the nashville team

donna tobia

Donna Tobia is a group exercise instructor, published author, innovator of her own clothing line Twist Fit Wear and instructor for START Fitness. She grew up in Indianapolis, where she competed in a variety of sports, earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do and competed in AAU kickboxing. As a fitness business owner and former director for a women′s fitness center/day spa, Donna has experience creating fitness programs and an in-house triathlon competition for women. She has also hosted a weekly segment on fitness topics for Fox News Radio′s WMKT 1270 AM′s "The Vic McCarty Show" and been published in Christian Family Health and Nashville Home and Garden magazines. She is also proud to be part of ACE Fitness′ Exercise Library as a fitness model.

Her certifications include ACE Personal Trainer; YogaFit; AFAA Personal Trainer, Group Fitness, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, Nutrition, and Taste of Zumba.

jackie stammen

Originally from a small farming community in St. Henry, Ohio Jackie moved to Nashville in 2007 and began as an assistant Instructor for START Fitness in 2011. As an avid runner she has recently begun to build her race resume by competing in the Country Music Marathon, Tom King half marathon, the Muddy Buddy Ride & Run Series and the Urban Dare. Jackie has always been passionate about athletics, having participated in sports from a very young age. She continues to participate in Nashville Sports Leagues Competitive Kickball where she has placed at the league championships four times and also plays Nashville Sports Leagues Basketball. When she′s not playing sports, Jackie enjoys volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

amber hunter

sgt ken

Sgt. Ken Weichert: Ken Weichert (a.k.a. "SGT Ken") is a Six-time Soldier of the Year, Army Master Fitness and Master Resilience Trainer and veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm. Ken founded START Fitness® in 1998 in San Francisco, CA. He has led thousands of Soldiers to better health through Operation Fit to Fight, a tactical fitness instructor training program designed to prepare Soldiers for Basic Combat Training, deployments, leadership schools and post-deployment reintegration. Some of Sergeant Weichert′s most recent awards are a Letter of Commendation from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Military Cross from the California State National Guard Commander, and the Life Saving Medal from the California Highway Patrol. He is certified through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

candace clippard

Certified basic instructor for START Fitness and youth activity program director. Candace′s passion for fitness started on the soccer field and resulted in a Baccalaureate in physical education. From NCAA Championships to being honored with the Samford University Outstanding Physical Education Major Award, Candace proves exercise is more than a hobby. Candace has shared her love of sports with the next generation by coaching varsity girls soccer, and middle school basketball, volleyball, and softball. Her scholastic achievements include the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Southern District Outstanding Student Award as well as the ASAHPERD (Alabama State Association) Outstanding Future Professional Award. Candace enjoys running, lifting, and playing sports.

stephanie weichert

Published author and Strategic Director of START Fitness. Stephanie Weichert became the Strategic Director of START in 2001 and developed and co-produced the Operation Living Fit™ DVD fitness series. She has written health and fitness articles for GX Magazine (circ. 375,000), Foundations (circ. 400,000), Hooah! (circ. 6.5 million) and Military Spouse Magazines (circ. 60,000). She co-developed a train-the-trainer program for the Army National Guard. Stephanie comes from a strong Water Polo background where she achieved the All-Valley goalie, co-MVP and Coaches Award. She is certified in Personal training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), has a Sports Nutrition Consultant Certification from City College of San Francisco and has a B.A. in marketing from SFSU.