STAFF & TRAINERS

The heart and soul of Power Up

Meet Our Instructors

Taylor Stillpass

Exercise Physiologist
304-617-8260

Taylor Stillpass, co-owner, has been working in the fitness industry for 15 years. With a degree in exercise physiology from Marshall and a passion for fitness nutrition, Taylor has built a solid reputation for helping clients achieve results both in health and in fitness. He genuinely cares about not only the success of his clients, but also their health and wellness. In the ever-changing and evolving world of exercise and fitness nutrition, Taylor remains committed to giving his clients the most up-to-date advice on exercise, nutrition, and supplementation.

Joanie Coley

Aesthetician and Personal Trainer
304-541-3833

Joanie Coley, co-owner, is both a licensed aesthetician and a personal trainer. She loves working with people of all walks of life looking to improve. In her role as an aesthetician, Joanie can do a number of different treatments to improve skin elasticity, tone, reduce or eliminate blemishes and provide a more youthful look overall. As a trainer, Joanie has experience working with many individuals, many of whom have never worked out before. She is very patient, caring and follows through to make sure her clients are successful in achieving their health, fitness, and wellness goals.

Ashley Connolly

Zumba Instructor

Ashley Connolly is a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor and is extremely passionate about helping others achieve their fitness goals. She was introduced to Zumba in 2010 and was immediately hooked – so much that she became licensed in 2011. Ashley then got an additional license in Zumba Toning in 2012. She was also included in the Zumba infomercial, “Three for Free”.

Ashley enjoys many forms of exercise, from weight lifting to yoga, but her favorite is dancing with her class on a regular basis. She hopes that exercise is a positive outlet, and for people to look forward to it! When she isn’t at the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Sarah Brown

Fitness Instructor

Sarah Brown has been a fitness instructor for nearly 8 years. After struggling with health and weight issues, she decided to become a Zumba instructor. She has taken many Zumba Fitness trainings including Aqua, Zumba Kids, and most recently Strong by Zumba. She also enjoys teaching Tabata and Bootcamp and has ran many races including both full and half marathons. Sarah is a Certified Women’s Fitness Specialist with NASM.

Brandy Haid

Zumba Instructor

Brandy Haid grew up in Scott Depot, WV and is a Hurricane resident. She is a Marshall University graduate with a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a work at home mom. Brandy has been a Licensed Zumba Instructor since January 2013 after falling in love with this fun and energetic form of exercise. Brandy has loved dance since a young age, and Zumba has provided her with the opportunity to stay fit while keeping up with her husband and two kids. Brandy feels that as a mother, wife, and female it is of the utmost importance to put her health first to do the best she can for her family. Brandy’s motto is no excuses and just keep moving…laugh it off and get lost in the music!

Joe Doeffinger

Spin Instructor/Personal Trainer

Joe Doeffinger is from Point Pleasant, WV. He is a certified personal trainer and certified spinning instructor. He has been employed with Power Up Sports and Wellness since 2012. He is a graduate of Marshall University and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in the spring of 2018. He plans to continue his education by becoming a Nurse Anesthetist.

As well as training in the weight room, Joe also trains for triathlons. He has been competing since 2010. He has won first in his age group while placing in the top ten in numerous triathlons in West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. In 2012 and 2013, he had the honor to be sponsored by the NephCure Foundation which allowed him to compete in the New York City Triathlon. He continues to compete in the New York City Triathlon every year where he finishes in the top 10% in both age group division and overall males. In 2014, he qualified and competed nationally in the Olympic Distance USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee, WI.

Joe is very passionate about seeing his clients reach their goals and achieve overall health. He understands that the gym and weight room can be intimidating. He will make sure you will gain the knowledge to train correctly, safely, and effectively. Get started today on a path to a healthier you. Contact Joe at (304) 675-0420.

Amy Leslie

Spin Instructor

Amy began her fitness career in 1996 at a small gym in Milton, WV where she participated in a wide range of aerobic classes. Amy has been a group fitness instructor for over a decade. In addition to teaching spin class, Amy has also taught yoga, Tabata and Circuit classes. Amy is certified through AFAA as an indoor cycling and yoga instructor. Amy stays active in the local fitness community as a director for 5K races in the area. Amy and her husband, Bob, both regularly participate in half-marathons, scuba diving excursions, and rappelling when they have the opportunity. They currently live in Hurricane with their 4 dogs.

