Meet Our Personal Trainers

AIKEN COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

Carol McDiffit

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Carol has been with the YMCA since 2015, assisting at the front desk and wellness floor. Carol is a certified personal trainer through ACE, as well as a group exercise instructor. Recently retired, she has dedicated much of her time to the health and wellness world! She’s determined to help the community be healthy, fit and independent!

Nancy Kieltsch

AFAA Certified Personal Trainer

Nancy is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired law enforcement officer. She follows a comprehensive personal fitness regimen built around resistance training, cardiovascular training and nutrition. Her personal philosophy is built on sound foundation, but is individually tailored to each client’s needs and goals. After establishing the goals and objectives with her client, Nancy will dedicate each training session not only in achieving these goals, but also pushing her clients beyond their comfort zone to realize their full potential. Nancy has been in the fitness industry for 10 years and teaches Cycle, Mashup, Pound and has many certifications.

AUGUSTA SOUTH FAMILY YMCA

Jit “Broderick” McWhorter

I care deeply about my clients, and there’s nothing of more value to me than helping somebody go through an experience that makes them happy, confident and strong. I realize how being overweight affects many aspects of your life, and I want to be there for you and help you discover the benefits and joys of training that helped me become the person I am today. I’m here to be your personal guide on every step of the journey.

 

Torean Tubman

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

My name is Torean, I am certified in personal training through the International Sports Sciences Association.  I have over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. I constantly focus on innovative ways to break through plateaus and achieve goals. My approach is fitness from a overall wellness perspective. Edify, understand and execute. Everyday after the first is easier.

BURKE COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

Robert Haynes

SCW Fit Certified Personal Trainer

Robert is a SCW Fit certified personal trainer at Augusta South and Burke County Family Y. He is an upcoming bodybuilder and shows much passion when it comes to anything involving fitness and nutrition. Fitness changed his life for the better, so he became a personal trainer to help make changes in others’ lives.

NORTH AUGUSTA FAMILY YMCA

Chaleen Deer

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

I have been a trainer at the North Augusta YMCA since the year 2020 and specialize in senior Fitness and SAQ (Speed/Agility/Quickness) training. Corrective exercise, stability, balance, strength, and Power exercise is incorporated and performed to each client’s ability when training with me. The goal is to enhance the quality of life, live longer, healthier, and more independently as the aging process continues which is inevitable. Your body needs exercise, and you can start at any level you are in. I look forward to working with you!

Chandler Downey

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Weightlifting became my passion as a teen. I was a bit on the chubby side and not happy with the way I looked. As my physique and health improved, so did my confidence. Eventually my progress slowed, and I wasn’t building the strength and muscle I wanted. That’s around the time I began looking into strength training with barbells and weights. In 2021 I began strength training and eventually hired my own coach. With consistency and discipline, I began experiencing the best strength and muscle gains I had ever experienced. Excited by my results, I decided to share my passion, knowledge, and skills as a weightlifter with others. That same year I became NASM certified, began coaching friends and family, and eventually got a job at several local YMCA branches to share my passion for fitness and coach more people. Building and maintaining strength and muscle is not easy, especially alone but it is key to your resilience and health.

STEINER BRANCH FAMILY YMCA

Nancy Ames

 

Wayne Anderson

I am a nutrition coach, youth exercise specialist and a corrective exercise specialist. I specialize in foundational strength training that carries over to athletic functional and physique training. I have been a personal trainer for 3 years.

Tatyana Edie

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

My journey in the Fitness Industry started in 2002. I became a Spinning Instructor, then a Personal Trainer and shortly after received a BA in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Human Performance, Sport and Nutrition.

I love many outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, hiking, waterskiing and skydiving. In addition to that, I have a special love in my heart for strength training and how it can change a human body for the better.

As a mom of two girls, I understand the struggle of getting fit while taking care of kids and many household duties. That is why I like to help women find that balance and overcome their obstacles to getting fit and feeling comfortable in their bodies again.

Jaceson Hardin

 

Austin Kohler

NSCA Certified Personal Trainer

I am a certified trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). I am also a certified tactical strength and conditioning facilitator through the NSCA. I have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in kinesiology from Augusta University. I also have a graduate certification from The Citadel in tactical performance and mental resilience. I have two years of personal training experience and am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Allied Health Science.

Trent Jeffery

 

Stefani Marriott

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Stefani is a NASM certified personal trainer who specializes in women’s fitness with a special focus on Pregnancy & Postpartum exercise. She has always had a passion for fitness, but focused her training after becoming a mother and seeing the need in the industry for training across all life stages. She loves utilizing all parts of the gym to make fitness fun and engaging for her clients.

