Laura Covert has both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. She received her BS in Corporate Recreation and Wellness and Therapeutic Recreation and her MS in Therapeutic Recreation. She has nationally accredited training in Golf Conditioning, Cycle Instruction, and Group Exercise for Seniors. Laura's work experience includes St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, where she conducted assessments and created programs for recovering stroke patients, hip and knee replacement patients, and patients with dementia and Alzheimer's. Laura is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a certified aerobics instructor. Laura taught senior and beginning senior circuit training, toning, step, and yoga classes at the Maryville Community Center and was a Graduate Assistant at the Northwest campus fitness center. During her time at the fitness center, she performed assessments, analyzed blood pressures, created personal workout programs, and performed personal training.
Denise DeVaughn earned her Certified Group Fitness Instructor certification through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and has been teaching group fitness classes since 2002. Denise has taught at the corporate fitness facility at Central States of Omaha (CSO), Mutual of Omaha and Elkhorn Common Ground. She has taught group classes in step aerobics, low impact aerobics, strength training and toning, kick boxing, circuit training, pilates and yoga. She has earned a senior group fitness instructor certification and a certification in Yoga for Low Back Pain and has taught seated/chair fitness classes, step, low impact aerobics, group cycling, strength and yoga/pilates.
Adrienne Dybus is a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and Aging Studies. Her work experience includes health coaching and instruction with the University of Iowa's wellness program where she worked with faculty, staff,and University affiliates in the areas of weight management, nutrition, health coaching, lifestyle change, and fitness. She also worked with the University's Recreational Services Division as a personal trainer, fitness class instructor, program staff for senior citizen activities, fitness assessments, and management for the fitness facility and its employees. She was Wellness coordinator at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City where she taught programs with residents in water exercise, personal training, balance, and hosted special events. Additionally, she assisted with teaching and training special populations in the health center.
Maggie Sweigart is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist whose career began in 1980 when she started teaching Aerobic classes. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science from University of Houston in Health, Leisure and Sports and a Master of Arts from UNO in Therapeutic Recreation. Maggie's experience includes working as a Program Coordinator For the Lake Jackson Racquet Club; Activity Assistant in Brazosport Adult Psych program; Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center; Wellness Manager for Immanuel AgeWell. Additionally, she has developed land and aquatic programs for various populations; seniors, those with disabilities, congestive heart failure patients and the general population. Tai Chi is the most recent of Maggie's interests and she enjoys teaching the practical aspects of Tai Chi. Her certifications include: National Council for Therapeutic Recreation, American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Exercise Instructor; National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool Operator, Adaptive Fitness Instructor Certification from Disabled Sports USA.
Michelle Streif has been in the fitness industry 22 years and specializes in older adult fitness. With a masters degree in health education/gerontology, she has also completed over 500 accredited hours in areas related to older adult health and fitness including post cardiac rehab, osteoporosis, balance and coordination, orthopedic post rehabilitation, hypertension, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and fall prevention and Since 1998, she had her own personal training/wellness business. She is a member of the (ACE) American Council on Exercise Faculty, former NSCA Personal Trainer SIG Executive Committee member, NSCA Certification Commission Nominations Committee, a member of the Medical Fitness Association, the International Council on Active Aging, and is a Continuing Education provider for various organizations. Her certifications include NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, ACE Personal Trainer, Spinning, Precision Cycle, Kickboxing, PACE-Arthritis and Exercise, and she has received ACE/IDEA Specialty Recognition in Older Adults and Exercise and Exercise and Special Medical Concerns. Michelle has been a presenter for several nationally accredited conferences and workshops where she trains personal trainers, cycling instructors, and aerobics instructors and she has been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, the Journal of Active Aging, IDEA Today, and has been interviewed for articles in SHAPE, IDEA Today, Healthy Aging, MS-NBC, Personal Fitness Professional, Fitness and GLAMOUR magazines.
Mindy Warriner is completing her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Physical Education and Exercise Science; and minors in Applied Science. Her curriculum includes Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Healthful Living, Motor Behavior and Anatomy. She worked for a cancer research lab for 10 years in Ralston as part of a team researching fetal bovine serum widely used by scientists who have a concern for viral contaminants and require an extensive biochemical profile. She has also completed her Internship as an Exercise Specialist in Cardiac Rehabilitation at Methodist Hospital. She was a part of a medically supervised program to help individuals recover from heart attacks, from other forms of heart disease or after surgery to treat heart disease. She helped in monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support, and support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems. In college she became a member of the AFP (Alliance of Fitness Professionals) and is involved with community health and fitness.
