Our Fitness Staff
Please check back soon for more information on Lindsay
Lindsay Grunwald
Trainer
Like Elle Woods, I believe that exercise gives you endorphins and makes you happy.
My classes are energetic and focused. Each class is founded in kinesiology and can be modified for each unique body. I’m here to celebrate milestones and encourage you to keep pushing.
Erin Ball
Trainer
Coming from a background in exercise science pre physical therapy, fitness has been a focal point in my life and has shaped me to become the person I am today. It’s taught me dedication, hard work, motivation and all the tools needed to be successful and I want to use that to shape other people’s lives.
“The most important thing is you must put everybody on notice that you’re here and you are real” Kobe Bryant
Carson Njoku
Trainer
Liz has been in the group fitness space since 2017, beginning first as a Yoga Sculpt instructor. From there, she discovered a love of weight lifting and transitioned to barbell and weight focused exercises, believing everyone should be lifting heavy things.
Her fitness philosophy is that everyone should be moving, and finding joy in that movement, which has led to her certification in a wide variety of group fitness specialties, including dance fitness! If you’re looking for a challenge, and a sampling of exercise styles, her class is for you.
When not trying out new fitness trends, Liz can be found reading, hanging out with her cat, or experiencing another culinary wonder in DC.
Elizabeth Pedraja
Trainer
Harvey got into fitness mainly because he was a high school athlete. He continued his journey because he realized that he could do everything better just by being functionally fit.
Harvey’s fitness philosophy is simple… “Train and exercise in ways to improve your functional fitness so that you can enjoy life to the fullest.”
Harvey Johnson
Trainer
I am a certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Along with those certifications, I also received my qualifications as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist and Sunrise Yoga Instructor. I have worked in various health fitness settings, including physical therapy clinics (inpatient and outpatient), fitness centers, and hospitals. My time working in these settings have exposed me to various situations that have prepared and molded me into the trainer I am today. My main goal is for everyone I work with to exceed their fitness and nutritional goals to ensure a pain-free, healthy, and happier life!
Erik Copeland
Trainer
Sue Jacoby is an ACE-certified fitness trainer. She enjoys working with people new or returning to the barbell so that they can build strength and confidence. She is also Barbell Rehab Method certified to work with people experiencing chronic pain or are recovering from injuries or surgery.
Sue’s commitment to fitness began over 30 years ago and she became a competitive rower in her 40’s. After rowing she became an avid powerlifter finding she had an affinity for “picking up really heavy things” (which led to a national deadlifting record). Today you can find her at Jade or happily walking her dog Liam (who will be joining her during classes).
Susan Jacoby
Trainer
Howard’s smile will most likely be the first thing you see when you walk into Jade Fitness. While Howard staffs the front desk, he also keeps Jade’s operations humming smoothly behind the scenes. Howard grew up and began studying dance and acting in Washington DC. Leaving Washington for training and career opportunities, Howard started performing and teaching theater and contemporary jazz, master classes, and fitness all over the world, including New York City, Japan, Germany and Spain.
Returning to Washington and reconnecting with family, Howard has since been teaching dance and fitness. His connection with dance and fitness has led to his lifestyle of living in balance with diet and exercise. Howard brings that experience and knowledge to Jade Fitness.
Fun Fact: Howard now lives in his childhood neighborhood where he attended Payne and Buchanan Elementary Schools
Jade of Wisdom: For a healthy life find the balance between fitness, nutrition, work, friends and family.
Howard Perry
Front Desk
Erica Anderson
Front Desk
Jackson Heier
Front Desk
Our Yoga Team
Alexandria started practicing yoga in 2012. While originally drawn to the practice for its physical benefits, it became clear to her all of the additional ancillary benefits that a regular yoga practice brings. She’s passionate about yoga because of its healing properties. Having attended the University of Pittsburgh Physical Therapy program and working in physical therapy and sports nutrition settings, Alexandria has an extensive background in health and nutrition. These things have contributed to her appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of the practice.
Additionally, Alexandria completed a 500-hour hatha training in 2018. She then went on the train in Tibetan meditation, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga. Her diverse background and training inform her teaching style: precision, playful, and fun. She hopes to create sustainable practices that people can enjoy and return to for a lifetime of healthy movement.
She is excited to share this inclusive practice that she believes is for everyone, regardless of their background.
Alexandria Wingrove
Yoga Instructor
What Kathy loves about yoga is that there is a practice for everyone. Since 2000, she has been exploring yoga’s rich traditions, from vigorous to restorative, discovering that in yoga we can find what we need and uncover our best selves. Kathy shares her love of yoga with others in encouraging, playful alignment-based vinyasa classes that allow students to gain confidence and feel comfortable exploring poses, mindfulness, and linking breath with movement in a safe, inviting environment. She received her 200 hour certification in 2012, and her 500 hour certification in 2018.
Kathy Foltin
Yoga Instructor
Deb’s stressful days working on the Hill led her to discover yoga. As her practice grew to taking a class a day, she decided to learn more because of all that she was gaining mentally, physically, and spiritually. To expand her understanding she took teacher training, and has found a home in teaching yoga. Deb particularly enjoys introducing adults and kids to yoga in a friendly, fun and safe way, helping students experience how yoga is for every body type and skill level. Deb’s yin yoga classes focus on particular sections of the body each week with modifications based on the needs of each student. Expect to use props throughout class to support your body as you hold a pose for up to five minutes. Deb also teaches meditation, plays crystal & Tibetan singing bowls, and is a Reiki Jin Kei Do Master Practitioner.
Deb Koolbeck
Yoga Instructor
A yoga practitioner since 1997, Becky was first drawn to yoga to steady her mind and energy while increasing strength, flexibility, and vitality. She was inspired to share her love of yoga with others through teaching and has since completed her 200-hour certification in 2006 and her 500-hour certification in 2013.
Be prepared to twist, bend, balance, and smile in one of Becky’s classes. Becky combines her own unique blend of classic yoga poses in a dynamic flow-style. While Becky takes the practice of yoga seriously, her teaching is infused with a lighthearted attitude and a celebration of joyful energy and openness. Centered in breath awareness, her sequences of poses are designed to heat, stretch, and strengthen the body, incorporating standing poses, twisting, and balancing, as well as poses that allow for a balance of forward and backward bending. Each class concludes with time for meditative relaxation.
Fun Fact: As much as Becky loves yoga, she also loves the classics–books, movies, music. Don’t get her started on 19th century novels, black and white movies, or romantic composers!
Becky’s Jade of Wisdom: “Let your teacher be love itself.” – Rumi
Becky Pfordresher
Yoga Instructor
Truly took her first yoga class in 1995 and became a teacher in 2005. She is continually humbled and amazed by how expansive and accessible yoga can be and loves to work with students of all levels.
Truly is a native Washingtonian and also likes to paint, draw, and travel.
Truly Herbert
Yoga Instructor