JENNIE BROOKS Owner, Senior Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Class Instructor, Balanced Body Pilates Educator Jennie Brooks, the founder of Longevity Fitness Charleston, brings an impressive training background and a well-traveled understanding of mindful movement to her studio and her clients every day. A native of Charleston, Jennie’s pursuits in health and fitness have taken her from the Tuscany region of Italy to the world-renowned Pilates studios of Northern California. Throughout her journey, she has worked with Olympians, apprenticed with master instructors, and developed a signature style of training that focuses on improving body mechanics and empowering the mind to achieve wellness and longevity through movement. Jennie is a Master Educator for Balanced Body and leads the Pilates Teacher Certification Program at Longevity Fitness. Classes Taught by Jennie: Sweat Therapy; Reformer Classical Moves, Core Burn, A.B.A. and A.B.A.+C; and TRX Transformation
DIANA DOVE Certified Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Class Instructor A Connecticut native with a passion for both music and dance, Diana was captain of Boston College's (BC) dance team; a founding member of BC's Synergy Hip Hop Dance Company; and choreographer for the BC Dance Team, BC Dance Organization and Synergy. After graduation, she earned her certifications in Group Fitness and Personal Training from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is also licensed in Masala Bhangra Workout, Zumba, and CPR/AED. Diana has over 20 years of formal dance training in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop.
Classes taught by Diana: Sweat Therapy; Reformer Classical Moves, Core Burn, A.B.A. and A.B.A.+C; and TRX Transformation
BOBBY SHAW Personal Trainer, Group Class Instructor Bobby’s career in the health and fitness industry has spanned more than 25 years. He received his BS degree from Lander in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was part of the initial staff of the first Wellness Center in South Carolina in 1984. He went on to complete his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of South Carolina. Bobby is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Fitness Director as well as an Exercise Specialist.
Classes taught by Bobby: TRX Transformation
DAN HEENAN Personal Trainer Dan is an ACSM certified personal trainer and a TRX Qualified Trainer originally hailing from upstate New York. He developed a love for Charleston after several visits during his time in the U.S. Coast Guard. Following his military service, Daniel received a BA degree from the University of Massachusetts and went on to graduate from the intensive 700-hour Master Course at New York City’s acclaimed Focus Personal Training Institute. It was only inevitable that his passion for fitness, coupled with his altruistic nature, would best be put to practice in the health and wellness industry. The essence of his training philosophy is foster a better understanding of human physicality in his clients, while reinforcing efficient and sound movement patterns in their bodies.
MICHELLE FITZGERALD Certified Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Class Instructor, Yoga Instructor Michelle has over 10 years of group fitness and personal training experience. Since beginning her fitness career as a college freshman, Michelle has become a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher and an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer in addition to teaching cycling, barre, HIIT, TRX, kickboxing, Zumba, cardio dance classes, and Pilates. Michelle has degrees in both Public Relations and Integrative Arts from Penn State University. She uses her communication skills to carefully articulate proper alignment, monitor intensity, and offer progressions and regressions in a way that will educate and motivate you at the same time.
Classes taught by Michelle: Sweat Therapy; Reformer Classical Moves, Core Burn, A.B.A. and A.B.A.+C; and TRX Transformation
SHELLY WOLFE Certified Pilates Instructor and Group Class Instructor Shelly’s passion for teaching is fueled by the opportunity to watch people grow and tap into their true potential through movement. A natural-born teacher, she holds a BS in Education from State University of West Georgia. Shelly spent many years in medical device sales, working alongside ortho and neuro spine surgeons. It was during this highly-demanding career that she first began exploring mindful movement, and after trying hot yoga in 2007 she was hooked on the transformative power of a movement practice and began seeking more ways to infuse wellness into her life. Her teaching style strikes a balance between growth and acceptance through power and precision, alignment, and mindfulness.
Classes taught by Shelly: Reformer Classical Moves and Reformer Core Burn
LESA SALVANI Master Pilates Instructor Lesa graduated from the dance program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and was introduced to Pilates by Carola Trier, one of Joseph Pilates’ proteges. Lesa studied with first generation Pilates teachers Kathleen Stanford-Grant and Ramona Kryzanowska. In 1996 Lesa moved to Sag Harbor, NY and opened In Balance Studio, the Hamptons’ original Pilates studio. Lesa draws upon years of intensive training to help her clients balance mind, body, and spirit through dynamic, intelligent movement. Lesa is both a Certified Pilates Instructor and a Certified ACE (American Council of Exercise) personal trainer.
BENITA SHAW Member Relations Coordinator Benita spent her career at the MUSC Wellness Center and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She is an acclaimed runner, competing in over 30 marathons across the US. She is a two-time winner of the Kiawah Marathon and a two-time winner of the Marcus Newberry Award (awarded to the 1st local finisher of the Bridge Run). Benita has helped organize the Cooper River Bridge Run for the last 36 years both as Assistant Race Director and volunteer. She is loving continuing her passion for fitness by supporting her daughter Jennie at Longevity.
JEREMY MAYER Stretch Therapist Jeremy Mayer joined the Longevity Fitness team in October 2015 as a certified sports physiologist. In this role, he works with professional and recreational athletes - as well as pre and post-surgery patients - on injury prevention and recovery training. Specializing in neuromuscular activation and active flexibility, Jeremy's process includes manual musculoskeletal techniques and posture alignment training. The results are improved movement and increased strength, circulation and balance in his clients.
PAMELA DURANT Massage Therapist Pamela is a board-certified massage therapist and NASM-certified personal trainer. She is also the owner of Elevate Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, LLC, and has worked as a massage therapist for professional athletes in the WTA, MLS, and U.S. Soccer. She has been an official massage therapist for the Women’s National Soccer Team since 2008, traveling to the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the 2012 Olympics. She has advanced training in myofascial release, kinesio taping, and active isolated stretching. In addition, she is a certified lymphedema therapist, which includes work in manual lymphatic drainage and complete decongestive therapy. Pamela received her Bachelors of Arts from Erskine College in Psychology and History and her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Pamela studied massage at the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy, where she graduated Valedictorian.
