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Shannon Schmidt

Owner and 
Master Trainer

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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 is also a Core Exercise Solutions Certified Pelvis Pro, which is a specialization in pelvis, low back, and core strength and orientation. 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.

Marianne Schwartz

Master Trainer

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Marianne was raised as an army kid and lived all over the United States before settling in Lawrence in 2011. She is a mom to three energetic boys and stays busy keeping up with their sports and activities.

Her passion for fitness began after the birth of her first son, when she started working out alongside other moms. Through strength training, she learned how to challenge herself both mentally and physically, and experienced firsthand how an active lifestyle can support women through pregnancy and postpartum. After the birth of her second son, Marianne decided to turn that passion into a career.

In 2016, she earned her program certificate from Wellspring School of Allied Health along with her Personal Training Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). She went on to spend several years training clients at a local gym, working with individuals from all walks of life.

Marianne empathizes with those impacted by diet culture and strives to redefine what fitness means for her clients. Her approach focuses on building strength, stamina, and confidence, while fostering a sense of accomplishment that extends far beyond aesthetics. Helping clients experience meaningful, lasting change, both physically and mentally, is at the heart of everything she does.

Scott Weaver

Professional Trainer

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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. 

Elizabeth Hemme

Professional Trainer

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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.

Mindy Morrow

Professional Trainer

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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.

Brianne Hartley

Professional Trainer

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Bre was born and raised in Ohio and has called several states home before settling in Kansas as part of life as a military spouse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Kent State University and spent much of her early career working in hospitality, weddings, and events. Fitness, however, has always been a constant in her life and eventually became something she wanted to share with others through training.

Bre completed her personal training education through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has experience coaching clients with a variety of goals and fitness backgrounds. Her passion for training comes from helping people get stronger, accomplish things they weren't sure they could do, and feel more capable both in and outside of the gym.

Outside of training, you'll usually find Bre lifting weights, running, planning her next trip, or finding the best post-run iced latte and sweet treat. Her own experience as a hybrid athlete—including navigating injury and the process of returning to the activities she loves—have given her an even greater appreciation for training with purpose, playing the long game, and building a body that can keep up with the life you want to live.

Bre believes effective training should be individualized, challenging, and realistic. She enjoys getting to know the person behind the goal, understanding what motivates them, and finding the right balance between pushing someone to grow and meeting them where they are. Whether a client wants to build strength, improve performance, move with more confidence, or stay active and capable for decades to come, Bre wants training to be something that adds to their life—not takes it over.

Marta Schwartz-Calderon

Licensed Massage Therapist
Reiki Master/Teacher
Certified Yoga Teacher

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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.

In addition to her bodywork skills, Marta is also a Certified Yoga Teacher.

Josie Hickey

Licensed Massage Therapist

Reiki Practitioner

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Josie grew up in central Kansas and has lived in Kansas most of her life. She made the move to Lawrence this year after obtaining her Master of Massage Therapy Associate of Occupational Science degree from Wellspring School of Allied Health.

As a licensed massage therapist and Reiki practitioner she approaches bodywork as a full mind, body, and energetic experience. She believes massage is more than relieving muscle tension, it’s a journey of acceptance and grace for yourself in the present time and space. She does not believe in “no pain no gain” when it comes to massage. She takes a gentle yet intentional approach, allowing deeper layers of the body to open without force. Her work is rooted in creating a safe, supportive space where clients can fully relax, release, and reconnect with themselves.

Jeremiah Teller

Licensed Massage Therapist
Certified Yoga Teacher

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Jeremiah has lived in Kansas for over 30 years, where he lives in the countryside outside of Lawrence Kansas where he enjoys peace, gardening and interacting with the natural world. 

Jeremiah is a skilled wellness practitioner with a diverse background. In 2021, he completed his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Gopi Sandal in Lawrence, Kansas, becoming a Yoga Alliance Certified instructor which guided him towards an interest in massage therapy and bodywork. Jeremiah graduated from Wellspring School of Allied Health in 2024, earning an 800-hour certificate in massage therapy. He is continuing training in Craniosacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute and continues to refine his skills through ongoing mentorship with local practitioners. He offers CranioSacral therapy, relaxation massage and deep tissue massage. 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Jeremiah has a keen interest in exploring various aspects of holistic well-being.

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Tallgrass Training and Wellness, LLC

3300 Bob Billings Pkwy, Suite 10
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 917-8344
tallgrasstrainingandwellness@gmail.com
Open Monday-Thursday 7:00am- 7:00pm
Friday 7:00-6:00
and Saturdays & Sundays by appointment
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