ABOUT US
WELCOME TO THE COVE
Cove strength & wellness delivers expert-led, personalized care that blends movement, recovery, and holistic health — helping you move better and thrive every day.
ERIC DEPAULA
Cove Owner/Founder
Holistic Health & Performance Coach
Growing up in Northern California, Eric dedicated his youth to athletics, quickly discovering that strength training, recovery, and a commitment to health were key to peak performance. This passion laid the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of wellness and performance optimization.
At 22, Eric opened his first functional fitness gym in Solana Beach, CA, where he trained clients for over 11 years. Today, he continues to work with individuals and small groups, crafting customized training and nutrition programs tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. His approach goes beyond fitness—evaluating the body holistically and empowering clients with the tools, education, and strategies for sustainable success.
As a licensed C.H.E.K. (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) professional, Eric integrates in-depth assessments to uncover the root causes of his clients’ physical and health challenges. He believes we all possess the innate capacity to heal and thrive—and is committed to being a supportive, knowledgeable guide on that journey.
emma white
Group Fitness Coach
Born in South Africa and raised in Solana Beach, CA, Emma discovered her passion for health and movement at a young age, training under the founder of Cove Strength, Eric DePaula at his first functional fitness gym at just 13 years old. That early experience shaped her lifelong appreciation for strength training, functional movement, and the confidence that comes from learning to move well.
Emma went on to graduate from the University of Oregon in 2025, further developing her drive to pursue fitness as a career. Today, she coaches group fitness classes at Cove Strength, bringing energy, structure, and attentive coaching to every session.
Emma is CrossFit Level 1 certified and is currently completing her NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Nutrition Coach (CNC), and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certifications. She is passionate about helping members build strength and confidence in their bodies, and approaches coaching with curiosity, energy, and a commitment to continual growth.
Kaitlin Kezer
Group Fitness Coach
Hi! I’m Kaitlin. I’ve been part of the functional fitness community since 2012, after growing up as a competitive gymnast. and I’ve been lucky enough to coach with Eric from 2014–2016 and again from 2021–2024. I’m a CFL1 and love getting to know our community—not just as athletes, but as people. I love being the person who can give you a bit of encouragement when the workout gets tough and celebrate your wins in and out of the gym.
I’m also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, so connection and supporting people are a big part of who I am, both at Cove Strength and in our community. When I’m not coaching or working, I’m usually chasing our toddler Cal around North County with my husband Terry and trying to soak up all the fun (and chaos!) of this season of life.
Ollie Rix
MSc, CSCS, CMT
Ollie Rix combines expert injury rehabilitation, manual therapy, and performance training into one seamless, personalized experience. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a Master’s in Strength & Conditioning and a background in Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation, Ollie supports clients through every phase of their movement journey—from pain relief to peak performance.
With experience ranging from international athletes to active adults, his approach is grounded in thoughtful assessment, active listening, and education-driven empowerment. He blends sports medicine techniques with strength programming and recovery work to help you move better, feel stronger, and stay injury-free for the long haul.
Whether you’re coming back from injury or building toward your best, Ollie meets you where you are—with expertise, empathy, and a plan.
Michelle Kercado
Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM®), C.SMA
With a foundation in elite athletics and neuroscience, Michelle brings a powerful combination of clinical expertise and intuitive care to every treatment. As the founder of Armor Wellness, she specializes in Sports Medicine Acupuncture®, Dry Needling, and Microneedling, offering results-driven care for both performance recovery and skin rejuvenation.
Known for her thoughtful, whole-body approach, Michelle integrates advanced techniques like myofascial release, cupping, e-stim, and corrective exercise to help clients relieve pain, move better, and function at their best. Her sessions are tailored, comprehensive, and rooted in both science and compassion.
Whether you’re overcoming injury, fine-tuning performance, or restoring skin vitality, Michelle is committed to helping you heal from the inside out—and stay well for the long run.
Chris Dugan
BA, CPT
With over 16 years of professional experience—and more than 27 years immersed in fitness—Chris blends science, coaching, and care to help clients move better, get stronger, and feel their best at any age. A Hofstra University graduate with certifications in ACE Personal Training, PPSC Level 2, Yoga, Zumba, and CPR/AED, Chris specializes in beginner fitness, active aging, athletic performance, injury prevention, and jump rope coaching.
His philosophy? “There is no ‘ALL SET’.” Chris is constantly learning, evolving, and refining his craft—and brings that energy to every session. Whether you're starting your journey or returning after injury, Chris meets you with personalized support, smart training, and contagious positivity.
Dr. Andrew Hammond
DPT, OCS
Dr. Andrew Hammond is a physical therapist who helps people with pain do more of what they love to do. He has participated in the highest levels of clinical training for physical therapists in the U.S. and integrates modern pain science with psychologically-informed methods and Eastern philosophy.
Andrew’s approach is shaped by his own experience with low back pain and a diverse educational background. He believes in the body’s natural capacity to heal and aims to empower patients with the knowledge and tools needed to manage their health independently.
He works collaboratively with patients to understand their condition, identify key contributing factors, and address them through a personalized, multi-faceted approach. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys time with his wife, Alyssa, and their dog, Magnolia. He also enjoys spending time surfing, reading, playing pickleball, and fostering rescue dogs from Tijuana.
BOOK A SESSION WITH DR. ANDREW
our core values
Community First
Everything at Cove starts here. We believe fitness works better together — and we've built an environment where showing up feels less like an obligation and more like something you actually look forward to.
Whole Person Health
Strength is one piece of the puzzle. Sleep, nutrition, stress, recovery — it all connects. We look at the full picture because that's the only way the results actually stick.
Progress Over Performance
We're not interested in who can lift the most or finish first. We're interested in whether you're better than you were last month. Every level is welcome here, and every win counts.
YOUR FIRST CLASS, ON US.
Try any small group class free.
No pressure, no commitment — just show up.