Instructors

Eleonora Grasso

Eleonora Grasso

Hi, my name is Eleonora Grasso. I joined the TBS family approximately 6 years ago as a student. I lost 35 pounds in the initial 10 week session and absolutely fell in love with the program. About 4 years ago, and after earning certification in CPR and General Group Fitness through the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), I became a TBS Instructor. In addition to TBS, I took the Tai Kickboxing program offered at Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu and have achieved Red Belt status. I read the latest fitness publications, review the newest research reports and continue to attend fitness workshops, conventions and seminars in order to stay abreast of hot topics and the newest information; all of which enable me to provide my students with the best workouts possible.

My goal is to help my students reach their target by motivating them, inspiring them and teaching them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, while maintaining a comfortable and fun environment.

TBS is one of the best things that has happened to me -it helped me to correct years of bad eating habits and has brought about a newfound confidence. I did it and you can too! Life is too short to keep waiting!! I hope to see you on the mat!

Keri Hackel

Keri Hackel

Hi, my name is Keri! I am the mother of 4 beautiful children ranging in age from 8 to 16. I started at TBS as a student and my love for fitness and healthy living drove me to get my certification from AFFA as a primary group instructor. I am always trying further my education in this field for it is forever changing. I want to always be able to give my students the most updated information about fitness as this is my true passion.

Matt Hawker

Matt Hawker

When I started out as a student in 2005, I never thought I would actually complete the 10 week program. I did and I have never stopped. A year later I became an instructor and I love teaching my kickboxing classes on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The energy, excitement, and nervousness that I see when people start their first session is fun! I like to bring a "bootcamp mentality" to each class! What people dont know about me is I am actually a High School Teacher of Social Studies and have been teaching for 13 years! The best part of TBS is seeing the people who want to go at it again! I look forwrad to working out with them and kicking their butts!!

Ann-Marie Hughes

Ann-Marie Hughes

My name is Ann-Marie Hughes and I am an instructor in the Middle Island and St. James locations. I started with TBS as a student in 2008 and was appointed to instructor in 2009. The time spent at TBS as a student turned my life around and it was at this point that I decided to "pay it forward." I became an instructor in order to teach, motivate, inspire and assist other TBS members.

I am certified in Personal Group Fitness through AFFA and Personal Training through ISSA. While holding these certifications, I continue to educate myself by attending ECA conferences, AFFA workshops and many other classes; always striving to be the best I can be in order to help each and every student who walks across my mat. I favor the underdog and I stress to my students that the word "can't" is not in my vocabulary and shouldn't be in theirs.

Sports and fitness have always been passions of mine. Thanks to TBS, I am living a dream I never thought possible - to help others believe in themselves and see them grow into confident, stronger and fitter versions of themselves.

Kelly Leath

Kelly Leath

Kelly started out as a student in 2003. She has been an instructor since 2005. Her love of fitness is something she tries to encourage amongst her students. Kelly has a group fitness certification with the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E), as well as a kickboxing certification and current CPR certification. She is currently seeking a degree in exercise physiology and continues to attend health/ fitness conventions and workshops on a regular basis.

Kimberly Levy

Kimberly Levy - AFAA Certified

I have been with Total Body Shaping for the past 5 years. Over the past few years, I have earned certifications in General Group Fitness, Kickboxing, Body Bar & Advanced Body Bar through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). I strive to expand my knowledge on a regular basis. I have attended numerous workshops, classes and lectures informative in nutrition, yoga, pilates, and choreography. My goal is to motivate, inspire, and educate others about the benefits of exercising and living a healthy lifestyle. Health and fitness is more than just your appearance. Exercising makes us feel better about ourselves, be healthier, and live longer.

I am constantly motivated by watching my students improve their fitness level and amazed how much energy teaching brings my life!

Lucia Nappi

Lucia Nappi

I have been a student at Total Body Shaping since 2005 after a year of devotion to the program I became certified through AFFA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and a graduate the "Total Body Shaping Instructors Course".

