The Re:Gen Team
Jen began at an early age dancing, which was the beginning of movement for her. As she got older, she continued her dancing in all genres, while also pursuing her gift in singing. From the age of 9-30 years of age Jen was performing and touring for concerts and conferences sharing her love of music. Jen married her high school sweetheart Eddie, who became a Naval Fighter Pilot and began the military life of moving. As the change in Jen’s life set in, so did the anxiety that was always underneath the pressure to be everything to everyone. The perfectionism monster had creeped in. It wasn’t until 9/11 that the depression and anxiety became debilitating, and she fought hard to be strong. It was during a deployment that changed her life forever. A VHS tape of Bender Ball Pilates would be the saving grace in the middle of the night or day sometimes 3 to 4 times daily as it taught her how to breathe and reminded her, she was ok. After what seemed the longest journey in learning who she was, with counseling and support from her husband she began to see color and beauty around her again. With her husband's encouragement and support Jen began her journey of training in Pilates. All the while with two little girls. From Classical Mat Training to a full Comprehensive Contemporary Pilates Training through Person Best Pilates in Overland Park, KS. After graduating she moved to California where she opened her first Pilates studio. Moving over and over, reinventing herself and learning how to see it as an opportunity to grow and learn to build on the foundations of movement that heals. Jen has had the privilege of being published in Pilates Style Magazine and was on the cover of USAA Magazine celebrating Career Moves. Jen feels blessed to have learned from the best in the industry and is proud of the accumulative mind body experience we have created at Re:Gen. All that Re:Gen offers, Jen is fully certified in and more. Jen’s motto is to always teach from the core out no matter what modality is being taught. It is her joy to help others wherever they may be in their wellness journey. Whether coming from rehab or coming in to get a great workout, to learning to simply breathe. It is always her goal to help everyone feel the complete benefits of Pilates first and to second educate our clients to understand their bodies and go deeper in understanding themselves. At Re:Gen, the Teacher Training Program completes the journey for Jen as she is a teacher of teachers. It is important to her to continue teaching not just exercises but how to see alignment, listen to clients to truly hear them and most of all teaching our teachers to teach to the bodies in front of them. Through the training program Re:Gen offers an in-house apprenticeship where not one hour is missed. Every hour is an opportunity to become a better teacher. Jen truly loves what she does, no doubt you will see it come through in her teaching.
Jennifer Whitley - Owner/Lead Instructor – Master Trained
Bridget is a Louisiana native who moved to the great state of
Texas in 1986 with her family. She married her husband in 1998
and has since had two wonerful kids, Brandon and Breanna, who brings great joy to her life. Brian and Bridget have since grown together as a couple and as business partners. Brian owns a family car dealership in South Texas while Bridget pursues her passion in real estate investment and as a business entrepreneur. Together they own multiple rental properties.
Bridget loves doing business and life with Jen, her best friend and business partner. Re:Gen Pilates, established in 2017, was born because of a love, friendship and passion they both have for fitness. Although Bridget came to fitness later in life, fitness has helped her mind, body and soul. Movement brings healing and knows that Re:Gen encompasses that motto.
Bridget Willeford - Owner
Amy Dovel is a native Texan who has been working in administrative roles since 2001. She spent 13 years with AT&T and then 3 years with Prestonwood Baptist Church. She began her relationship with Re:Gen as one of our first clients in the summer of 2017. She joined the Re:Gen team on May 7th of 2018 as our front desk administrator. She was promoted to Studio Manager in December of 2021. She is dedicated to Re:Gen and will go out of her way to assist both clients and fellow team members alike. She adores helping clients, apprentices, and instructors achieve their goals. Amy's number one love is Jesus. Her second love is her husband, Matthew. They have been married since 2003 and have one son, Bradley. In her spare time she likes to practice pilates with our apprentice instructors, spend time with her family and friends, or just settle in with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
Amy Dovel - Studio Manager
Vanessa began her fitness career as a group fitness instructor in 2014 at the cusp of running half marathons and retiring from professional cheerleading. At that time, she held certifications as an ACE Group Fitness Instructor, PIYO Instructor, Trampoline Fitness, NASM Personal Trainer, and certified in CPR and First Aid. Vanessa met the owners of the soon-to-be Re:Gen Pilates studio and immediately began to train in Spin and soon after added a Lagree Fitness certification. She taught spin and Lagree part-time at Re:Gen for some time before happily walking away from all of the other genres that she had been teaching and devoting that time to the ultimate certification: Pilates Mat and Reformer. Vanessa has been at Re:Gen since October of 2017 and has found it to be a home away from home. Because life isn't complete without a small dose of chaos, Vanessa is married and has two children and a kitten and is currently in school part-time pursuing a degree in nursing. Vanessa loves Re:Gen and all that it encompasses wholeheartedly and is thankful each and every day to be a part of a loving and honorable establishment.
