Candice joined the fitness center when the AHWC first opened seven years ago as the Group Exercise Manager. She has been working in the fitness industry for 25 years in fitness center management, group fitness professional education and mentorship, program development and management, strategic business planning, and budget creation and accountability. Candice has been involved in several fitness center start-ups and acquisitions and has a passion for leadership in the wellness industry. Recently, Candice has been responsible for managing the fitness trainer team, in addition to the group exercise department, and for liaising between the fitness center and the marketing team here at the Center.

In her role as General Manager of the fitness center, she is responsible for all aspects including memberships and sales, personal trainers, massage therapy, custodial and facilities staff, front desk and business services staff, and group exercise team members.

Candice came to Denver from Kansas City (GO CHIEFS!====from Candice) to attend Regis University (The Harvard of the West), where she met her husband of 17 years (he proposed to her in a BODYPUMP class – true story). They have four children, ranging in age from 5-15. When she’s not in a studio teaching or taking a class, she enjoys cooking, gardening, travel, reading, riding her bike, and spending time with her family.

Education & Certificates
BA in Sociology, BS in Psychology, ACE and AFAA group exercise certified. Also certified in BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYFLOW, POUND, Step Aerobics, Mat Pilates, Mat Science, Turbo Kickboxing, Barre, Precision Cycling, and BODYVIVE.

Areas of Specialization
I have been an assessor in BODYPUMP and BODYFLOW and for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a master trainer for Step and floor aerobics, but I am passionate about all of the formats I teach.

Philosophy
There should be a group exercise class for every body! The power of community and movement to music continually inspires me and I believe group exercise encompasses all of those things to change people’s lives through fitness.

Education & Certifications:

• BS Biology– Emphasis in Physiology, University of Washington
• Licensed Massage Therapist- Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• American Heart Association CPR & AED

Areas of Specialization

• Posture & Gait
• Deep Tissue & Myofascial Techniques
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Sports Massage
• Joint Mobilization
• Functional Fitness
• Strength & Conditioning
• Sports Specific Training
• Wellness & Weight Loss

Fitness & Health Philosophy:

Movement and massage offer an opportunity to find balance, not only physically in our own body, but in life. Finding this balance comes through self-awareness, courage, and persistence. Listen to your body. Never be afraid to test your limits. Always get back up. And most importantly, make it fun. You have the choice and the power to be exactly who you want to be. Decide. Commit. Succeed.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Personal Notables:

• 4- year Division I Track & Field Athlete at the University of Washington
• Runner, biker, hiker, snowboarder, and everything else outdoors
• Always looking for new adventures and challenges

Education & Certifications:

• B.S. Health and Exercise Science (sports medicine concentration) – Colorado State University
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• ACE Orthopedic Exercise Specialist
• EXOS Fitness Specialist
• American Heart Association BLS

Areas of Specialization:

• Special populations
• Post-rehabilitation
• General conditioning

Fitness & Health Philosophy:

“Lack of physical activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” —Plato

Plato knew it then, and we know it today. Exercise is one on the best tools we have to prevent disease and treat the human body, and I believe it should be a part of everyone’s health management plan.

Personal Notables:

• Colorado native
• Ski bum
• Love of any outdoor activity

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Alyssa at alyssa.joel@ucdenver.edu

Education & Certifications

• BS, Xavier University
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• CPR/AED Certified

Areas of Specialization

• Mindset
• High-intensity interval training

Philosophy

• The mind is the most important muscle in your body—if you can train the mind you can train the body! Your health and well-being are things you CAN control. Let’s take action together and have some fun with it and enjoy the journey!

Personal Notables

• Played four years of Division I soccer at Xavier University
• Underwent own transformation (mind and body) after a knee injury
• Sports enthusiast
• Dog lover

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Lauren at Lauren.Heap@ucdenver.edu.

