Trainers and Instructors

Vito has been a personal trainer and group exercise instructor since 2009. He has dual degrees in Physical Therapy and Oriental Medicine. He is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association(NSCA). His extensive background gives him a unique perspective on training the body as one unit.

Vito is a lifelong learner who continues to evolve his training philosophy by implementing new modalities into his client's well-being. Vito's specialty areas include Orthopedics, Sports and Industrial Rehabilitation, Geriatrics/Kids, and mobility injuries. He is currently finishing his Doctoral Studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. He plans on opening an integrated practice that provides clients and patients with a sense of empowerment in their health and wellness through movement, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Kathryn grew up as an Army brat and moved 13 times before leaving for college. Kathryn grew up swimming. She swam through college at Duke, where she studied biology and did ROTC to pay for college. After school, she spent four years in the Army at Fort Bragg, NC. Kathryn jumped out of airplanes, too!

After the Army, she spent five years in retail banking in Florida and New York.

Kathryn started doing triathlon when she turned 40 and competed for about eight years at the sprint, olympic, and 70.3 distances. She still swims, bikes, runs and strength trains.

In 2020, Kathryn started personal training. She loves helping people find a healthier way to move and live, so that they can feel better overall. She happens to be a plant-based athlete, herself, but doesn't proselytize.
Kathryn has lived in Wilmette for the last 15 years. She has three sons, three dogs and a cat. She's an avid reader, and coffee is a big part of her day.

Rex is the assistant aquatics director at MSC. Though his entire career is centered around lifesaving and swimming, he is very passionate about physical fitness/well-being (he lifts weights a lot more than he swims!), and teaching.

During his time at MSC, Rex has become certified as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, swim coach, and lifeguard instructor; and has found meaning and fulfillment in helping others achieve their health/wellness goals.

In 2019, Rex suffered a severe herniated disc and sciatica for 2 years, and has learned a lot about patience, recovery, and balance that he now incorporates in all of his training sessions. Rex specializes in simple and effective full-body workouts that set the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle for all ages.

Rex offers training sessions in both the Fitness and Aquatics Centers.

For Agata, fitness is the tool she uses to help people discover their true strength. As your trainer, she'll provide you with a solid foundation of fitness knowledge to build your strength upon, while being mindful of your specific goals. Agata meets her clients wherever they are in their fitness journey and truly enjoys seeing people accomplish things they never thought possible while understanding that their choices were truly the ones that led them there.

Other than working on her own running, jumping, and mobility goals, one of the highlights of her week is always getting together with her family to watch Formula 1 and/or soccer. Agata loves to dance, read, and is currently learning French.

Carl was recommended to us by one of our Aqua Fitness regulars. He is a certified NASM personal trainer and group exercise instructor. He has been interested in Fitness and wellness since he started bodybuilding in high school. He particularly enjoys working with older populations, but developed most of his skills from boutique training gyms in Evanston where he taught boot-camp style classes. Besides fitness, Carl also enjoys dogs and horticulture. We can't wait for you to meet him.

Rodrigo has been personal training since 2009 and has added Shiatsu therapy to his list of skills in 2023. Throughout the years, Rodrigo's training style has evolved by combining principles from different professions and disciplines. He now focuses mainly on helping 55-65 year olds regain or attain the best fitness level they've ever had - giving his students the ability and confidence to go hiking, skiing, play tennis, golf, and fully enjoy time with their loved ones.

Having been involved in many individual and team sports, martial arts, dancing, and continuously learning from strength coaches, athletic performance coaches, and physical therapists, his vast knowledge allows for any individual to be appropriately challenged while not being trapped in a monotonous training style.

~ Breathe with tranquility / Burn with intensity ~

Shadi has been a certified personal trainer since 2004 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Science. He has worked with diverse populations — from athletes to seniors rehabbing from an injury or illness — throughout his career. Shadi is passionate about helping people achieve their health and wellness goals so they can live their best lives and continue doing the activities they love for as long as possible

Shadi enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and trying different cuisines (especially Mexican food), and playing sports, particularly football and basketball. He has been a dedicated member, and organizer, of the same flag football team for over 15 years.

Frederick has been a nationally, board-certified/Illinois state-licensed massage therapist since having graduated from the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in 1997, after having earned his undergraduate degree in New York in 1986. He continues to evolve and integrate new modalities, which enhance his innate sensibilities of the mind-body connection. He looks forward to working with you and giving you the opportunity to allow your body and mind to take a breath and unwind. He encourages you to consider bodywork not as a luxury, but as a form of self-care maintenance that elevates the body, mind, and Spirit.

With more than 11 years of expertise, Alex has worked for many Chicagoland organizations, including Athletico Physical Therapy and Ravenswood Chiropractic. Employing various techniques, Alex has treated various alignments and disorders, from neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis to headaches. Alex was initially inspired to explore massage therapy as a career by his own recurring and debilitating pain. Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, he is committed to providing a holistic approach to overall wellness.

