I am truly honored to be selected as the CVPRD Fitness Instructor of the Month for July. It’s a joy to share a bit about who I am and how my journey led me to becoming an Aqua Fitness instructor.

My mother served as the Fitness Executive at the Boulder YMCA, so from a young age I was surrounded by the world of aquatics, watching her teach swimming lessons and support people of all ages. My love for the water grew naturally, and after moving to Lafayette, I became a lifeguard and swim instructor at both the outdoor pool and the Recreation Center. My career path continued to evolve as I stepped into senior services, first as the coordinator for the Lafayette Senior Center, then ten years later for the Town of Erie, and eventually for the Carbon Valley Senior Center for seven more years.

I hold a degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Gerontology, and working with seniors has always been a true passion of mine. After moving to Frederick, applying for an aqua fitness position felt like the perfect next step. I now alternate teaching Aqua Tone and River formats on Wednesday mornings.

Even in retirement, I stay busy coordinating Extended Bus Travel for the 55+ community, but water exercise remains my greatest passion. It keeps me strong, grounded, and healthy as I age. Thank you for this honor and for allowing me to share my story. I hope to meet you in my classes some day!

I’ve always loved to exercise—it’s simply part of who I am. I played sports in high school, and even though I wasn’t great, I loved being part of a team and being encouraged by my coaches.

After graduation, I worked full‑time and attended college at night, still finding ways to stay active. I never considered becoming a fitness instructor until after my first child was born. As a stay‑at‑home mom, I joined a local gym when my daughter turned six months old and quickly became a regular. When the manager suggested I teach classes, I initially said no, but the idea grew on me. I earned my ACE Group‑Ex Certification in 1995 and later my AFAA Personal Training Certification in 2007. Eventually, I began teaching SilverSneakers, something that once intimidated me but became the highlight of my career.

Working with adults 65+ has been incredibly rewarding and has shaped me into a better instructor and trainer. Aging well means staying strong, independent, and having fun with fitness.

Play with equipment, enjoy supportive coaching, and keep moving—because we grow old when we stop exercising.

Sheri Palizzi

Fitness was not always my focus in life. First, it was about my education, finding a good job, and about being the best mom possible. It was not until my middle son graduated college and I learned about CrossFit that my focus shifted. I was 53 years old and fell in love with working out. I never realized how much better it felt to be leaner and stronger. I am now happy to say that I am not "going into old age" without a fight! I believe everyone needs to exercise, so why not do what makes you feel good, and for me that is Zumba. I have loved to dance all my life, so it makes sense.

I became an instructor because I found that I like educating and guiding others in their workout journey. It is rewarding to help others and see their progress; it certainly keeps me motivated to be my best.

I only ask one fundamental thought from my classes, SMILE, we need to remember why we workout, and how it is helping us. Our mind and heart play a huge role in our overall health, stay positive, and remember nothing happens overnight.

Why not dance our way to a better us!

Anne Lee

Congratulations to our April Fitness Instructor of the Month, Melissa Martinez

I am sinceramente grateful to have had the opportunity to dance with students of all ages, fitness levels and from all walks of life!

My journey began about 19 years ago when I was invited to a fitness dance class and the rest is history--19 years of sheer enjoyment for the ability to move and support students in their journey. As a fitness instructor I have had the pleasure of sweating, dancing and creating community with hundreds of students. I even had the honor of teaching in Russia at the WORLD CUP!

I would like to share a few quotes that have provided insight as I instructed fitness classes in community centers, churches, University Gyms, fundraisers, elementary schools, high schools, public events, community non-profit events and franchised gyms:

• Workout from a place of loving your body, not from a place of hating it. ~Unkown
• Movement is medicine. ~Unkown
• Fitness is not about being thin, it's about being healthy. ~Unknown

Thank you for taking the time to read this! I hope to see you in one of my Zumba classes on Mondays at 7 pm!

Bailemos! (Let's Dance)

Congratulations to our March Fitness Instructor of the Month, Cathy Shupe

I can honestly say that fitness was not a part of my life growing up. I was never active and didn’t participate in sports as a child. It wasn’t until 2017, after having my third child, that I realized it was time for a change. I needed to do something for myself, to reclaim my health, my energy, and a sense of identity outside of being a mom.

