Having grown up on the football field with a coaching father, I developed a passion for sports at an early age, later becoming a multi-sport athlete in high school where I excelled as a competitive ski-racer. 

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I was fortunate to attend Oregon State University as a competitive ski racer while completing my degree in Sports Medicine. During each of my four years at OSU, I returned to the football field where I learned and honed my craft as a student athletic trainer taping ankles, stuffing cotton up bloody noses, and learning to evaluate athletic injuries.  After graduation, I enjoyed a long and satisfying 17-year career as a high school Athletic Trainer and Teacher. Whether it was in the classroom teaching Sports Medicine and Leadership, or in the training room offering treatment, I loved the mentoring opportunities with my students. Later, I was privileged to further shape my expertise as Head Athletic Trainer for The Oregon Surge, a professional men’s soccer team.  In that role, I was responsible to assess and manage the athletes’ injuries and rehabilitation.

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Training, coaching, and inspiring others is a huge part of my purpose, and it’s what I love about being an instructor and the Group Fitness Coordinator at Redmond Athletic Club. Starting with Spin, for the past ten years, I have relished being part of a fun, growing team of enthusiastic and talented instructors. Whether it’s rocking out to an ever-changing soundtrack that inspires our early morning Spin, throwing punches in the octagon with kick-butt Body Combat, grooving to the muscle-toning rhythm of Body Pump, or pushing yourself to the limit of high-intensity MetCon training in my bi-weekly Shred class, I am humbled by a loyal following who are drawn to my unique style of high energy, personal attention, and FUN. One of my favorite motivating taglines you’ll often hear me shout is…

“Trust Your Strength!”

The RAC family of members and instructors are not only colleagues but have become some of my dearest friends. Please come and join us. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m basically a nerd.  I love reading and spending time hanging out with family (I have 3 sons) and playing games.  And although I DO have a competitive bone in my body,  

it is not so much about winning with me but more about just being involved in life and having a good time doing whatever I am doing, pushing myself to new limits.

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For my real job, I am a nurse at St. Charles in Bend.  For my fun job, I have been instructing Body Pump for about 3 1/2 years now.  For fitness, I have been taking Body Pump and other group fitness classes for over 10 years, I roller-blade in the summer, and I played around with some figure competitions in 2008 and 2011.  I will try most anything…just for fun!!  And I make custom jewelry…ask me about my website!

I have been instructing fitness classes for over 35 years and have held many certifications.  Most recently, I have become certified in Body Pump and RPM.  I have a broad background in kinesthetic and firmly believe in the importance of mastering the basics of form and movement technique. Over my last 9 years at the Redmond Athletic Club, I have further developed my enthusiasm for wellness and helping others improve their lives through exercise and lifestyle changes.  I believe in cultivating a motivational environment to afford people an opportune climate in which to excel and meet their fitness goals.

My passion for fitness and coaching originally began at a young age and was further compounded when I enlisted in the Air Force. After serving 20 years in the Air Force I retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. In addition to the Air Force, I had a career with U.S. Bank for 25 years. I have since been able to focus on my true passions which include: boating, surfing, skiing, bike riding, and spending time with my grandchildren.

I grew up in Northern California, graduating from Sacramento State University with a degree in Fine Arts. After backpacking through Europe a few times, and a short stint living in London, then Florida.

I returned to school at Sonoma State University where I earned my teaching credentials. However, a passion for fitness took me down a different path.
I embrace all aspects of fitness, which have included yoga, running, cycling,  hiking, martial arts (in which I earned a second-degree black belt), and rock climbing. I also enjoy learning about anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology.

I first got involved in the business side of fitness in the early 1990’s when my husband and I owned and operated a karate school in California, where I managed the business and taught classes. The desire to heal chronic injuries, common to contact sports, led me to yoga. I have been practicing yoga for over 19 years, exploring Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara, and Vinyasa styles. I continue to study at The Yoga Lab, in Bend, three times a week, as well as attending workshops and seminars whenever possible. I taught yoga for three and a half years at Redmond Proficiency Academy, as well as a Weight Training and Fitness class, and a Young Women’s Fitness and Empowerment class.
My current fitness endeavors include yoga, trail running, hiking with my husband,  cycling, and you may also see me in a Shred, Combat, or Spin class at the RAC. I also enjoy hanging out with my daughter, painting in mixed media, ceramics, and playing my guitar, banjo, and piano.

