Our Team

Mike has a B.S. degree in Fitness Management and earned his M.Ed. in Health Education from Pennsylvania State University. He is a certified CSCS with NSCA as well as has his Primary Group Exercise Instructor certification. Before working in the corporate fitness profession, he was an experienced collegiate strength and conditioning coach. Mike’s ultimate professional goal is to help everyone he works with attain the confidence, discipline and ability to achieve their full fitness potential.

“Michael was interesting and the way he taught reminded me of the little things I often overlook that is necessary when training an inexperience individual”
(Anonymous, Morgantown, WV 07-21-2013)

Kelsey is a 2016 graduate of Penn State University where she began her journey as a fitness professional. While earning her degree in Kinesiology, she spent most of her free time teaching group fitness classes such as Full Body Workout, Total Muscle Conditioning, ZUMBA, Pilates, Fitness Yoga, Washboard Abs, Cardio Kickboxing, and MORE! Her love for teaching granted her a Graduate Student Assistantship at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her Masters in Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease. Kelsey is now the Group Fitness Coordinator at the University of South Florida where she leads fitness instructional courses, plans special fitness events, and manages a team of group fitness instructors. She believes that everyone has the ability to live an active and healthy lifestyle and wants to help YOU find your fit!

Tina started her fitness journey in 1995 on the University of Minnesota Dance Team and teaching group fitness while obtaining her BS degree. She is currently the LifePower Pilates Coordinator, as well as a trainer and group fitness instructor for Life Time Fitness. Her passion is to inspire others to be the best they can be and help them gain confidence in themselves. Her certifications include: ACE, NASM CPT and Corrective Exercise Specialist, STOTT Pilates full certification and Group Cycle.

“Tina was very interesting and provided us with even more suggestions and information than was on the outline”
(Anonymous, Beaumont, TX 06-02-2013)

Nicole has been with the NETA team since 2004. As Vice President of Operations she is responsible for the Customer Service team and the day to day operations as well as planning Fit Fest Events. Nicole came to NETA with a B.A. in Sport Management and Minor in Exercise Science. She truly enjoys working with our customers and looks forward to many more years with NETA.

“Customer Service is always willing to do whatever needs to be done to create a successful workshop.”
(Anonymous, Saint Paul, MN 1-15-2011)

Originally a Philadelphia native, Sharon moved to the Denver area in May 2017 with her wife, Katie, and two dogs. In Denver, Sharon is the Manager and Head Coach for Sloans Lake CrossFit. She is the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the USA Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Program, a curriculum writer and National Presenter for National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA), writing and instructing workshops.

Cathy started teaching group fitness in 1991. She is an ACE Certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer and a STOTT Trained Pilates Instructor. Cathy has been a National Presenter for NETA since 2006. In 2010, She began leading Laughter Yoga sessions and is now a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, training others to spread health and hilarity. Cathy believes in life-long learning and loves to share her passion for movement with people.

“Very thorough, very informative, very enthusiastic and very energetic.”
(Savannah Pollock, Cloquet, MN 10-27-2013)

“She was very in-depth, energetic and helpful!”
(Alexandra Marcelli, Hermitage, PA 12-19-2010)

Riley has a B.A. in Exercise Science and a M.A. in Exercise Physiology. He began his fitness career in 2002 as a strength and conditioning coach. He has held positions at the collegiate level and the minor league baseball level. He presently works as a personal trainer in Minnesota. Riley is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. He enjoys educating and helping to change the lives of people he guides toward their fitness goals.

Deanna started coaching in 1996 and became certified as a personal trainer in 2004. She has a B.S. and Master’s degree, and her certifications include: USATF Coach, ACE Personal Trainer, Group Exercise, Pilates, Yoga, BOSU and Kettlebell. She has been a master trainer with NETA since 2005. Deanna has written many NETA home study programs including: Dancing with Divinity, Movement through the Chakras, Running A to Z and the Ultimate Guide to Wellness.

“Deanna was very knowledgeable. She’s a good presenter, informative and good with the course.”
(Kathleen Schultz , Chaska, MN 10-13-2013)

“She is very respectful and explained the running A to Z workshop very well. I loved it!”
(Anonymous, Prior lake, MN 2-17-2011)

Angie became certified with NETA in 2001 and has certifications in both Personal Training and Group Fitness. She is a 2013 MBA graduate with a concentration in Sports Management. She is a faculty member at a community college where she has developed and is currently teaching their HPE classes. Angie is also licensed to teach Zumba, Tai Chi Easy, and Self Defense. Angie loves to share her devotion to health and fitness because she knows what a profound effect it can have on others.