Vanessa Forman - Instructor
Dana attended Texas A&M University and began her career as an elementary teacher and school administrator. After staying home for a few years after the birth of her second son, Dana decided to combine her love of group fitness and teaching to become a fitness instructor. She has six years of experience in the group fitness industry. After teaching indoor cycle, TRX, PiYo, and strength training for several years she joined the Re:Gen team in March of 2018 as a Lagree and cycle instructor. Once she fell in love with Lagree she decided the natural next step was to pursue her comprehensive Pilates certification. Dana holds certifications in AFAA Group Fitness, Mad Dogg Spin Power, PiYo, TRX, Lagree, and Pilates. She most recently participated in Booty Barre training with her fellow Re:Gen instructors. Dana loves helping people find joy in movement and community. She believes in meeting clients where they are and helping them connect their mind and body to become both physically and mentally stronger. When not teaching she enjoys taking class from other Re:Gen instructors, walking & hiking,
reading, and spending time with her husband, two boys, and cat Pretzel.
Dana Ewing - Instructor
Beth has been an exercise instructor for fifteen years and is certified in Bender Barre, Barre Above, and will add Booty Barre soon. She completed her 200-hour yoga training in 2018. She is currently certified in Pilates Mat and is working to complete the Pilates reformer 500 hour training this year. Beth has been a part of the Re:Gen family since 2018 and teaches barre and yoga classes. She discovered Re:Gen while driving on Prosper Trail and after meeting with Jen and Bridget she knew immediately she would love to teach there. Re:Gen is so great because the instructors are so special and unique. They have the best clients, owners, and studio manager. Beth and her fabulous husband live in Celina. They have two wonderful boys and an amazing pup. She loves spending time with her family watching sports, going to concerts, and walking their dog.
Beth Williams - Instructor
Kristin came to Re:Gen as part of a journey to reset her health. A former high school athlete and group fitness instructor, she was suffering with hormone imbalances, chronic joint pain, and mental burnout. The changes she saw in her physical health and mental well-being in just the first few months of taking classes at Re:Gen made her fall in love with Pilates! Kristin was inspired to go through the Pilates Instructor Training Program in 2019, and enjoyed the training so much that she was ecstatic when she was asked to stay on as an instructor at Re:Gen. Kristin has a Bachelor of Science in Sports & Recreation Management, and a Master of Arts in Management & Leadership. She’s done everything from selling luxury cars to working as a hair & makeup artist for photo shoots, but has finally found her happy place in teaching at Re:Gen. Her passion is helping people feel better, inside and out, and she is so grateful to have a place at Re:Gen that allows her to do so on a daily basis! Kristin lives in Frisco, TX with her family - her husband, her two kids, and her father. She homeschools her daughter, and her newborn son keeps her on her toes. It’s a busy house, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! If she has a spare moment, you’ll find her in her kitchen baking or cooking. Kristin follows a plant-based diet and loves experimenting with recipes and sharing the goodies with friends and family. She and her family are active in their church, and love spending time together outdoors swimming, golfing, and going to the beach as much as
possible!
