About Us

Julia Karlstad, M.Ed., CSCS
I’m Julia Karlstad and I am the President and Founder of JKFITNESS, LLC. I have worked in the fitness industry and specifically the medical wellness community for several years. I am extremely passionate about helping people change their lives through fitness. Previous to owning my own business, I personally developed and directed an exercise physiology program that consisted of two bariatric hospitals and three medically supervised weight loss clinics.
I have a Master’s of Education in Exercise Science as well as a Bachelor of Science in Basic Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy. I recently authored a book that is specifically about exercise as it relates to weight loss, Rx Fitness for Weight Loss: The Medically Sound Solution to Get Fit and Save Your Life. I hold two nationally recognized fitness certifications and constantly pursue venues to further my formal education. I’m CPR/AED certified and I’m an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the Obesity Action Coalition.

Gilbert Hernandez, MBA
I’m Gilbert Hernandez and I am the Director of Fitness and Business Consulting for JKFITNESS. In addition to my directorship duties, I’m also a Health and Fitness Professional offering a variety of different Health and Fitness services, such as individual and group personal training, metabolic testing, and prescribing individualized exercise programs. I have been involved in the health and wellness industry for the past 12 years. I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas in San Antonio and hold an MBA in Health Care Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. My previous experience includes managing and working as an Exercise Physiologist for an Outpatient Therapy and Wellness Clinic, working in a sports training facility performing 3-dimensional biomechanical analysis for athletes and acting as an adjunct instructor for the Kinesiology department at Northwest Vista College. Most recently, I managed two multidisciplinary medical and surgical weight loss facilities.

Joey Palacios, B.S., NASM-CPT
I’m Joey Palacios and I joined JKFITNESS in May 2009. As a health and fitness professional I offer a wide variety of services from traditional personal training to individualized metabolic testing. Prior to joining JKFITNESS, I worked in the fitness field as a personal trainer for six plus years. I started working as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym and was quickly promoted to the Fitness Manager for Gold’s. After my experience at Gold’s had reached its peak I worked at a multi-disciplinary weight loss facility for two years as a Fitness Specialist. I gained a tremendous amount of experience here as I was working side by side with physicians, dieticians, psychologists, and other exercise physiologists.
I received my undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Texas – San Antonio and I am currently enrolled in the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Texas Health and Science Center in San Antonio. I’m a Certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. My passion for health and wellness comes from within as I enjoy doing any type of outdoor activity and I have 10+ years of experience mountain biking, road riding, and trail running. I’ve completed the MS 150 bike ride four straight years, from 2004-2007, the Tour de Cure in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and the Terra Firma Outdoor Challenge in 2005 and 2006. I’m ready to help you change your life…give me a call today!

Kitty Henricksen, B.S., ACSM-CPT
I am Kitty Henricksen and I recently joined JKFITNESS. I bring a wealth of fitness experience and am passionate about helping people change their lives and improve their fitness and overall well being! I received my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. I am a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine.
Previous to working for JKFITNESS I served as an Exercise Physiologist at Toyota Motor Manufacturing. I conducted several health assessments and coached/mentored employees to improve their health status through different wellness programs. I consider myself an expert in endurance training as I’ve personally competed in numerous marathons, triathlons, and duathlons. I ran track and competed on the cross country team while I was a student at Texas A&M. While I was there, I was awarded the GTE/Verizon Scholar athlete award. I’ve used my personal experience along with my educational background to be a prominent endurance coach for several athletes!

Megan Thiedeman, Information & Communications Manager
Megan worked for JKFITNESS as a health and fitness professional for about one and a half years prior to moving to California where she is continuing her fitness expertise as a personal trainer. She is still connected to JKFITNESS in that she directs and coordinates our communications and information management. Prior to joining JKFITNESS, Megan was an Exercise Physiologist at a multi-disciplinary weight loss facility in San Antonio, primarily working with overweight to morbidly obese individuals. While working at the weight loss facility, Megan was promoted into the position of the Bariatric Fitness Program Coordinator. Prior to this, Megan spent 6 plus years in the U.S. Air Force with over 3 of those years as a university-level instructor and coach. Megan graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science/Psychology and played Division 1 basketball all four years. In 2005, she earned a Masters of Sports Science degree from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. Megan holds the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health and Fitness Instructor certification and is a professional member of ACSM. Megan has an overwhelming passion to help individuals meet their fitness goals and enjoys working with clients of all fitness levels.

Jane Thiedeman – Administrative Assistant
Jane Thiedeman began working as the administrative assistant for JKFITNESS in August 2009. Jane has many years of experience as a non-profit fundraiser, having worked for a healthcare foundation, two small colleges and a social service agency. She moved to San Antonio in 2007 from mid-Missouri. Jane graduated from New Mexico Highlands University and also attended Buena Vista University. Her area of study was history, social services and business administration. She enjoys being able to assist the JKFITNESS staff in helping clients achieve lifetime fitness goals.