Our Leadership Team

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 TSO CEO • HATC Founder 

Damien is the CEO  of The Sports Office.  His work focuses on building a system that integrates training, recovery, community, and elite performance—designed for both everyday members and world-class athletes.

His philosophy centers on creating environments that drive real results—where discipline, consistency, and intelligent programming lead to long-term performance. Damien blends operational strategy with creative vision, building systems that not only perform at a high level but also scale with purpose.

At HATC, Damien oversees the broader direction of the facility, partnerships, and growth strategy—while shaping the experience that connects local members, visiting athletes, and elite teams. His focus is simple: build something real, make it work, and create a place where people come to get better

Director of HATC Combat Collaborative

Jessica Deffenbaugh brings a rare combination of elite martial arts instruction, corrective movement expertise, rehabilitation knowledge, and deeply personal resilience to her role as Head of Martial Arts Programming. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt under Jaime Fletcher of ASAP Jiu-Jitsu (Rigan Machado/Erik Paulson lineage), Jessica has spent more than a decade helping athletes and everyday individuals transform their physical and mental performance through martial arts, strength training, mobility, and recovery-focused coaching.

Jessica began her fitness career in 2012, launched her own training business in 2013, and later earned certifications in corrective exercise, neurokinetic therapy (NKT), and fascial stretch therapy (FST). After discovering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2016, she quickly became immersed in the sport, competing within weeks and eventually opening The Lighthouse Academy in Big Bear Lake, where she built a respected mountain martial arts community featuring seminars and guest instruction from some of the country’s top athletes and coaches. 

atives as part of The Sports Office’s growing altitude performance platform in Big Bear Lake.

Director of Highlander Dance Co.

Dalar began dancing at just three years old through traditional folk dance before quickly discovering her passion for classical ballet. From that moment on, her lifelong journey in the world of dance began.

After moving to the United States in her early teenage years, Dalar continued her training and had the opportunity to study and perform alongside highly respected artists throughout Los Angeles.

During her professional training in Los Angeles, Dalar studied Russian-style ballet as a member of the youth company at Pacific Ballet Dance Theater in Burbank, California. This experience allowed her to perform on various stages throughout Los Angeles during her teenage years.

Later, she continued her studies in British-style ballet under Dora Krannig at Glendale Community College, where she earned certificates in Dance Teaching and Choreography.

Through her training and studies, Dalar developed extensive knowledge of safe dance practices and ballet technique, with a strong emphasis on protecting the body, building strength, and supporting dancers' longevity throughout their training.

Communications & Supply Chain Lead • Operations Coordinator 

Abi is the Communications & Supply Chain Lead at HATC, focused on keeping operations seamless across programming, partnerships, and day-to-day execution. Her work sits at the intersection of communication, logistics, and systems—ensuring that everything behind the scenes runs efficiently and intentionally.

Her philosophy centers on clarity and flow—building processes that support both the team and the client experience. Abi works to streamline communication, manage vendor and supply relationships, and create structure that allows the broader operation to scale effectively.

At HATC, Abi plays a critical role in supporting both internal operations and outward-facing communication—helping ensure that every class, program, and experience is delivered with consistency, organization, and care.

Director of Community & International Relations  

Marcella is the Director of Community Relations at HATC, bringing over 15 years of experience in education, administration, and community engagement. As a bilingual professional, she plays a key role in building inclusive, accessible connections across diverse communities.

Her philosophy centers on connection and communication—creating meaningful relationships that strengthen both individual experiences and the broader community. Marcella blends her background in education, project management, and client services to foster trust, engagement, and collaboration.

At HATC, Marcella leads community outreach, partnerships, and engagement initiatives—ensuring the space remains welcoming, connected, and reflective of the diverse Big Bear and Southern California communities it serves.

 Personal Trainer • Breathwork Coach

Steve is a personal trainer, breathwork coach, and U.S. Air Force veteran whose work focuses on building strength, resilience, and performance through a deeper connection between mind and body.

His philosophy is rooted in his 3M Method—Movement, Meditation, and Mindfulness—helping clients improve how they move, regulate their nervous system, and perform at a higher level. His approach blends functional training, breathwork, and real-world application to create lasting results.

At HATC, Steve works with a wide range of clients—from everyday athletes to those looking to rebuild strength, improve mobility, or reset mentally and physically—meeting each person where they are and guiding them forward with purpose.

Yoga Instructor • Wellness Facilitator • Community Leader

Amanda is a yoga instructor and wellness leader known for her work within the Big Bear Yoga community, where she blends movement, nature, and accessibility into her teaching. Her approach emphasizes connection—to the body, the breath, and the environment.

Her philosophy centers on inclusivity and presence, creating experiences that are welcoming to all levels. Amanda integrates traditional yoga with outdoor and nature-based elements, encouraging movement that feels both restorative and energizing.

