Group Exercise Instructor Biographies
Name: Carlos Aviles Experience/Certifications/Education: BFA Musical Theater, Dance Minor, Certified Salsa Instructor Classes I teach: Beginners and Intermediate salsa Interests: Paint, Dance, Theater, Surf, Scuba Dive, and Skydiving Why I love fitness: It keeps me focused and happy |
Name: Adriana Alzamora Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been a Zumba instructor for almost two years. I teach at UCF and back home at several gyms. I am trained to teach Zumba, nothing else! I am currently a pre-nursing major and will be applying to the UCF College of Nursing in February. Classes I teach: Zumba Interests: I love working out, especially Zumba. Dance is one of the best ways to get into shape! I enjoy the beach and anything involving the sun. Singing and writing are little hobbies of mine. Why I love fitness: Fitness is an escape. Clears your head and gives you energy. Especially with Zumba, you burn so many calories and gain so much energy! |
Name: Jordan Cannon Experience/Certifications/Education: I am a certified Spinning Instructor through Johnny G Spinning. I also have an AFAA Primary Group Exercise Certification, and am CPR/AED and First Aid Certified through American Red Cross. I am currently a junior pursuing a Major in Hospitality Management with a minor in Fitness Training. Classes I teach: 20-20-20, Bootcamp, Hardbodies, Kickboxing, Spin, and Washboard Abs. Interests: Most anything to do with Fitness, the outdoors, four wheeling, the beach, boating, fishing, horseback riding, traveling and of course, good food and cooking. Spending time with Friends & Family also plays a major role in my life. Why I love fitness: The feeling of achievement you get after just finishing a challenging workout is unlike any other. Fitness keeps you healthy, energized, and overall happy. To know I can motivate others, and have a positive effect on another individual is simply rewarding. Fitness is a way of life: Eat healthy, be healthy, and most importantly, feel great. |
Name: Nicole Charlock Experience/Certifications/Education: Johnny G spinning certified Classes I teach: Spinning Interests: health/fitness, horseback riding, being outdoors and nature, friends/family Why I love fitness: I love the feeling you get after you workout, i feel unstoppable! I think its amazing the limits we can push our bodies to and how accomplished someone can feel after they do it. |
Name: Staci Cook Experience/Certification/Education: Dancing for 13 years, Pilates for 5 years, AFAA Practical Pilates, Fitness Training minor, Health Sciences Minor Classes I teach: Pilates, Power Pilates, Flexibility Interests: Dance is my first love, and beyond that, I love doing and teaching Pilates, reading, relaxing,being with my friends, traveling, and trying new things. Why I love Fitness: I love fitness because of the way it makes me feel. I'm healthier, happier, and feel better because of fitness. |
Name: Sarah Cox Experience/Certifications/Education: Spinning Certification through Madd Dogg Athletics, Kickboxing through AFAA, Primary Group Exercise throught AFAA, CPR/First Aid, plus years of competitive team sports (softball, soccer and weightlifting) Classes I teach: Spinning, Kickboxing, Boot Camp, Stadium Run Interests: God, Nutrition, Grocery Shopping, Cooking, Sports, Friends and Family, Board Games, Back Massages, Going Green... Why I love fitness: Your body is the one thing that you can have complete control over...You regulate what you put into it, how hard you work it, etc. I think that it's so important to treat your body with respect, fuel it properly, strengthen it, and let is rest when it needs it. It's the only one that you get, and you only have one life to use it! Life is to short to be unhealthy! |
Name: Kristen Crosby Experience/Certifications/Education: I have my AFAA Primary Group
Exercise certification and am currently in the UCF Physical Therapy Graduate
Program Classes I teach: Boot Camp, Hardbodies, 20-20-20, Washboard Abs Interests: Physical Therapy, sports, UCF football!, running, snowboarding, traveling, and my wonderful friends and family. Why I love fitness: Working out helps me to alleviate extra energy and stress. It keeps me feeling great and gives me a few hours a week in my busy schedule to focus on myself and my body. |
Name: Lauren Ekey Experience/Certifications/Education: Johnny G Spinning Certified, AFAA Group Exercise Certified, CPR Certified, First Aid Certified; Education: Advertising/Public Relations and English Writing Classes I Teach: Spinning, Kickboxing Interests: Volleyball, running, cooking, going to the beach with friends, traveling, music, sushi, Starbucks, relaxing, and Dane Cook Why I Love Fitness: The accomplishment I feel after a great workout is the most amazing feeling in the world! I am completely energized, and it puts me in a great mood for the rest of the day. I love to push myself to work a little bit harder, bike a little bit faster, or run a little bit farther |
Name: Ryan Finan Experience/Certifications/Education: Johnny G Spin Classes I Teach: Spinning Interests: Working out, music, singing, making people laugh, confusing people Why I love fitness: Well getting paid to workout isn't exactly terrible. But mostly I love |