Image of Phillip, Certified Personal Trainer at YMCA for gym and wellness goals and smart start coaching

Phillip Weathers

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Phillip is a personal trainer and career firefighter with more than 20 years of experience. This calling led him to pursue functional physical fitness as a way of accommodating the demanding nature of his profession. He has been a personal trainer since 2014, and a shift “PT coordinator” for the Savannah River Site Fire Department since 2016. This position allows him to work closely with his administration to standardize fitness goals and requirements, as well as with individual firefighters to meet their personal fitness goals. Phillip started at the YMCA in adaptive aquatics in 2008, has taught CPR and is now a Y personal trainer.

THOMSON FAMILY YMCA

Otis Jenkins

NETA Certified Personal Trainer

I have been teaching fitness classes since 1990. As an Army veteran, I have always believed in being physically fit. I’ve added Spin and Group Exercise certifications through the Y organization over the years. Most recently, I have earned certifications with Les Mills in BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT. I’d like to help people enjoy their fitness journey while smashing their goals.

Londa Lawson

Londa was born and raised in Thomson, GA. Before becoming an employee at the Y, she volunteered with the LIVESTRONG Program for cancer survivors. In August 2015, she became an employee for The Thomson Family Y as a Certified Personal Trainer and a Wellness Coach. In April 2017, she became the Wellness Lead, and in September 2017 she became the Wellness Coordinator. After several years of working at the Y, she has received numerous certifications to include: Group Exercise Instructor, CPR Instructor, LIVESTRONG Instructor, Indoor Cycling Instructor, WERQ Dance Fitness Professional, P90X Live Instructor and Weight Loss Specialist. She is currently working on a certification for Fitness Nutrition Specialist.

WILSON FAMILY YMCA

Image of a woman personal trainer

Michelle Adair

NETA Certified Personal Trainer

Michelle Adair has been a trainer for over 15 years and holds certifications in Schwinn Cycling, Group Fitness with NETA, Livestrong Foundation, “Move” with the Department of the Army-VA, Silver Sneakers, Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Ripped, Bosu and Tabata. Michelle is passionate about weightlifting, Cross training and HITT. She has worked with ages 5 to 95 and loves helping others achieve their goals and showing them that they’re capable of
most anything – as long as they set their mind to it. She is mother to three teenage boys, and is always learning, reading and researching fitness & nutritional information.

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Amber Forbes

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Amber has been training for more than 5 years. She holds primary certifications in personal training from the American Council on Exercise, and is a strength and conditioning coach from the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Amber enjoys working with everyone, but especially enjoys working with senior individuals who do not view their age as a limiting factor but an asset. She believes motion is lotion, so her philosophy lies in training clients for lifelong health-particularly muscle, bone, nerve and joint health. Amber aims to take the guesswork out of getting fit!

Image of a male personal trainer

Bryson Hall

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Bryson has a deep enthusiasm for wellness and health. He has a passion for self-improvement that involves not only the physical transformation but psychological enhancement as well. He has experience in agility training, endurance training, cycling, running and strength training. Bryson strives to encourage and push his clients to not only meet their goals but exceed them by building a foundation for long-term success.

Andria Myers

NETA Certified Personal Trainer

Andria grew up taking dance classes at Davidson Fine Arts School and doing competitive gymnastics. She went on to study as a dance performance major at Brenau University. Shortly after school, she became a mother and took a break from dance and fitness. After marriage and her second daughter, Andria fell back into an active lifestyle and got certified in Yoga Fit and WERQ. She loves sharing the gift of movement and exercise with people and helping them find their healthiest life.

Image of JT Certified Personal Trainer at YMCA for gym and wellness goals and smart start coaching

Jimmy Taylor (JT)

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Jimmy Taylor (JT) is an Augusta native and has been with the YMCA since 2021. JT also works as a manager on duty throughout the week. JT received his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Charleston Southern University and is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and fitness coach through the International Sports Science Association (ISSA). He is looking forward to helping members accomplish their goals in fitness.

Image of Phillip, Certified Personal Trainer at YMCA for gym and wellness goals and smart start coaching

Phillip Weathers

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Phillip is a personal trainer and career firefighter with more than 20 years of experience. This calling led him to pursue functional physical fitness as a way of accommodating the demanding nature of his profession. He has been a personal trainer since 2014, and a shift “PT coordinator” for the Savannah River Site Fire Department since 2016. This position allows him to work closely with his administration to standardize fitness goals and requirements, as well as with individual firefighters to meet their personal fitness goals. Phillip started at the YMCA in adaptive aquatics in 2008, has taught CPR and is now a Y personal trainer.