Personal Trainers

Hello, my name is Chip Taggart and I'm a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and completed all my course work for my Masters in Exercise Physiology, both at the University of Kansas. I have three kids; Austin the oldest is 10 years old, Andrew and Nolan (the twins) are 7 years old. However, my wife Michele would tell you that I add as our "fourth boy". Sunshine, a blonde Shih-Tzu has been a part of our family for three years now. Most would say that black is not an actual color, if that's the case then black is my favorite non-color. I love the foods that most trainers would advise people to stay away from, junk food. Although lately I have tried to stay away from junk food, it hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be. When I was 19 years old, I broke my C5 vertebrae after diving into a shallow pond and hitting my head on the bottom. I love what I do and I have devoted most of my life to fitness, both for me personally and professionally helping others. I feel there is very little in a person's life that is not positively impacted by increased fitness and better health. I have helped literally hundreds of people change their lives for the better through exercise.

Hello, my name is Todd Leonard and I'm the Vice President of FitnessQuest. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in both Exercise Science and Nutrition from Kansas State University. I have four children; Tate, 9, Trey, 7, Alyssa, 5, and Alec, 3. I do not have any pets, four children is enough in a busy household like mine. My favorite color is green and my guilty pleasure in life is chocolate. In my free time I love to road bike, work out and play different sports with the kids. As far as battle wounds go, I have torn my right rotator cuff and sprained both of my ankles several times. I enjoy working on my back muscles the most and I enjoy working in the fitness industry so that I may have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Hi, my name is Shannon Brady. I've been a member of the FitnessQuest family working as both personal trainer and membership director since we opened our doors in November 2005. My background is in healthcare working as a nurse for 17 years before leaving to pursue a full time career in fitness. I am an Idaho native and graduated from the nursing program at the College of Southern Idaho and finished my education at Boise State University (Go Broncos!). While I will always be an Idaho girl, I have grown to love the midwest and the people. My husband, Michael and I have a wonderful teenager named Connor. Our house stays active with three additional family members, Tug, Bodie and Jigs (all pugs). I taught Jazzercise for 7 years and retired in 2007. I completed my first triathalon in August 2007. I run several short course races through the year as well. My favorite way to relax is to sneak off with a mindless magazine and good glass of wine. My most severe battle scar dates back to when I was 6 and I received severe burns on my tongue from a frozen pipe. I'm always available for workout, nutrition or even a little nursing advice...don't hesitate to ask!

Hi! My name is Robin Cipolla and I'm a personal trainer, pilates and group instructor here at FitnessQuest. I have two children; a 23year old daughter named Christina and a 15 year old son named John. My family and I share two dogs named Captain Morgan and Isabelle. I love the color pink and enjoy eating Bit-O-Honey as a treat here and there. In my free time I love to cook, play sand volleyball and color! The best battle wound that I have is from awhile back when I slipped and fell off a pool ladder and had to have 36 stitches in my leg. Being the strong girl that I am, I simply replied "Just put a band-aid on it". I love personal training and teaching fitness classes because I love watching other people change their lives and grow. Being a part of that experience is amazing.

My name is Kathy Donahue and received my AA from Johnson County Community College and I'm certified in both personal training and group exercise through the AFAA. I am also certified as a personal trainer through NETA and certified to teach yoga, pilates and cycling. I have two children; Collin, 22 and Caitlyn, 17 and two pets, Buddy, a cocker spaniel and Royal, a horse. My favorite color is turquoise and in my free time I enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and cycling. I also enjoy getting massages. My worst battle wound would have to be from the arthroscopy surgery that I had on my knee. I love working the glute muscles and I enjoy personal training because I've always had a high energy level and have liked to move. A toned, fit body is one key to great quality of life. That's my motto, "Just keep moving".

Hello, my name is Jason Allen and I’m a certified Personal Trainer through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. I am originally from Bryan/College Station, Texas, but came to the Midwest on a wrestling scholarship to Missouri Valley College, where I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. I have one son; Jacob, 4 years old. I own a long haired terrier mix named Tatty. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, camping, canoeing, being at the lake, playing the drums and working out. I’ve been very active in sports since I was very young; playing baseball, football, track and wrestling. Since ending my college wrestling career, I’ve competed in powerlifting and strongman competitions. My favorite muscles to work would definitely be my shoulders. I enjoy working in the fitness industry to impact peoples’ lives, help them reach their goals and the satisfaction of their success.

Spencer has been a Personal Trainer since 1998. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in exercise science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He holds a certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and is a certified Group Fitness Instructor with the Aerobic Fitness Association of America. He has competed in marathons, including the Boston Marathon and Triathlons. His aim is to provide clients more than they expect and to use any means necessary to get results

My name is Katie Buell and I am a certified Personal Trainer through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. I have worked in the Kansas City area as a Personal Trainer since 2000. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. I own a miniature schnauzer named Simba and in my free time I enjoy working out, house/pet sitting, journaling and reading. My favorite colors are various shades of orange/peach and I enjoy eating brownies and ice cream on occasion. While I was training for body building shows, I didn't get enough fat into my diet and my liver suffered because of it. The leg muscles (Quads, Hamstrings and Calves) are my favorite muscles to work. I enjoy personal training because I like to help people reach their goals in half the time that it took me to reach my goal.

Hello, my name is Mike and I recently graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Management and an emphasis in sport. I enjoy reading and hanging with my friends when I'm not at work. My main battle scar stems from a trampoline... I am very excited to be part of the FitnessQuest crew. If you have any questions, please ask me. I am always glad to help!

Hello, my name is Tracy Barton and I graduated from Baker University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and then graduated from the University of Kansas with a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in Exercise Science/Biomechanics. I am currently certified through the AFAA and BLS/ACLS. I own two cats named Calvin and Cougar and in my free time I enjoy doing yard work, craft projects, reading and of course, exercising! My favorite color is yellow and I enjoy eating a piece of blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream every once in awhile. My stand out battle wound is a scar on my forehead from when I hit my head on the headboard of my bed (it's not what you think, I was only 6 years old at the time). My favorite muscle groups to work are the abs and triceps. I enjoy being a personal trainer because I enjoy being fit and helping others achieve their goals.

My name is Wright Summers and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of South Tennessee and have been a licensed realtor and broker since 1972 in both Kansas and Missouri. I have two kids, Susan, 41 and Shannon, 38 and a dog named Sam. In my free time I enjoy golfing, being with friends and traveling, preferably in the outdoors. I also enjoy eating good food like Italian, not bad food like sushi or liver. My favorite color is green. When exercising, I enjoy working on my chest, arms and shoulders. I have a couple of battle wounds, including having my C5 and C6 removed from my neck and I blew out my L4 in my lower back. I enjoy working at FitnessQuest because it has a happy environment with no complaint department.