Coaches + Staff

Gretchen Gonzales

Figure Coach, ID Fitness

Coach, Gretchen Gonzales has been in the health & fitness industry for most of her life. In her younger years, Gretchen was a competitive gymnast and ice skater. She won many competitions growing up and her passion for competing is what has motivated her to help others achieve their competition goals.

After having three daughters, Gretchen found she needed a way to get back in shape and teach her children how to eat healthy and stay fit. She entered her first figure competition at the young age of 37 and won the masters overall and was runner up to the overall figure winner. Gretchen has consistently placed top five in figure and believes “leading by example” has taught her children more than she could have ever imagined. She now devotes her time to coaching others in hopes of fostering the same healthy lifestyle she has found in competing.

Gretchen has been a judge for both national and regional events including fitness, figure & bikini. Her athletic background and competition experience will provide the ID Fitness team with cutting edge knowledge to help take them to the next level in their fitness career.

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Michelle Avila

Web Management, ID Fitness Staff

Michelle Avila is an fitness competitor, aspiring actress, model & mother of two. She started competing in fitness competitions in 2009 and has already made an impact both regionally & nationally, placing top 5 at the Ms. Bikini New Mexico Pageant & 5th overall at the Ms. Bikini America Pageant nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada this past November.
In 2009, Michelle auditioned for the Route 66 Casino calendar and was selected as their February model. She currently assists Route 66 Casino with any of their promotional events such as concerts, UFC events and autograph signing sessions. Other promotional work Michelle has completed include modeling for Sunsilk and AXE Angel.

At a very young age Michelle was interested in being onstage, performing in a variety of ballets and dance recitals. She continued her interest in the performing arts and participated in the International Modeling & Talent Association in New York.

After returning from New York in 2004, she went on to explore her interest in acting. Michelle was cast as an extra for the TV series pilot of Wildfire, and was later hired as a stand-in for lead actresses when the show was picked up by ABC Family for four seasons. During this time she was also featured in the movie BeerFest (Warner Brothers Production), In the Valley of Elah, (Warner Independent Pictures), 3:10 to Yuma (Lionsgate Production), and In Plain Sight pilot (USA Network). She currently has a part in the new feature film Passion Play, and is working alongside Megan Fox.

Throughout all her achievements Michelle still finds time to be a great wife and mother and encourages her family to be healthy and fit. Michelle hopes to contribute and inspire people of all ages to lead a healthier and happier life through health & fitness. Her role with the ID Fitness staff is to help manage the website through updates and development.

Michelle’s resume includes:
- Top 5, Ms. Bikini America Pageant, 2009
- Top 5, Ms. Bikini New Mexico Pageant, 2009
- Route 66 2010 Calendar, February
- Spokes model for Sunsilk & Axe Angel

Film debuts:
- Wildfire, ABC Family
- BeerFest, Warner Brothers
- In the Valley of Elah, USA Network
- 3:10 to Yuma, Lions Gate Entertainment
- In Plain Sight, Pilot for USA Network
- Passion Play, Annapurna Productions

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Tara Arellano

New Member Coordinator, ID Fitness Staff

As a former gymnast, cheerleader and dancer, Tara has always had a passion for athletics and competition. After giving birth to her first child in 2008, Tara decided to compete in fitness competitions to help get her body back in shape.

Last year, Tara entered the fitness arena in the best shape of her life. In May, she was crowned the Ms. Bikini New Mexico overall winner at her debut show, and one week later placed first in every division she competed in at the OCB Natural Southwest Classic, earning her IFPA Pro Card. Tara finished out the year at the Fitness America Pageant nationals in November 2009, where she placed Top 5 in both the Ms. Bikini America & Model America Championships.

In her short time competing and like most of the ID Staff members, Tara has achieved great success. She has appeared on the cover of a national magazine and most recently was selected as one of the eight cast members for the network TV reality show, “Six Pack”, which will follow the everyday lives of natural bodybuilding and figure athletes as they train for the Pro Yorton Cup on October 23, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Tara will be competing in a multitude of shows in 2010 including NPC, OCB & the infamous Fitness America Pageant nationals in Las Vegas. We expect great things from Tara and will be working with her closely to help her reach her goal of winning a national title in 2010.


Tara’s resume includes:

  • IFPA Figure Pro
  • 2009, Reigning Ms. Bikini New Mexico Champion
  • 4th Place Bikini Medium, 2009 Ms. Bikini America Pageant
  • 5th Place Overall Female Model, 2009 Fitness America Championships
  • 1st Place Overall Fitness Model, 2009 OCB Natural Southwest Classic
  • 1st Place Figure Novice Short, 2009 OCB Natural Southwest Classic
  • 1st Place Figure Open Overall, 2009 OCB Natural Southwest Classic
  • Cover Model & Feature Story, Fitness & Physique Magazine, Winter 2009
  • Feature story, Albuquerque Sunday Journal Fit Section, January 10, 2010
  • 2010 Cast-member in the Network Television Series, “Six-Pack”

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Renee Gallegos

ID Fitness Staff

Renee Gallegos is a nationally ranked fitness competitor, athlete and wellness coach. She is certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and is currently pursuing a degree in secondary education from the University of New Mexico.

In her first debut at an international competition, Renee placed 6th in the Ms. Bikini Universe Pageant and 12th in the Model Universe Pageant championships held in Miami last June. She then went on to compete at the Fitness America Pageant nationals in November 2009, and was runner up to the overall Ms. Bikini America Pageant champion. Over 400 competitors were present for both the international and national competitions and some of the biggest names in the fitness industry graced the stage in hopes of winning the title.

Originally from Socorro, New Mexico, Renee grew up participating in a variety of sports such as basketball, tennis and track. A successful athlete, Renee’s love of playing basketball proved to be beneficial at the Ms. Bikini Universe competition as she used her ball spinning capabilities to “wow” the audience while on stage. Renee’s fluid yet athletic showmanship shows tom-girls have a place in the fitness arena.

In the short time as a fitness competitor, Renee has appeared in the El Defensor Chieftain newspaper, on the front page of the sports section of the Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque FIT Magazine, and a feature article about Renee’s competition success can be found on the Fitness Universe website.

Renee is an inspiration to many young female athletes in both her hometown of Socorro and throughout the state of New Mexico. Just last year, Renee launched her very own website in hopes to spread knowledge about the importance of health and fitness (www.reneegallegosfitness.com). She also hosts several fitness workshops around the state of New Mexico in order to teach the benefits of creating a healthy lifestyle changes.

Renee’s resume includes:

  • 2nd, Ms. Bikini America Pageant, 2009
  • 6th, Ms. Bikini Universe Championships, 2009
  • 12th, Model Universe Championships, 2009
  • 1st, Ms. Bikini New Mexico Pageant, 2009
  • 3rd, Model New Mexico Championships, 2009
  • 5th, Figure New Mexico Championships, 2009
  • El Defensor Chieftain newspaper, feature article
  • Albuquerque Journal newspaper, Feature article, front page & sports section
  • Fitness Universe website, feature article
  • Albuquerque Fit Magazine, February 2010

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