“The day started off by warmly being welcome. She made a point to learn and address each of us by name. Angie assured all that “failure was not an option” and we all would do well! All material was covered very thoroughly. Angie was witty, sincere, caring, patient and incredibly professional. Her knowledge base was very impressive. She explained and demonstrated the poses flawlessly. I can only strive to reach her level of expertise.”
(Kim Stevens-Len, Chelsea, MI 02-22-2014)

“Angie, always energetic and awesome.”
(Kerry Bollech, Rochester, NY 10-12-2013)

“All questions were answered at the workshop and all the options to modify movements were shown at the workshop!”
(Anonymous, Scotch Plains, NJ 01-22-2011)

Jon has been teaching for NETA since 2002. Currently he is the Department Chair/Assistant Professor of PHED at Odess College. He holds a Master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He also has 50 graduate credits towards his doctorate. He is an active member in NSCA & AAPHERD. Jon’s love of fitness and college teaching allows him to do two things he is extremely passionate about.

“Jon was passionate about the topic which made it contagious.”
(Anonymous, Chattanooga, TN 09-29-2013)

“The basic information that wasn’t understood in the manual were brought up and clearly explained. Well done!”
(Mohammad Ali, Southern Pines, NC 01-30-2011)

Susie has been in the fitness industry since 1987 working in every part of the fitness industry; as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, program director, education director and a national fitness presenter. She has a BS degree in Exercise Science and Pre-Physical Therapy and NETA certifications for Group Exercise and Personal Training. Today Susie works with individuals who have eating disorders in a rehab gym. She spends her free time enjoying time with her husband and children.

“Susie really explained the dynamics of HIIT training very well, great stuff to bring to any class.”
(Willman, MN 04-12-2013)

Sabrina is an international fitness presenter and holds her degree in Nutrition & Wellness Counseling. Well known throughout New England and beyond before relocating to Santa Fe, Sabrina has worked for over twenty years as a Certification Specialist training and certifying fitness instructors in aerobics, kickboxing, step, personal training, resistance training, yoga, core conditioning, and Pilates mat work all over the world.

Stephanie Thielen, B.S. dedicated to quality education, travels nationally and internationally presenting continuing education workshops that teach logical methods for class construction, providing the “tools of the trade” to assist instructors develop their professional teaching skills. With a career that spans over 25 years, Stephanie has extensive experience in group fitness instruction, program development, and staff management at the corporate, community, and collegiate level. Stephanie is a two-time IDEA presenter, an AEA Training Specialist, NETA Trainer, and works with additional fitness companies such as BOSU and ACE. Certifications: ACE, AFAA, AEA.

“Stephanie made my time and money feel like it was well spent, thank you for presenting.”
(Anonymous, Omaha, NE 09-07-2013)

“She was fun, entertaining, very knowledgeable and easy to listen to!”
(Anonymous, North KC Hospital, MO 01-22-2011)

Jennifer Turpin Stanfield, M.A., (Exercise Science) ACSM EP-C, is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She is an ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructor, certified personal trainer, registered yoga teacher, and a national presenter for NETA. Jennifer has more than 17 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and is passionate about helping others live healthier lives through the adoption and maintenance of positive health behaviors.

Mou Xe is a Fitness Education Consultant at NETA. He is one of the knowledgeable and friendly voices you hear when you call the NETA office. He graduated with a bachelors in Human Health and Performance, Psychology, and Biology with a minor in Health Education from University Of Wisconsin River Falls. He is currently pursuing a MBA in Healthcare management and Human Resource/Business emphasis. He recently relocated from River Falls, WI to St Paul, MN and enjoys being active on his free time.

Jessica is currently a Combat Fitness Coordinator at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. She is working towards her Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Physiology and Rehabilitation from California University of Pennsylvania. She began working in the fitness industry in 2012, training at the Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina. Jessica holds certifications through NSCA, ACE, and NASM.

Cayla McAvoy is a graduate from Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) who earned her B.S. in Kinesiology. Cayla went on to earn her M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Central Florida, where she worked as the Fitness Graduate Assistant for two years. Cayla is an ACSM- Certified Exercise Physiologist, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, and is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher. She has always had a passion for fitness, and is continuously inspired and motivated to help others lead a healthy lifestyle.

Amy has a M.A. degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy. In 2008, she became a Certified Life Coach from the Adler Graduate School. She is also a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Presently, Amy works as a Wellness Coach for OptumHealth, providing members with telephonic health and wellness education and facilitating effective coaching to promote behavior change. Amy is also a NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer and NETA-Certified Group Exercise Instructor.

Jason holds a BS in Exercise Science and is the Manager of Health and Fitness for a medical fitness facility in Owensboro, KY. Jason teaches group cycling and is a NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He also is a Crossfit Level 1 trainer. Formerly, Jason was a faculty-level instructor for the YMCA of the USA teaching Y fitness certification classes around the country. Jason has a passion for fitness and for sharing that with others.