Education & Certifications:

• MS Exercise & Sports Science
• BA Exercise & Sports Science
• EXOS – XPS Performance Specialist
• IFPA Certified Fitness Specialist
• EAS / Body-for-LIFE Challenge, 1999- 2009
• Sports Performance / Physical Therapy, 2005-2012
• Head Transformation Specialist, Bill Phillips Transformation Center, 2012-2014

Areas of Specialization:

• RESULTS
• 18-Steps of Emotional Health
• Body-for-LIFE – Total Body Transformation
• Sports Specific Training
• Corporate Wellness
• Sports Injury and Rehabilitation
• Sports Supplementation

Personal Philosophy:
SUPPORT – No one can do it alone
ACCOUNTABILITY – Friendly or a swift kick when you need it!
RESULTS – Results never get boring!!

Personal Notables:
I have over 15 years’ experience working in the fitness industry. I love working with people who are looking for big changes.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Shane at Shane.Thomas@ucdenver.edu

Education & Certificates

• BS, University of California, Irvine
• SPTA, Pima Medical Institute, Denver
• NESTA – CPT, National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association
• NESTA – SIS, Sports Injury Specialist
• EXOS – XFS Fitness Specialist
• EXOS – XPS Performance Specialist
• LoKteMethod Lvl 1 (Connective Tissue Release)
• American Heart Association CPR & AED

Areas of Specialization

• Sports Performance
• Strength Training
• Endurance Conditioning
• Weight Loss
• Injury Rehabilitation

Philosophy

If you have a goal in mind challenge yourself for change to happen. Things happen, plans change, and we all adapt!

Personal Notables

• Competed in Malaysia on the Women’s USA paintball team
• Coached junior athletes in rock climbing
• Competitive powerlifter
• An avid fisher!
• Outdoor enthusiast

Education & Certificates

• B.S. in Exercise Science – MSU Denver
• Minor in nutrition
• EXOS – XFS Fitness Specialist
• EXOS – XPS Performance Specialist
• American Red Cross First Aid, CPR & AED

Areas of Specialization

• Endurance Training
• High Intensity Interval Training
• Group Training

Philosophy

If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on
change, you will get results. You can’t expect to see change if you never do anything differently.

Personal Notables

• Avid runner, hiker, snowboarder, and camper
• Enjoy playing and watching sports
• Colorado native

Education & Certificates

• B.S. Exercise and Sports Science
• EXOS – XFS Fitness Specialist
• EXOS – XPS Performance Specialist
• CPR/AED

Areas of Specialization

• Functional Strength
• Weight Loss
• High Intensity Training
• Mindset

Philosophy

“For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

You have to WANT to get better. Every time you come to the gym you must have a positive mindset
and the determination/motivation to improve.

Personal Notables

• South Carolina Native
• Sports Enthusiast
• Gamer

Education & Certificates

• B.S. Clinical Exercise Science, Grand Valley State University
• ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
• EXOS Fitness Specialist (XFS)
• EXOS Performance Specialist (XPS)
• TRX Group Suspension Training
• American Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Areas of Specialization

• Mindset
• Functional Strength
• Weight Loss
• Injury Prevention
• Special Populations

Philosophy

You are given one body. It’s the only one you’ll ever have. With the proper knowledge, skills, and resources to treat your body well, it will carry you far.

Personal Notables

• Grand Rapids, MI native
• Fitness Testing Assistant for the Detroit Red Wings (2017-2018 Season)
• Always looking for new ways to challenge myself

Education & Certificates

• B.S. Exercise Science The Ohio State University
• ACSM—Exercise Physiologist
• RTS Certified
• MAT Jumpstart Certified
• TRX Suspension Certified
• Schwinn Indoor Cycling Certified
• Red Cross CPR and AED certified

Areas of Specialization

• MAT Therapy to correct positional pain and weakness
• Body fat reduction and weight loss
• Sports Specific Training
• Balance Training
• General Resistance Training
• Small Group Circuit Training

Philosophy

Committing yourself to a fitness program requires incorporating a new lifestyle. You must be prepared to break old habits and be open to starting new ones. I am fully committed to helping you achieve your goals by developing these new lifestyle habits with you. I would love to show you that with a little bit of sweat equity and willpower, anybody can live a healthy and active life.

