Built for Athletes, Designed for You
Meet The Team
Cristian Plascencia
Co-founder
I’m Cristian Plascencia, Co-Founder of Durable Athlete. My journey began at twelve when I sprained my ankle playing basketball, which introduced me to physical therapy. That experience ignited my passion for understanding the human body and helping people feel and move better.
While in college, I interned at a physical therapy clinic in Los Angeles County, where I was introduced to a holistic approach to health and fitness. It was here that I realized nutrition, sleep, and mental practices are just as critical as physical training in determining performance and quality of life.
After graduating from California Lutheran University, I moved to Austin, Texas, to attend the University of Texas. While here, I coached at Onnit Gym, working with professional athletes and the general population. It was during this time that I developed the foundation of Durable Athlete: a training system rooted in strong movement habits, mobility, and tissue quality, designed to help people feel strong and capable of handling life’s unpredictability.
One key lesson from my experience is that we are humans first and performers second. The same principles I use with professional athletes are applied to executive athletes, singers, and everyday clients alike. Today, Durable Athlete proudly serves over 500 student athletes across Central Texas, thanks to our dedicated team of coaches.
Natalie Plascencia
Co-founder
I’m Natalie Plascencia, Co-Founder of Durable Athlete. From a very young age, I knew my purpose was to help people. Growing up as an athlete, I developed a love for preparing for competition and mentoring others—an instinct that began as early as second grade. It became clear that I had the ability to communicate, build relationships, and lead.
As a student-athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas, I studied Education while playing basketball, and explored personal development, nutrition, training, and martial arts. Coaching at a local gym gave me the opportunity to develop youth and women’s programs, helping everyday clients improve both physically and mentally. These experiences shaped my holistic view that true performance is about mind, body, and lifestyle together.
After teaching kids healthy habits in the classroom, I moved on to coaching at Onnit Gym HQ, where I honed a system that focuses on sleep, nutrition, breath, and movement to optimize longevity, performance, and overall quality of life. This led to the creation of Durable Athlete—a platform designed to help people reach their full potential, regardless of their starting point.
At Durable Athlete, we provide guidance, tools, and training programs that help people cultivate a healthier, stronger, and more successful life. The principles we teach to professional athletes are the same ones we apply to anyone committed to improving their body, mind, and daily performance.
Paril Bhakta
Paril Bhakta helps athletes move better, stay durable, and perform at their highest level. His coaching blends strength, mobility, and stability to build bodies capable of handling the demands of sport. Paril connects deeply with young athletes who struggle with confidence, helping them develop resilience, discipline, and belief in themselves on and off the court. Every session focuses on more than drills—it’s about developing leadership, focus, and self-trust, empowering athletes to grow into stronger players and stronger people.
Dawson Dinh
Coach Dawson Dinh assisted the University of Texas Athletic Performance staff for Olympic Sports and Men’s & Women’s Basketball during the 2023–2025 seasons. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from UT and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi. His training approach is shaped by diverse experience coaching general population fitness, supporting collegiate return-to-play journeys, developing youth and high school basketball programs, and co-leading a sprints club for Track & Field. With Durable Athlete, Dawson aims to help athletes build the essential foundations for sport and beyond.
Jose Diaz
Jose Diaz, originally from Miami, Florida, was raised in a vibrant, multicultural environment that shaped his ability to connect with athletes from all walks of life. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with dual undergraduate degrees and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Jose brings a deep understanding of movement, recovery, and performance. He is passionate about guiding others through their athletic and wellness journeys with care, expertise, and purpose.
Timm Lucas
Co-Founder of TK Stretching and former professional basketball player, Timothy Lucas is a certified Fascial Stretch Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Precision Nutrition Coach who has worked with elite athletes and executives nationwide. Now coaching with Durable Athlete, Tim’s greatest joy is helping others feel their best through movement, recovery, and care. Guided by faith, gratitude, passion, and a belief in limitless possibility, he is most fulfilled by making a genuine impact and helping others live at their highest potential.
Daniel Guerrero
Daniel Guerrero, raised in Del Rio, Texas, holds a degree in Kinesiology from Texas State University. His passion for fitness stems from helping people become healthier, more capable versions of themselves. Under Texas Pro Academy and Durable Athlete, Daniel has worked with athletes at the middle school, high school, college, and professional levels, as well as the general population. His mission is to deliver intentional, impactful training that brings out the best in every individual.
Layla Habash
Layla Habash is a dedicated coach with Durable Athlete, specializing in training youth athletes across all ages and sports. She holds a degree in Exercise Science from Texas State University and certifications as a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer. Her focus is on performance enhancement through injury prevention and long-term health. Passionate about helping young athletes thrive, Layla brings a well-rounded, science-based approach and positive energy to every training session.
Joshua Orenstein
Joshua Orenstein, originally from New Jersey, moved to Austin in 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Performance from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, in 2011, and later obtained his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Over the years, Joshua has coached individuals across all ages and backgrounds—from youth athletes to professionals—helping each reach their full potential through purposeful, effective training. Outside of coaching, he enjoys competing in Olympic weightlifting, slacklining, and working on cars.