Owning and operating Trim Up for 10 years back in the 1980's was a wonderful time that never got out of my system. Now that I'm a little older (but wiser), with 15 more years of business experience from working as an accountant, I felt ready for the challenge of re-opening Trim Up.
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I have a lifetime fitness certification from The Ken Cooper Institute and a Nutritional & Wellness Counseling Certification from AFPA. I enjoy teaching low impact aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing and sculpting classes. The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping women to improve their lives through the power of health & fitness.

My husband Greg and I are happily “empty-nesters” with 6 children, 3 daughter-in-laws and 5 grandchildren between us. We have been married for 8 years and live in Mint Hill.

My intense love for a healthy body and mind and spirit are my inspirations for becoming a group exercise instructor. I love being with other people to serve as an inspiration to become healthy.

I started my exercise career during my struggle with my weight after having my three children. I began with step aerobics, and yoga. I became certified in Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga which I taught for 2 years at Sangrock Taekwondo and at Bally Fitness. I then discovered Zumba Fitness. I was having so much fun dancing and enjoying the music and friendship of the ladies, I forgot I was exercising! I was burning over 600 calories in one class! Zumba became a lifestyle change for me! I decided to "Join the Party" to become an instructor. I now lead at least 4 classes a week. I also enjoy organizing "Zumbathons" for local charity organizations. I have performed at the Bobcats Arena and have done backyard Zumba parties! In addition to Yoga and Zumba, I am a certified Hip Hop Hustle Instructor.

From the energy I gain from exercise, I enjoy hiking, biking, reading, gardening, and spending time with my husband and 3 young children and my 2 dogs. My friends are also my greatest supporters, many of which I have met through zumba! Every day of life should be spent nurturing a healthy body. My motto: Exercise and Eat Nutritiously to make for a fulfilling, happy, and healthy life!

Kathy has been teaching group exercise for 5 years with certification through YMCA. She enjoys teaching Scuplt/Cardio format and Pilates. A graduate of Marshall University with a BA in Advertising, she is married to Danny and has a son Pete at Marshall University and 2 daughters Kristine and Kelly at Butler High.

“I enjoy working out and teaching fitness to stay motivated in our daily lives, and improve our overall health and well-being! You work out.you will feel great and have fun!”

I began practicing yoga during graduate school in an effort to balance my physical training as a cyclist and to manage the stress of my everyday life. Never could I have imagined the way yoga would completely change everything! Yoga has encouraged me to be mindful and present in every moment, to free myself from attachment, and to faithfully allow the grace of God to flow through my life. Every practice I lead is inspired by and dedicated to my students, honoring their journey on the path of yoga. I truly love teaching and do so from a place of safety, knowledge, and compassion. I am committed to teaching yoga in a way that is challenging, down-to-earth, and fun! I live in Matthews with my husband and two kitties. I'm a full-time bicycle commuter, food-photography enthusiast, and accomplished nap-taker. Besides yoga, I'm alarmingly enthusiastic about live music, red velvet cupcakes, and all things reversible. I look forward to practicing with you!

Linda is married with one son and 3 grandchildren. Having retired from Bank of America in 2002, Linda began a second career in fitness. She has obtained ACE Personal Training Certification and YMCA Pilates Mat Training in 2003 where she began and currently teaches Pilates and Yoga.

Linda also has 200 hours of training with Yoga Alliance RYT and Yogafit specialty certifications in Kids, Prenatal, Seniors and Strength Yoga.

Alice has taught group exercise for 15 years, working at the old Trim Up in 1996. She is certified in yoga and pilates through Blue Powder Production and also has group exercise and pilates certification through the YMCA. And she has a B.A. in History with secondary Teaching Certificate. Alice enjoys spending time with her family - husband Mark and son Joshua, 4, including hiking, gardening and lots of playtime with Joshua.

“A day without exercise is like a day without sunshine”--that's just the way I look at it. Exercise has played an important role in my life for the last 30 years. I truly believe that in order to live life to the fullest, we need to feel our best -- exercise is a key factor.

I started at the original Trim Up when my first child was six months old (she is now 21), and with Debi's urging decided to get certified as an aerobics instructor. I have been teaching on a regular basis now for 20 years and have enjoyed each and every moment of it. Helping others to challenge themselves and feel better both physically and mentally is what keeps me motivated. I have also enjoyed all of the wonderful friendships I have made along the way. I currently live in Matthews with my husband, two girls and new puppy. Life is good!!

Tatevik was born in Yerevan, Armenia. She could be described as a Renaissance woman. At the age of 8, she was enrolled in a music school to study piano. She is proficient in classical and jazz and is able to play by ear. She was committed to the program for 7 years, but at the age of 15, decided to go to a regular high school for 2 years. She then attended 4 years of college in Armenia to study Analyzing and Managing the Armenian stock market. She applied for a work study program in the United States. She chose Charlotte to continue her education because her brother lives here. After establishing her residency, she will continue her studies at UNCC. She is fluent in 4 languages - Armenian, Russian, English and Turkish - and will pursue studies in International Business.

