I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Barry University in Miami, Florida. Following school, I became certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). I am also a Certified Pre and Post Natal Exercise Specialist (AFPA). Prior to joining the Vanderbilt Club, I worked for Fitcorp as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer and Personal Training Coordinator.

Over the years, I have worked with individuals of every fitness level. No matter where you start, I believe that goals take time to achieve and with the proper progressions and determination, that anything is possible. When you work with me, I have one major rule, “Never say cannot and never say never”. I believe in your ability to make changes and so should you! I like to make the most out of an hour, by interval training and super-setting. Every hour spent training will be hard work, but also great fun! I take pleasure in sharing the fitness journey of my clients and enjoy motivating people to reach their goals.

When I am not here at the club, I am happily chasing around my two children or working on photography.

I also serve as your Fitness Director.

When I am not here at the club, I am happily chasing around my two children, building my own strength, endurance, and core! I also serve as your Fitness Director.

Pat Foley

As a trainer, I enjoy motivating and helping people set and achieve their fitness goals. Educating people of all ages on how to lead physically active lifestyles is the most rewarding aspect of both teaching and training.

Michelle Hefferenan

I have certifications in Group Exercise Teaching, Resistance Training, and Nutrition. I have taught group exercise classes for twenty-two years and have been a personal trainer for fifteen years.

Chris Mackie

My passion for personal training lies in helping each client individually set and reach his or her goals. It is very important to me that I meet each client's personal needs, in helping them to attain their goals. Because I practice what I preach, I love to train myself to the extreme. I love running and participating in 5/10K's and have also trained for the Boston Marathon. I strongly believe in a tough weight routine and great nutrition regiment to meet my own expectations all of which I try to portray to my clients.

I love my job as a trainer, but always look forward to the end of my day when I get to go home to my two children, Kyle 8, and Haley 5, who keep me on a tight and busy schedule outside of training.

I joined the staff of Northeastern University (Div. 1) in August of 2010 as a Strength & Conditioning coach. I have the opportunity to implement strength and conditioning and injury-prevention programs for various Husky athletic teams. I also run the Indoor and outdoor Boot Camps which run all year long.

I believe a great Trainer is one who strives to find better ways to teach and motivate their clients. In addition, I strongly believe in the importance of continuing education to better my knowledge as a Trainer and continue to grow in this changing profession. Clients who have a coach with these qualities are given the best opportunity to succeed and reach all of their goals.

MY MOTTO: TO GET PLACES YOU'VE NEVER BEEN YOU HAVE TO DO THINGS YOU HAVE NEVER DONE!

My clients will tell you I have a reputation for quick results and a transformation of your body that will help in achieving your health and fitness goals. I will challenge you like you have never been challenged. The approach I take in training my clients is one that you will follow you for a lifetime. I believe in training clients to accomplish their personal and performance goals. I have a natural talent to translate a client's personality into a challenging and progressive workout. You are guaranteed fun while successfully accomplishing your goals. I will take those unwanted pounds and transform your body to achieve your health and fitness goals. I will also take your workouts to the next level by realizing and fulfilling your physical potential. You will surpass all your fitness goals by staying focused on your workout and diet.

CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Nutrition Specialist
NESTA Certified Master Trainer
NASM Personal Fitness Trainer
NESTA Certified Speed and Agility
NESTA Core Conditioning Specialist
NESTA Biomechanic Specialist
NESTA Functional Training Specialist
NESTA Certified Sport Yoga Instructor
NESTA Certified Sport Pilates Instructor

SPECIALIZES IN:
8 Years Experience Fitness Training
Nutrition/Diet Counseling
Weight/strength training
Weight management
Cardio-boxing & Kick-boxing
Pilates
Yoga
High intensity Interval training

I am a certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In addition, I am certified in Sports Yoga and Pilates, as well a Boxing instructor. Because my love for fitness grows each year, I am currently pursuing my master fitness trainer certification.

I specialize in: Strength and conditioning, core strength, muscle gain, weight loss, body sculpting and rehabilitation, sports conditioning and boxing workouts.

Training Philosophy: Integrating all the components of fitness into a workout program leads to maximum results, a healthier lifestyle, and overall quality of life.

In my 30 years of actively participating in fitness, I have observed several changes in the fitness and personal training industry. It inspired me to educate myself and become a personal trainer. In college, I majored in Biology and most recently I earned my personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). The NASM personal training philosophy emphasizes flexibility, along with core and balance training that is integrated into a weight training environment. This is accomplished by cycling people through phases of training, based upon each individual's level of fitness.

After a series of land based injuries I found my way to the water and all of its healing benefits. A mix of group classes and personal water training was the bridge that got me off the couch with bilateral knee injuries and a fractured coccyx and back into a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. Rehabbing from my own injuries led me on a journey to help change the quality-of-life of others and provide a sense of well being to clients and friends I have not even met yet.

Now, with over 17 years as a Aquatic Fitness Instructor, Wellness Coordinator and Aquatic Personal Trainer with a Masters Certification from the United States Water Fitness Association (USWFA) I have developed programs for clients undergoing cardiac transition, post surgical rehabilitation, traumatic and recurrent injury healing curriculums as well as individual peak fitness goal agendas. My programs are developed with you in mind to be goal smart, specific, measurable, realistic, timely and attainable.

My goal as a personal fitness instructor is to help you ride the same wave I did so many years ago, to find the right mix of applied knowledge, motivation and enrichment to help you attain your peak fitness level sprinkled with a little fun along the way.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology, and am a certified Health and Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. I have worked in such settings as cardiac rehabilitation, private personal training studios, and a large medically-based fitness center. I have years of experience training a wide variety of clientele. I currently work with senior residents at an independent living community. Our goal is to help them improve strength, flexibility, and balance to reduce their risk of dangerous falls. My training philosophy is that everyone responds differently to exercise; therefore the best training program is one that is safe, effective, and attainable for each individual. My favorite methods of training include high intensity interval (HIT) training for optimal fat loss, cable exercises for unilateral training and quick transitioning, and perfecting the squat and deadlift as these are primitive movements that most people have "lost" and which will evoke core stability, hip mobility, glute development, and posture and body alignment. Please feel free to approach me with any questions or if you are interested in personal training.