I have also successfully completed the "Kettle Bell Concepts Course" and hold certifications with the American Heart Association in CPR and AED. I continue to educate myself by attending conventions, workshops and seminars. I enjoy the daily challenges of motivating others in the Total Body Shaping program and enjoy seeing the life changing results that Total Body Shaping can give.

Stephanie Rayburn

Stephanie Rayburn

My name is Stephanie Rayburn. Aside from being a fitness instructor, I'm a proud mom of 4 beautiful children 12,10,9 and 7.

In 2007 I joined Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu and Total Body Shaping. I started out taking Tai kickboxing which I loved and enjoyed every time I trained. From there, I started working behind the desk and training to become a TBS instructor. I'm AFAA certified in fitness. I have been teaching now for 3 years and love my job.

Health and fitness is my outlet. It's the one thing I can do on my own time which is so important with 4 children. It is also the one thing that truly makes me feel strong inside and out.

I'm dedicated to eating clean , training and setting a great example for my children who look up to me.

Karen Ricciardi

Karen Ricciardi

As a fitness instructor and a mother of three I know how hard it is to make time for physical fitness but I also know how important it is. I have been a part of the Total Body Shaping team for 3 years and have come to truly enjoy being a part of helping others achieve their fitness goals. If you're looking to get back into shape or just achieve wellness I'm here for you.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." Everyone in my class "CAN!" I do not believe there is any one program that fits every person. That is what I love about Total Body Shaping. Anyone, regardless of age, sex, weight or level of fitness, CAN do these classes. What an exciting thing to watch as people who have never worked out before come together with people who have been at it for years, and achieve incredible success!

I have always been an active person with a love of sports and fitness since I was a young child. I started playing competitive sports at a very young age. My love of competition and physical fitness continues today as I compete in running races and triathlons. What better job to have than one doing what you love the most? Working as a group fitness instructor has allowed me to bring the things I love in life, physical activity and good health, to others.

I am certified in Group fitness Instruction through AFFA and hold a current CPR and Red Cross certification. My personal interests include running, triathlons, skiing, coaching soccer and cheerleading, and spending lots of time with my family.

Debbie Valenti

Debbie Valenti - AFAA Certified

Debbie has been teaching various kickboxing classes for over 10 years and has a background of performing and teaching dance. As our longest TBS instructor on staff, she has been with Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu for over 7 years. Along with teaching these classes she also runs her own home based personal training business, and teaches an Exercise Safety Course to the local Fire Fighters. She feels that fitness is a way of life and loves to show others how to get and stay healthy through diet and exercise. She continues to educate herself by attending various seminars, workshops, and conventions.

Her credentials are as follows… She has an A.S. Degree as a Fitness Specialist. She is certified through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) in Group Fitness, Personal Training, Kickboxing, Resistance Training, and Perinatal Fitness. She holds a current CPR certification. She is also registered through the National Boards of Fitness Examiners (NBFE).

Angela Zeibig

Angela Zeibig

Hello my name is Angela Zeibig, I teach the T.B.S (Total Body Shaping) classes at Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu at the Selden and Middle Island facilities. I am a professional Fitness Instructor. I am certified in Group Fitness, Kickboxing and Personal Training by Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

I am required to continue my education in order to remain certified with their organization. I must attend AFAA workshsops and well known fitness conventions on a regular basis to keep up my credits as well as keeping up with the most current changes, exercises, safety requirements etc. These conventions are formatted for group and personal trainers which include lectures, safety courses and a variety of hands on workshops consisting of kickboxing, cardio/agility drills, weight training, spinning, aerobics, core training, etc. I also teach in gym facilities and have extensive experience with most gym equipment. I am CPR certified by American Heart Association.

I have trained over 7yrs at Theodorou Academy of Jiu Jitsu in Selden . I have achieved the rank of Shodan Black Belt (1st degree) and am currently training for rank of Nidan Black Belt (2nd degree). Beside from being a T.B.S Instructor, I am also a certified Jiu Jitsu Instructor and am the Head Instructor for Little Ninjas and Kids Jiu Jitsu at Theodorou Academy Of Jiu Jit su. Hope to see you at the school in the near future.