Personal Notables

• I enjoy Skiing in the winter and Cycling, Hiking and playing Tennis in the summer
• I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA

Education and Certifications

• ACE Certified PT
• NASM CES- Corrective Exercise Specialist
• American Red Cross CPR & AED Certified
• Stages – Indoor Group Cycling Instructor

Areas of Specialization

• Functional Training
• Weight Loss
• Strength Training
• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
• High Intensity Interval Training
• Mindset

Philosophy

“It’s not about perfection. It’s about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens. That’s how change occurs.” – Jillian Michaels

Also… don’t be so hard on yourself! Fitness is a LIFESTYLE. Do things that will be relevant and sustainable for your own individual fitness journey!

Personal Notables

Chicago Native
Snowboarder
Danced ballet, jazz, and modern as a child
Played soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ran cross country
Self proclaimed foodie

Education & Certificates
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Colorado State University
Bachelor of Arts in English, Colorado State University
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Revelation Wellness Instructor (training in process)
American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, & AED

Areas of Specialization
Customer Service
Rapport-Building
Written, Oral, & Digital Communication

Philosophy
A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men, and children. We are all biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick. –Brené Brown

Personal Notables
Colorado native
Published author
Recreational bodybuilder
Baking enthusiast

Education & Certificates

• Bachelors in Human Performance and Sport Science.
• Minor in Nutrition
• International Sports Science Association Personal Training Certification
• Red Cross First Aid, AED, CPR

Areas of Specialization

• Adult Fitness
• Calisthenics

Philosophy

You don’t have to want to do it, you just have to do it.

Personal Notables

• Navy Veteran
• Former Rescue Swimmer
• I enjoy running, swimming, and calisthenics

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University
• Concentration in Health Promotion
• Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• ACSM Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer
• ACSM Certified Exercise is Medicine
• Functional Movement Screen Practitioner Level 1

Area of Specialization

• Cancer
• Clinical populations
• Pre- and post- rehab

Philosophy

-Achieving one’s goal should be celebrated – no matter how big or small it may seem! If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!
-To provide a platform for individuals with cancer to receive expert evaluation and exercise training in collaboration with the University of Colorado Cancer
Center, University of Colorado Hospital, the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, their respective care teams, treatment plans, rehabilitation medicine,
nutrition, and survivorship.
-This specific population is near and dear to my heart and I am grateful to be a part of their unique and intimate fitness journey!

Personal Notables

-Colorado native! Enjoys time in the mountains, snowboarding and skiing especially in Crested Butte, her favorite Colorado mountain town. She also loves working out, hiking, eating Italian food, traveling, watching Cubs baseball with her husband & spending time with sisters and little niece and nephew!

For more information, email Nicole.

Education & Certifications: 

• BS in health and exercise science, concentration in health promotion, Colorado State University
• ACSM EP-C
• ACSM CET

Areas of Specialization

Cancer Fitness

Philosophy:

• “Do today what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t.”
• To provide a platform for individuals with cancer to receive expert evaluation and exercise training in collaboration with the University of Colorado Cancer
  Center, University of Colorado Hospital, the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, their respective care teams, treatment plans, rehabilitation medicine,
  nutrition, and survivorship.
• I am passionate about the specific population I get to work with and to be able to stand by participants through this unique fitness journey.

Personal Notables:

• Enjoys doing pilates, being outside, spending time with her daughter and husband, skiing, playing soccer and watching any sporting event, especially baseball!

For more information about the Cancer Exercise Program, email Becca.

Education & Certificates

• Colorado State University – BS in Health and Exercise Science
• ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
• ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer
• Outdoor Emergency Care Technician
• American Heart Association – Basic Life Support

Areas of Specialization

• Cancer
• Special Populations
• Pre- and Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Philosophy

I believe in order for there to be positive change within our lives we need to be challenged. My goal is to challenge you to a point that you didn’t think you could previously reach, while still being able to succeed. We are all mentally and physically stronger than we think.

I truly enjoy working with cancer patients because of their inspiring drive to never stop despite facing extraordinary adversity.

Personal Notables

• Loves mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, trail running and pretty much anything else that involves getting outside for extended periods of time
• Member of the Winter Park Volunteer Ski Patrol
• Former college lacrosse player