Shannon Schmidt
Owner and
Master Trainer
Shannon was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Kansas in 2008 to pursue her graduate degree in Sociology from Kansas State University.
During her time at K-State, she was told by a doctor that she was unhealthy and needed to make a change. She promptly Googled “how to lose weight and be healthy,” learned the basics, changed many of her habits, and over the next year lost 70 pounds. Through this process, Shannon realized that by pursuing a career in health and wellness, she would have the opportunity to connect with others and help them transform their lives.
​
She then attended Wellspring School of Allied Health, receiving a program certificate in Personal Training, and through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, she became a Certified Personal Trainer, a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Behavior Modification Specialist, and a Certified Nutrition Coach. She has been a full-time personal trainer in Lawrence since 2014, has performed over 14,000 personal training sessions in her career, and has had the honor of working with hundreds of members of the community of all ages, ability levels, and cultural backgrounds.
Using her sociology education to understand more about others’ experiences and motivations, she prioritizes building relationships with her clients and connecting with them on a personal level, building trust, and working together to formulate a plan for success, however each individual defines it.
ReGina Cruse
Professional Trainer
ReGina is a life-long Kansan and has been a Lawrencian since 1991. She has always appreciated strength in all its aspects and enjoys staying active with her kids. After the tragic death of her father in 2014 due to complications from a routine back surgery, ReGina made a conscientious commitment to devote her life to helping others be empowered and strong with an absolute steadfast focus on safety and longevity.
She has held a Personal Trainer certificate from the American Council on Exercise since 2016 and is also an ACE Behavior Change and Functional Training Specialist. ReGina practices a holistic approach in training others and specializes in working with a diversity of personalities and fitness levels.
Holly McPeak
Master Trainer
Holly is a graduate of Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. She holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science and a master's degree in education. She has been in the fitness industry for the last 20 years and has held many roles. She has developed community wellness programs, mentored exercise science college students, written fitness articles, as well as directed a fitness center. Holly is certified through American Council on Exercise and also holds additional certifications in behavior and weight management and TRX. She also has additional training in trauma, posture correction, and training for special populations.
Personal training for 18 years, she thrives on the genuine connection she builds and remains closely connected with the hundreds of clients she has worked with. As a working mother of four, she can empathize with the challenges that life can throw our way. She is a compassionate realist in a sense and uses that to relate to her clients. Holly is truly honored to build a relationship that supports and guides you on your wellness journey.
Scott Weaver
Professional Trainer
Scott is a native Texan but has lived in Kansas since 1992. He has always enjoyed athletics and was a competitive runner and triathlete for years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Texas A&M University in 1991 and was a successful sports photographer for 30 years. His career allowed him insight into the lives of top collegiate and professional athletes and he became fascinated how they trained and cared for their bodies. He retired from sports photography in 2022 so he could follow his dream of becoming a personal trainer and inspire others to stay as active and strong as possible.
Scott also holds a 1st degree black belt in Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art that combines muay thai, judo, karate, boxing, and wrestling. The tactics and discipline he learned in Krav Maga only fueled his passion to help clients set and achieve their functional fitness goals. He recently earned his certification as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise.
Kelsey Minor
Professional Trainer
Kelsey was born and raised in Iowa and moved to Lawrence in 2022 to pursue her master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Kansas. She previously earned her bachelor’s degree in movement and exercise science from the University of Northern Iowa.
Kelsey started her career in the fitness industry as a group fitness instructor, teaching classes at her alma mater and city recreation center. As a current graduate student, she enjoys teaching weightlifting courses to KU students, helping them gain confidence in the fitness space. In her academic career, Kelsey has developed an extensive background in exercise physiology and has conducted resistance training research. She loves keeping up on all things health and wellness and considers herself a lifelong learner. During her time at KU, she found Tallgrass Training and Wellness when searching for internship opportunities.
She was so inspired by the holistic approach to health and wellness, and loved interacting with all the clients. She recently became certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Kelsey is excited to continue building trusting relationships with clients and sharing her fitness knowledge to help others achieve their goals!
Lisa Lorenz
Professional Trainer
Lisa was born and raised in Wisconsin. She grew up playing sports and continues to enjoy exploring new ways of staying active, including long distance running and triathlons. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Midwestern University. Since 2003, Lisa has worked as a Physician Assistant specializing in mental health. She started her career as a PA in Brooklyn, NY. In 2008, Lisa moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where she continued her work in mental health helping veterans. Lisa enjoys supporting others through life’s challenges and understands the importance of attending to our individualized physical and mental health needs.
Lisa has been a personal training client of Shannon since 2018 and has developed a love and respect for the training process. She earned her certification as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2021. She is excited to continue growing, learning, and helping others.
Marianne Schwartz
Professional Trainer
Marianne was raised an army kid and has lived all over the United States before settling down in Lawrence in 2011 with her husband. She is a mom to three rowdy boys and enjoys keeping busy with their various sports and activities.
​
Her passion for fitness began after the birth of her first son when she started working out with other moms. It was through strength training that she learned how to push herself mentally and physically, and experienced first hand how an active lifestyle helped her through pregnancy and postpartum. After the birth of her second son, she decided to pursue a career in personal training. In 2016 Marianne received a program certificate from Wellspring school of Allied Health, along with her personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
​
She spent the next couple years at a local gym where she trained numerous clients from all walks of life. She empathizes with those influenced by diet culture, and aims to redefine fitness for her clients- focusing on strength, stamina and a sense of accomplishment. The unmeasurable change within oneself that goes beyond the aesthetic goals is what she strives to pass on to all her clients. Marianne is excited to join the Tallgrass team!
Kim McDaneld
Yoga and Meditation Instructor and Reiki Practitioner
Kim was introduced to yoga in 2001 while working at Hallmark Cards Inc. and living in Kansas City, Missouri.
Since then, she has continued her interests in yoga and Eastern studies. In February 2021, Kim received her 200 hour yoga teacher training certification from Yoga with Heart. In November 2021, Kim was certified as a Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho practitioner, which allows for a non-invasive touch technique to promote stress reduction, relaxation and promotes energy healing.
Kim is also an accomplished studio artist. She is inspired by how art is made and the mental ballet needed to achieve a painting or drawing. Artists call this the intuitive creative process.
In 2019 she combined her love of yoga and art and created the Yoga+Art workshop series bringing both loves together for a creative outlet that includes meditation, mindfulness and stress relief.
Sydney Heinen
Yoga Teacher
Sydney started her own personal yoga journey in high school while working to develop her relationship with health and fitness. Since then, Sydney has earned her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification and her Trauma Informed Yoga Certification. She prefers teaching yoga in the fitness setting as she enjoys meeting and guiding a wide variety of people toward their health and fitness goals. Full time, Sydney works as a Licensed Addiction Counselor for adolescents. She is excited to share what she has to offer through yoga with the Tallgrass community!
Marta Schwartz-Calderon
Licensed Massage Therapist
Reiki Master/Teacher
Marta was born in Ohio but has lived in Lawrence, Kansas for so long, she is a Kansan. After serving in the Navy SEABEES, she started her Massage/Bodywork career and now has over three decades of experience as a Bodywork Practitioner and Reiki Master-Teacher.
Marta’s Mind/Body approach combines therapeutic massage techniques to relax and restore mobility, CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, Gua Sha Facial Sculpting, and Spirit-centered healing which helps to restore vitality lost due to trauma or injury. She is also trained in Oncology Massage.
