Anisia is a life-long Wichitan and member of the Greater Wichita YMCA. She is completed her Degree in Business Administration at Wichita State University, with an emphasis in Economics and Management. After 9 years serving the North Branch YMCA, leading in youth programs, GroupX, and Aquatics, Anisia joined the Downtown family as Branch Director. In this role she looks forward to maintaining a spirit of helpfulness and community.

Garrett Gates is a Wichita native with a passion for community, wellness, and leadership. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science before spending five years in Kansas City building a strong background in sports performance and strength & conditioning. During that time, Garrett worked with athletes at the youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels, helping individuals develop both physically and mentally through performance training.

In 2023, Garrett returned to Wichita to be closer to family and continue investing in the community that helped shape him. For the past three years, he has served as the Membership Director at the Downtown YMCA, where he is dedicated to creating an environment centered around connection, growth, wellness, and belonging. Garrett is passionate about helping others feel welcomed and supported while fostering a positive experience for members throughout the downtown Wichita community.

Outside of the YMCA, Garrett enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs, as well as catching films at the local cinema whenever he can.

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!
 

Stephanie started her career with the Greater Wichita YMCA in 1997 working part-time as a KidZone attendant at the East Branch.  She was promoted to the Youth and Family Director position at the East Branch at which time she also completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Quality Management.  She then moved into the administrative office at the East branch for a bit before moving up into the Metro office where she held several positions before leaving the YMCA in 2006.  She then returned to the YMCA in June of 2017 as a group exercise instructor, in May 2019 she joined the YMCA again in a full-time position as a Member Services Associate and continued to teach Pilates, in August 2020 she moved into the administrative assistant role.

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”