Matt started his YMCA connection early by becoming a YMCA Lifeguard and Swim Lessons Instructor. He progressed to also coaching swim teams through the YMCA. After having served in several leadership roles outside of the YMCA, Matt came back to the Y in 2024 and now serves as the Branch Director at the Robert D. Love Downtown Y. Matt’s passion for helping people achieve their goals and supporting them to be the best versions of themselves aligns with the YMCA mission. In his personal time, Matt enjoys spending it with family and friends, coaching his children in youth sports, and has a passion for aviation.

Brittani is responsible for overseeing the departments of Fitness, Group Exercise, Aquatics as well as Youth and Family. Brittani earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Kansas State University and is a certified American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EPC). She joined the Y team in December 2009 as a South YMCA personal trainer, served as Fitness Director for the Downtown YMCA from November 2010 to November 2014, and currently serves as Senior Program Director. Brittani enjoys building connections within the Downtown community as well as working with members to reach their wellness goals.

Garrett is a graduate from the University of Kansas and has been a certified personal trainer (NSCA) since 2018. Garrett joins us from Kansas City where he worked for multiple corporate fitness centers assisting in all facets of fitness from membership, personal/group training, to running rec sport leagues. Garrett comes from a sports performance background having played collegiate sports as well as working with high school, collegiate, and even professional athletes in strength and conditioning training. Beyond Garrett’s love of sports and fitness, you can often find him watching his favorite movies in his spare time. Garrett looks forward to continuing delivering a first-class gym experience for all current and prospecting members.

Isabel is a graduate from Hutchinson community college where she played softball and attained an Associates in art. After she graduated, she found herself gravitating towards jobs that allowed her to connect with others, including lifeguarding and health and wellness centers. Through these experiences, she discovered that helping others work towards their goals was really rewarding. Whether it was teaching swim lessons, watching children while their parents worked out or offering a positive conversation, Isabel was happy to contribute to their health and well-being. When she stumbled upon the aquatics' position at the Downtown Y, all of her passions seemed to intertwine. The Y allows her to reach a wide community of people looking to better themselves and cultivate relationships. She is determined to positively contribute to the community and help others grow to their full potential.

Brylea was born and raised in Wichita, Ks. She has been with the YMCA for almost two years. She has over a decade of childcare experience in various leadership positions. She has been a lead teacher at daycares and a childcare manager at other health and wellness centers in the area. Working with children has been a passion of hers. She understands parents’ needs and the importance of trust and communication. Brylea has two children of her own. During her free time, she likes to work out, read, and spend time with her family. 

Jessie Silva was born and raised in Mexico City, she studied in college as a lawyer and business administrator, she worked in financial and corporate institutions for over 15 years.

In 2013, she visited Wichita, fell in love, and moved here. She is happily married to Shivi and has a 9-year-old sweet boy, Ashtyn. Jessie loves to spend time with her family and enjoys travelling especially if it involves a beach!

She joined the YMCA as a Group Exercise Instructor in 2018, teaching a variety of formats such a Zumba, Strong, Cycle, Y-Box, Muscle Pump, she is also certified in Les Mills Body Pump and in Indoor Cycling with Schwinn and Keiser, she once taught up to 16 classes a week. In October of 2023, she was promoted to Group Exercise Coordinator.

Jessie is also part of our YMCA360 OnDemand virtual program, offering over 30 fitness classes in English and Spanish and dance tutorials.

Jessie loves what she does. She is very passionate and dedicated about her job and feels the love and support from her team. “The Y gave me the opportunity to meet so many good people, the kind of friends that become family! It helped me discover my true self and passion!

Jessie loves to help everyone, enjoys connecting with members; if it’s a workout, an uplifting word, or a moment of silence; to Jessie, it is truly an honor to be part of someone’s fitness journey.  

“Time is a precious thing, so if that member planned their day around your class to show up and spend time with you, it is important, and we should give them the best possible experience. Yes! This includes a very fun time, and you will be challenged, but at the end you will discover you can do things you didn’t imagine you could, that you are stronger than you thought you were and most important,  that you are never alone, there is someone always there for you. I want people to walk out of here physically, mentally and emotionally feeling better, happier, stronger, and loved!”

