Meet the Owner and Master Trainer 

Julia Katcher-Persike – Founder of W’holeistic Athletics | E-RYT 200, YACEP, BFA in Dance

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Julia is a force of nature—an athlete, artist, and warrior whose life has been a relentless pursuit of movement, mastery, and meaning. Her journey began at just five years old, when she first stepped into the world of dance. By 14, she was already performing professionally, driven by a fire that would never dim.

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In high school, she danced with elite companies across Iowa and Chicago, including Knock on Wood Tap Company and Excel, a cutting-edge hip-hop and modern dance collective. Her talent and tenacity earned her a place at the University of Iowa, where she pursued a BFA in Dance and performed with Dancers in Company, Duarte Dance Works, and Jennifer Kayle and Company. Every stage she graced was a testament to her discipline and artistry.

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But Julia’s athleticism didn’t stop at dance. She was a four-year varsity cheerleader and was honored to cheer at the 2002 Iowa Shrine Bowl—an experience that deepened her love for team spirit and performance.

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After college, she chased her dreams to California, where she joined Axxiom Dance Collective and lit up stages across the state, including the iconic Carnival: The Choreographer’s Ball in Hollywood. From 2008 to 2016, she not only danced but choreographed for the company, leaving her creative mark on every performance.

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California also sparked a new chapter: fitness and combat sports. Julia became a personal trainer, led as head trainer at Gorgeous Women’s Fitness, and mastered the business side of fitness at LA Fitness. She managed Atomic Boxing in Torrance for nearly a decade, where she fell in love with boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. These weren’t just workouts—they were art forms, and she became a fierce and passionate teacher of them.

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Her charisma and athleticism landed her on Jillian Michaels’ Sweat Inc. and in Hollywood modeling events. She even tried out for the LFL, pushing her limits once again—because that’s what Julia does.

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When love brought her to Las Vegas, she didn’t slow down—she leveled up. She opened her own Ayurvedic practice and gym, earned her 500-hour RYT yoga certification, and taught at Uprising MMA, UFC Gym Green Valley, and even to elite military personnel at Nellis Air Force Base. She stepped on stage at the Jay Cutler Classic for her first bodybuilding competition and held her own like a seasoned pro.

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Then came the pandemic—and Julia pivoted with power. She launched online classes and began training privately with professional boxer Librado Andrade. In 2021, she stepped into the ring in Mexico, not just to fight—but to feel. To live. To understand the soul of boxing. And she fell in love with it all over again.

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Now based in Sheldon, Missouri, Julia continues to compete—most recently taking the overall title at the Midwest NPC Classic. She runs W’holeistic Athletics, a sanctuary for those ready to transform their bodies, minds, and lives. As an E-RYT 200 and YACEP provider, she’s building a school of movement, healing, and empowerment.

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Julia doesn’t just train bodies—she awakens warriors. Her mission is to teach the sacred connection between mind and body, to help others rise through movement, and to heal through strength. She is a Leo with the heart of a lion, and her roar is one of resilience, passion, and purpose.