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! 

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. 

 I have lived in Knoxville my entire life. Recently, I decided to get my PT certification because I want to help others be strong and confident and I myself love lifting. My love for fitness and wellness grows the more I learn about myself. Exercise used to be something I used as a punishment, but I have really grown to appreciate movement in many forms. I believe that any and all bodies deserve to find movement that they can enjoy. Outside of the gym, I enjoy trying to cook adventurous meals with my roommate. I hope that everyone who takes a class of mine can let go of any doubts and give it their all because you are always stronger than you give yourself credit for, especially when you have a group full of people cheering you on!