Donal Donovan

Yoga Teachers
Written By Alecia Dawn Young

Donal Donovan, they/them

Free Will Health and Wellness

Contact: email | @Freewillpgh @donnydinodonovan 

Donal Donovan received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from Mercyhurst University, where they also played Division II Soccer. Donal was first certified as a personal trainer in 2010 through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In 2013, Donal earned a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education  while instructing undergraduate students in Indoor Cycling, Soccer, Directed Study, and was head instructor for the Parent Fitness program. In addition, they worked on nationally funded studies, including the Heart Health and Idea Study for the University of Pittsburgh. Donny has worked for organizations such as the Jewish Community Center, YMCA, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as a Fitness Specialist. In 2014, Donny became a Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) Jumpstart Instructor and completed the Resistance Training Specialist (RTS) Practical. Donal is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. In 2015, Donal founded Free Will Health and Wellness, a Pittsburgh-based company that specializes in muscle activation, wellness coaching, meditation, and exercise mechanics for resistance training. Donal is a leader in the trans community and presented at the 2022 and 2023 TransPride Pittsburgh Health and Wellness Conference on “Gender affirming Personal Training”.  In 2023, Donal became a Mental Health First Aider and completed the Trauma Informed Weight Lifting certification through the Center for Trauma & Embodiment at JRI. In addition, Donal was named one of Pittsburghs’ 2023  “Bright Young People” by Allies Health + Well-being and was nominated for Best of PGH 2023 - Personal Trainer by the Pittsburgh City Paper. Currently, Donny is enrolled in the 23’ cohort of YogaRoots On Location’s AntiRacist Raja Yoga Teacher Training at the 200-hour level.

  • Creative Wellness Focus: Personal Training

  • Location Availability: Virtual and In person in Pittsburgh, PA

  • Insured: Yes

  • Certifications: 

    • Bachelors in Exercise Science

    • Muscle Activation Techniques

    • Holistic Health Coach - IIN

    • Trauma Informed Weight Lifting

    • Mental Health First Aid

  • Experience teaching yoga + wellness: 1 year teaching yoga

  • Additional experience with YOGAMOTIF’s core audience: Prenatal, Postpartum

Alecia Dawn Young

Alecia Dawn Young is yoga and meditation guide, artist, scholar, and is the founder of YOGAMOTIF. With a career that spans a commitment to community arts education and wellness, her work is grounded in the collective healing of Black m/others and the relationship between arts education, mental health, and well-being. Alecia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and is a PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh.

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