Deborah Reid
She specializes in ENERGY and promoting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual fitness and natural health from the inside out. Deborah is the Founder of Miami Fitness center, and is a unique fusion of specialty fitness classes with healthy lifestyle programs, events and education in a fun, supportive and friendly environment .
Deborah considers herself to be a student of life and a work in progress. She is also an author, inspirational speaker, International fitness cover model, dance, fitness, yoga and guided meditation instructor, friend, daughter, great nap-taker and lucky Mom to cute little fur-baby, Charlotte.:)
Joseph Ward
Joseph feels his passion for fitness is the foundation for him to give back to those looking for strength and wisdom for each day and hope for the future. He believes it is not how much we give, but how much love, strength and devotion we put into giving that counts the most.
Joseph is dedicated to working with members and clients on a daily basis, helping them reach their health and wellness goals and carrying out the mission of Miami Fitness which integrates physical fitness with social wellness, community and entertainment. His main objective is to help provide everyone with a sense of achievement and positive outlook towards all aspects of life and he will always strive to ensure an energizing and exciting fitness experience for everyone who joins and works at Miami Fitness!
Joseph’s proudest moment is when he adopted his son, Martin. People would be surprised to know that he is an avid golfer and loves to cook! His favorite TV show is still Seinfeld and favorite movie of all time is the Godfather.
Andrea Watts
When not teaching LaBlast or competing, Andrea enjoys spending time with her big puppy, Sampson (he’s 120 lbs!)
Mary Avallone
Mary’s most proud moment was when daughter came into her life the day she was born! Also, being with her four sisters as all five of them honored their parents at their wakes and funerals made her very proud, because it was sad, but proud of them for the amazing parents that they both were. (She cried when she wrote this)!! Something people would be surprised to know about her is that shewoke up one night as a child and was having an asthma attack! From that time on, she was a sickly, allergic-to-everything kid! She spent so much time sneezing wheezing and getting allergy shots! It all worked out, though, she is good now!
Mary actually has a lot of nicknames according to who you ask. her man, Steve, calls her Ella, Stella, Sarrah, Delilah, Aby, and May..(“I think that’s it,” she says!) Some friends call her Mary. Deborah calls her PIC, and her sisters call her Captain Wee or Lina. And her dad called her his puppy doll. ?
The superhero Mary most identifies with is “..hmmm, maybe a famous witch… like as in a good one, like a green witch. Or Superwoman for obvious reasons!” Her favorite kids’ book, while she has “so many memories of reading wonderful stories,” is Stellaluna. Her dream magic power is “transportation for sure! I would go see my daughter in Austria every day!! And other cool places..”
Mary’s advice to everyone is, “be happy, take care of yourself and the rest will follow.”
Carol Davis
Originally from Brazil, Carol began her dance training in 1985 at her home country where she was part of a dance group for 15 years. Her dance training includes jazz, ballet, tap, belly dancing, African and Latin rhythms such as samba, forro, axe, salsa, merengue, bachata and more. Carol is currently an instructor for Caribbean Rhythm and Water in Motion. Carol is a Caribbean Rhythm, Zumba, and Water In Motion Licensed instructor.
Carol’s favorite color is blue. People would be surprised to know that she is a public speaker for the federal government. She conducts presentations about federal stats several times every month. She doesn’t identify with a superhero, but she identifies with Tinker Bell because she is curious, creative, stubborn, jealous, passionate. Carol’s proudest moment is every time she stands up to people who discriminate against her and others.
Pam Clarkson
Pam’s proudest moment was giving birth to each of her three children. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite kids’ book is Goodnight Moon.
Betty Connors
Betty is passionate about sharing her love of dance and music with others. In fact, she likes to say that one of the best days of her life was the day she was asked to teach a dance fitness class at Miami Fitness and Lifestyle. To her, the smile on a student’s face at the end of a class makes teaching the best experience each and every time. Betty strives to make each person feel as confident and sexy inside as they look on the outside during class. She can’t wait for the opportunity to help guide YOU in exuding your inner pizzazz on the outside. So step out of your comfort zone and let Betty help you live life like the party it is!
Something people would be surprised to know about Betty is that she is an avid snowmobiler, ATVer, and boater. Her nickname is Bett! The superhero she most identifies with is Marilyn Monroe. Betty has two pugs named Coconut and Moose. Her favorite thing to do is laugh!
Sandra Jenkins
Sandra entered the dance fitness world in 2013 after several personal challenges resulted in depression and weight gain. Her passion is dance fitness and she is currently licensed in Zumba and Zumba Toning, as well as certified in MiXXedFit dance fitness formats. Additional experience and training with Hip Hop, Tap and other traditional dance formats make variety, energy, fun, and confidence the hallmark of her classes.
She always tends to say her favorite color is purple, but in truth, it’s blue. She loves any shade of blue… from cerulean to turquoise to Oxford! She’s had a few nicknames, but people usually just call her “G.” Before she was married, GMo was popular, but Jennifer Lopez stole Sandra’s gig and now it’s hers. ? Sandra’s favorite kids’ book is Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola. It was her favorite as a girl, she’s read it to her younger sister, and now her son. The entire series about the Grandma Witch and her ability to feed an entire village with an empty pasta pot are very familiar!
Carolyn Barreto
Raised primarily in Florida, Carolyn has had a love of sports and fitness since she was a child. While in school she participated in swim team, dance club, cheerleading and track. At 12, Carolyn took her first aerobics class and discovered her true calling. When she was 16, she started teaching aerobics classes on a part time basis and has been going strong for over 25 years. During her fitness career, she has come to specialize in Pilates, Yoga, Core Training and Spinning. Some of Carolyn’s certifications include, AFAA, ACE, Piyo, Stott Pilates, Kripalu yoga and more. Always striving to inspire, Carolyn strives to make every class a complete one that combines the fusion of exercises with motivating music, spirit and energy. Carolyn lives in North Andover with her husband and two children.
