OUR TEAM

LETITIA TEDFORD

OWNER/OPERATOR

ERIC BILL

Lead Trainer

BJ ATKINS

Trainer/Speed Agility Coach

Kelsea

Jeff Reynolds

Letitia-New-photo-500x500

LETITIA TEDFORD
OWNER/OPERATOR

Letitia is originally from Perth Western Australia and relocated to the US in 2012 for work.

She married fellow owner Michael in December 2013 and gave birth to their beautiful baby boy in October 2014.

Letitia developed her love for fitness approximately 7 years ago when she hired a personal trainer. Tired of feeling unfit and overweight she decided she needed some help. Personal training became a way of life, starting with just 2 sessions a week and quickly progressing to 4 to 5 times a week as her energy and fitness levels increased.

“I needed that extra motivation and push from a trainer to get me to a level I was happy with and have never looked back”

Letitia loves living an active lifestyle, her other interests include running, hiking and wake-boarding. One of her fitness goals is to compete in a figure competition.

“I like a challenge and I know it isn’t an easy feat, but I am looking forward to sharing the highs, lows, ins and outs of competing”

Having over 13 years’ business experience she is excited to be a part of the True Grit Fit team, helping people with their health and fitness journeys.

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MIKE TEDFORD
TRAINER / FITNESS DIRECTOR

Hey everybody, I’m Mike!

I was born in Tampa, Florida and was adopted at three days old by my mother, father and my older brother Jason. Growing up I played all the sports kids are interested in. But my three favorite sports were wrestling, football, and weight-lifting.

My interest in fitness started when I was wrestling in high school and began competing in both weight-lifting and power-lifting. When I continued to wrestle during college my love for fitness grew even more! I started reading books, going to seminars and even completing multiple fitness certifications. During my time in college I continued to do personal training where I met some of the most amazing people that are still in my life today. Some are even cients/friends!

When I turned 23 I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I spent 4 years in the infantry as a Machine Gunner with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. I did 2 tours for a total of 14 months overseas. During this time I even designed workouts for my platoon to follow. After being honorably discharged in October 2012 I once again started personal training and doing boot camp classes at a well known fitness facility in San Clemente, CA.

In December 2013 my wife Letitia and I decided that we wanted to be closer to family and to follow our dream of opening up our own fitness studio. And that is exactly what we did! We started True Grit Fit with our good friend Ryan with the promise that we will stay committed to helping our clients achieve their health and fitness goals through a non-competitive, safe, fun, and friendly environment.

October 3rd 2014 Letitia and I were blessed to have our son Caleb. Like his mom and dad he spends the majority of his days at the gym, putting a smile on the client’s faces when he meets and greets them all.

I have a passion for assisting people, through exercise and proper nutrition, to attain a healthy life-style. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to achieve your fitness goals.

FACTS ABOUT ME:
Married for 2 years
Personal Training: I have been a certified personal trainer for 12 years.
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite drink: water w/ crystal light
Favorite cheat food: Pizza
Favorite Sports Team: USF Bulls
Favorite exercise: Squats
Favorite quote: ‘If you’re afraid to fail, you’ll never succeed.” – Dan Gable


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ERIC BILL
LEAD TRAINER

Hello, my name Is Eric and I have been a certified fitness trainer for the last 6 years. Coming to you all the way from Syracuse, NY where I started my career in fitness at Hercules GYM. I now have the honor and privilege of being part of the True Grit Fit team.

Regardless if your goal is fat burning, muscle toning, performance enhancement, strength & conditioning or simply flexibility your goal becomes my goal and we work together to reach them.

Training has always been a passion of mine and have never truly worked a day in my life because I simply love my job as a Fitness Professional. By making a strong commitment to my own health and fitness, I am able to lead by example. Along with working out I love movies, roller coasters, my Wife Angie and our 2 dogs.

Facts About Me:

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Drink: Water with Lemon

Favorite Cheat Food: Sushi, Pizza, or Donuts
Favorite Sports Teams: Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls and Syracuse Orange

Favorite exercise: Bench press

Favorite Quote: “No one has ever drowned in their own sweat” Lou Holtz

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BJ ATKINS
TRAINER/SPEED AGILITY COACH

Hi! My name is BJ. While I was born in Tallahassee, Florida I grew up in Tampa Florida and graduated from King High School where I lettered in both football and baseball. After graduating from high school I enrolled at the University of South Florida but soon transferred to Bethune Cookman College where I majored in Criminal Justice and had the privilege of playing football as one of the fighting wildcats. Since graduating from Bethune Cookman I earned my Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. I currently work full-time as a deputy sheriff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department where I have served in the uniform patrol division as well as with the community outreach division.

During my college years while playing football I developed a real love for physical fitness. Currently I hold the record for bench press for the Sheriff’s department. I have a passion for working with athletes in the area of strength conditioning and I have a real desire to help others succeed in their fitness goals.


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KELSEA

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JEFF REYNOLDS

I was born and raised in Dublin, GA. As the son of a former coach, I was raised with a great appreciation and love for athletics. I played basically every sport from basketball, football, golf, tennis and baseball.

After graduating high school, I attended the University of Georgia to chase my dream of playing college basketball. I always believed I would pursue a career in coaching after college so I majored in Social Science Education.

Exercise remained a staple of my time at the University of Georgia and I was a daily visitor to the gym. I also worked and volunteer coached with the Boys and Girls Club, and the YMCA of Athens. After receiving my degree, I decided to give law school a try. I was accepted and attended Mercer Law School in Macon, GA. The decision to go to Law school was the best decision of my life because while at Mercer, I met my wife Erin.

Erin and I moved to Tampa after law school to begin our legal careers. I started as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, before leaving to open the Tampa Bay office for The Ticket Clinic where my practice focuses on the defense of traffic and criminal charges. Erin and I were blessed with our daughter Millen in 2011 and son Pierce in April of 2016.

Growing up playing completive sports, I always viewed fitness training as just a necessary a part of optimizing my performance in a given sport. However, after my basketball days were done, I really found a passion for exercise itself. I no longer view fitness as just a means to an end, but embrace and love every opportunity to be active. I have also grown to love and study how proper nutrition can optimize physical performance and appearance (without just eating things that taste like cardboard). I enjoy participating in triathlons, obstacle races, weightlifting, kayaking and any other way I can reach a new fitness goal.

I came to True Grit Fit to volunteer as an assistant coach for the Special Olympics Powerlifting team. Working with these wonderful young men made me fully recognize the joy of assisting others toward a fitness goal. I have been honored to expand my role at True Grit Fit. I want to share my passion for fitness with everyone who walks through that door.

I am a huge believer in setting goals and then working to reach them. I would love to help you reach yours!


‘If you’re afraid to fail, you’ll never succeed.” – Dan Gable