Meet The Staff

Sports Barn Instructors

• Amy Banta, BA in Business and Sociology from St. Mary’s College. MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Taught cycling at two suburban health clubs in Detroit. Certified Spin Instructor through the Johnny G. Spinning program. She has been teaching since 2001.
• Christy A. Baker, B.S. in Journalism, Minor in Dance Performance from University of Tennessee. AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. IFTA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. 20+ years dance experience.  
• Carolyn Batten, AFAA Advanced Personal Trainer, AFAA Personal Trainer, AFAA Fitness Counselor, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Powerflex Certified and BOSU Certified.
• Shannan Billings , a practicing Virginia Tech Chemical Engineer and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt whose 25 years of dance training lead her to teach fitness in such places as Virginia, Iowa, Texas, and Tennessee since 1992.  Shannan holds such instructor certifications as ACE Group Fitness, YMCA Group Exercise and Strength Training, Kardio Kombat kickboxing, Black belt in Shito-ryu, Johnny G Spinning Star 3, AFAA Personal Trainer and Adv. Personal Trainer, IM=X Pilates Floorwork, Balletone, and BOSU.  Shannan is a licensed Personal Fitness Trainer by the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
• Lisa Blevins, AFAA Kickboxing Instructor, IPSA Kickboxing Instructor, Powerflex Certified, BOSU Certified
• Laura Bowling, BS in Corporate Wellness and Health Education, ACE Group Fitness Instructor
• Lyndsey Bowman, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, IFTA Kickboxing, Johnny G Spinning Instructor, BOSU Certified.
• Tommy Davidson, BS in Business Management, BS in Long Term Care Management, Masters in Business Administration , AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
• Jennie Degli , BS in Education, Masters Degree and ED.S. in School Psychology. Currently employed by Hamilton County as a School Psychologist. AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, BOSU Certified, Reebok Cycling Certified
• Becky Dempsey, B.S. Human Services, certified yoga instructor thru Lighten Up yoga in Ashville, NC., Yoga Coordinator for the Sports Barn, and member of yoga alliance. Becky began her study of yoga 13 years ago and has taught since 1998. She continues her yoga studies though credits her many hours spent with Rodney Yee and Doug Keller as having most influenced her teaching style.
• Beth Eberle, 19 years experience at The Sports Barn in a variety of areas including one on one training as well as group fitness training.  Current certifications include AFAA Personal Trainer, PowerFlex and GTS.
• Nancy Ellis, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Yogafit Certified, IFTA Kickboxing, Johnny G. Spinning Certified, Powerflex Certified, BOSU Certified
• Michele Enter, BS in Psychology, Certified Surgical Technologist and Medical Assistant, currently studying for ACSM Personal Trainer Certification.
• Kristin Flint, MBA from the Univ. of Pittsburgh; Regional Acct. Mgr. for a local manufacturing plant; certified to teach cyclin'.
• Candace Ford, BA in English, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, BOSU Certified, AFAA Kickboxing, AFAA Mat Science Certified
• Rosann Grandy, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, BOSU Certified, YMCA Group Fitness Instructor, YMCA Group Exercise Instructor Trainer
• Margaret Green: Flow Yoga (and could teach anything listed)
  Margaret Green has been a student of yoga since 1987 and has taught yoga for the past 6 years. She is certified to teach in the White Lotus Flow Hatha-Vinyasa tradition as well as in the Iyengar style of yoga. Margaret teaches a dynamic heated class blending the two styles with hints, tools and principles.
• Kristina Guy, North Fitness Mgr. M.A. Criminology. Certifications: AFAA Group Fitness, PhysicalMind Institute Pilates, Aerobic Pipeline International, marathon runner. Specialties: general strength and conditioning, mat work & running.
• Aimee Harvey, MBA, BS in Biology, BA in Psychology, Spinning Certified, AFAA Yoga Certified
• Penny Holloway, BBA in Marketing, MS in Curriculum and Instruction, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, IFTA Cycling
• Jenna Hyde holds a B.S. in Corporate/Community Wellness Management from Southern Adventist University; ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification; and is a Lisenced Wellcoach(c).
• Elizabeth Jessen, has an Undergraduate and Graduate Business Degree, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Keiser PowerPacing Certified, Powerflex Certified
• Kimmie Kent, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, AAAI/ISMA Personal Trainer, ISCA Kickboxing Certified, Johnny G. Spinning Certified, Yogafit Certified, Powerflex Certified, BOSU Certified, AAAI/ISMA Mat Pilates Certified
• Candy Kinsey , studied dance intensively and has been dancing and performing with Ballet Tennessee for the past ten years.  She is currently pursuing her membership with the Pilates Method Alliance and has approximately 200 hours of training and teaching.  She has been teaching Pilates mat classes locally and has trained with Ann Law.
• Danielle Larson, Currently a student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga working on a bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration on Fitness/Wellness, along with a minor in Nutrition.
• Chig Martin, Recreation major UTC, Ironman Triathlete,Cycling certified,raced over 175 triathlons in last 19 years.YMCA Aquatic Instructor Trainer,Certified Triathlon Swim Coach and have  been teaching Cycling and or Triathlon swimming classes for over 10 years at the Sports Barn.
• Lisa McBryde, Casemanager for Sports Barn Cancer Rehab Program . Registered Nurse, Nationally Oncology Certified with 15 years experience in the field.   Instructor for the past 9 years with the following certifications:  Powerflex, Keiser cycling, Kickboxing, BOSU, Yoga Fundamentals II Specialty, ACE Group Fitness Instructor.  Has a wide variety of class designs and levels as well as training individuals or groups.  Especially interested in core, strength and flexibility training.
• Lori McNabb currently a nurse in a Rehabilitation hospital. She began teaching group fitness as a YMCA group fitness instructor in 1997. Certified IFTA Kickboxing since 1999, IFTA Mat-flex certified since 2003.
• Anna Mercer , a native Chattanoogan specializing in marathon and ultramarathon training. She is also a Boston qualifier expecting to run in 2007. AFFA certified and a cycling instructor certified through IFTA.
