Meet the Monarch Staff
Monarch Fitness coaching provides you with a team of expert personal trainers, coaches, nutritionists, and support staff. We prioritize your development and your transformation. Consequently, our staff have backgrounds in education and special needs as well as personal training. Many of our staff have experienced their own transformations and are excited to empower you to move well, do more, and be happier.
Coaches
Heather Collins
Owner and Lead Personal Trainer
More About Heather
Heather began her career teaching group fitness classes including cycling, core, and circuit. She observed that clients did not make progress toward their goals and often hurt themselves despite putting in the time and effort. As she thought back about her experience competing on running, swimming, orienteering, and skiing teams, she realized that two things were key to progress: 1) an emphasis on movement patterns and healthy form, and 2) a multi-disciplinary approach that utilizes best practices from many different health and wellness disciplines. That realization became the foundation of Monarch Fitness Coaching. Heather continues to find fulfillment supporting transformations and helping clients to keep moving.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Program Design, Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: AFAA, ASFA
- Senior Fitness Instructor
- Group Exercise: ACE
- Swimming: ASCA and USA
- Cycling: USA and Spinning
- Running: USA Track and Field
- Original Strength Resets
- Mobility
- Accounting, CPA
- US Military, West Point
Thomas Dennis
Head Coach | Seoul, Korea
More About Thomas
A high school athlete who suffered from chronic injuries, Thomas became interested in rehabilitation and how the parts of the body work together to move well. The training techniques used by Monarch Fitness Coaching allowed him to recover from injuries that he had previously thought would be lifelong. Now, Thomas strives to share his passion for healthy movement and a balanced life with his clients.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Program Design, Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Accounting
Alex Rubenstein
Personal Trainer
More About Alex
Alex’s experience as both a public school reading specialist and as an education specialist for the national parks has taught him that sometimes people are not supported by traditional systems. His passion for scaffolding improvement brought Alex to Monarch Fitness Coaching, where he works to bridge the gap between physical therapy, group fitness classes, traditional personal training, and his clients’ aspirations.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Reading Interventionist
- Master of Arts in Teaching
Cynthia Witherspoon
Personal Trainer
More About Cynthia
Cynthia joined Monarch Fitness Coaching with over 35 years in special education. She saw an opportunity to support the health and wellness of those with special needs and learning differences. Cynthia, a client herself, cultivates the encouraging environment which has supported her.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Advanced Personal Training: ASFA
- Senior Fitness Instructor
- Masters in Special Education
- Professional Development Trainer, Peer Mentor
David Walker
Personal Trainer
More About David
As a scientist and engineer running a fast-paced tech start-up, David appreciated Monarch Fitness Coaching’s approach of focusing on meaningful gains that fit into his busy schedule. As an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, David has enjoyed teaching. He saw a similar opportunity to work with clients at Monarch creating change in others’ lives as they go through a similar journey.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Chemical and Biological Engineering PhD
Mariana Romano
Personal Trainer
More About Mariana
During twenty-five years of teaching high school students English, Mariana recognized that learning is not linear and that students need to regularly review and reinforce the fundamentals. She also realized that it was critical for the teacher and the student to have infinite patience as progress is sometimes slow and frustrating. Mariana was attracted to Monarch Fitness Coaching’s emphasis on foundational movements and integration of strength, cardio, flexibility, and stability. Mariana brings patience, expertise in coaching progression, and superior technological skills as she is able to seamlessly integrate in-person and virtual training.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Teaching Certification
- MA Women’s History
- BA History and Journalism
Matt Bowker
Personal Trainer
More About Matt
Matt has been a performer all of his life. He is best known for singing in the commercial that introduced fruit roll-ups to the world. For over twenty-five years, as an original member of the Lakeside Singers, Matt worked to mentor new singers, while presenting the worlds of classical and contemporary choral music to the masses.He brings to Monarch Fitness Coaching a firm belief that entertainment and education go hand in hand.
