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Meet The Instructors

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Owner/Operator/Manager/Janitor

Kathleen Riskey

My love for movement and music started at the young age of 3 when my mom enrolled me in a weekly tap dance class. I dabbled in other things and some sports growing up but I definitely gravitated towards all types of dance...my favorite was always tap! I was recruited to attend Colorado Mesa University (then Mesa State College) as one of the very first to major in the brand new Dance program.  I graduated in 2006 with my BA in Theater Arts-Dance and continued teaching as an adjunct professor (teaching tap of course!) ​

I started taking Les Mills BodyFlow while pregnant with my 3rd child and its what kept me sane! And even though it was mostly yoga, it still felt like dancing to me. I got certified in BodyFlow a year later and have never looked back.

My favorite part of teaching is the connections I make with the people....both in my classes and out! The gym has become my home away from home, and the people my second family. Movement and music have been back bones to my life...and I opened Riskey Fitness to continue to help others find the joy of movement and connection with people that has meant so much to me.  

 

Take my classes:

-SoulBody Barre: Mondays 9:30am​​​

-BodyPump: Tuesdays 9:30am, Fridays 5:30am/Noon

-Bodypump HEAVY Wednesdays at Noon

-Hot Pilates: Mondays 11:30am

-Hot BodyFlow: Thursdays noon

-Functional Strength: Wednesdays 5:30am

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Instructor

Janae Steward

Janae is a dedicated fitness instructor of 20+ years with great love and passion for helping and inspiring people through movement. Her classes are the perfect combination of hard work and a dance party! You will leave feeling energized and inspired!

Janae has certified in general group fitness, AFFA personal trainer, Turbo kick, Hip Hop Hustle, PIYO, Barre Above, Les Mills Barre, Les Mills GRIT, Les Mills Sprint, SHiNE dance fitness and Soul Body Restore, and currently teaches for the CMU department of Kinesiology.

Aside from health and wellness, she LOVES being a mom to her 3 kiddos, a wife, and performing! She holds a degree in Musical Theatre and minor in Dance. When not working out she loves to be with her family, (they are her JOY!), lift weights, volunteer at the school, bake cookies, watch her kids activities, play games, get massages, take walks, eat, and research health and wellness!

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Take class with Janae:

-ShiNe Dance Wednesday 5:45pm, 

-Functional Strength Mondays Noon

-Hot Pilates Friday at 11:30am

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Instructor

Miriam Deming

Miriam Deming is a mother of two children, married to a wonderful husband. She took BodyBalance classes for over 10 years and was thrilled to finally become an instructor! She has been teaching it for two years now. She also received her registered yoga teacher 200 hour and yin certification.

In addition to teaching fitness and yoga, she teaches singing lessons and directs a community youth and adult choir. She loves the camaraderie, self-acceptance, and growth that comes from teaching fitness and looks forward to being a part of the Riskey Fitness community!

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Take class with Miriam:

-Bodyflow: Saturdays 9:30am 

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Instructor

Talene Walker

Talene is a Colorado Native and is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist.  She has a passion for helping people of all fitness levels and ages to build strength, flexibility, better balance and a healthier lifestyle. She does this through whole nutrition and an exercise program that fits the individuals needs and teaching classes! Her philosophy is that our bodies are created amazingly to adapt, heal and repair and that consistency is the key to a healthy and fit life. She’s been teaching/training for the past 14 years here the Grand Valley.

When she’s not training or teaching she loves staying fit, eating healthy, making her own soaps and detergents, milking the cow, and making milk products, gardening, sewing, doing renovating projects, coaching soccer or helping coach baseball, playing the piano and singing. She has 4 kids: 2 adults and 1 graduating this year, all of which graduated or will graduate homeschooling and she homeschools her youngest. She also runs her farm with fruit trees, a huge garden, cows, pigs, chickens, peacocks, dogs, and cats.

 

Her Riskey Fitness classes currently are:

-Wednesdays 30-Min Core at 12:15pm

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Instructor

Rikki Crabtree

Rikki started in fitness at 30 years old and took her first group fitness class a year later. She fell in love with Bodypump and to this day can’t get enough of it! She was hooked after she walked out of class feeling stronger than ever! It brings her so much joy to be able to share her passion for lifting and music with others!

Her participants get a great workout with precise instruction, making it safe for everyone to lift weights. Another highlight of her classes is that she also includes a little bit of karaoke and a whole lot of fun!!!

