LISA SMITH, Wellness Director/ Trainer/ Instructor, joined the WRAC team in 2015. Lisa, her husband Greg, daughter Madelyn, moved from Sacramento for Greg’s job at the PUD and soon they added son, Nate, to the family. Lisa graduated from Oregon State with a bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science so she is familiar with the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Lisa has spent the majority of her last 10 years working as an Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Assistant Manager at an active adult community. Lisa is an ACE & NASM Certified Personal Trainer, an Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist, an AFAA certified Group Exercise Instructor as well as a Balanced Habits Certified Food Coach. Her specialties include: Post-rehab, Balance and Strength programming, Older Adult Mobility and Conditioning, TRX, Aqua Exercise and Tabata training. Lisa loves her work and tries to practice what she preaches, even though its extra hard during football season! Email Lisa@wrac.org
Lisa has spent the majority of her last 10 years working as an Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Assistant Manager at an active adult community. Lisa is an ACE & NASM Certified Personal Trainer, an Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist, an AFAA certified Group Exercise Instructor as well as a Balanced Habits Certified Food Coach. Her specialties include: Post-rehab, Balance and Strength programming, Older Adult Mobility and Conditioning, TRX, Aqua Exercise and Tabata training. Lisa loves her work and tries to practice what she preaches, even though its extra hard during football season! Email Lisa@wrac.org
BRIDGET KAVANAUGH | RYT 200
I have been a member at The WRAC for as long as I can remember. I went to my first ever yoga class in the 7th grade in the WRAC yoga studio with our very own Dean Marney, my dear yogi and friend, whom I absolutely adore. Ever since then, yoga has created space to ground me, bring me back to simplicity, nurture my growing years and mature my practice. I love everything yoga is.
I feel absolutely honored to get to connect, create and explore here with our WRAC community as we evolve through our breath, balance, stretches and growth. My intention is to create space that makes people feel safe, warm and welcomed, intuitive, free to be alive with a loving acceptance of their mind, body and spirit.
Outside of the yoga studio, you can find me painting downtown Wenatchee, going to the farmers market, supporting local businesses, biking the loop trail, SUPing in the Columbia, smoothies at Royal Produce and hiking our surrounding mountains. I’m a total extrovert and I love being with family and friends. I tap into my extrovert/creative side by cooking colorful meals, lifestyle photography, Natgeo, clothing expression, music, dancing and surrounding myself with likeminded people. I strive to embrace my most authentic free-spirited self in everyway everyday. My daily mantra is: "Live Loved." Now that you now a little about me, I would LOVE to meet you, come say hello (:
I have been a member at The WRAC for as long as I can remember. I went to my first ever yoga class in the 7th grade in the WRAC yoga studio with our very own Dean Marney, my dear yogi and friend, whom I absolutely adore. Ever since then, yoga has created space to ground me, bring me back to simplicity, nurture my growing years and mature my practice. I love everything yoga is.
I feel absolutely honored to get to connect, create and explore here with our WRAC community as we evolve through our breath, balance, stretches and growth. My intention is to create space that makes people feel safe, warm and welcomed, intuitive, free to be alive with a loving acceptance of their mind, body and spirit.
Outside of the yoga studio, you can find me painting downtown Wenatchee, going to the farmers market, supporting local businesses, biking the loop trail, SUPing in the Columbia, smoothies at Royal Produce and hiking our surrounding mountains. I’m a total extrovert and I love being with family and friends. I tap into my extrovert/creative side by cooking colorful meals, lifestyle photography, Natgeo, clothing expression, music, dancing and surrounding myself with likeminded people. I strive to embrace my most authentic free-spirited self in everyway everyday. My daily mantra is: "Live Loved." Now that you now a little about me, I would LOVE to meet you, come say hello (:
BUFFY LINNEL, having a love for the Wenatchee area, made the move with her husband from Western WA in January 2020. She worked at a Tennis and Health Club in S. Everett for 17 years as a Group Exercise Instructor as well as a Personal Trainer and has a total of 25 years experience in the Fitness Industry. Buffy received an AA Degree as a Fitness Specialist from Lake Washington Institute of Technology in 2004 as well as an Exercise Physiology Certification from The American College of Sports Medicine (A.C.S.M.). She also has has her ACE Nutritionist Certification since 2015.
