Jacob started his career at the YMCA in 2011 as a part-time lifeguard at the Northwest branch after moving to Wichita from Southwest Kansas to finish his degree in Exercise Science at Wichita State University. During his career with the Y he has also taught swim lessons and worked at the Climbing Wall. In late 2012 he moved to the Membership Desk were he has worked under a multitude of titles until becoming Membership Director in May of 2015, Senior Program Director in April of 2018 and Branch Director in May of 2021.

Tiffany grew up in Wichita where she met and married her high school sweetheart. They moved to Newton in 2012 and began building their family here. After becoming a mom, Tiffany had to become creative and intentional with finding time to get in exercise. She began working out from her living room early in the mornings before the kids were up for the day. She would share workout video clips on social media to help motivate other moms to make time for their own health as well. Tiffany and her family joined the Newton YMCA shortly after it opened. Where she continued to fit workouts in at home and also take group exercise classes at the Y, it didn’t take long before she fell in love with the community there. Tiffany became a group exercise instructor shortly before the Pandemic. When the stay at home order was placed she missed her members tremendously and decided to host virtual Insanity classes. She wanted to still be able to provided that community feel even though they couldn’t be in person. Tiffany has a passion for not only health and fitness but also for community and connection. You can find her still today (even as the Group Exercise Coordinator) teaching multiple formats multiple times a week because she wants to be where the community is! Getting to interact with the members during a group exercise class is one of the highlights of Tiffany’s days and she strives to make their time in her classes a highlight of theirs as well!

Abbie started at the Northwest YMCA in 2019 as a Rock Wall Instructor while getting certified as an EMT. With her background in medicine, she moved over to the Aquatics Department. While working at Northwest she learned that she had a passion for working with kids through swim lessons and rock-climbing classes but still loved practicing medicine. She ended up deciding that she wanted to take on a bigger role in the Aquatics Department moving from lifeguard to lead guard to end up being the Aquatics Coordinator before she left. She is certified to teach lifeguards and swim instructors making training one of her favorite things to do. In November of 2021, she was hired on as Newton’s Aquatics Coordinator then moving to the Aquatics Director managing the pool. She over sees the lifeguards, swim instructors and everything swim lessons.

Katelyn believes helping people reach their fitness goals, staying accountable, and being successful are highlights of being a trainer. She enjoys seeing people reach and maintain goals either they have set for themselves, or she has created with them. Most of all, she appreciates being a part of her clients’ fitness journey and helping them feel comfortable and safe in the gym. Exercise should be enjoyable and fun, and she delivers that in all her training sessions.  
 

As a certified personal trainer, I have a desire and talent for helping others to live the best possible life, through supporting them in developing and practicing good habits. Teaching functional movement to help enhance everyday life, and to positively impact the life of each person I meet.

Jon’s desire is to guide his clients to recognize their fitness potential, and to challenge them to exceed their own expectations. 

Going to the gym is more than just lifting heavy weights and hitting PR’s. I use the gym to escape reality and get rid of anxiety and depression. I think that everyone should do some form of training weather that’s walking on the treadmill or doing an Olympic Lift. Lifting is for life not the weekend so its important to stay injury free and healthy!

Farrah is dedicated to instilling healthy habits in her clients by leading by example. Farrah comes from a non-athletic background and has coached herself through losing 140 pounds and developing a new lifestyle. She enjoys seeing individuals become the best version of themselves through dedication and self-belief. No matter your fitness level or athletic background, you deserve a happy, fulfilling, and healthy life. 

Carmen believes that fitness and exercise are just one part of the total wellness journey. She meets her clients where they are, no matter what part of the journey they are on. She creates individualized programs to help sustain lifelong healthy choices. She works with her clients to take the baby steps needed to create healthy habits, and she is an accountability partner as well! Carmen makes her plans as fun as possible to help make burning calories and being healthy more enjoyable!