Some of Jessie’s favorite motivational cues are: You can do it! Breathe and start over! It is all in our mind! Blessed!
 

"I can’t remember a time that the Wichita YMCA wasn’t a part of my life. I became a member of the old Downtown location a year after I quit smoking and was told that I was looking at a lifetime of health problems if I didn’t. I started slow. For the girl that hated PE in school, this was a challenging process.  It was never part of my life before. Walking the track around the basketball court high up above the players, I loved the way it smelled. I walked longer every time I came, eventually making it to the cardio area and the stationary bike became my friend! I also started making friends with everyone around me that would come at the same time. It wasn’t until the new location of the Downtown YMCA that I started taking classes. Six days a week and sometimes twice a day the Y became my new addiction.

As of May 2024, I've been working for the YMCA for ten years, after an employment change of 16 years in the beauty industry. During that time I remember being drawn to the front desk, wanting to make that one connection, just wanting someone to remember my name and it was easier when I did make that one connection. I remember telling the person interviewing me, with tears in my eyes, how much I loved the YMCA and how it saved my life. Looking back now, I saved myself through the YMCA. The YMCA is every bit of mental health as it is physical health and I’m so very blessed and thankful to be working for such an awesome organization."

Karina became a personal trainer in 2018. She has experience in corrective exercise, joint rehabilitation and functional movement therapy. Karina played many sports growing up but her love of movement was heightened when she found Taekwondo at the age of 11. She went on to becoming National champion at 16 and again at 17. Karina has recently slowed her lifestyle down just enough to spend quality time with her two children. She loves helping people achieve their goals and believes that with proper nutrition, movement and a little bit of support, the benefits are endless. She believes that the body is meant to move and approaches fitness with a similar mindset as she did Taekwondo. Teaching clients basic movement patterns that can be progressed and sequenced together to create a routine that safely moves the client towards their goals.

Daniella received her bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University in 2022. She then acquired her ACE Certification in personal training. Daniella spent 14 years playing soccer. Once she stopped playing soccer her fitness came to a stop as well. She took multiple years off from exercising and eating right. After all this time, creating a healthier routine was incredibly difficult for her. Once she changed her lifestyle to include regular exercise and intuitive eating, she was able to lose 30 pounds, gain muscle, and gain confidence! This helped her empathize with her clients and plan accordingly to ensure a transformative fitness journey. She understands that fitness is not a one size fits all. Her goal is for her clients to find a happy, well-balanced lifestyle that will minimize future health risks. Daniella is passionate about helping others find their confidence inside and outside of the gym.

Breezy is an extremely motivated & highly enthusiastic fitness professional. Her passion for health and fitness carried her through some of the hardest moments in life. She went to school to become a fitness professional abroad, receiving multiple certificates in Galway, Ireland. Breezy is especially passionate in sharing the how and the why behind the necessity of moving your body to not only look your best, but to FEEL your best.

“When we feel good, we do good. Sometimes a person has to ACT their way into feeling better and exercise is a great way to tap into that better design for living.”

Breezy approaches health and fitness with the same script as being a parent; love. It is her goal to meet people where they are, while reminding them of their worth inside and outside of a gym. She is a magnet of empowerment and self love for her clients and work environment.

“I help people kill their insecurities for a living. My purpose is to love and my passion is to inspire”

Isaac certified through NASM in 2023 and is working toward a Nutrition Coach Certification. He incorporates physical therapy exercises into his training routines and is motived to help others become the strongest version of themselves. He is passionate about sailing, fishing and spending time with family.

Irene is very passionate about helping others find happiness in life and feel good about themselves. She believes that when you FEEL GOOD, you excel in life. For her, a healthy lifestyle is much more than just lifting weights. It’s about being mobile, eating healthy and getting necessary rest. She loves helping others see and experience what their bodies are capable of with just enough hard work. Irene makes it a goal to help individuals achieve a happy and well-balanced lifestyle that will minimize the risk of future health-related issues.