Meet your UW Fitness Day Coaches: Community Partners (part 1)
The Whole U announces the 2024 UW Fitness Day community partners who will be leading various movements as UW Fitness day coach!
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 8, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Husky Stadium for a day of fun, fitness and camaraderie!
Meet Your Coaches
With community coaches specializing in yoga, Pilates, Barre, Zumba, rowing, cycling and running, UW Fitness Day will be full of a variety of motivating movement and fun!
Read about our Fitness Day coaches from UW Athletics, UW Recreation, UW faculty/staff and The Whole U and additional UW community fitness partners!
Emily Dalgo
Registered Yoga Teacher
Emily is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) based in Seattle. She received her MA in Sociology from the University of Washington. She focuses her Hatha-based practice in the Vinyasa style and leads calming yet stimulating practices for all levels. You can find her guiding yoga and sound baths at 8 Limbs Yoga, lululemon U-Village, and the IMA.
Emily’s teaching philosophy: Integrating knowledge of anatomy, breathing techniques, and trauma-informed cueing, I lead calming yet stimulating practices for all levels, creating a space for students to feel empowered and at home in their bodies.
Sami Sweeney
RowdyBox
Sami is the co-founder of RowdyBox and a boxing and functional strength coach. She has a passion for coaching beginners in boxing skill basics. Boxing trains your core, upper body, legs and back in a unique way that also feels like PLAY. Boxing is not only great for the body but great for the brain. Training in boxing boost coordination, motor skills neurological connection and confidence. Sami’s passion is motivating people to push past their comfort zone.
Sami’s favorite workout or exercise routine? Boxing is my favorite total=body, high-intensity style of workout and is more accessible to beginners than most assume.
Daniela Gallardo
La Clave Cubana.
Daniela, a native of Mexico, is the co-director of “La Clave Cubana” and teaches alongside with Reinier Valdes at their dance academy as well as in salsa congresses all over the U.S. Her love for music and dancing started at a young age, leading her to become one of the principal dancers at music festivals in her school. She created her first choreography at age 15 and, in her early 20s, she joined a dance team in Mexico. Daniela has been dancing salsa for 10 years, including LA style (linear salsa) and Latin salsa and salsa in a circle.
Erin Anderson
Barre3
Erin found barre3 in 2016 in Ballard, where she quickly fell in love with the innovative class and unparalleled sense of belonging. Knowing this was more than just a workout, she immediately dove in. Rising from front desk associate to instructor to owner, Erin has seen how every facet of the studio creates a welcoming environment for clients to embrace their inherent strength. Having grown up in Covington, Erin is thrilled to bring barre3 to her community.
Erin’s advice to newcomers: Be kind to yourself along that journey and don’t worry about getting it “right.” Just keep moving.
Corey Koch
Barre3
Corey is an instructor at barre3 Covington and also a former Husky — go Dawgs! Her biggest role in life right now is being mom to three young children. She exercises with them in mind to stay healthy and strong. And exercise is also her greatest form of self-care.
Corey’s favorite workout or exercise routine? My favorite workout is anything that works the full body and involves fun music.
Melissa Garcia
Melissa earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Washington. After practicing in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehab for three years, she started her own business last year, treating clients privately and providing physical therapy consulting for health technology companies. Melissa now works for a healthcare data analytics software company, leveraging her expertise to improve patient outcomes at the population level. She’s excited for the opportunity to continue bringing her energy and enthusiasm to UW Fitness Day each year.
Melissa’s favorite workout or exercise routine? Right now I’m enjoying weightlifting in the gym with my headphones on and decompressing after my work day.
Benefitting National Marrow Donor Program (formally Be The Match)
This year, UW Fitness Day will benefit NMDP, the
nation’s largest marrow-donor 
registry. Our goal is raising $5,000 and 100 new registry members.
Learn about National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and, if you are able, make a $5 suggested donation through the UW Combined Fund Drive when you register for UW Fitness Day. And even if you cannot attend UW Fitness Day, you are invited to help us reach our fundraising goal.
Join us on May 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Red Square for Get in The Game, an annual event to share the mission of NMDP and encourage people to join the registry.
