Hey laides!!! I am the owner and head coach here at Kaia SR. I am a NASM certified personal trainer, group fitness coach and perpetual fitness junkie! My passion for health and fitness began when I started the Kinesiology program at Sac State and worked in Sac City College’s athletic training room. I learned a lot about injury prevention and rehabilitation during my time there. Watching people work so hard to recover from injuries made me realize that being physically fit and healthy is one of the most important things in life, and it cannot be taken for granted. Helping people get healthy so that they could lead more fulfilling and enjoyable lives became my passion. My coaching philosophy is simple: physical fitness, staying healthy and surrounding yourself with like-minded people (Kaia Girls!) is a way of life that cultivates happiness in yourself and those around you. It is extremely rewarding to see people breakthrough their self-imposed limitations and expectations to achieve something they once thought impossible. That is what I love most about Kaia; women here are constantly setting and breaking goals that they never thought they could reach. It is inspiring to watch and I feel so lucky to be surrounded by these ladies everyday!

I have been physically active for over 30 years. After having tried every exercise and group class, I was introduced to Kaia F.I.T by a friend in 2015. It changed my life. The support from a group of women and the never-repeat-a-workout totally rejuvenated my jaded workouts. I have always wanted to coach but never had the gumption to go for it. With the support of the strong women at Kaia, I now have the opportunity to help other women achieve their goals.

Angela Wooton dipped her toe into the world of coaching at Kaia when she started teaching our Flow classes in October 2016. Angela had been a Kaia girl since January 2015 and loved her fellow Kaia girls since day one. It was only natural that her enthusiasm for Kaia and her sisters would move her beyond the yoga mat. Since getting her Kaia and ACE Certification, she's been able to bring her expertise coupled with her deep caring for her sisters to the TRX and Cross-training classes as well. Outside of Kaia, Angela enjoys all things food, paddling, climbing, and is a total Disney nerd. If you're planning a trip to Happiest Place on Earth outside of Kaia, she's happy to give you some tips.

I’ve lived in the Reno/Tahoe area for the past thirteen years and have always been very active from childhood to present. Volleyball was my sport of choice. I had been a member of a local gym for some time and I kept telling my fiancé it was missing a warm and inviting experience where my health goals mattered. My fiancé met Natalie at a local Chamber of Commerce event and called me ecstatic about her business called Kaia. He was so sure I would love it he even had Natalie talk to me while at the event so she could tell me all about the program. Just talking to Natalie I knew I had found my forever home. It has now been two years that I have been with Kaia and in November I went to Kaia certification so, that I could further my goals in fitness and to help inspire other women to make the same life style change I did. Certifications: Kaia Certified, currently pursuing a certification as personal trainer with NCCPT (National Council of Certified Personal Trainers). Personal Fitness Achievements: Living a healthier and cleaner eating life style and working on obtaining goals for 2016 and the years to come. What’s the most rewarding part of Kaia? The relationships gained and how it is a sisterhood. It’s a place to inspire, but mostly be inspired. What is your fitness philosophy? No matter what.. Never give up! When you get tired remind yourself how far you’ve come and keep going. Most of all.. HAVE FUN!! What is your top nutritional tip? Start changes or eliminations slowly and don’t just cold turkey them. Success comes from changing your mindset that being healthier and seeing results isn’t about dieting, but it’s a life style change. What or who is your fitness inspiration? My Kaia Sisters!! The energy and determination they bring is irreplaceable.

