
Aaron’s approach goes beyond the typical trainer-client relationship; he views himself as a mentor, guiding clients through every step of their fitness journey. In each training session, you’ll experience consistent growth, gaining confidence with every milestone achieved. His programs are personalized to meet you at your current level, adapting as you become stronger and more capable. For Aaron, the journey is not just about physical fitness—it’s about building resilience, confidence, and the ability to thrive in every area of life.
In addition to his individual training work, Aaron is deeply committed to empowering his team of trainers at The Lab. By fostering an environment of encouragement, growth, and accountability, he ensures that his team has the tools and knowledge needed to inspire the Abilene community toward greater strength and health. Together, Aaron and his team are passionate about igniting a fire in the hearts of every person who walks through The Lab’s doors, helping them pursue long-lasting health and fitness goals.
Aaron is determined to create a legacy of strength, perseverance, and determination in Abilene, unlocking each person’s potential and inspiring them to reach for greatness. His unwavering commitment to both his clients and team makes him an exceptional leader and mentor in the fitness world.
Outside of his training career, Aaron is a devoted follower of Jesus, happily married to his best friend, and enjoys activities like shooting, audiobooks, split-squats, traveling, and camping. His favorite book recommendation is “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson.
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Meet Ariylah LaFrance
Ariylah LaFrance is a certified NASM Personal Trainer (CPT) and NASM Nutrition Coach (CNC) at The Lab, dedicated to helping others uncover their inner strength and achieve their personal health and fitness goals. Her mission is to walk alongside people in their unique fitness journeys, providing encouragement, guidance, and accountability every step of the way.
Ariylah’s fitness career is built on real-life experience and hard-earned transformation. She began her own journey just two years ago, weighing 228 pounds, a smoker, and struggling to stay active with her kids. A moment of reflection sparked a deep desire for change. Despite challenges and setbacks, she committed to rewriting her story — ultimately losing 86 pounds, quitting smoking, and reshaping her lifestyle and mindset for the better.
Her personal journey fuels her passion for coaching. Ariylah has spent years training family, friends, and clients of all backgrounds, successfully helping them pursue goals like weight loss, strength and resistance training (hypertrophy), and powerlifting. She also has valuable experience working with individuals managing special medical considerations, including post-gastric sleeve patients.
Ariylah believes that fitness is about more than just physical transformation — it’s about reclaiming confidence, strength, and a sense of ownership over one’s life. Her coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that if she can help even one person feel as strong, capable, and confident as she does today, her mission will be a success.
As a proud wife and mother of three incredible children (ages 14, 11, and 7), Ariylah draws daily inspiration from her family. Everything she does — in the gym and beyond — is driven by a desire to build a healthier, happier future for herself, her family, and those around her.
If you’re ready to work with someone who understands the battles, celebrates the victories, and is fully invested in your success, Ariylah LaFrance is ready to help you transform your life, one workout at a time.
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Meet Felicia Hester
Felicia Hester is a passionate and dedicated personal trainer with over 13 years of experience in the fitness industry. Her journey began with a love for bodybuilding, which not only shaped her career but also molded her personal philosophy on health, strength, and wellness. Today, Felicia holds certifications in Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition, and has evolved into a well-respected coach known for her personalized, holistic approach to fitness.
Felicia believes that fitness is deeply personal — no two journeys are the same. She takes pride in tailoring each program to fit her clients’ unique goals, challenges, and lifestyles. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or a seasoned athlete chasing new personal bests, Felicia is committed to walking alongside you every step of the way.
Over the years, Felicia has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, from first-time gym-goers to competitive athletes. This experience has reinforced her belief in the importance of listening and truly understanding each person’s story. She creates customized training and nutrition plans designed to be both effective and sustainable — plans that address not just physical goals, but also the mental and emotional resilience needed to achieve lasting success.
As a Bodybuilding Coach, Felicia is passionate about helping her clients build not only strength and muscle but also confidence and discipline. She understands the physical and mental demands of serious training and competition, and works hard to equip her clients with the mindset and tools needed to thrive.
Nutrition plays a central role in Felicia’s coaching philosophy. As a Certified Sports Nutrition Coach, she emphasizes the importance of fueling the body with balanced, nutrient-rich foods tailored to individual fitness goals — whether it’s fat loss, muscle gain, improved performance, or overall wellness. Her nutrition coaching is built on the belief that food should nourish, energize, and empower.
Felicia is also a lifelong learner. She actively pursues continuing education through workshops, seminars, and certifications to stay ahead of the curve in exercise science and nutrition research. This commitment ensures that her clients always receive the most up-to-date, effective training techniques and nutrition strategies available.
For Felicia, fitness is more than a profession — it’s a calling. She finds immense fulfillment in watching her clients transform, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Their dedication inspires her daily, and she strives to be a motivating, positive force throughout each person’s fitness journey.
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Meet Cody Brotherton
Above all else, Cody Brotherton is proud to be a son of God. His life’s mission is to aim for the highest good and, by God’s grace, help others do the same. Each day, he seeks God’s power to build communities of love, strength, and self-discipline — creating environments where people grow stronger in mind, body, soul, and spirit to live out God’s kingdom here on earth.
Cody believes in a holistic approach to personal growth. He knows firsthand that a challenging leg workout can teach us about mental toughness, just as prayer and faith can give us strength to overcome personal battles. His training philosophy is rooted in building up the whole person, understanding that physical discipline and spiritual strength go hand-in-hand.
Cody brings a diverse and experienced background to his coaching. He holds certifications as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, USATF Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Precision Nutrition Coach, ACE Behavior Change Specialist, and ACE Senior Fitness Specialist. Over the past 9 years, Cody has coached athletes and clients in a wide range of settings — from personal training and weight loss coaching to collegiate strength and conditioning.
For the past 6 years, Cody has served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at McMurry University, where he also competed as a student-athlete. During his college career, Cody became a 5-time NCAA Division III National Champion in shot put, learning the mindset, discipline, and resilience required to perform at the highest levels.
In addition to his coaching credentials, Cody holds a Master of Divinity from Hardin-Simmons University and has over 20 years of ministry experience, primarily in worship ministry. He values building meaningful relationships and equipping people to become the best version of themselves — for God’s glory and their good.
Cody is happily married to his incredible wife, Shelly, and together they raise two wonderful children, Hunter and Harper.
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Meet Darren Jones II
Darren Jones II is a passionate fitness professional with roots in Panama City, FL and a heart rooted in Abilene, TX. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Hardin-Simmons University, where he developed a deep understanding of human movement, strength training, and injury recovery.
With over 7 years of experience as a rehab therapy tech, Darren has worked extensively with individuals managing special medical considerations and recovering from injuries. This background has shaped his unique, compassionate approach to training — blending performance-focused coaching with a strong foundation in rehabilitation and corrective exercise.
Currently serving as the Youth Performance Coach at The Lab: Training Facility, Darren has spent the last 3 years coaching athletes from a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. His mission is to help people unlock their inner athlete and realize their full potential, whether they’re chasing personal records, rebuilding strength after an injury, or simply seeking a healthier, stronger lifestyle.
Darren’s training philosophy centers on functional strength and athletic development, tailored to each client’s personal goals and abilities. He believes that everyone, regardless of age or experience, can move better, feel stronger, and build confidence through intentional, well-designed training.
Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the first time, working your way back from an injury, or looking to take your athletic performance to the next level — Darren is here to guide, support, and inspire you every step of the way.
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