MEet the team
At Forma Athletics, we’re a team of passionate coaches committed to helping people move better, grow stronger, and feel more confident—inside and outside the gym. Each of our coaches brings a unique background, but we’re united by a shared belief: fitness should be personal, purposeful, and empowering. We’ve built this community together, and we’re here to guide, support, and celebrate every step of your journey.
Mikki Durkin
Owner/ Head Coach
CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2), Assisted Stretching Certification, CrossFit Adaptive Training certificate, USAW Sports Performance Coach, First Aid/CPR & AED Certified
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Important stuff:
Founder and owner of Forma Athletics, she oversees all programming and member relations. She also coaches Fundamentals, Private trainings, specialty programs, and several group classes each week. A mom of two daughters --and wife to the best school administrator around--, she brings both empathy and experience to her coaching. Her mission is to provide the guidance and community she once needed herself—helping others build confidence, find strength, and recognize their own value through fitness.
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Stuff you might not know:
She once cheered for UCONN and Barton College, and gymnastics will always be her first love. She made the 1998 New England Patriots cheerleader team but had to step down due to a study abroad opportunity in Spain. She found CrossFit and Functional Fitness in 2007 and never looked back — it gave her not only results, but a new relationship with fitness, food, and body image.
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Mikey Silvestri
Coach/Trainer
CERTIFICATIONS:
Crossfit L1, First Aid/CPR
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Important stuff:
Born and raised in Danbury, Ct. He is a father to 2 boys --a rambunctious toddler and a 5-month old who keeps him on his toes -- and a husband to his lovely wife. He wrestled and played tennis competitively growing up. He loved running marathons but kept getting sidelined with injuries and eventually found CrossFit and that changed his view point on fitness and nutrition. Fitness has always been a priority to him. Helping other people achieve their fitness goals is something that drives him. Over time he has come to understand that everybody and every body is different. Different goals and different motivations. And he applies this to the way he coaches.
Stuff you might not know:
If he is not working out, you can usually find him coaching the 5:30am crew, or yelling at himself on the golf course, trail running and having anxiety watching Penn state football. He is also currently the Head wrestling coach at Danbury High School (since 2022). He owns and operates a pop-up Smash burger joint which recently started in 2023.
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His personal mantra: Make moves.​​​​
Kate galiano
Coach/Trainer
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CERTIFICATIONS:
Crossfit Level 1, AFAA Group Exercise, Zumba level 1 & 2, Zumba Toning & CPR/AED
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Important Stuff:
Kate is married to her HS sweetheart Greg. They have 2 adult children who inspire her to lead a healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. Kate's fitness journey started over 20 years ago as a Zumba instructor and has taught classes up and down the east coast. She branched out from Zumba into teaching a variety of different class formats over the years. She loves to bring fun energy to all her classes so you usually will catch her dancing while she's coaching at Forma! Kate also has a wide range of knowledge within the nutrition field from working in numerous health & wellness companies.
Stuff you may not know:
Kate's middle name is 'Darling'.
​Robin ashley
Coach/Trainer
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CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 1. Lesson Planning, Scaling, and Spot the Flaw certificates.
Important Stuff:
Since beginning her CrossFit journey in 2014, Robin has developed a strong interest in proper body mechanics in weightlifting. Her knowledge in this area is shaped by her experience in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, where she assesses workers to ensure their workplace ergonomics support safe and efficient movement.
Stuff you may not know:
Robin is a Physician Assistant with Northwell Health (formerly Nuvance), specializing in Occupational Health. She recently earned her doctorate and has been published multiple times, with her latest publication exploring the Health Belief Model—a framework that examines the factors influencing health behaviors and healthcare-related decision-making.
She lives in New Milford, CT, with her husband, Craig, and their two caique parrots, Tobi and Peaches. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and training Tobi and Peaches. Fun fact: They both skateboard!
nick kulhay
Coach/Trainer
​CERTIFICATIONS:​
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NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Group Personal Training Specialist, Cardiorespiratory Training for Sports Performance, Integrated Resistance Training, Neuromuscular Stretching, Integrated Reactive Training, Integrated Core Training, Integrated Balance Training, Golf Fitness Specialist (GFS), Youth Exercise Specialist (YES), LesMills: Bodypump, RPM, Core, Grit, TRX Suspension Training​
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​​​​​Important stuff:
Nick has a deep passion for helping others better themselves. Over the past 16 years as a healthcare professional and trainer/coach, he has dedicated himself to providing quality care and sharing proven methods with others so they can ultimately lead themselves down their particular chosen path. He believes that physical and mental health go hand in hand when pursuing an optimal lifestyle.
