Instructors

April Carpenter

April, along with her husband David Carpenter, opened Faith Inspired Training in June of 2020. April has been teaching group fitness since 1997. She is certified as a group fitness instructor through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), Personal Trainer and Pilates through FiTour, Boot Camp trainer through Boot Camp Challenge and Rock Steady Boxing head coach through Rock Steady Boxing. April also holds her CPR certified, Silver Sneakers certified, and Silver & Fit. April stays busy running her studio but also teaches both in-person classes and virtual. Her classes include FIT cardio, Pilates on the ball, strength & balance, chair aerobics, circuit, boxing circuit, boot camp, Rock Steady Boxing and line dancing. When April is not busy at the studio, she spends time with David and their two adult children, Nelson and Sophia.

I love April and the other instructors.  They always are happy to see you, workouts are great and the facility is clean!  —Christine P.

“You don’t know what you are missing! The 2 pm Meditation class is what you need. It’s the quiet stillness that we need to take care of ourselves. I cried with joy and thanksgiving! Our instructor April and God will bless you!” —Cathy Ching 

Jakie Carter

Jakie started doing yoga about ten years ago but her true calling came after her second back surgery in 2015. She wanted to find new ways to strengthen herself and she found yoga. Jakie is excited to share the joy she has found in yoga and the impact that it has had in her overall wellness and state of mind.

Jakie is looking forward to meeting you and helping you along in your yoga journey. She will be leading Foundations & Devotions Yoga. This yoga is a mixture of stretching, balance and strengthening poses on and off the mat to assist in everyday functional activities. Devotions are incorporated into each class at various times. The positive health benefits include physical, emotional, neurological, and spiritual, and the emphasis is moving and breathing as we honor our limitations with gratitude and thankfulness. All levels are welcome from the beginner to the intermediate.

Judy Fendley

I have been aware of the benefits of exercise pretty much my whole life. School years introduced stretching and calisthenics. My horseback riding instructor also taught us stretching and calisthenics plus vaulting on horseback. When I became a riding instructor, I continued to incorporate exercise and stretching on my programs. I have worked as an instructor at many different athletic facilities. Currently I am blessed to be connected with Faith Inspired Training and April. I love April’s programs and I teach FIT Cardio  class once a week. I’m 79 years old and give honor to God that I’m still able to keep exercising and riding horses. I love all the people I’ve met at Faith Inspired Training and pray I can continue to exercise with this great group!

Judy is a knowledgeable instructor who has a heart for helping others achieve their fitness goals. Her classes are always energetic and tons of fun! —Jenny R.

Samie Harris

Samie Harris is a dedicated Vinyasa yoga instructor with a 200-hour yoga teacher certification. Originally from California, Samie moved to Nashville in 2016 and recently relocated to the Southaven area. Samie’s journey into yoga began several years ago, driven by a desire to deepen her knowledge and understanding of the practice. She earned her certification at Sanctuary for Mind Body and Spirit in Nashville. With a firm belief that yoga is for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, Samie aims to create a safe and welcoming space in her classes. Her teaching emphasizes proper alignment and breath awareness, guiding students to explore their physical and mental boundaries.

Laura Jackson

Laura has been teaching group exercise classes for 15 years. She started because she liked to exercise and the opportunity came and she took it. Certified as a group fitness instructor through AFAA and Action. Kickboxing, Core & strength, Zumba, cycling, Pound, personal training, Group Power, and Boot Camp.  

Laura’s creativity has produced our Gospel Step & Sculpt class as well as our All About Abdominals. 

Currently studying nutrition through Sports Nutrition for Maximum Performance. 

Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the excitement on someone’s face when they reach their goal or able to achieve that exercise when they thought they couldn’t. 

Laura has been married to BJ for 27 years and has 5 kids and one grandchild. 

Laura is personable, easy to connect with, caring, welcoming, honest, funny, and a great instructor who pushes you to do and be better. She gives great advice and guidance. Not to mention uplifting and fun! Laura is one of a kind. —Brandy G.

