Meet the Trainers

After 10 years of participation in the Monroe County YMCA Endurance Training Group, Angela became an Endurance coach in 2022. She has trained for and participated in numerous marathons and half-marathons, including the Boston Marathon. Angela has also trained for and participated in many triathlons including two Ironman races. These events have taught her that patience is key to achieving goals. Angela is currently working with the Healthy Hearts & Active Lives and Building Better Balance programs in addition to coaching for the Endurance program. Through these Y programs, she has gained experience working with adults of all ages, especially active aging adults.

Angelo has lived in Bloomington since 2015. He works in education and coaches high school football. When Angelo is not working with kids, coaching football, or helping people with their health and fitness goals, he spends time reading, working out, or enjoying time with his wife, pets, and Jesus. His passion is to assist people with finding a deeper connection with their physical health, no matter the goal.

Brant has a Bachelor's degree in Recreation from Indiana University and is an ACSM-certified Personal Trainer. He has over a decade of coaching experience of all levels, from three-year-olds to seventy-year-olds. Brant’s training also ranges from general conditioning to peak athletic fitness.

Brant specializes in endurance sports, in which he has worked with athletes from all over the United States and in five different countries. He is also knowledgeable in other areas of fitness. Brant understands that everyone comes from different backgrounds, and we all have different obstacles to overcome. He will challenge you to be your best, but he will primarily be there to support you through every step of your fitness journey.

Chiara has recently transitioned from a 30+ year professional career with Otis Elevator to becoming a personal trainer. She is passionate about health and physical activity. She is excited to start working with Y members to support their fitness goals. I enjoy helping people who are starting or refreshing their routine.

Chris is a Certified Personal Trainer from Louisville, KY, and has been in Bloomington since 2019. He loves the city and its bike trails. He enjoys helping people become their healthiest and strongest self through weight training and cardio and also enjoys incorporating calisthenics and various mind body practices, including yoga. When he’s not in the gym, you can find him outdoors on an adventure or if indoors, listening to international music or reading up on natural sciences. If you’re looking to pursue overall wellness, train with him!

Having been with the YMCA for over 15 years, Chris has worked with a wide variety of individuals through different programs, including Cardiac Rehab, W.I.S.E., and Y-Fitness for Life. Her goal is to provide functional and effective exercises by determining the needs of the individual and teaching specific exercises that will benefit her clients the most.

Chris is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer and an ACE-certified Weight Loss Specialist who believes fitness starts with taking that first step towards a healthier lifestyle, and that improving your health and wellness leads to a more positive outlook on life.

Connor was born and raised in Bloomington with no intention of leaving. He is a certified Personal Trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association, and is an Indiana University graduate with a bachelor’s degree of science in health and wellness. Connor believes that progression is unique to every individual; never is it linear. He always strives to elevate everyone around him and wants to positively impact as many people as he can. Connor's philosophy that if what he can do can positively change even one life, then he has by all accounts succeeded. When he's not helping others with their health journey, you can find Connor cooking, baking, painting, and playing tabletop games.

After a bad car accident at age 16, Daniel has a titanium rod in his lower leg. This, paired with scoliosis, made staying fit and healthy through high school a challenge. His passion is to help people reach the goals that they have set for themselves and their lives. Daniel is certified through NASM and ISSA. He has been in the fitness world now for over a year and plans to continue for a long time. Along with living an active lifestyle, Daniel also enjoys spending time with family and friends playing board games, video games or watching movies.

Debbie has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer & Group Ex Instructor, and an ACSM-certified Health Fitness Specialist. Debbie’s strengths as a trainer are in her many years of experience and her ability to make a client feel at ease in the gym. As a trainer, Debbie enjoys helping her clients reach their fitness goals, as well as the challenge of reducing the fear that clients associate with free weights and/or working out in the free weight room.

Erin is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, and she holds an elementary education degree from Indiana University. Teaching and learning have always been part of her life, whether in the classroom, in motherhood, or in fitness settings. She enjoys helping others learn ways of incorporating fitness into their busy lives and keeping things fun, sustainable, and challenging all at the same time. Aside from working with personal training clients and teaching group fitness classes, Erin enjoys time with family and friends, strength training, travel, live music, reading, chocolate, and coffee.

Kristy is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer, Orthopedic Specialist, and Group Ex Instructor, as well as a certified TRX Instructor & Schwinn Indoor Cycling Certified Instructor, and she's certified in BOSU, Dragon Door Kettlebell, and Precision Nutrition.

Kristy enjoys working with clients of all fitness levels and abilities, and has worked for the last several years as a Group Ex Instructor for a variety of Y classes. Kristy’s trainer philosophy: “I have learned through my group exercise experience that each individual has their own path to reach their goals. I believe in working with my clients to help them achieve their goals in way that works for them.”

Laura is a graduate of Purdue University with two bachelor’s degrees in movement & sport sciences and also psychology. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through ACSM, Certified Sport Yoga Instructor, and Certified Spencer Pilates Instructor through the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association. She is also a Golf Conditioning Specialist, TRX suspension and RIP Certified Trainer, FitStrike Kickboxing/MMA Fitness Instructor, JrFit Youth Fitness Specialist, and Paddle Into Fitness Certified Stand Up Paddleboard Fitness, and Yoga Instructor. Laura has over 21 years of experience in the field from clinical hospital settings of Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, rock climbing, triathlons, and marathons.

Do you need a partner to help give you the extra push you can’t seem to give yourself? Want to see how a simple exercise regimen can profoundly impact your life? Let’s develop a customized workout plan to help you feel at home in your body. It’s where you live. Let’s take care of it together. Challenge yourself. Change yourself. Live your life.

Samuel is currently pursuing a Kinesiology degree in Exercise Science at Indiana University with plans to graduate in 2026. His journey into the world of fitness began after earning an associate's degree in accounting where he realized his true passion lies in studying human performance. Physical fitness has profoundly impacted his life, and he is excited to share my knowledge and experience to help others discover the benefits of fitness in their own lives.
Samuel believes that fitness isn't just about physical prowess; it's about being adaptable and thriving in today's world. Whether you're excelling at a computer desk or pursuing other endeavors, physical fitness enhances every aspect of life. It's not just about looking good or performing well; it's about nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By prioritizing our health and fitness, we empower ourselves to live fully and contribute meaningfully to our communities. Join the journey to incorporate fitness into your daily life and discover the transformative power of a healthy body.

Shellie is a certified instructor for a variety of Group Ex classes on both land and in water. She has a special interest in helping others achieve their fitness goals, whatever they may be.

Shellie’s personal fitness philosophy: “Improving health and fitness is for everyone and should be enjoyable. Age and current fitness level doesn’t matter... It’s the commitment to start that matters.” In her free time, Shellie enjoys running and participating in triathlons.

Walter is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer, and he is currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Science. His strengths as a trainer include his experience working with active aging adults and the many years of experience he has as a YMCA Personal Trainer.

Walter believes working with a trainer should be fun and uplifting; it should leave you with a sense of accomplishment. He also believes in “starting low and going slow” while getting a client to push themselves further than ever before.