• Bob Merz, Associates degree in Natural and Applied Sciences, BS Degree in Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies. IFTA Personal Trainer certified
• Beth Miller, IFTA certified personal trainer and IFTA certified indoor cycling instructor.
• Tammy Nichols, AFAA Group Fitness Certified, BOSU Certified and Pilates Matwork Certified and AFAA certified personal trainer.
• Patricia Ochoa, Ph.D in Exercise Physiology, IFTA Group Fitness Instructor, IFTA Personal Trainer, IFTA Cycling
• Emily Piersant, BFA in Graphic Design from Auburn University, AFAA Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Gravity Trainer Certified.
• Mike Pollock , Graduate of The Baylor School, BA in Psycholgy at UTC, Master's in Organizational Development, Johns Hopkins University, Graduate of National Outdoors Leadership School. Current member of Chattanooga Bike Club and SORBA Chattanooga. For the past 15 years he has been an experiential educator and owner of The Adventure Guild. He is currently owner of RedPoint Management an organizational behavior consulting company. He is an avid cyclist with numerous races under his belt.
• Christine Post,  ACE Personal Trainer since 1995; AFAA Group Fitness Instructor since 1995; Johnny G Spin Instructor 1998; AFAA Water Instructor 1997. Enjoys running, has  been running competitively since 1990. Moved to Chattanooga in 2001 from Atlanta GA. Managed Corporate Fitness Centers. Previously a software Consultant for Compaq Computers for 9 years. Can teach Step, Cardio Kickboxing, Interval/Circuit type classes, strength training, mat class, Stretch and Pilates classes  and  core construction. 
• Cheryl Rakauskas has been practicing yoga for 5 years and is a registered yoga teacher at the 200 hour level. She recently received her teaching certification through Frog Lotus Yoga in MA. Her main style of practice is vinyasa flow. She also holds a B.A. in elementary and special education from Miami University and a M.Ed. in learning disabilities from UGA.
• Ronelle Sellers, BS in Business Administration; Certified Marketing Director; SCW Group Fitness Instructor; BOSU Certified; Powerflex Certified; AAAI/ISMA Mat Pilates Certified
• Angie Shuster,BS in Accounting; EdS in School Psychology; 18 years experience in fitness field; AFAA Group Instructor Certification; YogaFit Certification; AFAA Personal Training Certification; Reebok Flexible Strength and Pilates Training; AFAA Certification in Nutrition/Lifestyle; Experience instructing hi/lo, step, interval/circuit, PowerFlex, cycling, youth fitness, pain management, stress management/visualization, and mat classes; Over 10 years experience lecturing in group setting for nutrition/fitness psychology/lifestyle managemen
• Jenny Smith , a Registered Ultrasound and Radiologic Technologist. She is certified to teach Bosu Classes and is certified in Yogafit 1 and 2.
• Diane Stacy, B.S. in Health and Physical Education and Elementary Education, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
• Kelvin Stamper, has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Precision Cycling Certified
• Krista Stein, ACE Personal Trainer, NSCA Personal Trainer, BOSU and Powerflex Certified, Johnny G. Spinning Certified
• Merrile Stroud, proud mom of four girls ranging in age from 8-16, wife to John.  Teaching GFT for 20 years and Personal Training for 8.  Voracious reader, movie goer, and Broadway nut.  Finisher of one full marathon and multiple halfs. Slow, but steady runner.
• Kymeko Taylor-Turbokick Certification. YMCA Group Exercise instructor. Currently studying for the Neta Group Exercise certification
• Bryant R. Torres - ISSA Certified Fitness trainer, involved with the wellness industry for over 6 years. CPR, First Aid and AED certified. Knowledgeable in nutrition and currently obtaining ISSA Nutrition Specialist Certification. Currently studying Exercise Science and Health Promotion.
• April Turk, Associates Degree in General Education, AFAA Personal Trainer, NDEITA Group Fitness Instructor, Yogafit lll Certified, YMCA Group Fitness Instructor, YMCA Cycle Reebok Certified, TurboKick Kickboxing Instructor, NDEITA Pilates Certified, Resist-a-ball Certified, Prenatal Yoga Certified
• Jeremy Upchurch   B.S. in Exercise Science, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA, NESTA Personal Trainer. Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Specialties: General Strength and Conditioning, Special Populations.
• Reggie Vachone , Graduate of the Marist School , Atlanta , Georgia and the University of the South, Sewanee. Contemplating an ironman for 2008.
• Scott Wade ,  B.S. Engineer Management, Certifications:  AFAA Personal Trainer, USAT Level I Triathlon Coach, AFAA Mat Science, YogaFit.  Specialties:  Triathlon Training, strength and conditioning.
• Teresa Wade, The Sports Barn's Health and Fitness Director, B.S. in Criminal Justice, AFAA Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, ACSM Exercise Specialist, AFAA Yoga, Physical Mind Institute Pilates, Reebok RNT, ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management, Gravity Training Systems, Reebok 5 Point Screening/Core Board, BOSU Certified. Teresa is now newly certified in SomaVeda Level I Thai Massage. To learn more, click here.
• Melissa Walker, BA in Sociology, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, BOSU Certified
• Scott Warren- "Mad Dogg Spinning" Certified. Scott's cyclin' classes have a strong emphasis on the mind/body connection, breathing, form, and building a strong aerobic base.
• Robyn Wilham, An RN at Parkridge Medical Center and a certified Cyclin' Instructor. She is an avid rider and participates in triathlons.
• Lisa Willard, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Reebok Core Pilates, Reebok for Athletes, Yogafit,
• Pam Wingo, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, FiTour Pilates and Advanced Pilates Certifications, also working on Nutrition Certification, Young Athlete Training Certification, and Group Fitness Certification from FiTour. Specialty:strength and conditioning, core strengthening, flexibility/stretching, and balance training based on individual fitness level and needs.
• Patrick Wortman , M.S. in nutrition with a concentration in Exercise Physiology.  Registered Dietitian with Tennessee licensure. Certifications: National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Personal Trainer.  Specialties:  Weight-loss, sports related training and performance enhancement, special populations, strength and conditioning. Special focus on exercise AND diet to maximize results.

