Meet
The Team
Our goal is to foster a safe, judgment-free exercise environment that nurtures the physical and mental well-being of our members. Drip Sweat is a community of like-minded individuals, not only pursuing their own fitness journey, but are committed to challenging, supporting, and motivating others along the way. Our work is aimed at empowering all our members to reach their personal goals as efficiently and effectively as possible, while gently encouraging them to push beyond their perceived limits. The Drip Sweat team is committed to helping our members unleash their most untapped potential in a way that builds confidence, invites optimism, establishes mental wellness, and promotes physical transformation.
CJ Hernandez
Founding Instructor
A seasoned veteran with 12+ years in the industries, CJ is a fitness professional who dedicated himself to health and fitness. Working his way through every corner of the industry, he started as a floor trainer for commercial gyms, to managing commercial/private gyms in the city, to creating and developing brands and programs for boutique studios throughout NYC. His experience, passion and dedication can be felt throughout his class and in his coaching style. His approach at Drip Sweat is “High Intensity Strength Training”, focused on building Optimal and Progressive Strength while also developing better endurance and performance.
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CJ’s Mantra
“Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”
Janice Rodriguez
Owner/ Founder
Janice’s passion for sports and fitness have been her lifeblood since her childhood. Janice was a versatile athlete, which naturally incorporated health and fitness into her daily life. After obtaining her bachelors degree in Business Administration and Finance, Janice began building a successful career in corporate banking.
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After 5 years in finance, she decided to act on her most desired dream, to inspire a mindset and lifestyle change within the community where she was born and raised, Washington Heights. In 2018, she creatively merged both her love for fitness and her desire for entrepreneurship, into what is now known as Drip Sweat.
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Janice’s vision for Drip Sweat is to build a diverse, supportive community where everyone can feel empowered, accomplished, and supported along their fitness journey. Alongside her team, Janice has designed Drip Sweat to deliver a favorable personal experience in a boutique environment, complemented by comprehensive nutrition education, and a full-fledged juice bar.
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Janice's Mantra
“Trust the Process”
Rolando Morales
Kickboxing Instructor
Rolando (“Roc”) Morales is an advanced mixed martial arts fighter, and our lead kickboxing instructor. His specialty is centered in teaching the fundamentals of self-defense with trainees receiving a dynamic combination of kickboxing, physical, and mental strength training. Students experience the reward of pushing beyond their limits and practice physical and mental techniques designed to prepare them for conquering any obstacle that life may throw their way.
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Roc’s Mantra
“Stop getting in the way of yourself, and watch as the possibilities become endless.”
Robert Hued
Yoga Instructor
An avid rock climber and former martial artist, Rob approaches fitness from the dynamic of community. His teaching style aims to create a space where clients can challenge themselves using their own body weight, in a setting that blends stretching techniques mixed with Hatha Yoga. Rob’s 50-minute classes are designed to help participants leave empowered, both mentally and physically.
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Rob’s Mantra
"What you don't change you are choosing."
Nathaly Collado
Dance Instructor
Nathaly Collado is a young and inspirational professional dancer from New York City. She began her dancing journey more than 10 years ago, right here in Washington Heights. Her classes involve teaching other aspiring ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop dancers how to truly utilize movement as a form of expression. Nathaly’s passion, love, and respect for the art of dancing spills over into how she guides, corrects, and instructs students across a wide range of dance styles.
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Nathaly’s Mantra
“Think different.”
Milton Carnegie
Boxing/Strength Training Instructor
Milton Carnegie is a long-time NASM-CPT certified trainer. He specializes in HITT training, boxing, and Strength & Conditioning. In his spare time, he likes to compete in obstacle course racing. Beyond the physical benefits of his classes, Milton encourages clients to dig deep and push past their perceived boundaries both in and outside the gym.
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Milton’s Mantra
"If you want to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the crowd." – Anonymous
Max Castro
Strength Training Instructor
Maxiel (or Max as she’s known by most), is an energetic fitness trainer. Her one-hour total body classes are called Bodies to the Max, and they’re called that for a reason. Maxiel’s clients are taught that every part of the body matters, and she encourages each and every client to reach new heights in their fitness journey. Clients also get to engage the liveliest music during classes, as music has been a major part of Max’s fitness journey.
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Max’s Mantra
“Anything’s possible, you gotta dream like you never seen obstacles.” – J. Cole
Nicole Santiago
Yoga Instructor
Nicole is a young Latina movement educator and healer. Born and raised in the city of Bronx, New York, her passion for yoga started in 2005 when Nicole began to seek out ways that would allow her to gain a sense of calm, control, and deeper connection to spirit, mind, and body. She specializes in traditional Hatha and Iyengar yoga. Her class participants are taught traditional yoga teachings that they’re able to carry with them on and off the mat.
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Nicole’s Mantra
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“May all beings everywhere be happy. May they be healthy. May they be at peace. May they be free.” – Metta Prayer of Loving Kindness
Gina Tibke
Strength Training Instructor
Gina is NASM- CPT and a Virtual Coaching Specialist. Her classes incorporate high-intensity interval training, combined with muscle burn-out challenges, which will help you build lean muscle and burn calories in a fun and effective way. Gina’s goal is to create a motivating atmosphere that will encourage people to work as a team to feel strong, confident, and most of all, HAPPY! You will leave Gina’s class with a smile on your face, knowing you pushed yourself to your limit, all while developing the strongest and happiest version of yourself!
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Gina’s Mantra
“On good days, work out. On bad days, work harder!”
Raul
Kickboxing Instructor
Raul Llitera (or Raulo as he’s referred to by his clients), is a kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, and Muay Thai instructor that’s aggressive with his kicks, but extremely gentle and patient with his class participants. While he’s known for his high intensity classes, Raul also works to engage individuals on a more personal level. His carefully crafted approach to teaching and instructing on the fundamentals of martial arts is designed to help class participants build confidence, self-esteem, and become more aware of their strengths and weaknesses so that they can learn to work past them.
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Raul’s Mantra
“Never too late and you’re never too old to become better.”
Melissa
Front Desk