Our Team
Our team is made of rare individuals who have chosen to make a difference by helping others. Love that. You will not find a better staff in the world, you are in great hands with our certified activity based trainers!
LIZA PERLA-RIEDEL
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Liza Perla-Riedel founded NextStep Orlando after the devastating spinal cord injury her daughter sustained in a MVA. Liza is a certified medical coder (CCS-P) and has over 15 years experience in the healthcare industry specializing Orthopedics. In December 2010 Liza was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of the Rotary International.
TRAVIS ALLEN
Lead Activity-based TRAINER
Travis graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science with a specialization in human performance. Before NextStep Orlando he worked as a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness and is certified by the national academy of sports medicine. As a former college football player his attention to detail and performance based training provides a key attribute in helping clients reach their unlimited potential both physically and mentally. His training and knowledge of the human body gives him the confidence to work with the SCI population and help guide in recovery!
LUIS OJEDA
senior ACTIVITY-BASED TRAINER
Luis first arrived at NextStep Orlando from Keiser University to complete a two month Externship at our facility. He received a Sports Medicine and Fitness Technology Associates from Keiser University in 2016. He became an integral part of the NextStep Orlando team and went on to become a Trainer Aid as well as a Part-Time Activity-Based Trainer. Luis served as a Marine from 2010 to 2015 and brings his eye for detail and determination to aid clients with paralysis reach their greatest recovery potential!
RYAN FASS
senior ACTIVITY-BASED TRAINER
Ryan graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science through the human performance track. Ryan also is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has a background in Personal Training from the YMCA and working at the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center. Ryan has a passion for health and wellness as well as helping others and will bring his training skill set and compassion to NextStep Orlando as a Activity-Based Trainer.
ALEK LOPEZ
activity- based trainer
Alek graduated from Keiser University with a Bachelors Degree in Sports Medicine and Fitness Technology. He grew up playing sports and has always been an advocate for fitness and wellness. Alek loves working with a team to bring out the best in everyone including himself! He is excited to help his clients meet as many goals as they want to achieve as well as improve their overall health.
CHLOE BONAVITA
activity- based therapy TRAINER
Chloë graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2022 with a Bachelors in Kinesiology focusing on Sport and Exercise Physiology. She started at NextStep shortly after graduation as an intern, and came onto the team as an Aid and Part-time trainer. With a passion for healing through exercise, she also focuses on working with pediatrics and creating a fun and compassionate therapy environment for children here at NextStep!
ARIELLE HAIM
activity- based trainer assist
Arielle graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Hospitality Management. Throughout college, Arielle was a Crossfit trainer where she had the opportunity to work with a client that had suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. She was amazed at how much progress he made in the gym and knew she wanted to work with people with disabilities for the rest of her life. Shortly after, Arielle quit her job in marketing and started an internship at Nextstep Orlando which led to acquiring a position with them. She brings a positive attitude to our clients and is passionate about helping them becoming their best selves!
CHRISTIN ROWLAND
Activity-Based Therapy consultant
Christin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Science from the University of
Stellenbosch, South Africa, with a minor in Disabled Sports and a major in Psychology.
Thereafter she was accepted into the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where she completed a Bachelor of Science Medical Honors degree in Exercise Science.
Christin worked in South Africa as an Exercise Physiologist at the Sports Science Institute of
South Africa, with a focus on training clients with physical impairments, pre and post-operative orthopedic injuries and special populations. She first arrived at NextStep Orlando in 2015 to do an Internship with us and has now come back to be a permanant part of the team. Here at NextStep Orlando, Christin brings her enthusiasm and experience to help clients achieve optimal results.
LISA BECKER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
With over 15 years of administrative and accounting practices, Lisa’s background of business management along with experience as an executive director for a non-profit organization, helps to manage the day to day operations of NextStep Orlando. Her knowledge and passion of SCI recovery is a result of a car accident that left her daughter a C5-C6 quadriplegic who is currently attending the NextStep Orlando Recovery Program.
EMILY PINYOT
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Emily joined the NextStep team in November 2022. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Stetson University and is also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Emily previously worked at the YMCA of Central Florida and is looking forward to applying her skills and experience here at NextStep Orlando.
AMANDA PERLA
Client services
Amanda grew up in Longwood and attended Lake Mary High School. She sustained a spinal
cord injury in a car accident during her senior year, leaving her a C6 quadriplegic. Her mother, Liza, first brought Amanda to NextStep headquarters in California in 2007. In 2009, Amanda’s dreams came true when Liza founded NextStep Orlando. She has been a part of the recovery program ever since and is now the official scheduling coordinator. Amanda is also a speaker/ representative for NextStep Orlando and handles all social media. She is proud to be apart of a program that is not only making a huge difference in her life but in the lives of others too.