Tatevik teaches Zumba and works at Del Frisco's Restaurant. She met her American husband at work. She was hesitant about entering a cross-cultural relationship, but he was persistent, and she is now Mrs. Jerry McCorkle!

Stacey discovered Pilates in the late 1990's and immediately fell in love with the technique of precision, breath and control to strengthen the core. Her second teacher inspired her to become a teacher. Stacey became certified in 2002. She loves the beauty people radiate when they feel strong. Stacey has been in and out of yoga for years but rededicated herself in the summer of 2006 and became certified at the 200 hour level the following summer. Originally used for increased flexibility, her studies have encouraged personal and spiritual growth and a more harmonious life off the mat as well. Stacey loves seeing transformations in her students, both physically and emotionally. Every body is beautiful, graceful and strong. Helping students find that in their body is an amazing experience.

Within the last several years I discovered Zumba. I wanted a change from the ordinary and totally fell for Zumba! Never realizing how many calories I was really burning, the pounds started dropping off and I was having so much fun. My lifestyle is very active physically and mentally. My two boys, 13 and 9 make comments about how much energy I have and how happy I am. It is very rewarding to see smiling faces, sweaty clothes and enjoy the company of a wonderful group.

I have been a home school mom for the past four years. Talk about learning, adventure and fun…my two sons keep me on my toes, literally. Married to my husband for 22 years, working with him in our business, teaching kids – now you understand why I need fitness in my life.

My hobbies include scuba diving, dirt biking and traveling anywhere possible anytime I can. Life is a fantastic journey, enjoy the ride!

I have taught group exercise a total of around 20 years. I started teaching when I was in college. A bunch of girls would meet in the lobby of our dorm and workout to a show (probably Jane Fonda) on TV in the mornings before classes started. That was my first real exposure and I was hooked. I started teaching on campus and that led to a “career” of fitness and being a gym junkie. When I think of the changes over the years in fitness, it is very amusing. The first gym I worked at, Women's World in Charlotte , had those vibrating belt machines that go around the waist/hip area! Thankfully, I progressed into bigger and more state of the art facilities. I worked at Holiday Health and Fitness (now Bally's) for several years traveling and working at several clubs in the SC, NC and Virginia area.

Trim Up was my next venture in 1993 (see Kelly in her blue slouch socks!). Who would have thought years later, I would be writing this bio for the new Trim Up? What a special group of women that I have had the pleasure to work with and such nice women to teach. I love teaching group exercise, but my heart now lies with Personal Training. I have been a trainer for a little over 4 years now. Over the years, I have earned certifications with ACE ( American Council on Exercise)…formerly IDEA, AFAA, ESA and of course CPR and First Aid. Currently, I have my real estate license and still continue to work teaching and training men and women to stay healthy and fit.

I have been married for almost 21 years. My son is attending Wingate University on a baseball and academic scholarship and my daughter is a rising Junior at Porter Ridge. I have a Maltese named “Boo” and I love to play tennis!

When big hair and thong leotards were in style at Trim Up, thankfully I was bald and still in diapers! From the time I was in my Mom's belly, I was exercising! I would practice my kick boxing when my mom ate something too spicy or salty…oh she learned quickly what I liked and didn't like. I was created to be the protégé of my mother, Debi Shumaker. After I was born I had more room than ever to practice my workout routines and mimic my mom and her puffy haired friends. In my free time, when I wasn't napping or being pushed around in a shopping cart by my mom, I would get my tights and leotard on, set up my step, turn the song “Big Girls Don't Cry” on really loud and practice my step aerobics. here's a picture

After Trim Up closed, I was devastated. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't even watch cartoons! I felt that I lost everything; I had this void in my heart, my soul! I was introduced to sports to try to find another way to keep fit and have fun, but mainly to be ready when Trim Up re-opened! I never took my eyes off the prize; I trained at school, in my free time and even at the YMCA.

I started losing hope and thought maybe Trim Up will never re-open, so I headed to the fast food world! I started working at Chic-fil-a and lost sight of everything I knew and loved. I didn't even look at my Trim Up Cookbook. After working in the food industry, I decided to go back to fitness and started working at the YMCA. I trained clients for 2 years but it just wasn't the same. I decided to get a certification in Personal training. After I received my certificate, my mom decided that it was time to re-open Trim Up! She wanted to make Trim Up bigger and better with the same great people! I was finally ready to be the Trim Up Groupie that I was born to be.

After the long, long, long, long process of getting Trim Up ready. Did I mention long? Trim Up was finally ready to re-open with a new look. Now the void that was once empty is now filled with spray tanning, circuit weights, body fit camp, and aerobic classes. I left the YMCA, since I'm a one gym only kind of gal, and came back to Trim Up!