Back in 2021, Sean Falvey relocated to DC from Birmingham Alabama, and is now the Lead Trainer at Kristin Denney’s ‘Exercise Coach’ franchise. He moved in with his long-time girlfriend Alexis D’Amato, and today feels completely at home, explaining: “At first it was a culture shock. I didn't know what to expect when coming to DC. But now I really like the small neighborhood feel in Cleveland Park: the weekend open air market, the little stores – and the great restaurants and Irish bar. We have everything right here, which I did not expect to find in such a big city.” 

His father is in the Air Force, and Sean attended military high school, where he enjoyed the strategic leadership programs (he was a platoon leader) and the sports (he was in the lacrosse, rifle, and soccer teams). Then at Birmingham-Southern College - a residential, baccalaureate liberal arts institution - he studied United States History, while continuing to play lacrosse until his senior year: “Being on a college sports team is such fun and so demanding - the early workouts and everything else. But I always felt like it was worth it!” he enthuses. 

Sean and Alexis, his girlfriend of six years, met by chance at the Birmingham-Southern College gym and began dating soon after their first meeting. He explains how they came to move to DC: “Alexis gained her master’s degree from The George Washington University and found a great job up here through an internship. This is where she is meant to be. She can't do her job in many other places.” Alexis is the Government Affairs Director for Small Business Majority in  D.C. Small Business Majority is a national small business organization that empowers America's diverse entrepreneurs to build a thriving and equitable economy. 

After deciding not to pursue a career teaching history, Sean obtained his personal training certifications and worked at several gyms. Joining the Exercise Coach was serendipitous; Sean tells how: “the year I graduated my dad was deployed. I house sat for him in Durham, North Carolina while he was gone. By the time he returned, Alexis had graduated and landed the internship here that was to turn into her job.” In Durham, Sean had worked for the Exercise Coach. Planning the move, Sean saw on LinkedIn the plans to open a DC franchise and was happy to continue to work for an organization that he admired. 

Sean is a certified nutritionist and is passionate about eating simple, clean ingredients as the physical side of health. “I develop meal plans for the personal lifestyle goals of my clients.” 

An aspect of life in DC that Sean appreciates is the many opportunities to watch sports. With friends, he follows the Washington Nationals baseball team and the Washington Capitals hockey team. In his downtime he plays video games and listens to music, above all heavy metal, which he concedes is not to everyone’s taste! As well as working out, he enjoys swimming at the Hearst Pool.

The couple’s home life is enhanced by their orange cat Charlie, whom Sean describes as “a rare orange part-Maine Coone of about 20 pounds. He was rescued from a family that was not taking care of him. At first, he was really shy, but now Charlie has a lot of personality “. 

While enjoying his life today in Cleveland Park, working with Kirsten and the Exercise Coach, Sean is looking to the long-term: “Long-term, I want to own my own gym and practice studio. We will raise a family and buy a house, probably close by in Virginia or Maryland. For now, I am here to stay and really enjoy life.” 

Sean explains why he believes the move has been a success: “I think putting yourself in different life situations helps you mature. Living in different places helps you understand their different contexts.”