Tallgrass Training and Wellness
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 13,000 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.
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.
Heather Flory
Massage Therapist
Heather is originally from Washington, KS. After sustaining a back injury in high school her physician ordered physical therapy. After months of therapy and finally being able to function without pain, she decided she wanted to help others the way she had been helped. She attended Colby Community College and graduated in 1999 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science / Physical Therapy Assistant. During that time, she realized how beneficial manual therapy and stretching was to all patients and was a vital part of their overall recovery and healing process. She then decided to continue her education in massage therapy and attended Pinnacle Career Institute, graduating in 2004. Heather has worked as a Certified Physical Therapy Assistant and Certified Massage Therapist in various settings with all age ranges in Lawrence and the surrounding areas. She specializes in sports massage, deep tissue, trigger point release, and facilitated stretching.
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 recently earned her certification as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is excited to continue growing, learning, and helping others.
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.
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!
Andy Claypool
Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner
Meet Andy!
Raised within a strong and resilient matriarchy, Andy has been guided along the path of service, sacrifice, strength, and flowers. Finding stillness, balance and harmony upon ever-shifting sands is a practice which both propels and inspires Andy's approach to work and life. Over the last 15 plus years Andy has studied and built a supportive and restorative bodywork resume centered around Reiki and Massage Therapy. Andy strives to offer the community a variety of skills and services that renew and inspire. His attention to detail transfers seamlessly from one art form to the next. Healing massage, delicate and hearty gardening, sculpting and recreating life with wood, curious and playful photography or creating joy alongside his wife and children, Andy imbues his work with love, affection, attention and care.
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.
