The Oaks Fitness Professionals

P.J. DeLuca

Director of Fitness

Over a 10-year career as a professional hockey coach, P.J. has helped develop collegiate and professional athletes; many today still play in the National Hockey League. Drawing from his experience as an athlete and coach, he takes a comprehensive approach to developing overall physical ability improving balance, stability, strength, and power. Each program is designed to your specific goals and abilities, whether you are an athlete, weekend warrior, or looking to be more fit and healthy.

Sue Lucia

Assistant Director of Fitness

Sue grew up in England as a competitive gymnast. After having obtained nationally recognized certifications to teach and train in the fitness industry she took her love and knowledge of the “biz” overseas. Working for several cruise lines and later as a national director and master instructor in the boutique fitness industry Sue is extremely well versed in all things fitness!

Her classes and training sessions are filled with the same passion and drive for life that she has for herself and believes there is nothing more gratifying than nailing a challenge!

Laurie Didio

Pilates Instructor

Laurie has been a certified Pilates instructor for over 15 years focusing her expertise in Mat Pilates, Reformer and Pilates Apparatus training. Presently she’s studying for an additional National Alliance Pilates Certification. Laurie teaches, safe, effective, yet challenging and innovative, private and group sessions. She is a certified personal trainer, cycling and group class instructor for over twenty five years.

Ricard Cesari

Personal Trainer

Ricard has a degree in Sports Science and a Master of Science in High performance both from university of Barcelona. He’s also Level 3 Coach of Swimming and Triathlon.

In the lasts  years, besides his full-time job as a Head Coach of Strength and Conditioning at Real Club de Tennis Barcelona, he worked with TOP-5 WTA Player Paula Badosa, TOP-40 Qinwen Zheng, TOP-100 Arantxa Rus, Lara Arruabarrena, Aliona Bolsova, TOP-200 Indy de Vroome, Marina Bassols, TOP-10 ITF Marta Custic and Eduard Guell TOP-300 ATP Nicolas Sanchez, Former Roland Garros Champion Albert Costa, former TOP-10 Emilio Sanchez-Vicario, former TOP-60 Pere Riba, former TOP-40 Julian Alonso.

At the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona he had all the Spanish champions under 12 to under 16 in boys and girls who become singles and team champions from 2016 to 2021.

In the last 4 years he was also the Head Coach of Strength and Conditioning at the PRO tennis group: Julian Alonso Team, which is located in Barcelona and Miami.

Christian Mena

Group Fitness / Personal Training

Christian’s training sessions are filled with live, energetic vibes that seek to get the best effort and results for his client’s along with their specific goals! He understands the importance of having long patience, consistency and remaining focused! Remember: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. 

Makuach Yak

Sports Coach

Coach Yak has over 15+ years of running experience and two years of coaching. He developed his love for running in middle school after attending a few cross country and track meets that his uncle participated in. He ran throughout high school while participating in basketball, football, and baseball for a year. In his high school career, he was 3x All-State in track, 2x All-State in cross country, and 1x All-State in basketball. He attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD on a cross country and track sponsorship. He had a great career at Augustana, where he accomplished being a 4x All-American. After college he ran for Hudson Elite while representing his home country of South Sudan. He was coached by Brad Hudson, a long-time runner, and coach. Under the supervision of Hudson, Coach Yak was able to run 49:59 in the 10-mile, 1:05 in the half marathon, and 2:21:09 in the marathon, which was only 2 minutes and 10 seconds away from running in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Karen King

Swim Coach Coach

Karen is the former national director for Swim America with over 300 swim school in the US and abroad. She is a certified coach, with over 30 years of success in the swim school industry and competitive swimming.

Karen’s Career Achievements include:

• Founding member of Broward County Swim Central
• Founder of National Water Smart Babies 
• Author of State of Florida’s Adaptive Aquatics Certification
• 3x recognized by WHO’s Who in America Aquatics

Karen and her team will coach learn to swim for all ages as well as stroke clinics, and swim for fitness training. Lessons are for residents of The Oaks of Boca Raton only. Book your lessons on The Oaks App, privates, semi-privates and small groups are available.

To swim well is an asset for life. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Jaqueline Apa

Aqua Instructor

Born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, Jacqueline developed a passion for fitness through her athletic upbringing. She is a Certified Aqua instructor through Fit Tour and has obtained continuing education through NASM, ACE, AFAA and The Arthritis Foundation. She has developed a well-rounded skill set in Aqua Barre, Aqua HIIT, Tabata, Stretch and Stride, Super Circuit, Aqua Yoga for Arthritis. The latter can be scaled to meet a variety of fitness needs both in a group environment or personal aqua therapy session. Her motto is “Aqua Fit for Life.”

Denise Fish

Yoga / Pilates Instructor

Staying active and keeping fit is important to Denise as a mom of three. Denise started her profession in the fitness industry as a yoga instructor and quickly realized the importance of the mind body connection. 

Denise was then trained to teach Lagree and Pilates and fell in love with both. She feels the combination of yoga and Pilates builds a strong mind body connection that incorporates strength, balance and peace.

Denise is originally from New York; she has been enjoying the Florida life for over 30 years. She volunteers with Kindness Matters and finds joy in teaching, training and helping others.