Robyn Lewis

Yoga Instructor

As someone who had always been physically active, I reached a point about 15 years ago where that all changed. For two years, I just didn’t have the energy to work out that I once had. Blood work indicated low thyroid levels, and once on medication to stabilize it, my energy level increased. But in those two years of inactivity, my flexibility had greatly decreased. I had always wanted to try yoga, but there weren’t many options in the area back then. I bought a yoga DVD and decided to try it at home. However, watching the rubber band-like instructor made me realize that I needed more personal instruction. I found out about a yoga class offered through Putnam County Parks and signed up. It was amazing! The instructor, Diana Whitwer, was great, and I soon became hooked. I worked with Diana for about a year and in 2006 I obtained my certification through YogaFit. I have taught Vinyasa Flow yoga classes at the South Charleston Library, 360 Fitness and now at Power Up Gym. My classes emphasize the physical fitness aspects of yoga and the connection of breath with movement. I love having new people join the class so that they can experience the benefits of yoga. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been practicing for 5 years or it’s your very first time, yoga is for everyone. All ages, all sizes, all fitness levels. I hope to see you in class! Namaste!

Leah McDonald

Fitness Instructor

Hi I am Leah McDonald and I am a mother of three children and been married for 20 years and live in Cross Lanes. I have been certified in insanity for 9 years now, Piyo for 7 years and P90x for 3 year. I am passionate in helping others reach their fitness and personal goals. 11 years ago I was 200 lbs and struggled after having my second child. I grew up thin and athletic my entire life until I had children and became complacent in my growing family. 11 years ago I decided to change my lifestyle after seeing one of those P90x infomericals. Something inside me sparked and decided this is the thing that could help me. Between doing several rounds of it and starting Insanity in the mix, at home I went from 200 to 110lbs in 9 months all by myself and that’s where I decided I needed to help others. I have a desire to help everyone.

I continue to work on my own personal journey with at home fitness as a Beachbody coach and in a gym with friends or complete strangers. Everyone that participates in my classes, will leave with personal empowerment because everyone can accomplish their dreams, big or small and I want to assist in that.

Meet Our Alpha Prime Fitness Trainers

Andrew Wright

Fitness Instructor

Andrew’s passion for physical fitness began when he was a teenager. He began competing in bodybuilding contests at the age of sixteen and still currently competes as an NPC Superheavyweight bodybuilder, having been nationally qualified for the past seven years. Andrew attended West Virginia University and West Virginia State University, earning degrees in Nuclear Medicine and Biomedical Science, and has been a personal trainer for over twenty years (since 1998).

Andrew and his wife, Stacy have worked together in the fitness industry for over 13 years, and operate their own fitness company, Alpha Prime Fitness. Andrew and Stacy pride themselves in customizing all of their exercise programs and nutrition plans for the individual and their specific goals/needs. Alpha Prime Fitness specializes in customized exercise programs, that include but are not limited to: resistance/strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, high intensity interval training, metabolic conditioning, flexibility training and hypertrophy training. In addition to exercise programs, Alpha Prime Fitness also specializes in designing individualized nutrition and supplementation plans for their clients and athletes, contest preparation and posing, as well as online training packages for clients that live far away. Regardless of your age, current situation or goals that you have in mind, Andrew will design a program that is right for you!

To schedule an appointment for your initial fitness consultation and health screening, please contact Andrew directly via phone call or text message at: 304-444-9870.

Also, please be sure to follow Andrew and Alpha Prime Fitness on Instagram to keep up with his progress and the success stories of some of his clients and athletes!

@The.Andrew.Wright
@alphaprimefitness

Stacy Wright

Stacy has been involved with athletics since third grade. When she was 16, her cheerleading squad began resistance training to improve their conditioning. Over the next few years, she continued her training, made great improvements and was relentless in her quest to acquire a physique like those in the IFBB Professional League. In 2002, shortly after meeting her future husband, Andrew, she officially began her first contest prep. Combining Andrew’s knowledge of exercise science and her unstoppable work ethic, Stacy stepped on stage in 2004, only 3 months after they were married. She acquired her IFBB Professional Fitness status in 2010, after placing first in the Fitness Tall class, at NPC Fitness Nationals in NYC. She went on to win the Overall Fitness Title at this show to be declared the 2010 NPC/IFBB Overall Fitness National Champion. She has continued to compete at the IFBB Pro level and is consistently working to improve and move up the ranks. In 2016, she had the honor of becoming an Elite Sponsored athlete of Species Nutrition. In addition to her competitive resume, Stacy is also a registered nurse and personal trainer. Stacy, along with husband Andrew, operate their own fitness company, Alpha Prime Fitness. Alpha Prime Fitness specializes in customized exercise programs, that include but are not limited to: resistance/strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, high intensity interval training, metabolic conditioning, flexibility training and hypertrophy training. In addition to exercise programs, Alpha Prime Fitness also specializes in designing individualized nutrition and supplementation plans for their clients and athletes, contest preparation and posing, as well as online training packages for clients that live far away. Stacy uses her passion for the sport and years of experience to help others reach their health and fitness goals both on and off the stage.

Please email Stacy directly at stacydwright@gmail.com to inquire about scheduling an appointment for your initial fitness consultation and health screening!

Also, please be sure to follow Stacy and Alpha Prime Fitness on Instagram to keep up with her progress and the success stories of some of her clients and athletes!

@StacyDawnWright

@alphaprimefitness