That summer, I decided to try running. I jumped in too quickly and was met with discouraging shin splints, but a friend introduced me to a 10K training app that helped me slow down and build gradually. With each run, I discovered a love for movement, fresh air, and time to clear my mind. By May 2018, I reached a milestone I never imagined possible: completing my first half marathon.

2018 became a truly transformative year when I took my first BodyPump class. I was instantly hooked. I began spending more time at the rec center, trying classes, learning, and challenging myself in new ways. One day, while working out on the elliptical, Suzi asked if I had ever considered becoming an instructor. That simple conversation changed the trajectory of my life.

I earned my Schwinn cycling certification in December 2018 and my Les Mills BodyPump certification in 2019. Although the pandemic created setbacks and I let my certifications lapse, my passion for fitness never left. I recertified in BodyPump last November and returned with a renewed appreciation for movement and strength and sharing my passion with our amazing patrons.

Today, fitness is simply part of my life. I enjoy building strength, moving to music, and continuing to challenge myself. The supportive community at Carbon Valley Parks & Recreation has played a meaningful role in my journey, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Cathy Shupe
CVPRD Fitness Instructor

Congratulations to our February Fitness Instructor of the Month, Robb Willingham!

My father (Robert Willingham) studied martial arts while in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean war. After being discharged from the military, he returned to his home state of Oklahoma where he opened the first martial arts school in the state and became a pioneering influence of the wisdom that the study and practice of these unique and ancient arts offer in the USA.

From age eight until eighteen, I enjoyed the privilege of studying martial arts from my father and as I developed experiences and learned from the many different teachers he brought up to his school in Oklahoma.

This unique and highly personal exposure to the martial arts forged in me a foundation for a lifetime passion and interest in honor, growth, integrity and spiritual enrichment.

I discovered Tai Chi Chuan while I was student at Oklahoma State. My father encouraged my interest in the art, because he wanted my understanding and knowledge to go further than his so that I might benefit from internal focus and energy cultivation of this martial art.  The practice of Tai Chi is beneficial to the coordination of mind/body and spirit.

I had a natural aptitude and interest in this healing martial art.  My teacher, Sifu Ting Kou Chang, invited me to train with him at his Dojo in San Francisco. I accepted his offer and relocated to San Francisco and embarked on a full program of study of Tai Chi Chuan. I achieved teacher status in 1977.

Since then, I have continued to study, practice and teach martial arts in Colorado and Texas.  In 2002, I founded Redhawk Tai Chi Chuan, with my wife and senior student, Michele Willingham.

I started my program at the Carbon Valley Recreation Center teaching Tai Chi to the community in 2002. I enjoy sharing this incredible art with our amazing community.

Robb Willingham

My journey began as a massage therapist, where I spent years helping people feel better in their bodies through hands-on care. I learned to listen deeply to muscle tension, to stories held beneath the skin, and to the subtle ways pain shapes a person’s life.

But as much as I loved the work, I also realized that relief created on the table was only part of the equation. I wanted to empower people not just to receive wellness, but to take an active role in maintaining it. That desire led me into the world of movement education.

I started teaching people how to move with more intention and awareness, showing them how strength, mobility, and mindful practice could transform the way they lived day to day. Guiding someone to move in ways they didn’t think possible and witnessing their sense of accomplishment as they became stronger and more flexible fueled my passion for training. It became clear that movement wasn’t just exercise; it was a pathway to confidence, longevity, and overall wellness.

Eventually, this path opened naturally into yoga and group fitness instruction. Yoga gave me a way to blend the physical with the mindful, allowing people to connect more fully with their bodies and breath. Group fitness brought community, energy, and the joy of moving together.

Today, my goal is simple yet powerful: to help people stay as functional and vibrant as possible for as long as possible. Everything I teach whether on the mat, in a class, or through mindful movement supports that mission of longevity, empowerment, and lifelong well-being. NEVER STOP MOVING!