At HATC, Amanda leads yoga experiences designed to complement training and recovery for members and guests of all abilities and levels —offering a space for clients to reset, and reconnect in a supportive, community-driven environment.

Head Coach, Basecamp • Performance Trainer

Raised in Big Bear Lake, Matthew Padilla-Stillwell brings a rare combination of mountain-town grit, athletic discipline, and modern performance training to the High Alpine Training Club. 

 Matthew serves as one of HATC’s lead coaches and the Head Coach of Basecamp: Full-Body Foundational Training — HATC’s signature movement and conditioning class focused on functional strength, endurance, athletic movement, and foundational lifting mechanics. Certified in personal training since 2025, Matthew has spent nearly a decade immersed in training methodologies ranging from Olympic lifting fundamentals and hypertrophy programming to conditioning, mobility, and performance-based strength development. 

Yoga Instructor • Studio Founder • Wellness Leader

Dana is the founder of Mountain Yoga Center and a longtime leader in the Big Bear wellness community, with over 25 years of practice and more than two decades of teaching experience. Her work blends traditional yoga with a deep commitment to healing, balance, and personal growth.

Her philosophy centers on breath-driven movement and accessibility, combining Ashtanga and Vinyasa to help clients reduce stress, build strength, and find clarity. Her approach is grounded, intentional, and designed for all levels.

At HATC, Dana brings a calm, experienced presence to the space—offering yoga sessions that support recovery, mobility, and mental reset, helping clients feel more balanced, energized, and connected..

Pilates Instructor • Movement Specialist • Rehabilitation-Focused Coach

Erin is a fully certified Pilates instructor with nearly two decades of experience, trained through the Julian Littleford Body Conditioning program with a strong foundation in classical Pilates and biomechanics. Her work focuses on restoring efficient movement, breath, and function across all levels.

Her philosophy centers on precision and awareness—helping clients understand how their bodies move and where restrictions exist. Erin emphasizes breathwork, alignment, and foundational movement patterns, often incorporating release work to improve effectiveness and long-term results.

At HATC, Erin works with a wide range of clients—from athletes to those managing injuries or chronic conditions—guiding them toward better movement, improved mobility, and a deeper connection to how their body performs.

Strength Coach • Personal Trainer 

Tammy is a personal trainer and healthy lifestyle coach whose work sits at the intersection of strength, nervous system regulation, and long-term human performance.

Her philosophy is simple: true strength comes from training the body to adapt. Tammy specializes in nervous system–based strength training, helping clients build resilience, recover more effectively, and create results that actually last.

At HATC, Tammy works with a wide range of clients—from locals and lifestyle athletes to those recovering from injury or burnout—meeting each person where they are and building from there. Her sessions emphasize balance, longevity, and sustainability over intensity for intensity’s sake.

Personal Trainer • Yoga Instructor • Meditation Coach

Alyssabeth is a NASM certified personal trainer, 500-hour registered yoga teacher, and iRest Yoga Nidra meditation instructor who brings a holistic, movement-as-medicine approach to health and performance. Her work blends strength training with mobility, flexibility, and mindfulness to support both physical and mental well-being.

Her philosophy centers on balance and intention—helping clients build strength while staying connected to their bodies. Alyssabeth specializes in creating personalized programs that guide individuals toward feeling strong, grounded, and empowered.

At HATC, Alyssabeth works with a wide range of clients, including special populations, integrating trauma-informed practices and mindful movement to support recovery, resilience, and overall well-being at altitude.

Licensed Massage Therapist • Sports Massage Therapist • Bodywork Specialist

Bridget is a licensed massage therapist and sports bodyworker specializing in recovery, performance, and therapeutic care. As the owner of B Massage Big Bear, she works with athletes, locals, and visitors to address both deep muscle tension and overall physical well-being.

Her approach is highly intentional and results-driven, focusing on improving mobility, accelerating recovery, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Bridget blends deep tissue and sports massage with modalities like hot stone, aromatherapy, and targeted therapeutic techniques.

At HATC, Bridget supports both performance and recovery—helping clients reduce tension, move more freely, and feel fully restored, whether they’re training at altitude or simply looking to reset..

Traditional Naturopath • Recovery Specialist • Wellness Practitioner

Keeley is a Certified Traditional Naturopath and founder of Zeff Wellness, specializing in holistic health, recovery, and natural healing. Her work focuses on identifying root causes and supporting the body’s ability to restore balance and function.

Her philosophy centers on treating the whole person—not just symptoms—using modalities such as red light therapy and cold plunges to reduce inflammation, improve recovery, and optimize overall well-being.

At HATC, Keeley supports performance and recovery at altitude—helping clients reset, recharge, and build sustainable health through targeted, holistic therapies.