Winthrop Fitness - Meet Our Instructors

Meet Our Instructors

		Laura McCabe Endurance Sport Coach This modest, two-time Olympian in Nordic Skiing has won practically every Nordic ski race there is to win in North America, including the prestigious American Birkebeiner. Laura is also an expert climber and runner, and her experience as an elite athlete inspires both junior and masters athletes to reach their full potential. Laura’s coaching and strength programs are among the most popular classes offered at Winthrop Fitness. She is also Racing Coach of the Methow Nordic Junior Team. After the tragic loss of her husband Sean to cancer, Laura is now a single mom to two amazing children, 9 year old Novie and 5 year old Dashe. A revered art teacher and internationally recognized artist, Sean left behind an art legacy that Laura now manages from her home. To view or purchase art from Sean’s collection, visit www.seanmccabestudio.com
		Karla Segale Stott Pilates Certified Instructor ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer Karla Segale came to Pilates from an athletic background, having competed in triathlon, distance cycling and Nordic ski racing. Pilates became the foundation of her own training and ignited her passion to teach others. Karla is trained in the Stott Pilates method, a medically based model that focuses on injury rehab and prevention. Karla trained and worked at Bodycenter Studios in Seattle, where she received her advanced certification in Pilates in 2009. Owner of Esprit de Core Pilates, Karla offers private, equipment- based instruction at Winthrop Fitness and works closely with the physical therapy team to offer supervised exercise rehab programs. Certified as a Personal Trainer through ACSM, Karla also offers individualized “pre-hab” programs to teach clients how to use their bodies more effectively in work and play.
		Midge Cross ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer Midge Cross is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine. Midge is an accomplished athlete in many disciplines including climbing, skiing, running, cycling and hiking. A two-time survivor of breast cancer and insulin-dependent diabetic, Midge is living proof of the healing power of exercise. Her specialty is introducing new people to exercise, particularly women who might be a little intimidated by the idea. Midge is also co-leader of OPEC, (the self-titled Old People’s Exercise Class) along with Ginny Price.
		Laurie Miller NASM-Certified Personal Trainer Clinical Assistant and Circuit Instructor Laurie Miller is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine, and one of our most popular aides at Winthrop Physical Therapy. She is also a certified, home-grown Methow woman with a lifelong history of cattle ranching, horseback riding, and living off the land. If you ask Laurie, she would blush and say it’s no big deal. Like most stars, Laurie shines brightest when she’s in the background, helping regular folks heal their bodies so they can return to work and play. And there you will find her, working and playing right along with them. Laurie runs the noon circuit class at Winthrop Fitness, coincidentally one of our most popular exercise classes.
		Hannah Dewey ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer Hannah has lived everywhere from Colorado to Pennsylvania and finished high school in Switzerland. She has already traveled the world more than most of us ever will and still found the Methow Valley to be one of a kind. After graduating from the University of Washington in 2008, Hannah moved to Winthrop to become a firefighter, EMT, and helicopter rappeller. A gifted athlete, Hannah enjoys every outdoor sport the Methow has to offer. Whether mountain biking with her boyfriend Patrick or skiing with her dog. Hannah recently returned to school to become a Physical Therapist, and works part time for Winthrop Physical Therapy.
		Melanie Whittaker, RYT Therapeutic Yoga Instructor Melanie has been practicing yoga for over 25 years. She teaches in the Iyengar tradition and holds the Yoga Alliance Certification of 200 hours. Melanie has a special gift for teaching yoga to diverse groups of people from beginners to experienced practitioners. Following treatment for an aggressive case of breast cancer, Melanie developed rheumatoid arthritis. She credits yoga with helping her through the illness and recovery process. Her personal experience affirmed her resolve to bring yoga to others suffering from loss and chronic conditions. With this goal in mind, Melanie developed the Therapeutic Yoga program for Winthrop Fitness, which she teaches several times a week to devoted practitioners. For more information about Melanie’s Yoga programs, visit her website at www.melaniewhittakeryoga.com
		Chris Garner Yoga Instructor Chris Garner began practicing yoga 30 years ago, primarily in the Iyengar tradition. After moving to the Methow Valley, she began an apprenticeship with Winthrop Fitness Yoga Director, Melanie Whittaker, RYT. Chris has also taken teacher training, including Flow Yoga, and studied under renown Yoga guru Aadil Palkivala. Chris believes that flexibility and body awareness are important at any age, and that the practice of Yoga enriches life not only on a physical level, but mentally and spiritually as well.
		Lindsay Picolet Pilates Instructor A former dancer and fitness instructor for over 25 years, Lindsay has trained athletes in all forms of movement, from professional ballet dancers to bodybuilders. Initially trained in the Classic method of Pilates, Lindsay has traveled from New York to London to evolve and vary her teaching methods. She has acquired over 500 studio hours of practice including extensive experience with both mat and Pilates equipment. Her innovative style and challenging mat workouts draw a loyal following at Winthrop Fitness.
		Joe Brown Spin Instructor Owner, Methow Cycle and Sport Joe Brown is owner of Methow Cycle and Sport located just outside of downtown Winthrop. A former elite level cyclist, Joe has decades of experience training, racing and riding bikes around North America and beyond. Joe is a certified bike fit technician, has studied cycling biomechanics extensively and is respected throughout the northwest region for his expert bicycle fitting skills and recommendations. With a graduate degree in Education, Joe enjoys coaching, instructing and training others to reach their potential through fun creative methods.
		Dee Real Spin Instructor Dee was first introduced to spinning in the mid-90’s when her local bike shop approached her with the idea of running a spin class. Too shy to consider teaching, she organized club spin nights and hired other teachers instead. Taking all those spin classes must have inspired her, because Dee eventually made the jump to the instructor side and we are sure glad she did! A roadie at heart, Dee has even traveled to ride in Europe a few times, most notably to the Maritime Alps where she cycled 1,000 miles with 100,000 feet of climbing in 14 days! Dee says she is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. In the meantime, check out one of her spin classes or catch her out riding with her husband, Mike.
		Kaarin Kelly, RYT Yoga Instructor Kaarin began studying yoga at the young age of 16 and has been teaching for the past 11 years. Her experience includes working for upscale health clubs as well as small community studios. She has studied various styles of yoga including Iyengar, Symmetry, Kundalini and Vinyasa Flow. Currently, Kaarin is enrolled in a 500 hour Master Teacher Training with Shiva Rea. This includes studying "Prana Flow" created by Shiva and Yoga Sadhana (integrating yoga principles into ones life). Expect a lively and challenging yoga class that moves fluidly between asanas (postures) while paying attention to detail and proper alignment.