“Listen to the voice that says you can, ignore the others.”

Bio Coming Soon!

I’ve been a die-hard Zumba student at the RAC since 2010.  In 2014 I took the leap and became a licensed Zumba instructor and discovered that I love teaching! 

My passions are motivating and encouraging students, both new and seasoned, and inciting class shenanigans when at all possible (c’mon, fitness should be fun!).  In my spare time I also enjoy hiking, a little traveling, girls’ nights out and experimental vegan cooking (yes, really!).

Favorite quote: “If it’s both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it”

~ Erada Svetlana

More than two decades as a fitness instructor has been a true evolution of being labeled “athletic”.

It is difficult to remember a time when I wasn’t active … 

A skill for running was the catalyst that carried me into track and field events in high school. Voted “Most Athletic” by my senior class was a huge honor in 1965. Yet this was a time when few women were considered feminine if they were “athletic”.

Years later group exercise classes became the rage via “Jazzercise”.  Reluctant, I attended my first class. The energy was amazing. After two months I was approached by instructors to become part of that franchise.  “Not a chance” was the reply. Three years later in 1992, while living near Seattle, my daughter Shea and I joined an all women’s gym.  My mentor, Renee Tyler,  encouraged me to become a fitness instructor.  Three months later I received my first certification for “Group Fitness” through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and took over my mentor’s “High Impact ” aerobic classes. The following year I completed studies through ACE and received a certification for Personal Training.

It has been my privilege to have received certifications under the care and instruction of so many fitness professionals.

Renee Tyler (mentor)                Susan Forrest
Gay Gasper                                 L. Kraviz, PHD
Petra Kolber                               T. Purvis
June Kahn                                   D. Ellison
Gin Miller                                    R. Glick
Shirley Chloek                           … and many more!

Fitness Providers:
ACE
BTS
IDEA
IFTA
FITOUR
RPT

Fitness certifications:
Group Ride
Group Power
Spin
Floor Aerobics
Master Training/Floor Aerobics
Step Aerobics
Slide Board
Flexible Strength
Flex Ball
Tube Training
Chair Fitness
Cross Training/ Theory and Design
Aqua Fitness

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Current Classes:
Forever Fit (16 years)
Spin ( 11 years)

I have been teaching Body Combat at the RAC for a little over a year now and truly enjoy having the ability to reach our members on a personal level as well as helping them reach their fitness goals.

My passion for fitness classes started at a young age of 3 when I would watch my mom teach aerobics and I would participate "in my own way." Having always been involved in athletics and team sports growing up, being passionate about group fitness, as well as attending classes regularly, becoming an instructor was natural next step. Since making that decision, it has become so much more! My class participants inspire ME to be better each and every time we share the studio. I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of 4 young warriors. My job is to inspire them each and every day and to make them into the best versions of themselves they can be. I feel like this transcends to my class as well.... to challenge, to motivate, but also have a blast along the way! Life is a bit chaotic at times and it makes those moments spent away from it all, in class, all the more enjoyable! When we step in to "the ring" it allows us to put aside the crazy for just a little while and crush our goals together in a fierce and fun way!

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"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" -Proverbs 27:17

Hi!  My name is Marissa, and I have a hard time sitting still.  Growing up I channeled all my energy into playing competitive soccer and softball.  Today I love to push myself by running obstacle races, backpacking, and playing adult soccer.  My belief in the importance of health and well-being has led me to degrees in Exercise Science and Community Health, and I currently work with Head Start on promoting health in early childhood. 

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Despite being a life-long wiggly worm, I have only been an active gym member for three years and an instructor for one.  Being a gym member has felt like coming home.  I have met so many amazing and inspiring individuals who have truly become my gym family.  The decision to become a Grit coach is a natural outgrowth of my love to challenge myself and all of the wonderful support that I have received along with my journey.  I am who I am today because of the amazing teachers, coaches, and mentors who have passed through my life and it is my hope that I too can use my position to support and encourage others on their way to health and well-being.

I wanted to share with you my journey into fitness.

