It’s never too late to start your fitness journey

& you don’t have to jump through hoops to make nutrition + training fit into your life

Behavior change, nutrition, and training can feel overwhelming - I’m guessing that’s why you’re here.

The good news? You’re a go-getter who wants to take ownership over this part of your life.

That is exactly where we want you to be, and I’m here to guide you the rest of the way.

So nice to meet you! I’m Marissa, owner and founder of Permanent Change Coaching.

Since beginning my career as an online fitness coach in 2016, I’ve worked with both lifestyle and contest prep clients and helped thousands of men and women of all ages, sizes, and experience levels reach their goals. 

My greatest passion is helping others change their mindset about weight training and healthy eating, become their fittest selves, and gain confidence they never knew they could have.

I strongly believe that you ARE capable of that. But YOU have to believe in you, too.

When we work together as coach and client, I strive to create and cultivate a REAL relationship – not a transactional one. The better I know you, the better I can coach you and get you where you want to be. Through our time together, you will learn the tools you need to lead this lifestyle for a lifetime, and feel like you have a teammate throughout it all.

I preach developing not only a healthy body, but also a strong mind. Your actions follow your thoughts, so you and I will work not only on the physical, but mental aspects of sustainable habit change.

Our differentiator in this industry is the education aspect of our coaching services. We actually don’t want you to resign for years on end. We design programs that teach you so you can eventually handle your nutrition and training autonomously and with complete confidence.

You don’t have to stay stuck in a place where getting results feels confusing, or even impossible. Head to our Programs page to learn more about our online coaching service!

And in case you’re curious about my background…

  • Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from George Mason University
  • Masters in Science Student in Applied Exercise Science & Sports Nutrition
  • NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
  • GGS Pre and Post Natal Coach

Full Service Online Coaching (Diet + Training)

Ideal for anyone struggling in their fitness journey or frustrated with a lack of results on their own or with previous programs. Dive into making lasting changes with sustainable, maintainable habits!

Fun Facts About Marissa

Meet The team

Aaron Chong

Director of Ops

Aaron is the PCC Director of Ops and has 8 years of coaching experience. He is a Strength + Performance Specialist and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Nutrition Coach, as well as USA Weightlifting Level 1 Certified.

Aaron’s fitness journey all began through his love of tennis. He has been an active person for his entire life and used to play tennis full time. He started lifting weights regularly his senior year of high school and has continued to do so ever since. Although Aaron no longer plays tennis, he has recently found a new love for playing sand volleyball. He also loves to snowboard and travel across the US to shred whenever he gets the chance!

                Credentials

  • 8 Years of Coaching Experience
  • Strength and Performance Specialist 
  • Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Nutrition Coach 
  • USA Weighlifting Level 1 Certified
Marilyn Kowalski

Head Coach

Marilyn was born and raised in New Jersey and currently resides in Georgia with her fiancé and 2 cats. She attended undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh and received her B.A. in Communication Science and Disorders. From there, she received her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and went on to begin her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, only to drop out after a semester once realizing her true passion was in coaching.

Her passion for fitness and nutrition grew as she continued to learn more about how food and proper training can improve our energy, slow down aging, and help us achieve a healthy body composition.

 

Marilyn went on to become an IFPA women’s physique pro, powerlifter, learned from and coached by respected figures in the industry, and garnered multiple credentials from renowned organizations to become a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, and nutrition coach.

                  Credentials

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
  • Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Nutrition Coach (PN-L1)
  • CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer (CF-L1)
  • Strength Systems International Certifications (SSIC) Levels 1 and 2
  • Girls Gone Strong Pre- & Postnatal Coaching Certification
  • Masters in Student Science in Applied Exercise Science & Sports Nutrition
  • Pro Natural Bodybuilder and Former USAPL Powerlifter
  • 7+ years of Collective Coaching Experience
Abby DeVido

Assistant Coach

Abby is one of our amazing coaches! She is 24 years old and currently lives down in West Palm Beach, Florida and has recently graduated with her MBA.

Her hobbies/passions include working out, being at the beach, iced coffee, and going on lots of walks!

Her passion for fitness grew from deciding that she needed to change one day and seeing all the not only physical changes but mental changes it has brought to her life. It started out as an outlet for her to work on herself and has turned into a passion she couldn’t imagine her life without!

She loves being a coach because it enables her to work closely with individuals to uniquely approach their journey in a way that is most sustainable to them!

                Credentials

  • Bachelors in Marketing
  • MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Precision Nutrition L1 Certified Coach
  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer
  • Former In-Person Personal Trainer
  • 7+ Years of Collective Coaching Experience
Rachel Reed

Assistant Coach

Rachel is a 32-year-old special education teacher, mom, and newest PCC Coach! Her fitness journey began in 2019 after having her first child. She had attempted all the diets, programs, and even hired a one-on-one coach. Nothing resonated–until she discovered Permanent Change Coaching. Rachel fell in love with the community and mission of PCC: to educate and empower women to become the healthiest, best versions of themselves.

