Joshua Capazorio is co-founder and head coach at Performance Purist. At 28 years old, Josh has 10  years of coaching experience and multiple qualifications, some of which include: ETA, GFM, SFG1, SFG2, Meta Coaching 1 and 2, ASA Level 1. 

He has, and continues to shape multiple elite level champions in powerlifting, weightlifting, and track and field athletics with some of the following titles to boast: 

• IPF World Powerlifting champion and medallists
• Commonwealth Games / Championships medallists and athletes 
• All Africa Championships medallists
• National champions and record holders in powerlifting, weightlifting, and track and field

Not only does he coach, Josh himself is a highly competitive athlete and strives to consistently sharpen his axe of being a Performance Purist. He competes as a national level weightlifter, national and international level powerlifter as well as a competitive Brazilian jiu jitsu player.

Josh describes a Performance Purist as a person who takes ownership of their actions, follows them with discipline and does it solely for the self-love and self-respect of being better in both character and athleticism. Josh applies this Performance Purist ethos towards all levels of training no matter the sport. 

Joshua believes in not only obtaining, but also sharing knowledge. He enjoys hosting weightlifting workshops and seminars, as well as writing articles for Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness and many other fitness and health online magazines. 

Darryn is a decorated SA weightlifter with a wealth of international level experience spanning close on 2 decades. The holder of many National records, SA titles, African and Commonwealth Champion and most notably an Olympian, Darryn has no shortage of knowledge when it comes to Performance excellence.

It is his belief that a background in a sport that requires so many facets associated to maximal performance within the human body, allows for a more enhanced understanding of how to best attain results for persons and athletes alike of all ages, genders and levels.

“Whether you are a simple gym goer or an advanced athlete, our goal remains unchanged. We wish to see every one of our clients through a journey and process of progression to ultimately achieve their goals, relative to their potential”

After 15 years in the corporate industry, Ilona decided to make a change in careers and switched over to Personal Fitness Training, completing her Exercise Science and Personal Training qualification with The Institute of Fitness Professionals, she also successfully completed her Kettlebell Ballistics Instructors Course as well as her Sports Massage Therapy Course.  

Before starting at Performance Purist Ilona ran a successful home personal training business focussing on functional training and injury rehabilitation.  

Ilona runs some of Performance Purist’s performance conditioning classes as well as kettlebell and functional training classes, she also runs Riverclub Sports Massage Therapy from within Performance Purist.  

Ilona is a South African Powerlifter and has been doing powerlifting for 5 years, having represented South Africa twice at the World Powerlifting Championships in 2014 & 2017 receiving her Protea Colours, she represented South Africa at the All African Powerlifting Championships in 2016 where she placed 1st, as well as The Commonwealth Championships 2017 where she placed 2nd.  

Ilona’s love for the strength industry began when she started strength training with her coach Joshua Capazorio in 2013.  Training with Joshua with his culture of precision, continuous and consistent hard work has helped Ilona become the trainer that she is, focussed on getting results and helping people better themselves in becoming stronger, healthier and fitter and leading better lives.