Name: Marcelo Hamui Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been practicing yoga since I was 13 years old, and finally certified as a teacher of Hatha and Forrest yoga at 15 years old. I traveled to India when I was 18 where I lived for a month in a meditation community and taught yoga to many people and learned many mediative techniques which I incorporate into my personalized classes. I have taken many intense yoga courses 6 hrs/day 5 day/week which have also given me new perspectives on my practice and how to interact with my students. I am majoring in fine art: painting, sculptures, and drawings. Classes I Teach: Hatha/Forrest Yoga at the RWC and Beach Yoga at Lake Claire Interests: Paintings, Great food/ cooking, live music, taking art classes, taking other yoga classes, snowboarding. Why I love fitness: Being fit, and living a fit life style supports a healthy balance of the mind and body which gives me much satisfaction, harmony, and happiness. The gym is a positive meeting place for healthy individuals who have common goals of bettering themselves as well as raising consciousness. As an instructor, I am proud to lead a healthy and fit life style as an example for others to follow. |
Name: Jessica James Experience/Certifications/Education: I began teaching Aqua Aerobics at UCF in the fall of 2008 and Zumba in the summer of 2009. I am a certified zumba instructor as well as a NASM certified personal trainer. I am certified in both CPR-PR and first aid. I am currently a sophomore pursuing a double major in political science and criminal justice with a minor in fitness training. Classes I Teach: Aqua Aerobics & Zumba Interests: Tennis, Running, Swimming, Snowboarding, all aspects of fitness Why I love fitness: Seeing the changes that have resulted from your own hard work is the most satisifying experience. I love being able to help other achieve their goals and pushing people to their limits. |
Name: Lindsay Jones Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been teaching spin for two years. I just started teaching in the Spring of 2008. Classes I teach : Spin, Sculpt, and Abs Why I Love Fitness: I love fitness because it makes you feel amazing after you have finished working out. I also like the fact that you can be so motivating to people to help them work hard. It makes me happy to know I can improve someone's goals by teaching a class. |
Name: William Joost Experience/Certifications/Education: I been spinning for a while, so in May 2009 I finally decided to get certified. I started teaching here at UCF during the summer B session 2009. These days I’ve been working on an undergrad degree in Accounting and Finance. Classes I teach : Spinning Why I Love Fitness: Because I want to be like the coolest department in the RWC (lol thanks Mat Pinder), and working out puts me in a better mood. It adds a sense of accomplishment and purpose. I think it is cool to push yourself to meet your goals. |
Name: Adam Lloyd Experience: I have taught various levels of yoga and plilates at the University of Tennessee, Florida State University and various branches of the YMCA throughout Knoxville and in Orlando. I have taught master classes in Beginning Yoga and Relaxation for college music programs and seminars on Yoga and Relaxation to the company members of the Ohio Light Opera. Classes I teach: Currently I teach Yogalates at UCF. I also teach Yoga and Yogalates with the YMCA. Interests: Yoga, Pilates, Alexander Technique, Music, Speech Pathology, Voice Disorders, and the Singing Voice. Why I love fitness: Fitness have had such a positive influence on my life. I love helping others discover the joy that comes from taking care of one’s self body, mind, and soul. I thrive on working with people and helping them to achieve their goals. The excitement a person gets when they have made improvement and success with their life is such a reward to me. |
| Name: Vanessa Lopez Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been a kickboxing instructor here at the University of Central Florida since February 2008. I received my kickboxing certification through the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). I am also CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross. I am a student at the University of Central Florida pursuing an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences – Preclinical Allied Health with a minor in Fitness Training. Classes I teach: Kickboxing Interests: Anything that deals with athletics, mainly
basketball, tennis, and volleyball. I love to dance; I dance with a hip-hop group
called Fresh Off the Beat. Traveling to places I have never been to is always
fun and I def. love working out! Also, my family and friends play a very important Why I love fitness: Fitness is without a doubt important in
living a healthy lifestyle. I love the mental and physical challenge working
out brings you. Once I am into my routine, all the anger, stress, and/or
worries just fade away, and I am able to get that positive energy and outlook |