Coach Anna joined Kaia in January 2014 because she wanted to gain muscle to improve her running. (It’s working!) She has not only grown from a walk/jogger to a “Real runner” but has also gained new perspective on what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. A teacher, Anna lives by the Maya Angelou quote, “If you get, give. If you learn, teach.” The benefits and results she started to see inspired her to become a coach to pay it forward and help other women find their best selves. She became Kaia FIT certified in January 2015. Her favorite part of Kaia is the modifications/flexibility (Kaia helps you find what works for you!) and the sisterhood- we can all support each other on our wellness journeys even if our goals are vastly different! Her long-term goals are to learn to listen to her body and to learn to love her body. Certifications: Kaia FIT Coach, CPR/First Aid Personal fitness achievements: Reno Tahoe Odyssey, Bay to Breakers, lots of 5Ks, Waimea Bay 1.2 Mile Swim, Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon What’s the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia? We are all athletes, life is our sport. Kaia helped me realize that life is a TEAM sport! What’s your fitness philosophy? Have fun. What’s so positive about working out in an all-female environment? Talking about our booties. LOL. How do you keep workouts creative? The workouts at Kaia are never the same. If I have to work out on my own it always ends up being boring but Kaia class keeps it fun! What is your top nutritional tip? Eat more food. Eat less crap. What or who is your fitness inspiration? My mother-in-law

April Joy (AJ) Scoble AJ Scoble was born in Manila, Philippines but raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Growing up she ran Cross Country and Track & Field all four years of high school. Once in college, she found her love for ballroom dance. She also enjoys playing with dogs at the SPCA, fostering dogs, reading, rock climbing, yoga, and snowboarding. She works as Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s where one of her supervisors (Ellen!) told her about Kaia. In October of 2013, AJ decided to use a Living Social coupon and try Kaia out. At first, the workouts were a little scary but as she made friends, things got better. AJ became addicted! In April 2014, she loved it so much that she went to Natalie to see if she could become part of the Kaia team. She co-coached for a while and became a certified Kaia FIT coach in August, 2014 & NASM certified as a Personal Trainer in Nov 2014. Certifications: Kaia FIT certified; Juicy Jam certified, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) – Personal Fitness Trainer certified, currently pursuing continuing education such as Weigh Loss Specialist. Basic Life Support certified & Advance Cardiopulmonary Life Support certified. Personal Achievements: Turkey Trot as my first 10K & getting Kaia Koach certified! That certification weekend was way harder than taking my Nursing State Boards, both physically, mentally, and emotionally! What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia? The most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia are the ladies who come to change their lives. As a nurse, the attitude is “cure me now but I won’t change my behavior” OR “Fix my breathing, but I won’t stop smoking.” Where in Kaia, the ladies are looking for long term lifestyle & behavior changes for preventative health. The motivation is totally different! I love that I get to be part of their journey and hopefully get to encourage some of that change! What is your fitness philosophy? Work hard but play harder! What’s so positive about working in an all-female environment? The support with an all-female environment is amazing! I don’t ever have to worry about coming a meat market like I do when I go to a normal gym. These ladies will never judge me if I’m in my workout sweats. I feel at home and way more comfortable working out so I can focus on the actual work out instead of other things. How do you keep workouts creative? Put on some good music, dance while you coach, and get funny while showing the different levels – people are bound to remember “Pretend you’re pooping in the woods when you squat down then squeeze the turd back in on the way up!” What is your top nutritional tip? Pick a level that challenges you! The key to good nutrition is baby steps. Gradually taking out little things (the bad foods) instead of depriving yourself of everything and feeling overwhelmed or bummed if you fail. Slow and steady wins the race. And grab your water every time you want to snack! That’s my trick! Who or what is your fitness inspiration? The ladies that show up to work out day in and out. It is so much easier to sleep in, or not show up. It’s a lot to do in one hour, but the ladies that keep themselves accountable and make the time for their health and wellness, those are my heroes! Showing up is sometimes half the battle!