Her favorite color is purple! The TV character she most identifies with is Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) on Scandal because “Olivia is known as the fixer. She fixes problems, people, and the biggest scandals. Yet she does it all very invisibly so that nobody realizes she is behind it all. “I see myself as the fixer in many aspects of my life-my family, my household and my PR work. The best result is when everything around me is fixed and the happy parties think it was all them. I just smile in the background.”
The magic power she wishes she had would be the power to heal. She would love to be able to heal her kids’ injuries like broken bones and torn ACLs, and to ease the pain of loved ones like her mother who is suffering in chronic pain.
Linda Pannell
Linda is a retired elementary school teacher who is excited to bring her two passions together: Teaching and Yoga. After several years of practicing, and experiencing all the amazing changes that has happened in her mind and body, she is happy to be spread the joys and benefits of yoga leaving you feeling balanced, rejuvenated and relaxed.
Linda resides in Miami with her husband, 16 year old twins (boy and girl) and 20 year old daughter.
Mantra: Yoga, it’s a practice not a perfection. If you arrive on your mat and just breathe, you’re doing it right!
Julie Shin
As a married mother of 3 boys and a schoolteacher in North Andover, MA, Julie first discovered Zumba in 2010 and found it to be the most fun way to work out! IN 2012, she decided to receive her own license to teach, so she could share her love of dance, music AND people with others. For Julie, helping others who enjoy moving to music to feel more fit, free and fabulous is a dream come true!
It may surprise people to know that Tracey has social anxiety! Her favorite color is either red or pink. Julie’s favorite kids’ book is the Harry Potter Series – she says she’s a HUGE fan! Her dream magic power would be the power to heal physical, mental and emotional illnesses.
Madeline Gonzalez
Madeline is currently in her last year of school studying Respiratory Therapy. She is hoping to work in pediatrics when she graduates. She’s always had a passion for fitness and staying active and when she was a senior in high school she ran her first marathon then continued running long distance until she qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2017 running the Baystate marathon in Lowell. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. Something people would be surprised to know about Madeline is that she spent the majority of the Summers camping with her entire family! Her favorite color is red, favorite movie is Patriot’s Day and proudest moment was qualifying for the Boston Marathon – she loves the hype of a crowd at the end of a long race!
Grace McCarten
Grace is a ZUMBA Instructor and fitness has been her passion!
She took her first Zumba class in 2010 and fell in love with the unique program right away. When she turned 50, she decided to do something fun and crazy. And yes, get licensed to become an instructor. It was actually her 50th birthday gift from her husband and it was one of the best decisions she ever made!
Grace loves music that makes you want to dance and she enjoys setting the playlists, getting choreography, and dancing with beautiful people.
She is originally from Gracefield, Texas, and is a freelance sports writer, and member of BBWAA ( Baseball Writer’s Association of America). She has even covered the MLB, the Olympic games, PGA and WTA.
Margaret Milano
Margaret became a yoga instructor when she discovered that yoga was a place that allowed her to begin to find both physical and mental strength along with a sense of community and safe space. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Mantra Yoga (RYS) in June of 2016 and she also received her Nia White Belt Certification in November of 2015.
As she continues to grow, being a student first and teacher second, she hopes to provide her students with the opportunity to find what they need most while on their mat. Through empowering, yet playful classes she hopes to guide her students to connect to themselves, find balance, and explore.
Loretta Peters
Loretta is the fun, friendly, super organized and smart, Assistant Manager of MF&L! She is currently a student at Northern Essex Community College studying psychology, in hopes to someday become a therapist. In her spare time, she enjoys reading graphic novels, taking photos with her camera, and drawing. She also is a lover of animals and has volunteered at the MSPCA numerous times, caring for the dogs there while also caring for her own boxer at home!
Loretta’s favorite color is lavender because it’s soothing. She identifies best with Spiderman because he’s a huge nerd who freaks out whenever something cool happens around him, even if he is a superhero. Loretta’s favorite book is Rant by Chuck Palahniuk, who also wrote the book Fight Club which is her favorite movie. Her proudest moment was being invited to national leader’s club at her school for a high GPA.
Ella Jackson
Ella’s favorite color is blue.
Her nickname is Elly, and her favorite kids’ book is The Giving Tree!
Sharon Hester
Sharon’s proudest moments were her children’s college graduations. A surprising fact about her is that she has run the Boston Marathon! Her favorite color is red, and her nickname is Quica. If Mercedes could have one magic power, it would be the ability to grant wishes.
Kenneth Becker
Being relatively new to the professional fitness industry, Kenneth likes to think of himself as still learning and strives to improve and grow every day. His favorite way to burn calories is with Caribbean Rhythms Dance Workout – where he manages to keep the energy high and the environment fun while dancing to traditional Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Gaga, Soca, Zouk and many more.
Kenneth’s proudest moment was landing his dream job after five years of applying to work for JetBlue! People would be surprised to know that horoscope and spiritual reading, as well as traveling around the world, are among his interests. His favorite color is brown, and his nicknames are Lalo, Sofrito, and Godfather! Kenneth can identify with many superheroes, but Wolverine is probably his true spirit hero. If he could have one magic power, it would be to turn back time because he “just would like to hug my dad and tell him how much I miss him and love him.” Kenneth describes himself as a person who likes to make people smile and be happy, no matter what life throws at him. Music moves his soul!
Download our free app, “Miami Fitness” to check out our classes with one of these cool peeps!
Last Updated on March 5, 2021 by Viktoria