Meet the Staff
Michael Arrowood
Mike Arrowood is the founder and owner of Arrowood Strength Training. With a career spanning health, fitness, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement, Mike has dedicated his professional life to helping individuals move better, perform better, and live healthier lives.
Mike holds a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science and a Master's Degree in Sports Rehab Science, along with multiple professional fitness and corrective exercise certifications. His background includes extensive training in orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and performance enhancement.
Before entering the fitness industry, Mike served as a Tactical Medic (paramedic) supporting Department of Defense and U.S. Army operations. Following this, he worked in a variety of orthopedic and surgical clinics, gaining valuable experience in clinical exercise, rehabilitation, and physical therapy settings. These experiences helped shape his unique approach to training by bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance.
A lifelong athlete, Mike has spent years studying human movement, injury recovery, strength development, and athletic performance. Throughout his career, he has worked with individuals of all ages and abilities, from those overcoming pain and physical limitations to competitive athletes striving to perform at their highest level. His experience also includes working with professional athletes from Major League Baseball (MLB) and Major League Soccer (MLS).
Since founding Arrowood Strength Training in 2013, Mike has built AST around a simple philosophy: every client deserves an individualized approach based on their goals, abilities, and unique circumstances. Whether helping someone return to activity after an injury, improve their health and fitness, or maximize athletic performance, Mike remains committed to delivering evidence-based coaching and long-term results.
His mission is to help people move better, get stronger, and live without limits.
Joe Garcia
Joe Garcia joined Arrowood Strength Training in 2017 and serves as both the Facility Manager and a member of the coaching team. With over a decade of experience in personal training and nearly 20 years of coaching experience, Joe brings a unique combination of leadership, fitness expertise, and athletic development to AST.
Joe is a Certified Personal Trainer through Interactive Fitness Trainers of America (IFTA), a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), and a Certified Speed, Agility, and Quickness Specialist through the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA).
Since beginning his career as a personal trainer in 2012, Joe has worked with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels, helping them improve their health, fitness, strength, and overall quality of life. In addition to working with individual clients, he leads group fitness sessions and plays a key role in the daily operations and success of Arrowood Strength Training.
Outside of the gym, Joe has dedicated nearly two decades to coaching soccer, including nine years at the high school varsity level. His experience developing athletes and building successful teams has helped shape his coaching philosophy of consistency, accountability, and long-term development.
Born and raised in Las Cruces, Joe takes great pride in serving the community he calls home and enjoys helping local individuals and athletes achieve their personal goals through professional coaching and support.
Ryan Dela Cruz
Ryan joined Arrowood Strength Training as an intern in the fall of 2021 and became a coach in the spring of 2022 after completing his coaching credentials. Since then, he has developed a reputation for helping clients improve strength, fitness, and athletic performance through structured, results-driven training.
Ryan is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) as well as both an Olympic weightlifter and powerlifting competitor, he brings firsthand experience in strength development, movement technique, and performance training.
Ryan serves as the lead coach for AST's Fit in 30 program, where he helps clients build strength, improve conditioning, and achieve their goals through efficient, coach-led workouts. He is also available for private coaching sessions and works with individuals of all fitness levels, from beginners looking to improve their health to athletes seeking to maximize performance.
Ryan's coaching philosophy centers on proper technique, progressive training, and helping clients build confidence through measurable results.
Elijah Banasana
Elijah joined Arrowood Strength Training as an intern trainer in December 2021 while completing the final semester of his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology: Exercise Science at New Mexico State University. Following graduation, he began his professional coaching career with AST as a Level 1 Trainer in June 2022.
With a strong academic foundation in exercise science and hands-on coaching experience, Elijah is passionate about helping clients improve their strength, fitness, movement quality, and overall health through individualized training programs and consistent support.
Elijah works with clients of all fitness levels and is available for one-on-one personal training as well as small group training sessions. His approach focuses on building confidence, developing proper movement patterns, and creating sustainable progress that helps clients achieve long-term success.
Whether your goal is weight loss, improved fitness, increased strength, or simply living a healthier lifestyle, Elijah is committed to helping you reach your goals through professional coaching and personalized guidance.
Emily Espinosa
Emily joined Arrowood Strength Training in December 2025 and brings a passion for fitness, movement, and helping others achieve their goals. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), allowing her to help clients improve strength, fitness, movement quality, and overall function through individualized coaching and exercise programming.
Originally from Taos, New Mexico, Emily grew up participating in a variety of sports and outdoor activities. She has a particular love for winter sports, including skiing and snowmobiling. Her athletic background also includes gymnastics and competitive cheerleading, which she continued while attending New Mexico State University.
Emily enjoys working with individuals of all fitness levels and is committed to creating a positive, supportive environment where clients can build confidence, improve their health, and reach their goals. Whether you're looking to get stronger, move better, improve fitness, or return to activities you enjoy, Emily is excited to help guide you through the process.
Her coaching philosophy emphasizes proper movement, consistency, and helping clients develop sustainable habits that lead to long-term success..