Shelia Kogler

Sheila got certified with Silver Sneakers Yoga in 2018.  She wanted to help her friends and family experience the benefits of yoga. After serving for two years as a volunteer yoga assistant at the Y, she moved to Faith Inspired Training and began her solo instructor career. Sheila loves that yoga offers versatility in the level of challenge for all types of people. Therefore, the overall workout of balance, strength, and mobility combined with mind and spirit makes yoga the whole package deal. 

Sheila runs the front desk on most days, serves as the chief plant caretaker and decorator of the studio. 

Shelia is a good instructor! She makes everyone feel welcome; her personality is great. Not only do we learn but also laugh, which makes us feel so good. Chair yoga is a great class to be in! —Ann L.

Robin McNickle

Robin has always had a passion for dancing and fitness. She was introduced to Zumba in 2015 and loved it so much that she wanted to share her enjoyment with others. Robin is certified to teach Zumba, Zumba Kids and Zumba Kids Jr. She has also been teaching elementary school for over 30 years and currently teaches kindergarten at Center Hill Elementary. Robin has been married for 32 years and has two adult children.

Robin’s classes exude energy and positivity in an easy-to-follow style. —Deb S.

Lee Anne Morgan

Lee Anne Morgan is a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance. She received yoga trainings through YogaFit, including trainings for Kids Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and Seniors Yoga. Her preferred teaching style is Vinyasa yoga, linking movement with our breath. She also enjoys creating “themed” classes, whether focusing on a particular part of the body, on mediating on a thought or intention, or having a themed playlist! Lee Anne is also certified in Pilates.

In addition to teaching yoga, Lee Anne is a mom of three and works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

Lee Anne is a great instructor! I have never taken yoga until now. She is very calming and explains everything thoroughly. I leave feeling more vigorous and more at peace. —Anne M.

Lee Anne provides specialized classes for FIT through special events such as couples’ yoga and
yoga for kids. Make sure you are on the email list to receive notifications of our special events.

Deb Smith

I began my teaching career in 1986 and have learned many valuable lessons throughout the years.  My best skills are exemplified in step, barre, kickboxing, spin. Yoga, Pilates and resistance classes.  I am certified in AFAA Personal Fitness. FiTour Group Fitness, 200 Hour Yoga twice, cycle and CPR.

I believe that my “ministry” is to educate, inform and help others seek an optimum healthy lifestyle, physically, mentally and spiritually.  I thank the Lord daily for breath and life and for His new mercies every morning!  

Deb’s yoga class at F.I.T. has been a blessing to me in several ways. It has provided a safe, faith-based setting to participate in gentle guided yoga practice. Now more than ever, the peace and tranquility of yoga is important.
—Linda G.

Deb provides specialized classes for FIT through special events such as restorative yoga and self-
care yoga. She also heads up our fall craft fair of locate small businesses. Make sure you are on
the email list to receive notifications of our special events.

Jessica Stephan

Jessica’s introduction to exercise was a way to help her lose weight. She soon realized and appreciated the many benefits that exercise has to offer. She is happy to share her experiences and struggles to help others reach their active lifestyle goals. Jessica has been an elementary grade school teacher for 22 years. She is married with 2 children. Her daughter is in college and her son is selling insurance at Shelter Insurance. She is also a proud mom to cats and dogs. 

“Jessica is fantastic and well-organized. Her classes flow seamlessly, and she’s always prepared, knowledgeable, and full of energy. It’s clear that she loves teaching group fitness and sharing her journey with others.” —Scott S.

Tasha Wellence

Tasha is a E-RYT 500. She is trained in Kundalini, Level 1 children’s yoga and certified in yoga therapy.  Most of her current classes at other facilities are in mental health and addiction. She also enjoys teaching a blend of various styles of yoga. Yoga gives her the space to explore creativity and freedom. It’s a way to decompress and strengthen at the same time. 

Tasha likes to blend various styles of yoga and other practices such as Pilates and qi gong to create a playful practice that helps revitalize the entire body. Tasha is the mother of five children aged 19 to 1.