Caren Roblin was overweight and at a loss for how to get back in shape once and for all at the beginning of 2011. After being introduced to Kaia FIT by a co-worker, Caren not only lost 80 pounds, she participated in her first 5K, 10K and half-marathon races and was certified as a Kaia coach in November 2011. She also received her TRX certification in July 2012. Because the support she received through Kaia was so important in helping her reach her own goals, Caren strives to show new members that anything they want to achieve is possible. The workouts and nutrition are vital, but it’s also the relationships built among the women that really helps so many clients succeed, she believes. Roblin, who also is the Audience Analyst at the Reno Gazette-Journal, is a digital whiz, self-proclaimed social media junkie and Reno's biggest little fan! Certifications: Kaia FIT certified, TRX certified, NCCPT certified (National Council of Certified Personal Trainers) Personal fitness achievements: Lost 80 pounds with Kaia FIT in 2011, ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in 2011-15, Turkey Trot 10K in 2011-12, Rock-N-River Half Marathon in 2012, five Tough Mudders in 2012-14, Nike Women’s Marathon (half marathon) San Francisco 2012, Santa Rosa Marathon in August 2013, three full McCarran loop runs of 23 miles in 2013-15 and her first 50K in October 2015 What’s the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia: Building relationships with incredible women. What’s your fitness philosophy? Find your hard and step out of your comfort zone whenever you get the opportunity. What’s so positive about working out in an all-female environment: An unsurpassed comfort level. No reason to be self conscious. We can all be ourselves and focus on pushing ourselves in our workouts. How do you keep workouts creative?: Friendly competitions and focusing on team spirit. What is your top nutritional tip: Whatever you do, don’t call it a “diet”! Make healthy choices and eat in moderation. When you get creative with nutritious foods and focus on fueling yourself, you won’t miss all the “bad stuff.” What or who is your fitness inspiration? My mother was a marathoner, but she also struggled with her weight off and on. I want to make her proud by running my first full marathon in 2013 and focus on being healthy to honor her memory.

Dana Minassian started her fitness journey as an overweight preteen just exploring school athletics. She was hooked and on her way to a healthier life that she didn’t know existed. Dana went on to study Health Ecology and Biology and the University of Nevada Reno receiving her Undergraduate Degree in December 2006. Because fitness had changed her life she decided to pursue a career in personal training. She went for the top credentials in the industry, through The National Academy of Sports Medicine. Dana then devoted much of her time to studying nutrition and fitness in specific population groups including women, prenatal, youth and seniors. She also pursued credentials in weight loss management, corrective exercise, core strength, flexibility, speed and agility and cardio training. In June 2011 Dana joined a Kaia core session with her sister, and she fell in love with Kaia. The classes were not only fun and full of energy, but they were in alignment with everything she had learned and studied over the years. By August 2011 Dana was on the Kaia Fit Sierra Coaching Team. Dana is now an active wife and mom of two who loves to laugh and enjoys the outdoors. Cretifications: Kaia FIT, NASM Certified personal Trainer, TRX certified, Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), Women's Fitness Specialist (WFS) What is your top nutritional tip? Find a healthy way of eating that makes you feel good and that you can stick with pretty easily. If you get off course don’t get discouraged, but jump right back into it. What’s the most rewarding part of being with Kaia? We all go through highs and lows in life and in health & fitnesss, and there is support for both at Kaia. What’s your fitness philosophy? Never give up. Push yourself further than you think you can, but listen to your body. Be intentional with everything your do. Live a lifestyle of fitness taking care of yourself every step of the way. How do you keep workouts creative? Change of scenery and friends. If you do the same exercises outside and/or with friends it is way more fun. What or who is your fitness inspiration? Kaia founder Nikki Warren- Her excitement for living and loving life is contagious.