Because of his experience as a mortgage broker, one of Matt’s greatest joys is helping clients navigate tough and potentially hazardous situations. He uses this experience at Monarch Fitness Coaching to help clients progress toward their fitness goals.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Licensed RE Agent and Mortgage Broker
Trin Collins
Personal Trainer
More About Trin
Trin is deeply passionate about learning and, in some cases, re-learning how to take care of one’s well-being. As the social media and community relationships coordinator, Trin became intrigued by the countless clients who rave about the Monarch Method. Wondering if Monarch Fitness Coaching could have a transformative impact on the chronic joint pain that often interfered with the life Trin wanted to lead, they decided to become a client. The improvement in daily function was undeniable after just a short time in the program. Trin felt the pain significantly diminished, motivating them to become a coach and assist others in their journey towards pain-free and joyful movement.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training
- Personal Training: ASFA
- Research Assistant in Learning Sciences, Northwestern University
- BS in history, Northwestern University
Will Collins
Personal Trainer
More About Will
As a high school athlete whose career ended suddenly because of injuries, including multiple concussions, Will found himself switching directions from focusing on basketball to working on improving the overall functionality of his body including his physical and mental health. The Monarch Method aligned with his desire to incorporate strength, cardio, flexibility, and stability into his training. Will is passionate about sharing the mental and physical health benefits of personal training with his clients.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Personal Training, Group Personal Training, Program Design
- Personal Training: ASFA, NFPT
- Personal Fitness: IVAS
Assistant Coaches and Interns
Diane Petersmarck
Assistant Coach
More About Diane
After going through chemo and navigating a diagnosis of MS, Diane found her way to Monarch Fitness Coaching, where she experienced first-hand the transformative possibilities of a customized training plan attuned to her needs. Now, Diane utilizes her experience as a race director and volunteer worker at an assisted living facility to support clients undergoing a similar journey.
Education and Certifications:
- The Monarch Method: Assistant Coach
- Evanston Citizen Police and Fire Academy Graduate
- Dementia and Alzheimer
- Endurance sport race director
- Event planner
- BA in Sociology
Erin Walker
Assistant Coach
More About Erin
Erin has seen first-hand the importance of structured, comprehensive training for injury prevention and maximizing performance both on and off the court. Watching her older brother participate in special-recreation sports and being an Evanston Township High School women’s basketball manager led Erin to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. Her love of sports and desire to help others achieve their wellness goals has kept her motivated. Erin is currently a senior at Western Michigan University (WMU) and, following completion of her internship at Monarch Fitness Coaching, will be graduating in August 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. As part of her degree, Erin has focused on holistics, personal and sports nutrition, and exercise testing and prescription. She is excited to be working on her internship with Monarch Fitness Coaching, where she’ll be able to apply what she learned in the classroom. Following graduation, Erin is looking forward to continuing working at Monarch Fitness Coaching while she pursues a graduate degree in athletic training.
Education and Skills:
- Exercise Science: WMU
- Student Manager WMU Women’s Basketball
- Student Manager Evanston Township High School Women’s Basketball
- Ability to prioritize when faced with multiple demands
Jon Hoffheimer
Intern
More About Jon
Jon is passionate about giving back to his community and helping children and adults be active. Working at Evanston Recreation Department, McGaw YMCA, and School for Little Children has allowed Jon to support hundreds of people seeking to add movement into their lives. Jon brings his cheerful, friendly, and positive attitude to his role as an intern at Monarch Fitness Coaching, where he helps others work to achieve the amazing transformation he has experienced as a Monarch Fitness Coaching client.
Education and Certifications:
- Program Assistant, Evanston Recreation Department
- Teacher’s Aide, School for Little Children
- Early Child Care Certification, National Louis University
- Caregiver and Tot Movement Certification
Sam Deeney
Intern
More About Sam
Sam has seen first hand the challenges that youth with learning and other differences face. Sam is excited to be at Monarch Fitness Coaching where he can work with those that might be at risk of losing out on the joys of a life filled with health and wellness.
Education and Certifications:
- Special Recreation
Admin
Trin Collins
Community Relations and Social Media Coordinator
More About Trin
While working on a research project at Northwestern University about the harmful impacts of segmenting learning into silos, Trin was drawn to Monarch Fitness Coaching’s emphasis on empowering clients to make the best decisions for their body by providing holistic health and wellness education. Trin values their role in making information and communication more accessible for the Evanston community and beyond. In addition to supporting Monarch Fitness Coaching clients, they are also a member of the Main Dempster Mile Board.
Education and Certifications:
- BS in History, Northwestern University
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- History and Art Theory/Practice
- Research Assistant in Learning Sciences, Northwestern University
Nicole Joy
Admin
More About Nicole
A high-school two sport athlete, Nicole was attracted to the parallels between coaching and Monarch’s approach. She found a similar emphasis on overall health. Unlike coaching, however, Monarch uniquely stressed clients’ form and mobility, preserving or even improving their longevity. Nicole finds purpose in supporting the lives of Monarch Fitness Coaching’s clients.
Education and Certifications:
- Food preparation and nutrition
- Landscaping
- Sanitization and cleaning
- Fashion and Fine Arts