Name: Charles McEvoy Experience/Certifications/Education: Studied and taught at the Integral Yoga Institute in Detroit , MI. for 3 years. Studied and taught at the Sacred Mountain Ashram in San Francisco , CA and Boulder , CO for 12 years. Currently teaching Yoga at UCF Rec Center , Massage Therapist at UCF Wellness Center , Yoga teacher at Rollins College . Classes I Teach: Yoga Interests: Yoga, massage therapy Why I Love Fitness: Fitness is important because when you are strong, flexible and focused, you are more likely to be successful in life. You are much better equipped to deal with the many stresses of day to day situations. Yoga explores the mind/body/spirit connection. What is our true nature? |
Name: Kristen Neilson Experience/Certification/Education: I completed my spinning certification in the summer of 2007 and have been a spinning instructor at UCF since fall, 2007. I am also certified in both CPR and First Aid. |
Name: Valerie Rusche Experience/Certification/Education: AFAA Group EX and PT Certifications |
Name: Shari Ruderman Experience/Certification/Education: Johnny G Spinning Certified, AFAA group exercise certified, CPR and First Aid Certified. I have been teaching Spinning for 2 years, going on 3. Elementary Education Major with a Hospitality Minor; Senior |
Name: Melissa Schreiber Experience/Certifications/Education : AFAA Primary Group Exercise Certification AFAA Step Certification. I taught group fitness at USF from 2002-2005, primarily step and boot camp. I began teaching group fitness at UCF starting Spring 2006. I also teach Boot Camp at Valencia Community College - East for the Wellness Program. Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Public Health in Global Communicable Disease, and Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Classes I Teach: Step, 20-20-20, Abs, an Boot Camp Interests: My interests include teaching science at Valencia and Seminole Community College, running, teaching aerobics, shopping, eating, drinking red wine, meeting new people, and international traveling (Germany, Panama, Ethiopia, Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Belize, Italy, France, Holland, South Africa, China, and Zambia). Why I Love Fitness: I love fitness because I enjoy motivating and encouraging students to love exercise and healthy living! |
Name: Erin Stevens Experience/Certifications/Education: Classes I teach : Spinning, Group Exercise and Personal Training Interests: I enjoy working out, being with my family and friends, movies, music, cooking, football games and traveling! Why I Love Fitness: It’s a given-fitness is important because of the obvious health benefits, and I like all that, but I am passionate about it because it makes me feel alive! Nothing makes me feel more “in the moment” than when I have just finished a challenging workout…I mean it’s exhilarating! |
Name: Christina Taylor Experience/Certifications/Education: This is my second year teaching group exercise at UCF and it is a lot of fun. I am certified in CPR/AED, First, Johnny G, AFFA Group Ex and NSCA personal training.
I am an athletic training major and a fitness training minor so basically
fitness and health are the center of my life. Classes I teach: Spin. Washboard Abs, Bootcamp, Hardbodies, 20-20-20, Circuit Interests: Triathlon, running, I love to race, all sports but especially
soccer and track, going to football games, Sports Clubs, cooking, and eating
my cooking. Why I love fitness: I love seeing fitness change people's lives and knowing I did something or said something to get them to their goal. I also love the feeling of accomplishment you get from finishing a really hard workout/race or pushing someone else to or beyond that limit they had previously set for themselves. Seeing that change in yourself or the smile on someone's face is like nothing else I could ever imagine. |
Name: Liz Theiss Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been Spinning for three years now and am a certified Spinning Instructor through Mad Dogg Athletics, in addition to being CPR & AED Certified as well. Currently I am a Junior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Psychology, with a minor in English Writing. Classes I teach: Spin Interests: Lacrosse, Surfing, The Beach, Yoga, Music, Scuba Diving, Soccer, Going to Football games, Spending time with Friends & Family, Cooking, and of course Spinning! Why I love fitness: I love fitness because it keeps you active, happy, and healthy! I am able to share good music and my workouts with others, while doing what I enjoy. Nothing is more rewarding than having people tell you how much they enjoyed your class or how you have helped them. Participating in any form of fitness keeps me in shape and leaves me feeling great. It is the |
Name: Ashley West Experience/Certifications/Education: Johnny G Spinning Certified Classes I teach: Spinning Interests: I love Wakeboaring, Spinning, Working Out, Kappa Delta, and triathlons. I am currently studying Marketing. Why I love fitness: It is a challenge mentally and physically. I helps keep me healthy and in shape plus I always feel better after a good workout. |