Diana Bushey came to Kaia in the need of health and fitness in 2011. Raising 4 boys into grown men and now chasing after 2 grandchildren with 2 more on the way she wants vitality and the ability to keep up with life’s busy and constant demands. Being born and raised in Reno, Nevada she is also raising a strong family line here, being married for 29 years she has found Kaia in her life has enhanced her family life, friendships, career, and goal achieving. Becoming a coach for Kaia she went on to obtain her Certified Personal Trainer through NASM with extra certifications. She loves to inspire, coach, and help others with their goals and needs. Certifications: Kaia FIT certified, Kaia FIT Flow Certified, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) – Personal Fitness Trainer certified, Weigh Loss Specialist. Women’s Fitness Specialist, Group Personal Training Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Nutrition Fitness Specialist, and First Aid/CPR/AED certified, TRX level 1 Qualified. Personal Achievements: Iron Girl Tahoe, certifications. What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia? Seeing a community of women from all different backgrounds help, encouragement, and advise each other on a daily basis. It’s truly a sisterhood. What is your fitness philosophy? We only get maybe an hour or 2 a day for ourselves and our fitness. When we play, ride bikes, take hikes, go swimming, play softball, football, tennis…we don’t call it or view it as a “workout” we enjoy it and treat it as our retreat time or recess. So make it your recess and have fun with it. Besides, “recess” with friends beats a lonely gym workout any day. What’s so positive about working in an all-female environment? We know what each other are going through. We can cry on the floor and know there is no judgement. We laugh until we can’t barely move (I call this ab work). We encourage each other, build each other up, applaud each other, and are there for a shoulder or a hand up when needed. Women know women and their daily struggles and aren’t afraid to say it out loud-women can be REAL when given the opportunity to know their words and actions encourage others. How do you keep workouts creative? Keep it active and always changing by adding a fun sequence in between intense workouts, taking it outside, adding friendly competition, and of course, add different music to the mix. What is your top nutritional tip? Know your body and its needs by getting labs done yearly and knowing your macro/micronutrient base and your basic metabolic panel numbers. Eat enough nutrient based, wide variety foods in the day to sustain the resting caloric need of your body plus some for extra movement throughout the day. Look at food as fuel for your body to get you through the day.

Jeanne Rucker was born and raised in Nevada and has always been physically active. Although organized girls’ sports were not available when she was growing up, she participated in snow skiing, water skiing, swimming and intramural sports. She also practiced with her brothers’ baseball teams, even though she was not eligible to play. As an adult, she continued to find active pursuits, including running, hiking, wakeboarding and playing softball. A friend asked Jeanne to join her at Kaia FIT Sierra in July 2011. Although hesitant at first, Jeanne came to love the challenge of the workouts, the camaraderie of the classes and the encouragement of the coaches. Kaia became an important part of her life, providing physical stimulation as well as mental well-being. Jeanne was an environmental health professional for 35 years and when she retired, Nathalie asked her to become a coach. She became a certified Kaia FIT coach in August 2013 and has enjoyed the challenge associated with encouraging other women to embrace fitness and a healthier lifestyle. Certifications: Kaia FIT certified; TRX level 1 certified. pursuing American Council on Exercise Personal Fitness Trainer certification. Personal Achievements: First place, 2013 Napa Valley Triathlon (Female 60-64); 26th place overall; First place, 2013 Dignity Health Women’s Triathlon Festival (Female 60-64). What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia? The most rewarding part if my association with Kaia is to watch the positive transformation of women, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. Women often sign up for one session, specifically to lose weight or a few inches, and come to realize that there is more to health than just appearance. I love watching these wonderful women travel their journey to a better life. What is your fitness philosophy? My philosophy is “show up” and keep trying to improve. I have found that if you are persistent in trying to reach a goal, good things will happen. You will achieve results. They may not be what you expected, but you will see results and they will be positive. What’s so positive about working in an all-female environment? I found that the support of other women was incredible. I worked in a professional field that was overwhelmingly male when I began my career. I had to work harder, smarter and longer than many of my colleagues just to prove myself. It was a pleasure to go to a place where it did not matter what I looked like; I could just exercise and laugh at the same time. What a refreshing and energizing atmosphere. How do you keep workouts creative? We don’t write the workouts. The workouts are developed by exercise physiologists and professional trainers. My goal is to ensure that the women I’m coaching understand good exercise form and the purpose behind the workout. The wonderful part about Kaia is that no two workouts are the same. Each day is different. This not only ensures muscle confusion, it guarantees that you will not get bored. Also, you (the client) do not have to decide what you are going to do on a given day. You just show up and the coaches will tell you. What is your top nutritional tip? Just as you need water to drink and air to breathe, you need food to fuel your body. You cannot look at food as good or bad, just necessary. It is the fuel for your engine. So, I always advise women to consider what type fuel they put in their cars for optimum performance. Treat your body the same way. Fuel it with nutrient dense foods and lots of water and you can never go wrong. Kaia has given me tools to make positive fuel choices. I made changes a little at a time until they became habits and preferences. And this is what I try to communicate to the women I coach. Who or what is your fitness inspiration? I cannot identify an individual that inspires me. I can, however, say that the women who join me in class each day, inspire me. Each one of these women is trying to overcome some obstacle in their life (health, professional, personal) and yet they show up and work really hard. Many will never be the strongest or fastest or sleekest, but they keep giving their best effort. How can you not be inspired by that kind of spirit