She makes jokes that she has a “boatload” of kids, but really it’s less than a basketball team!

Outside of group fitness, she enjoys the outdoors, BBQ’s with family and dance parties with her twin girls. She is a Grand Junction native and loves her hometown!

 Rikki is currently subbing Bodypump for the summer!

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Instructor

Kelli Esplin

Hi, I’m Kelli! I am a former elementary school teacher and a mother to 2 little girls. I have been a participant in group fitness classes for 8 years, and that is where I found my love of BodyPump. I love the community of group fitness and the chance to connect with so many people. That is what drove me to become a BodyPump instructor! It’s an upbeat, full body workout with good music and good people. I try to bring that energy to every class I teach and I hope for the chance to connect with you!

Kelli's classes at Riskey Fitness:

-Bodypump: Tuesdays 5:45pm & Thursdays 9:30am

-Bodypump HEAVY: Mondays 4:30pm

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Instructor

Brian Somerville

“For much of my adult life, I have been in-and-out of various gym memberships. I’ve always enjoyed working out and going to the gym, but struggled with consistent motivation. I primarily worked out by myself through various methods and would be consistent few weeks, and then burn-out from over-working myself. So then I wouldn’t go to the gym for a while, and at some point get back into it and over-do it once again. It was a constant cycle of ups and downs, without enough consistency to ever see results.

In 2012, I got a membership to Crossroads Fitness and decided to try something different. Instead of working out by myself, I decided to try a Group Fitness class. I remember very vividly the first Group Fitness class I ever took. It was a kickboxing-style class, and I was out of shape and nervous. I remember pushing myself extra hard because I felt insecure and didn’t want people to know how out-of-shape I was. I also remember the Instructor and all the other members in the class were very friendly and welcoming and that made a good impression on me. Even though I was completely exhausted after that first class, I was happy and couldn’t wait to go again. I was exhausted and energized at the same time! I quickly got hooked on Group Fitness classes. I love the camaraderie and energy and have made many new friends over the years. Staying consistent was much easier and enjoyable. I became a “regular” in multiple Group Fitness classes. Going to class became a part of my lifestyle, and fitness became a consistent priority. I lost about 35 pounds, gained more confidence and felt so much better.

 I got my first certification as an INSANITY® Instructor in 2016 and have been teaching high-intensity classes consistently for the past 9 years at Crossroads Fitness. While I will continue to teach at Crossroads, I am very excited to also be a part of the Riskey Fitness team!

In 2020, I added a few more Group Fitness certifications: SH1FT, which is another high-intensity body-weight format, and L1FT which is strength/resistance training with weights.

Outside of classes, my wife Audrey and I have been married for 20 years and have three beautiful girls (16, 12, and 7 yrs old). When I’m not teaching classes, I also work full-time as a Mechanical Engineer for Bighorn Consulting Engineers. In my free time, I love getting outside usually to go camping, hiking or mountain biking or sitting on the porch sipping a big cup of coffee!”

Take class with Brian:

-L1FT Mondays 5:30am and every third Friday at Noon

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Instructor Support Lead

Lauren Carpenter

“I fell in love with the Zumba fitness program as a student after I lost weight, gained confidence, and started to love myself. I have been teaching Zumba classes for almost 13 years and it has been one of the best and most rewarding decisions of my life. I love being able to bring a community of people from different walks of life together to spread joy, confidence, and help them lead healthier lifestyles. I have also had the pleasure or mentoring many new Zumba instructors just starting out in their journeys. My classes are for everybody! No dance or prior fitness experience required. Other classes I have taught are Barre, Les Mills BodyCombat, Kids Dance Fitness, and a Move & Groove class for Seniors.

When I am not teaching I love spending time with my family, cuddling with my 3 dogs, listening to music, and making tumblers.”

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Take class with Lauren:

-Empower DanceFit Tuesdays 4:30pm

-Barre Shape & Tone Wednesdays 4:30pm​

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Instructor

Kim Huskey

“Hi everyone! My name is Kim and I'm a certified SHiNE Dance Fitness and SHiNE LIGHT instructor.  I'm a retired elementary teacher and I've been a fitness instructor since 2022.  I joined Jazzercise more than 20 years ago and discovered that if you really, truly love the exercise you do, you'll never stop doing it!  I kept coming back for the workout but also for the community.  My closest, lifelong friendships were built in that community. 

