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SUP Racer and Athlete, Entrepreneur, NSP Team Rider

Meet Rachel

My name is Rachel Cantore.  I am the founder and owner of Fusion Fit and Stand and Paddle.  I currently reside in Bluffton, South Carolina where I operate my business which encompasses a Small Group Training Program, Adult Gymnastics Program, Paddle Boarding Lessons and Paddle Fused Fitness SUP Fitness Class Program, and Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching.

My Story

I was born and raised in the Chicagoland suburbs.  I grew up doing competitive club gymnastics from age 3 to 18 years old.  I then went on to coach gymnastics at the competitive level for another 12 years.  I graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor’s in Movement Sciences - concentration in Exercise and Fitness, and Nutrition. 

 

I have been a personal trainer and coach in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years.  I lived for one year in California where I was director and personal trainer for Los Alisos Apartment Community.  I moved to South Carolina in September 2014 where I built from scratch a personal training and fitness program out of a Physical Therapy facility, Wellness Institute.  I launched Fusion Fit, in 2018 initially focused solely on Small Group Training and Nutrition Coaching.  That same year, I became PaddleFit certified and began collaborating with a local Stand Up Paddle Boarding business to hold Paddle Fitness classes.  Through these classes I developed the Paddle Fused Fitness program. I became sole owner of Stand and Paddle in 2020, and have since expanded on the Paddle Fused Fitness classes, as well as teaching SUP 101 lessons, racing and technique coaching and training, paddle tours and group outings.

 

In 2019, I launched the Adult Gymnastics Program out of Coastal Gymnastics Center, our local gymnastics club.  Within a year, I have been able to add classes to our schedule, start a local Adult gymnastics competitive team, and teach adults of all ages from 16 to over 65 years old how to do gymnastics.

 

I have always been passionate about gymnastics, training, fitness, and living a healthy, balanced, active, and fun lifestyle.  Members themselves will share that they experience these same things through Fusion Fit’s programs including Adult Gymnastics and Paddle Fused Fitness.

My Background

Rachel Cantore

Credentials:
  • PaddleFit Certified Coach

  • Dual B.S. Movement Sciences (Exercise and Fitness) and Nutrition from University of Illinois at Chicago

  • Minor in Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine/NASM

    • CPT (certified personal trainer),

    • CES (corrective exercise specialist),

    • PES (performance enhancement specialist),

    • FNS (fitness nutrition specialist),

    • SGTS (small group training specialist),

    • WLS (weight loss specialist)

  • NESTA Certified 

    • Wellness Coach,

    • Nutrition Coach,

    • Fitness Nutrition Coach

  • Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach

  • Metabolic Effect Certified Personal Trainer

  • Metabolic Effect Level 3 Nutrition Coach

  • Next Level Human and Female Hormone & Metabolism Coach

  • Moderation365 Certified Nutrition Coach

  • IDEA World Fitness Convention 5 time attendee

  • Certified Personal Chef

 

Experience:
  • Nutrition, Life, Fitness Health and Wellness Coaching since 2008

  • Personal Trainer for over 15 years

  • Gymnastics Coach for competitive club teams in the midwest and west coast for over 15 years

  • Competitive club gymnast for 15 years, through USAG level 9

  • SUP racing, paddle surfing and SUP athlete

My SUP
History

SUP Racing History and Experience

​SUP History and Background

  • Certified Paddle Fit Coach, 2017

  • Founded Paddle Fused Fitness, 2019

  • Launched Paddle Fused Fitness Certification, 2022

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Races and Competitions:

  • 2020 Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle. My very FIRST SUP race! I did the short course on a 21" iSUP!

  • 1st place at 2021 Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle SUP women's short course

  • 1st place 2021 Hunting Island Paddle Battle SUP women's short course. 4th place overall

  • 1st place November 2021 Carolina Cup Harbor Island course, women's SUP

  • 1st place 2022 Carolina Cup Money Island course, women's SUP

  • 1st place 2022 Hunting Island Paddle Battle SUP women's long course

  • 1st place Clemson Paddle Jam SUP women's long course. 2nd overall.

  • 2nd place 2022 Flora-Bama Gulf Coast Paddle Championships, SUP women's long course

  • 5th place Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle, SUP women's long course

  • 2022 Key West Paddle Classic

  • 1st place Urban Kai King & Queen of the Bay SUP women's long course. top 10 overall.

  • 1st place Treasure Coast Paddle Battle SUP women's short course

  • 1st place 2023 Paddle at Skull Harbor SUP women's technical long course. Top 8 overall.

  • 2023 Carolina Cup Graveyard 

  • 4th place 2023 Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle SUP women's long course

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