I started in a small all woman facility in Grover Beach, California.  My passion for fitness became so strong and the transformation within me was so uplifting that I wanted to help others reach their personal goals.  I decided to take the Johnny G spin cert and become an instructor in 1997 at the Pismo Beach Athletic Club; I also became a personal trainer in 2000, from there I found the strength and passion for Body Building and then up on stage.  

My advice to anyone, “Challenge yourself and believe in yourself anything and everything is possible”.

There’s no greater feeling than coaching and training an individual and watch their transformation blossom into exactly what they envisioned it would be.

I have been an instructor at the Rac since 2002 and I have to say the relationships we have built with one another are inspiring to the community and to all of us.  The overwhelming trust and love we have with our members are extremely powerful.

I started my first spin class shortly after the birth of my youngest daughter 19 years ago and quickly developed a love and passion for the energy, inspiration, and people it brought into my life. All of that is what inspired me to become a spin instructor. Let me be a part of what inspires you to find your passion. 

I have been a group fitness instructor at the Redmond Athletic Club for about 10yrs, and a member even longer!  I truly love the friends I have made and the people I have met working here.

My certifications are in Group Kick, Step, and GRIT.  Among those classes, I have also coached Bootcamp, jump rope, and CrossFit.  I have always loved being active and playing sports growing up. I am very competitive and working up a good sweat is one of my favorite things! I have a wonderful family and 3 amazing daughters that are my motivation.  I strive to lead them by being an example of making physical fitness and wellness a way of life.

I am a proud wife, and mother of four beautiful children. I have always been into sports and fitness all my life. I love to coach youth soccer and be involved in community youth sports programs. I started instructing Zumba fitness classes in 2012. I love to dance and find such delight and excitement in teaching! I enjoy instructing all age groups and have worked with students ages six through seventy years young! I have instructed Zumba classes at elementary and high school P.E. class.

I love to inspire and motivate people to reach their goals while having a fun time doing it. 

My name is Mary Paulson and I have lived in beautiful Central Oregon since 1979 and I love it here. My passions include my four children, my grandchild, my profession of nursing (I have been a nurse for 40 years at St. Charles-Bend), hiking, backpacking,  pretty much anything outdoors, yoga, and my Pyrenees pup Juneau. I have taught yoga for 4 years now and believe that my service to others through yoga is one of the best things I have the privilege of doing. Yoga is so much more than movement~My class is active, athletic, and I always try to have a little fun. I try to infuse some humor in each class as life is so much better when it includes both smiles and laughter. 

Member of the RAC for over 6 years.
Bootcamp instructor for over 1 year.
Certified instructor for Group Fitness and Bootcamp, Senior Fitness, and Cycling.
Active in the community for fundraising.
Placed 27th in the World Championship Triathlon in 2019.
Member of the Lions Club.

Keever Henry grew up in Kelso, WA and ran Track & Field & Cross
Country for Kelso HS while also competing four years in wrestling. He
then competed in NCAA DII TF/XC from 2003-2008 for Western Washington
University (WWU) in Bellingham, WA. A three-year captain for the team,
Keever also served as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, and
NCAA compliance intern for the WWU athletic department for five years
after graduation. Once Keever moved to the Seattle area, he spent one
season apiece with DI Seattle University and DIII Pacific Lutheran
University in Tacoma, WA.

In Central Oregon, Keever is active in the communities of Redmond and
Bend alike. Keever serves in leadership roles for the Redmond Rotary
(President as of 2020-2021), Trinity Lutheran School (Head Cross
Country Coach), Mountain View High School (Asst Track Coach), and
serves on committees including the Redmond Rotary Board of Directors,
the COAR Charitable Giving Committee, and the Juniper Golf Committee.
Keever also mentors young people through the ASPIRE program at
Ridgeview High School and Trinity Lutheran. A graduate of Leadership
Redmond through the Chamber of Commerce, Keever is an engaged and
active citizen in the Redmond community.

Keever holds certifications with USATF Level 1, a USTFCCCA Technical
Coaching Certification, a USTFCCCA Endurance Specialist coaching
certification, and graduated with a M.A. in Coaching / Athletic
Administration from Concordia University, Irvine in 2013. Keever is
certified through Schwinn for Spin classes and joined the RAC in 2020.

A Keller Williams real estate agent and property manager by trade,
Keever and his wife, Kristin, live in Redmond. Kristin is a school
teacher for Sisters Middle School.