Our Trainers

Denise is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and mat Pilates instructor. She's also the founder of Yellow Optimist Fitness, her personal fitness business. Originally from Atlanta, Denise moved to Tennessee shortly before graduating high school and has lived in each region of the state. Her approach to fitness is one that recognizes the transformative power of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Ask her why she works out and her answer will be "to build and maintain mental, emotional, and physical strength." Denise is driven by the opportunity to help you be the best you possible. She's excited to share her passion for fitness with the New Start Fitness family! 

 My love for physical activity has been life long. I played multiple sports growing up, and as a collegiate volleyball player at Tennessee, I developed a passion for strength and conditioning. I first received my personal training certification after graduating in 2000. Since that time, I've worked as a personal trainer, taught group fitness classes, and coached volleyball at various levels. I enjoy the energy and shared motivation that thrives in a group fitness/team training atmosphere. I have two young daughters and a supportive husband who remind me every day why I want to lead an active lifestyle and have fun at the same time. Whether you're seeking intense training or just getting started, I look forward to being a part of your journey by helping you focus on body mechanics, make modifications when necessary, and take your fitness to a new level! 

 My name is Lori! I work as a full time nurse and in my free time I love to dance, workout, and paint furniture. My husband and I moved here from Ohio about 4 years ago and have fallen in love with the people and beauty of Tennessee! My goal for my class is to workout HARD but have fun while doing it in an unintimidating atmosphere. I have a heavy focus on 90s and early 2000s music and welcome feedback on all my classes. My hope is that y’all feel comfortable enough in my class to let go and shake what ya got! 

 I have been physically active a majority of my life. I got started in athletics young and played sports through my youth.   In 2021 I trained and raced in my first Olympic distant triathlon in Chicago!  I enjoy swimming, running, cycling, hiking, lifting, and yoga! I earned my Personal training certification in 2019 and a nutrition coach certification in 2022. My enthusiasm to coach others in fitness and nutrition led me to start Champion Inc. Fitness and Nutrition which  launched in October of 2023.  I believe that our health and wellness has a huge impact in our daily life and I enjoy coaching others on their journey to a new lifestyle! 

I have spent the last 7 years sharing my love for coaching as a Crossfit Coach as well as business owner from 2020-2024. As a child I was considered very active and always on the move. As I grew older I began to realize all of the ways God created me to move and encourage others to do the same. My desire is to help heal the community around me from anabolic diseases and to support them in being the best versions of themselves. When I am not coaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, hitting up the best local spots for fishing and being a DJ for weddings and special events.   

Hi.  How does one start to introduce themselves?  Who am I?  Well, I’m a Wife and Mom first and foremost.  I’ve been married for 17yrs to my best friend.  Together we have two children.  A strong willed and loving little girl and boy.   All of them have brought so much happiness to my heart and soul. With married life and motherhood comes ups and downs to us all.  It’s hard, that’s for sure to maintain our smile and fill our cup. I’m a introvert that would rather stay home and withdrawn from others.  I’m very shy, timid, nervous and really judgmental of myself.  So fitness was never a part of my regimen really.  Then three years ago I found something that did not only got me out of the house, but introduced a new outlook on fitness.  POUND!!  It brought out this side of me that I’ve never known.  It opened me up to a community, to a way to look at myself and smile.  I was smiling, walking taller and able to give more of the HAPPY side of myself to my family. I had to step away from classes in Oct of 2018 for personal reasons.  So I became certified in 2018, to be able to do the workouts when ever I wanted, but not to teach.  Life was hard and I was losing that spark in my eyes.  But in 2020 the quarantine happened.  POUND opened up virtual teaching.  This allowed me to step up to the challenge of learning tracks and breaking out of my shell.  With the support of an online POUND Posse, I started teaching and fell in LOVE all over again.  But this time, with the smiles on their faces, the stories of how the community was helping them.  The way POUND touched my life, was now happening to those on the other side of the screen.  I knew then I wanted to share POUND with as many people as I could and share the smile for all hear.  So here we are today, I’m venturing out even further from my old self.  Standing here alone and in front of you, face to face.  I’m excited, nervous but hopefully for our future.  My why, is to simply share my passion for POUND and hope that it touches your spirit and save you, as it has me.  Some come make some noise with us!!!  I’d be honored to have you rock out with us. 

My name is Mikayla, I am a passionate trainer dedicated to empowering people through fitness and wellness. With my strenuous background in exercise science, I focus on efficient and sustainable movement. My mission is to inspire clients to have fun with fitness and achieve personal goals. My classes are inclusive and supportive where people of all fitness levels can thrive. I take a holistic approach to fitness that encompasses physical strength and mental/emotional well-being. I'm committed to helping clients unlock their full potential!