Meet Our Team of Trainers

With a combined 50+ years of helping others look and feel their best, iDEAL trainers are in the top of the fitness indrustry. All iDEAL Personal Trainers are certified through the top three, accredited fitness organizations available, (NSCA, ACSM and NASM) or hold high level degrees such as Doctorate in Physical Therapy which would surpass a certification. iDEAL Personal Trainers continue to improve their skills through continuing education programs, re-certifications, new certifications and professional seminars.

Trainer in Action		Jeff Deal, CSCS, CES Owner/Personal Trainer Education: B.S., James Madison University, Kinesiology, Exercise Science Certifications: NSCA- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist; NASM- Corrective Exercise Specialist; AFPA- Certified Pre/Post Natal Exercise Specialist Experience: Before starting iDEAL Personal Training in 2004, Jeff's career path was in rehabilitation. As Jeff was preparing for a career in physical therapy he worked for 5 years in local physical therapy offices designing rehabilitative exercise programs. He then realized that he wanted to work with a wider range of clientele and went into the fitness industry, where he has been making a name for himself ever since. Jeff is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist(NSCA), a Corrective Exercise Specialist(NASM), and a Certified Pre/Post Natal Exercise Specialist(AFPA). Jeff is well versed in several different exercise practices including strength training, fat loss, rehab/prehab, core training, functional training, sport specific training, pre/post natal training, high intensity interval training(HIIT) and Olympic and power lifts. As a trainer Jeff uses his broad range of knowledge to ensure that his clients' workouts are effective and fun. Jeff is probably best known for his affinity of corny jokes.

		Laura De Simone, CSCS, CPT Personal Trainer Education: B.S., Elon University, Exercises Sport Science, Minor in Health Education Certifications: NSCA- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist; NSCA- Certified Personal Trainer Experience:Since graduating Laura has been very busy training and acquiring her certifications. Over the past year Laura has received rave reviews from her clients who commonly praise her for her versatility, knowledge and her ability to keep sessions enjoyable. Laura is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer through the NSCA, is PHI Pilates mat certified and is certified as a kickboxing instructor! Laura has been an athlete all her life and is now using her experience and classroom knowledge to coach youth soccer and field hockey teams. Her high energy level (especially at 5am) and positive attitude make Laura an "iDEAL" trainer for almost anyone.

Trainer in Action		Anna Melnicove, CPT Personal Trainer Education: B.S., Virginia Tech, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise with a concentration in Community and International Nutrition Certifications: ACSM- Certified Personal Trainer; Mad Dogg Spinning Instructor; American Heart Association CPR & First Aid; WLUA Women’s Lacrosse Official Experience: As a personal trainer Anna focuses on core strength and circuit training with such tools as the BOSU, Olympic lifts, plyometrics, and Pilates. Her exercise background dates back to neighborhood swim team and pigtail softball leagues. Those early days on the field and in the pool became a successful career in college athletics, four years of lacrosse at Virginia Tech. Anna continues her love of lacrosse by playing in club leagues as well as refereeing high school lacrosse. In her spare time Anna competes in 5K, 10K, and half marathon races as well as snowboarding and surfing! Currently, Anna is applying to nursing schools to pursue a career in healthcare.

Trainer in Action		Scott Deal, DPT Licensed Physical Therapist/Personal Trainer Education: Marymount University-Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Southeastern University- Masters in Physical Therapy, Randolph Macon College- BA, Business Certifications: Licensed Physical Therapist, State of Virginia Experience: After receiving his undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon College, Scott went on to earn his masters and doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy. Scott is a licensed Physical Therapist by the state of Virginia and has been certified through the IWA as a Certified Weight Trainer. Scott is one of the biggest names in the industry for his overwhelming knowledge and versatility. As a therapist he specializes in working with the elderly and as a trainer specializes in body transformation and power lifting. In his career Scott has helped grandmothers learn to walk again and prepared grandsons for body building competitions. In his spare time Scott enjoys going to the beach and competing and winning power lifting competitions. He currently holds records in 2 different states for his division!

		Graeme Buenaflor, MES, CPT Personal Trainer/Certified Massage Therapist Education: Frostburg State University-B.S., Health and Physical Education Certifications: NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, AAHFRP- Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Massage Therapist Experience: As a trainer Graeme focuses on creating integrated and diverse training programs for clients that include cardiovascular, strength training and flexibility components. Core training is a specialty for Graeme as he focuses on multi-joint exercises that help strenghten the body through its natural movement patterns. Over the last few years Graeme has been broadening his knowledge as a trainer by studying therapeutic exercise and working with patients at Walter Reed Hospital. Graeme has a BS in Health and Physical Education, is a Certified Personal Trainer(NASM), a Certified Medical Exercise Specialist(AAHFRP) and Certified Massage Therapist.

		Leslie Pokorski, HFS Personal Trainer Education: B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, Human Performance and Exercise Science Certifications: ACSM- Certified Health and Fitness Specialist, YMCA Healthy Lifestyles Experience: Leslie has recently moved back to the "mainland" after living in Hawaii for five years. Although Leslie was living in a vacationers paradise she was hard at work training at fitness centers and the Marine Corp base in Kaneohe. Leslie was so well known for her abilty to work with a wide range of clients, including seniors, expecting mothers and active duty Marines, that she was featured in the local newspaper in Hawaii! Whereas Leslie does miss island living she is perfectly content with the surf and sand of Virginia Beach and is excited to bring her brand of training to the area.

Trainer in Action		Parker Deal, CPT Personal Trainer Education: Baltimore University- Juris Doctorate; Emory and Henry College, BA in History Certifications: NPTI- Certified Personal Trainer; SFA- Certified Senior Trainer Experience: Upon retiring after 30 years with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Parker decided he would like to make his passion his profession. Parker enrolled in the National Personal Training Institute and graduated in April, 2005. Parker is currently enjoying his "retirement" as a personal trainer and specializes in exercise programs for seniors and Core training. Parker is a certified personal trainer(NPTI), a Certified Senior Personal Trainer with the Senior Fitness Association and is certified in CPR and First Aid. When not training, Parker can often be found playing with his grandchildren or in the Outer Banks biking or fishing.

		Maria Simonetti, CPT Personal Trainer Education: Marymount University, M.S. Organizational Development; New York University, B.S.Management and Accounting Certifications: ACSM- Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA- Certified Group Exercise Instructor, BODYPUMP and Spinning Experience: Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Maria spent the majority of her career in the business world working for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Maria’s dedication to staying fit is a result of her appreciation for the physical as well as the non-physical benefits of exercise, such as personal empowerment. She believes that it’s never too late and you’re never too old to get fit and maintains that she is now in the best shape of her life. Maria looks forward to empowering others through her ability to make fitness palatable to everyone – especially those over 40. In her free time Maria stays very active, completing two marathons and outdoor adventures such as backpacking in the Grand Canyon, canoeing the Rogue River, biking in Death Valley, camping in the Outback, and hiking in Haleakala, just to name a few.