She enjoys Tennis, Hiking, Biking, Running and still participates in the occasional Sprint Triathlon’s with Chelan man being her favorite! Her past athletic achievements include running in both The Boston and New York marathons and completing two full iron man Triathlon’s as well as many other races throughout the years. One of her Motto's is "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." And last but not least, one of her favorite things to do these days is hanging with her two grandchildren.
She enjoys Tennis, Hiking, Biking, Running and still participates in the occasional Sprint Triathlon’s with Chelan man being her favorite! Her past athletic achievements include running in both The Boston and New York marathons and completing two full iron man Triathlon’s as well as many other races throughout the years. One of her Motto's is "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." And last but not least, one of her favorite things to do these days is hanging with her two grandchildren.
DAVE WILSON is WIAA and USATF licensed and an AFAA certified Personal Trainer, group exercise and indoor cycling instructor. He has coached championship High School Cross Country and Track teams and guides individuals in weight loss, fitness, triathlon, bicycling and running programs. His experience as an elite athlete and inspirational multiple sport coaching principle is that “it’s about HAVE-N-FUN”! Email Dave
DEAN MARNEY is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer, Yoga Fit level 2 instructor and has a very extensive background in Yoga. Dean’s unique background allows him to better train the body as a whole. All of his classes are based on the Ashtanga School of Yoga. "My mantra is, 'Do less than you can." You will also find Dean leading the Gentle Fitness and Weight Circuit classes.
OLIVIA MILLER Olivia has been a member of the WRAC since 2003. In 2018, she started at the WRAC as a lifeguard as well as began working in Kids Club in the fall of 2019. The number of departments in which she was involved grew to include Front Desk Service Staff, Kids Club and Aquatics Lead to the point that she now serves as our Operations Assistant and also as an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, now teaches some Group Fitness classes for us.
She is a 2021 Central Washington University grad with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. In fall of 2022, she joined the staff at Washington Elementary as a 4th grade teacher. She enjoys being active whether that’s in the gym or in the mountains and spending time with friends and family.
She is a 2021 Central Washington University grad with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. In fall of 2022, she joined the staff at Washington Elementary as a 4th grade teacher. She enjoys being active whether that’s in the gym or in the mountains and spending time with friends and family.
JACKIE ANDREWJESKI, growing up in New Zealand, has a life-long interest in exercise, health and fitness. From playing sports in college to hiking in the great New Zealand outdoors, she has long appreciated the benefits gained from being active. Her desire to share those benefits with others was the reason for becoming an instructor.
JOYCE O'NEAL has been studying and enjoying Tai Chi for over 16 years and has taught Tai Chi since 2007. She credits Tai Chi as the main factor for regaining health after a severe whiplash from an auto accident. Joyce believes that Tai Chi is a healthy way of thinking, moving, and being. It ties all of our essence into a balanced whole. Balance is the goal in life. She says "If you really want to make your Doctor happy, take Tai Chi."
LAUREN HEAD grew up in Wenatchee and recently moved home after spending the better part of 20 years in Portland. She is excited to be back in the valley and once again part of the WRAC community! Lauren is a Hatha yoga teacher and plant based nutritionist. She earned her Masters in Nutrition in 2016, as has spent the past 4 years working in chronic disease management and reversal at a community health center in southwest Washington. Lauren completed her 200 hr YTT in Rishikesh, India and enjoys sharing her love of yoga by offering gentle and accessible classes. She also enjoys the great outdoors, jumping in lakes and rivers, working with the Latino community, promoting plant based living and quirky sitcoms.
