Meet Your Trainers

Richelle Melde - Trainer @ Scottsdale AM & PM

As a recreational athlete her whole life and a BA in Psychology and Sociology, a natural progression for Richelle was a career in the fitness industry. Having played competitive softball in high school and college, Richelle had an experiential background in group training and realized the potential if this group dynamic was coupled with personalized training. Thus, she created Ultimate Body Boot Camp, LLC - a results based fitness company that takes the workout outdoors.

Richelle's training philosophy is simple: keep the routine creative and diverse, but change the routine every day to prevent the body from reaching a physical plateau. She is motivating and inspiring. She will encourage you to push yourself beyond your perceived limits. She will teach you the necessary tools to continue training and help you to create new healthy habits to achieve a lifetime lifestyle change. Richelle focuses on balance and stability, core and functional training. Richelle recently completed Ragnar Relay, running with a team of 12 from Payson to Mesa in just over 24 hours.

See Richelle and UBBC in East Valley Tribune, AZ Foothills Magazine, 101 North Magazine, Fitness Plus Magazine, Your Health and News Channel 12.

Liz Brooks - Trainer @ Chandler

Born and raised in New York, Liz stayed in shape by studying as an MMA student throughout high school. After earning a double BA in Psychology and Humanities at Hofstra University she quickly earned her national Personal Trainer certification through ACE and began working at Personal Training Institute. Liz moved to Phoenix in April 2009 and recently earned a certification in Yoga through the Academy of Holistic Fitness. She has experience teaching boot camps, women's self defense classes, beginners yoga, and working as a one-on-one personal trainer. After having watched success story after success story of clients having reached their goals, maintained their new lifestyle, and grow into more confident, more radiant, more successful individuals.

Debbie Puskar - Trainer @ Windgate Crossing

Debbie is a certified Personal Trainer (ISSA Certified) with 18 years of teaching experience instructing Boot Camp, Aqua Aerobics, Step, Bosu, Total Body Weight Training and Zumba.

I have a passion for fitness and I am very enthusiastic about Educating people, motivating them to become physically fit, too feel good about themselves and to continue to exercise as a way of life!

Katherine Chance - Trainer @ Windgate Crossing

Katherine has been a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor since 2003. She is a Pilates Core Specialists, ZUMBA Dance Fitness Instructor and TRX Trainer. In addition, she is trained in deep fascia release and lengthening, as well as Active Isolate Stretch.

Katherine includes a combination of stretch, strength and endurance training to REDUCE PAIN and IMPROVE WELLNESS! If you've got limitations that require specialized training I consider this my specialty. You ARE able to achieve your fitness and wellness goals without diet fads and pills. The strength and power is yours. LET'S GET STARTED!

Karl Barton - Trainer @ Freestone

Karl Has been in Arizona for the past 12 years, after spending 20 years before that in Seattle and his first 10 years in the United Kingdom.

His background in fitness has come from swimming competitively and 20+ years of teaching and coaching, he became a certified personal trainer in 1993. During those many years he has had the opportunity to coach age groups swimming (10 of the athletes went on to the olympic trails), then 5 years as high school swim and strength coach, and moving onto the triathlon training coach and masters swim coach at Seattle University. Whilst coaching he was also personal trainer for clients ranging from the rehabilitation patient to the professional athlete. All the time including group fitness instructor for classes like indoor cycling, circuit training, body sculpting, and athletic training.

His passion is fitness and education. Don't only do but know why and how you should be doing it! One last thing...HAVE A GOOD TIME DOING IT!

Jen Ford - Trainer @ Phoenix Steele Indian School Park

Laurie Laird - Trainer @ Roadrunner Park

Laurie is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Les Mills Certified BodyCombat and BodyJam Instructor and a Certified TRX Suspension Trainer. She discovered her passion for health and fitness in high school during her time as the Assistant Athletic Trainer and Track participant. During college, at The University of Arizona in Tucson, she was the Student Liaison for Well University, an organization to promote healthy and fit lifestyles on campus and also was a key player in organizing the first on campus farmers market. Laurie recently completed the Lake George Half Marathon in Upstate NY and the Dodge Rock N Roll Half Marathon in San Diego. Her goal is to train for and complete a full marathon and participate in a Ragnar Relay. Laurie's life goal is to always encourage and challenge others to live healthy lifestyles.

Ray D'Alessio - Trainer @ Arcadia Park and Windgate

Annie Niewenhous, PhD - Nutrition Specialist

Annie has been apart of the wellness industry since 1998. She completed a BS in exercise science and a PhD in holistic nutrition. Annie is also the only Master CHEK practitioner in the world other than the CHEK faculty. Also completed are certifications with Metabolic Typing, Functional diagnostic nutrition, the American College of Sports Medicine, and is a licenced nutritionist.