Nick has developed successful habits to combat the daily efforts life can present and believes that consistency is most important.
Stuff you might not know:
Nick has a deep passion for pushing the limits of human endurance. He's completed multiple ultramarathons and is constantly chasing what’s physically possible. Outside the gym, he’s been an unofficial barber since high school, keeping fades fresh and friendships strong.
​NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Group Personal Training Specialist, Cardiorespiratory Training for Sports Performance, Integrated Resistance Training, Neuromuscular Stretching, Integrated Reactive Training, Integrated Core Training, Integrated Balance Training, Golf Fitness Specialist (GFS), Youth Exercise Specialist (YES), LesMills: Bodypump, RPM, Core, Grit, TRX Suspension Training
kylie hult
Coach/Trainer
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CERTIFICATIONS:
B.S. in Exercise Science, Crossfit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2), Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (PN-L1), Adult & Pediatric First Aid, CPR, AED Certified
Important stuff:
After 12 years of competitive gymnastics, Kylie ended up in a CrossFit gym at 14 years old. While continuing to coach gymnastics, she trained competitively in CrossFit (CF), and placed 45th and 51st worldwide in the CF age group quarterfinals in 2018 and 2020, respectively. After high school, she took a gap year to start a business in personal training and nutrition coaching, while she continued coaching group classes. In college, she was extensively involved in functional fitness gyms, and became a head coach/manager at her home gym over the summers. While she is very confident in having a future in Sports Medicine, she is debating pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy or continuing to broaden her expertise in other areas of fitness. She is eager to help current and future clients improve their lifestyle through health and fitness.
Stuff you might not know:
Kylie quickly fell in love with olympic lifting after joining the world of functional fitness, even though she had a foundation in competitive gymnastics. Now, years later, that passion has evolved into a love for coaching the movements, and being able to make changes in an athlete's performance, no matter how small. Along with her keen interest for highly technical movements, she enjoys working with older athletes from the collegiate level to geriatrics. Kylie loves helping people achieve goals that they never thought possible for themselves, and has a deep appreciation for the wide range of experience and knowledge her clients have to offer.
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Aidan howell
Coach/Trainer
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Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), USA Weightlifting (USAW), Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR), Westside Special Strengths
Important stuff:
Aidan Howell is a professional strength athlete and strength coach specializing in athletic performance, strength sports, and neural optimization. He has worked with national podium finishers across multiple strength sports, as well as several athletes who went on to compete at the Division 1 level. He is also a current World Champion and World record holder in Strongman.
Stuff you might not know:
He is a triplet, has 2 moms, his favorite food is Poke bowls, and he is a very bad dancer.
lori aleks
Coach/ Trainer
CERTIFICATIONS:
USAW Level 1, CoachCrossFit Gymnastics Certification, Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Level 1, CrossFit Mobility Certification, CrossFit Strongman Certification, Attitude Nation Weightlifting Level 1, CPR/AED Certified
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Important stuff:
I grew up in Southern California and played volleyball in high school. In college and my young adult years, I was able to stay fit outdoors playing beach volleyball, rollerblading, hiking and would occasionally find my way to the local Globo Gym. I attended Cal State Long Beach and earned a Masters's Degree in Communicative Disorders, practiced Audiology, and eventually earned a Doctorate of Audiology. My first two children, Evan and Phia (now young adults), were both born there. We moved to El Paso, Texas and I gave birth to my third child, Madi. We moved again, this time to the midwest - Loveland, Ohio. This is where my pursuit of fitness really began.
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At 41, I found myself out of shape and unhappy. At the encouragement of friends, I tried a small group fitness class at a neighborhood gym and was immediately hooked! I started with personal training and then transitioned to group classes. Within a year I dropped several sizes along with 20 pounds. I became leaner, stronger, and more confident! Our family moved to Weston, CT and I immediately joined a local gym and I jumped right into classes!
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Stuff you might not know:
My passion for group fitness and Olympic weightlifting led me to a second career in coaching and personal training. For 11 years, I've been doing what I love! I'm thrilled to be helping others achieve their fitness goals at Forma Athletics, coaching group classes, and one-on-one training sessions. My personal fitness journey has given me the understanding, patience, and enthusiasm needed to support and encourage others as they navigate theirs.