LYDA CLARK was born and raised in Wenatchee, moved back in 2018 after most recently living in Hawaii, happy to once again be a member of the WRAC. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 12, she began practicing yoga to help with joint pain, eventually finding her way to training in an Ashtanga style practice. She loves teaching yoga as a way to help others through joint issues and chronic illness, and a way to gently build strength. Lyda has a lighthearted and inclusive approach to yoga - it should feel good and be FUN!
SEANA FREEMAN has been a life-long member of the WRAC. She grew up in Wenatchee with a family who has a passion for tennis and a love of fitness and the outdoors. In fact, Seana's parents Dean and Donna Parsons, being life-long members themselves had their first date after a tennis tournament at the WRAC! Her family has all be involved at the club, including grandmother, Betty Fager, who was actively involved throughout her life and a long time advocate of tennis, sharing her love of the game with others.
Seana found a new love at the WRAC for RIP and is a certified fitness instructor. She also enjoys spending time with her family, her husband, two young children, and sharing her love of health and fitness with others.
Seana found a new love at the WRAC for RIP and is a certified fitness instructor. She also enjoys spending time with her family, her husband, two young children, and sharing her love of health and fitness with others.
TAMMI FLYNN has a Masters Degree in Nutrition Science, is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and group exercise instructor. She’s been in the fitness industry since the 80’s with various certifications and most recent as a Food Coach in Balanced Habits and Level 1 Nutrition Coach in Precision Nutrition.
Her current interests are working with young athletes on programming and diet to maximize their performance. She has worked with local soccer, lacrosse, track, cross country skiing, wrestling and hockey teams, and has even written a Fitness and Nutrition book, The “3 Apple-a-Day” Plan: Your Foundation for Permanent Fat Loss. Email Tammi@wrac.org
Her current interests are working with young athletes on programming and diet to maximize their performance. She has worked with local soccer, lacrosse, track, cross country skiing, wrestling and hockey teams, and has even written a Fitness and Nutrition book, The “3 Apple-a-Day” Plan: Your Foundation for Permanent Fat Loss. Email Tammi@wrac.org
TAYLOR MAYHEW was born and raised in Wenatchee and loves all things fitness and exercise! She grew up playing soccer, lacrosse, and participating in The WRAC summer swim team! She is a certified High Fitness Instructor, which is a blend of choreographed aerobics with high intensity interval training. She loves teaching High Fitness because it makes cardio fun! When she isn’t teaching high fitness, she enjoys the outdoors, lifting weights, and spending time with family and friends.
TONY SAUCEDA can be found involved in many activities at the club. After being recruited many years ago from the student side of the class room to that of instructor, his passion for cycling and helping students achieve their goals has transitioned him into a permanent instructor with full classes. He is a certified NETA Cycling Specialty Instructor but when not teaching cycle classes, you'll find him active with Racquetball as our teaching Pro as well as running tournaments and helping with programs.
VIVA MERTLICH grew up in the PacNW, and moved with her husband and three kids to Wenatchee in 2019. In 2008 She received her Iyengar yoga instructor certification under Todd Jackson and Barbara Fergusson. She also trained and taught for many years at barre3; a yoga, Pilates, ballet barre fusion studio. In 2015 Viva began practicing Jiu Jitsu and started teaching yoga for athletes and martial artists. Viva focuses on anatomy and alignment in her classes; making it safe for all levels and all bodies. Viva believes that movement and yoga is for everybody and should be fun, she truly believes in the famous words of Arthur Ashe, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
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I like the fitness classes because of the variety of activities (particularly in Connie's classes) and the fact that knowing the groups meet at a set time and place motivates me to get out and get an active workout. - Ann Baye
I love that the focus is fitness, and not trying to look better than everyone else. Also, it’s so relational at the WRAC! We all get to know each other (members AND employees), and it makes it a much more welcoming and comfortable place to be. The WRAC is unlike any other gym I’ve been to! - Heather Baldwin |