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Mat Fitness Trainers

• Teresa Wade, Sports Barn's Health and Fitness Director, B.S. Criminal Justice. Certifications: AFAA Personal Training, ACE Group Fitness, ACSM Exercise Specialists, AFAA Yoga, Physical Mind Institute Pilates, Reebok RNT, ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management, Gravity Training Systems, Reebok 5 point screening/core board, BOSU. Specialties: Mat based training, strength and conditioning, plyometric training, Gravity Training systems, special populations.
• Shannan Billings , a practicing Virginia Tech Chemical Engineer and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt whose 25 years of dance training lead her to teach fitness in such places as Virginia, Iowa, Texas, and Tennessee since 1992.  Shannan holds such instructor certifications as ACE Group Fitness, YMCA Group Exercise and Strength Training, Kardio Kombat kickboxing, Black belt in Shito-ryu, Johnny G Spinning Star 3, AFAA Personal Trainer and Adv. Personal Trainer, IM=X Pilates Floorwork, Balletone, and BOSU.  Shannan is a licensed Personal Fitness Trainer by the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
• Kristina Guy, M.A. Criminology. Certifications: AFAA Group Fitness, PhysicalMind Institute Pilates, Aerobic Pipeline International. Specialties: general strength and conditioning, mat work.
• Cheryl Rakauskas has been practicing yoga for 5 years and is a registered yoga teacher at the 200 hour level. She recently received her teaching certification through Frog Lotus Yoga in MA. Her main style of practice is vinyasa flow. She also holds a B.A. in elementary and special education from Miami University and a M.Ed. in learning disabilities from UGA.
• Angie Shuster,BS in Accounting; EdS in School Psychology; 18 years experience in fitness field; AFAA Group Instructor Certification; YogaFit Certification; AFAA Personal Training Certification; Reebok Flexible Strength and Pilates Training; AFAA Certification in Nutrition/Lifestyle; Experience instructing hi/lo, step, interval/circuit, PowerFlex, cycling, youth fitness, pain management, stress management/visualization, and mat classes; Over 10 years experience lecturing in group setting for nutrition/fitness psychology/lifestyle management
• Lana Maria Sutton has been a student of the defensive arts and dance for more than 25 years. She now integrates yoga into these practices. She is certified to teach Sports Yoga through the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association. She has a 5th Kyu in Aikido, and three belts in Taekwondo. Her dance training has been in belly dance, ballet and modern dance, although she has recently become a ballroom enthusiast.
  
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