His work offers clients a unique experience focusing on preventive care, seamlessly integrating deep tissue and relaxation techniques. These include Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, and passive stretching that support injury recovery, reduce stress and anxiety, and keep you doing the activities you love. After each massage appointment, recipients can expect decreased pain, more joint range of motion, increased body awareness, and a balanced, alert sense of calmness.

Alex practices what he preaches in his free time and loves to cook healthy meals, exercise, and explore nature with his dog.

With 12 years of experience as a Massage Therapist, Suzanne has always had an interest in human health and different healing modalities to support the body. Her first experience with massage was as a birth doula where she found the massage she offered women significantly helped to take away pain and ease the flow of labor. That experience eventually led Suzanne down a path to gain additional training as a licensed massage therapist. Although she has acquired a variety of specialized skill sets ranging from trigger point therapy, Swedish, acupressure and reflexology, ultimately, her approach working with the body is a blend of techniques according to each client's needs with relaxation as the foundation.

Suzanne enjoys working with people of all ages from teens to elders, with a passion in particular for helping people going through life's transitions. The healing touch of massage can often be a tangible source of compassion and support to help manage life's stresses, big and small. When Suzanne is not giving massages, she spends time with her husband, three kids and two bunnies in Evanston.

​Ardath grew up in Wilmette and currently resides in Evanston. A Certified Reiki Master Teacher for over 34 years, a Craniosacral Therapist for 11 years and a Licensed Massage Therapist for 7 years.

A lifelong learner, Ardath currently studies Advanced Functional Bodywork in Tulsa Oklahoma every other month, and will graduate the 2.5 year course in early 2024. Advanced Functional Bodywork is a holistic approach that integrates structure and function in the human body and restores health by addressing the root causes of physical challenges for each individual.

Each session addresses every system of the body using Craniosacral therapy along with other modalities such as myofascial release, musculoskeletal, visceral and more.

This work listens to the body with no pre-set treatment plan.

Ardath is committed to your health and wellbeing

Barb has 30+ years of experience in the fitness industry. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and went on to “train the troops” at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center for two years. From there she spent 10 years training hotel guests and residents at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago where she managed the Spa and Fitness Center.

Because of her love of fitness, and the joy she feels in helping others, Barb has continued to work as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor since moving to Wilmette in 2003.

She enjoys high energy cardio, such as outdoor runs and cycling classes, mixed with a few strength and HIIT sessions throughout the week. Barb encourages others to move every day and, with her knowledge and guidance, helps clients find what works best for them.

Laima is a cycle and aqua fitness instructor at the Michigan Shores Club. Her passion for teaching and sharing her love of fitness runs deep whether on the bike or in the pool. She is an avid outdoor road cyclist who brings this expertise to every class. Grounded in science, music, grit and grace, Laima believes that together we can achieve incredible things no matter your experience level. She has a profound appreciation for helping others achieve their goals of well-being and good health.

This is the bike that started a lifetime of cycling

Kelly brings a distinct viewpoint and extensive background to her classes, having initially been a professional musical theater performer before delving into yoga and fitness. Her dance career included performing at Radio City Music Hall in the Christmas Spectacular and serving as the dance captain for both the national touring and Broadway productions of Disney’s Mary Poppins. From stages at Tokyo Disney to Norwegian cruiselines and the Kennedy Center, her performance journey spanned the globe. Embracing this demanding lifestyle, she gained insights into the importance of nurturing the body, heeding its signals, and prioritizing alignment, technique, and fitness to prevent injuries.

Kelly integrates these valuable principles into her yoga classes with the goal of making yoga accessible to individuals of all shapes, sizes, and levels of experience. She has a passion for breath-guided movement and credits meditation for giving her the patience to parent her energetic 10-year-old twin boys Jack and Alex! Recently, Kelly also coached treadmill and strength classes at Stride Fitness Wilmette, where she enjoyed motivating clients and connecting with people. With over a decade of expertise in yoga, Kelly provides a transformative experience for those she guides.

Teresa lives in Winnetka and is a yoga instructor at Corepower Yoga studios. Teresa has been practicing yoga and pilates for almost 21 years. As a former professional violinist and teacher, Teresa found yoga and pilates to be beneficial in balancing her mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In 2022 Teresa completed the Yoga Sculpt certification at Corepower Yoga and recently completed the 200 hour course in Hatha & Vinyasa yoga. Teresa has been subbing in several other studios in the north shore and is very passionate and enthusiastic about sharing its wonderful benefits.

Liz has lived on the Northshore for a lifetime, attending Joseph Sears and New Trier. She grew up in Kenilworth and resides in Winnetka with her four children and three rescue dogs.

She began her fitness journey at age 5 with dance and gymnastics. She was on the Dance Squad at New Trier and danced at Jane Perry and Gus Giordono. She found the love of yoga 20 years ago. She has over 200 hours of yoga certificates, 50 hours for Yoga Sculpt, and a certificate in Strength-focused courses for Men and Women. Recently, her focus has been teaching high-energy heated/weighted yoga classes, and she loves them.