I am born and raised here in Sparks. I attended the local schools and have always been active. I was a ballet dancer from the age of 7 to 16. I then cheered in high school after ending ballet, so I have always been pretty active. I discovered Kaia from a friend. My mom and I then went to a Saturday workout to try Kaia out. Instantly, we both were hooked. We signed up and have been participating ever since. Kaia really helped me emotional and gain a positive outlook on life. I got to connect with women of all ages, and different lifestyles. I received unconditional support, we all pushed each other and it is something I never want to lose. I began to feel the need to want to be someone that in return can give to those other women who have need that extra push, extra support, or that friend. Kaia has really helped shaped me as a women physically and mentally. I recently went to Kaia Certification in June of 2015, and am working towards my NASM certification as well. Certifications: Kaia Certified Personal Achievements: Lost 22 lbs since joining Kaia, Moms on the Run (5k) 2015 What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia? This would be watching women get stronger. Physically and mentally. I see a difference in how they start and continue to push through the toughest parts. They become stronger women in a sense of fitness, and also their attitudes. It’s amazing to see women come together, to push together, and finish together. What is your fitness philosophy? Be the person you want to thank in 10 years for keeping you healthy and active now. How do you keep the workouts creative? Kaia corporate writes all of our workouts for us, and we as coaches execute them. However, we do add our own spin on them. Whether it be by adding in some partner exercises, creating spirit days, or different activities. It’s different every time you come to class, so it’s always exciting not knowing what is in store. What is your top nutritional tip? WATER!! With our busy lives, many of us forget to drink water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Be willing to try new things such as seasonal fruits, veggies, and new recipes. Share with friends or family, get them on board with your nutritional lifestyle, and create a healthy lifestyle. What or who is you fitness inspiration? For me, it was my mom and the women in Kaia. I saw how hard they pushed themselves, and I wanted to be right there with them.

Kim Kelly always has been active and into lots of sports and outdoor activities her entire life. She moved to the Reno area from the East Coast after the military transfered her husband. She is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in Forest Management and Ecology Friends persuaded Kim to join Kaia FIT, and she became addicted, saying that it taught her a lot about herself. She says her whole life became balanced with Kaia–it wasn’t just a workout. She became a certified coach at Kaia FIT Sierra in April 2012. Kim is planning on doing her first triathlon and half marathon in 2013. She loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and two dogs whenever she can. Certifications: Kaia FIT certified, currently pursuing ACE certification What’s the most rewarding part of being involved with Kaia: The reward is seeing the results. Whether it is numbers, a healthier way of living, or a better outlook on life, there is always an improvement. Knowing that you are part of something that made that difference in someone’s life is the best feeling. What’s your fitness philosophy? Stick with it! You may not be the fastest, you may no be the best, but you are continually improving. Plus, if you never quit, you never have to start over. How do you keep workouts creative? Kaia is great at never using the same workout and keeping the body guessing. What is your top nutritional tip: Don’t be afraid to try something new. I think the nutrition aspect of the program is great, but any change can be intimidating for everyone. Just replacing a few things in your diet with something healthier makes a difference. If you continue to build on that you will make a drastic change. Just because you have never tried it, don’t count it out. You will be surprised at the things you never thought could taste so good and be so healthy. What or who is your fitness inspiration? I get inspiration from each and every women in class! Seeing their hard work, dedication, results, and friendship is the best inspiration anyone can have.