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.
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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 15,000 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.
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.
Marianne Schwartz
Master 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.
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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.
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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.
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 is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise. He is also certified as a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
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, which she completed in 2024. 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 graduate student, she enjoyed 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 is 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!
Mindy Morrow
Professional Trainer
Mindy was born and raised in Dodge City, Kansas, where she lived for 51 years before
moving to Lawrence in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation
from Kansas State University and worked as an Activity Therapist at the Kansas
Soldiers Home, as well as a Case Manager for the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on
Aging. Mindy is married to her kindergarten best friend, Chance, and together they have
five children: Cale, Cambre, Carson, Cabrielle, and Carle.
Mindy’s family has a long history of poor heart health, and she was determined to break
the cycle. Encouraged by her cardiologist to adopt a more active lifestyle, Mindy made
significant changes, incorporating daily exercise and healthy nutrition into her routine.
Her commitment to improving her health not only enhanced her quality of life but also
inspired those around her.
In 2021, Mindy served as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red
for Women campaign. Her journey, which included losing over 80 pounds and adding
years to her life was featured online through the Today Show and Woman’s World
magazine.
Mindy earned her certification as a personal trainer through the National Academy of
Sports Medicine in 2024. She is excited to embark on the next phase of her wellness
journey by helping others achieve their personal fitness goals.
Elizabeth Hemme
Professional Trainer
Elizabeth was born in Missouri but has lived in Lawrence since 2016. She started
dancing at an early age and discovered the power of expression through the body –
how movement could tell stories, build discipline, and cultivate joy. By the time Elizabeth
reached her teen years, she found lifting weights made her not only a stronger dancer,
but a stronger person overall. Her foundation in dance and love for fitness shaped her
curiosity about the human body and its potential.
Driven by her desire to learn more about the science of the human body, Elizabeth
obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Central
Missouri in 2015 and has worked in various laboratories specializing in healthcare for
humans and animals. Laboratories provided a space for learning analytical skills and a
deep respect for evidence-based approaches. Despite the enjoyment of studying
science at a molecular level and continuing to participate in fitness activities on her own,
Elizabeth always felt like there was something missing.
This missing link led her into the world of personal training where she received her
certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is excited to work
with clients of all walks of life to help achieve their well-being goals. Elizabeth wants to
bridge the gap between science and movement, using her background to help others
understand and move their bodies in practical, empowering ways.
Marta Schwartz-Calderon
Licensed Massage Therapist
Reiki Master/Teacher
Chair Yoga Instructor
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.
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, she works for Aetna as a Care Coordinator, assisting Aetna members with connecting to needed resources and meeting their health care needs. She is also working to obtain her Masters in Social Work. She is excited to share what she has to offer through yoga with the Tallgrass community!