Rachel wanted to pay this forward to other women and guide them towards a sustainable and balanced lifestyle, just as she had discovered in her own fitness journey. She strived to share in that mission with PCC and pursued the career change of a lifetime.

Rachel is excited to join the PCC team and community to create individualized, permanent change!

                Credentials

  • Double Licensure in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (PreK-12)
  • Precision Nutrition L1 Certified Coach
  • Proud member of the PCC mission and community since February 2022!
Michaela
De Asis

Mindset Breakthrough Specialist

Michaela is the PCC Mindset Breakthrough Specialist and supports clients with bridging the gap between their mental and physical health to achieve their goals. She resides in Northern Virginia with her fiancé and their husky.

 

She is a licensed psychotherapist and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, teens, young adults, and their families in both residential and outpatient settings. Michaela’s expertise is focused on trauma, depression, anxiety, crisis stabilization, gender identity, self-esteem, coping skills, and overall mental health wellness.

Michaela utilizes an integration of evidence-based modalities into her work such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT), Mindfulness, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy techniques, and Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Michaela also has a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation and is a competitive bodybuilder who has competed in both Bikini and Wellness categories. She is extremely passionate about the fusion of mental health and physical health and helping others lead a more genuine and fulfilled life.

                 Credentials

  • BS Psychological Science
  • MS in Social Work with a Clinical Specialization
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • National Association of Social Workers Member
Jessica Bergin

Injury Management & Prevention Specialist

Jessica comes to the PCC team with experience in both the sports medicine and online coaching realms. She worked in the college setting as an Athletic Trainer for 4 years before transitioning to working as an online coach. Her passion for health and fitness, and desire to help others reach their goals, is what pushed her to pursue coaching. 

 

Jess has always been extremely active, getting started in a range of sports at a young age. Her passion for fitness grew when she went on to play college lacrosse and ended up finding her love for resistance training and bodybuilding. After graduating she finally pursued her goal of competing and stepped on stage for her first show in July 2021. 

 

She has dealt with injuries both during and following her athletic career. She understands that an injury can feel like a major set back, and how discouraging working around pain and limitations can be. She enjoys being able to meet individuals where they are at in their journey and help them progress through whatever physical roadblock they may be facing! She is most excited to have the opportunity to play a small role in an individual’s or team’s growth wherever she can!

                 Credentials

  • BS Athletic Training
  • MS Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
  • Board Certified Athletic Trainer
  • Florida Licensed Athletic Trainer
  • ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
Tara Gautier

VA

Tara is one of Team PCC’s Virtual Assistants. She joined the team in August of 2021 to help out behind the scenes by providing administrative support. She handles a wide variety of tasks in the areas of client onboarding and management, email marketing, social media and design. She recently took on a more creative role in the business and will be expanding her expertise in that area.

She is a native New Yorker, living life in North Carolina, wife to her HS sweetheart and a proud mama of two! She possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Fashion Marketing & Management with 10+ years of corporate experience supporting high level executives as an Executive Assistant.

She recently made a shift and began her journey as a Virtual Assistant and it has been an incredible experience for her thus far! She has a true passion for helping people. Her goal for those she supports is to help maximize their productivity by alleviating their workload, so they can focus on their passion and continue to grow their business.

Hannah Staggs

VA

Hannah works as a Virtual Assistant providing support behind the scenes. She currently lives in the UK but lived in Virginia for most of her life.

Hannah expresses her passion for fitness by playing volleyball and going to the gym. She played volleyball from the age of 12, but stopped once she reached the collegiate level. This led to weight gain and insecurities. She became a client of Marissa’s in 2017, lost over 50lbs, and fell in love with who she was again. Weight lifting has been a massive part of her life ever since, and she’s even recently joined a volleyball team in England! 

She graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and three minors in Psychology, Health Promotion, and Human Services. While studying, she worked as a project manager on a federally funded research study and found her passion in assisting projects. After moving to the UK in 2019, she decided to pursue that passion and become a virtual assistant full time. She’s now able to help others by alleviating the stresses of managing and completing various tasks.

Online Coaching
(Diet + Training)

Are you ready to FINALLY gain confidence in a balanced approach to fitness that lasts longer than a month or two? Let’s toss the fads and quick fixes into the trash and get you on board with a program that puts the frustration to a halt.

In the Full Service Coaching package, you get custom training, nutrition, weekly check-ins, resources – and that’s just the beginning!

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