Over the years, many people suggested that I become an instructor.  After retiring from teaching, I decided it was exactly the right time to try something new.  My husband Eric and I moved from Aurora, Colorado to Fruita in the summer of 2025.  I joined Riskey Fitness not long after, and in January I became an instructor.  

Teaching group fitness is so rewarding!  I strive to create a positive, supportive atmosphere where participants are motivated and encouraged to get the most out of their workout and have FUN at the same time! I hope to make people smile, laugh, move their bodies, forget their inhibitions, and leave the dance floor tired and exhilarated!"

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Kim currently subs SHiNE DANCE and assists in administrative tasks.

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Instructor

Lauren Melnick

"Hey everyone! My name is Lauren, and I am a Certified Throw Down® instructor.  I am also a boy mama x3, a Licensed Massage Therapist and Owner of The Spot Neuromuscular Therapy.  I love to spend time with my family, sing karaoke, hike, make silly videos with my partner and dance of course!

I've been dancing since I was 3 years old, but at 28  discovered Zumba and that's when I fell in love with dance fitness.  I met the most amazing friends, and it became my therapy.  I decided I needed to get certified to teach.

After a rough period of time, I took a few years off from dancing and completely lost myself.  It made me realize how important dance is to me, and how I desperately needed it in my life again.  

Thankfully, I found Fly Dance Fitness® while I was scrolling Instagram. I just knew I HAD to become a Throw Down® instructor! 

This class is for EVERYONE! We provide a judgement free space where you can let loose, make friends, and have FUN!"

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Join Lauren for Throw Down® Thursdays at 6:30pm

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Instructor

Amy Chacon

"My name is Amy Chacon and my love for group fitness began when I was in high school and has carried on throughout my life.  I have taught group fitness classes such as step aerobics, water fitness, Les Mills Bodypump, circuit training and many more at several clubs and unique environments such as hospitals and churches.  But I have always loved the creative cardio and toning workout of step aerobics best and am so excited to have the opportunity to share this passion with a new group of people at Riskey Fitness!"

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Take Cardio Step with Amy:

-Mondays 5:30pm

-Fridays 9:30am

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Instructor

Andrea Minnick

I grew up in Delta (yes I’m a Deltoid!). I went to Colorado State University where I fell in love with group fitness and teaching. After school, I continued to teach at various locations and various types of classes. I then got married and moved to Crested Butte where we started our family. After we moved to Grand Junction, I got certified in Les Mills BodyPump and recertified with AFAA (Athletic and Fitness Association of America) in 2016. I stepped outside my comfort zone and did my Les Mills Bodyflow certification in 2023. I am a certified CPA and work at Community Hospital. Teaching and participating in group exercise classes is my therapy!

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Take Bodypump with Andrea Thursdays at 5:30pm

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Instructor

Stephanie Mooney

Stephanie discovered her passion for teaching group fitness in the early 2000's, when she earned a group fitness certification and began leading classes as a Women's Workout World in the Chicagoland area.  She completed her yoga teacher training in 2011 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has been a Certified Yoga Teacher since then. 

Stephanie believes in the power of intentional movement, breath, optimal alignment, and the mind-body connection to help students build strength, improve mobility, and feel their best.  Her classes emphasize quality over quantity, encouraging students of all levels to move with purpose and confidence in a welcoming, supportive environment.  

She strives to help each participant develop greater body awareness while creating healthy, sustainable mind/body and movement patterns that extend beyond the studio. 

Outside of the studio, Stephanie is a special education teacher who enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading, camping, and spending as much time outdoors as possible!

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Stephanie currently subs Hot Yoga and Hot Pilates!

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Instructor

Sasha Spangenberg

Sasha Spangenberg is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, Tantra practitioner, and Thai Yoga Bodywork therapist with nearly two decades of personal practice and years of teaching experience.  She is passionate about helping students reconnect with themselves through mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and embodied awareness. 

Known for her grounded yet playful approach, Sasha weaves together traditional yogic philosophy with modern accessibility, creating classes that are both physically empowering and deeply introspective.  Whether guiding a strong vinyasa flow, a restorative practice, or a meditative experience, her intention is to help students cultivate strength, presence, and a greater sense of freedom in both body and mind. 

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Sasha currently teaches Hot Yoga  Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:45am

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622  W. Gunnison Ave,
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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