Kristin Brown - Instructor
Maggie was born in Florida but grew up in North Texas. In 2007 she graduated from Southern Methodist University. After several years in Marketing, she moved to Prosper in 2017 with her husband Landon and decided to stay home with their son Cash. In 2021 they added their daughter Lily to the family. Maggie started Spin in 2007 and Pilates in 2015. After moving to Prosper, she was looking for a place that offered both. What a blessing when Re:Gen opened across the street! When they added Lagree, Maggie loved the way it combined the cardio of Spin with the strength and flexibility of Pilates. In 2018 she decided to take her love of Pilates to the next level by beginning the Re:Gen Pilates Certification Program. She trained in Cycle in 2020 and received her Pilates and Lagree certifications in 2021. As someone that’s struggled with anxiety, movement and breath have always helped. Maggie loves creating workouts that make you sweat, but also appreciates slowing down to find the breath work in Pilates. Some days you need to breathe heavy and push your body and other days you need to slow down and appreciate every breath and movement. She loves that no matter which option you choose it never gets easy and constantly pushes you to the next level mentally and physically.
Maggie Owens - Instructor
Colette is a Louisiana girl born and raised. She moved to Texas over 20 years ago. She attended LSU where she studied nursing. Colette’s career after LSU ranges from software marketing sales to medical sales. She is married with 4 children. Colette has been a member at Re:Gen since 2019. Her entire life she has dealt with extreme anxiety. Pilates changed her life by giving her the mind and body connection to help with the anxiety. She loved Pilates so much she decided to become a fully certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor. Colette is trained in Cycle, Lagree Fitness, and in Pilates. She believes that Pilates has a way of gravitating people together, and Re:Gen truly is her family. Fitness isn’t just a career for Colette; it’s a passion, and it's her passion to give what she has learned back to her clients.
Colette James - Instructor
Alena is the second oldest of 5 children and currently resides in Frisco, TX. Currently a college student at UNT seeking to graduate Fall 2022 with her Bachelor’s of Arts and Science. Her degree focus is in Administration, Social Wellness & Community, and Hospitality. Between school and working, she enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend, and sweet pup. She has been consistently taking Pilates for two years at Re:Gen. “Re:Gen is more than just a place to work out, it is a community”. Alena was introduced to Pilates through a friend, and fell in love with the practice and Re:Gen. She initially began coming to gain strength & flexibility and in result has never been in this great of shape. Not only looking better but feeling better and stronger. Being a full-time college student, she wasn’t sure if going through the training program would be the right timing. Without a doubt it was the best decision she’s made, not only being able to become better for herself but learning so she can help others be better and feel good inside and out.
Alena Lokar - Instructor
Kaycee came to Re:Gen in January of 2021 knowing nothing
about Pilates or Lagree. After doing almost two months of
reformer classes, Kaycee tried a Lagree class and never looked
back! She took Lagree almost every day for the last 6 months of 2021. Kaycee got her Lagree Certification in October 2021 and
started teaching Lagree at Re:Gen in January 2022. “I love how challenging every single Lagree class is, no matter how long you’ve been taking it! It’s so awesome to see and feel yourself getting stronger with each class. I’m so excited to start teaching at Re:Gen and to share my love for Lagree!”
KAYCEE SHIELDS - INSTRUCTOR
Kyle joined Re:Gen in 2021 as a Spin and Lagree instructor. He initially started taking Lagree
classes as a form of strength training to pair with his running. After a few classes, he could feel
the benefits it had on his muscular strength and endurance while running. Already having a spin certification and already wanting to get into group fitness, he decided to get certified to teach Lagree because of how beneficial it can be for our bodies at any and all levels of fitness. Kyle is also a high school teacher in Frisco. He loves spending his day being a positive role model and making kids laugh. When he isn’t teaching or instructing, Kyle is running and training for a road or trail race of some kind!
Kyle Buckley Nelson - Instructor
Jill is a Colorado native with Texas roots, and has spent the last
20 years living in London and Connecticut. She moved to
Prosper this summer with her family. Jill is married, has 4 children, two in college and two in Prosper ISD. She also has two dogs, Sugar and Scout. Jill began to teach at Re:Gen in 2021. Jill has been practicing yoga since 1998 and has been teaching for over 8 years. She received her 200-hour certification in 2013 and continues to further her education by attending various workshops and trainings. She teaches a lively class and believes that yoga is both a "work-out" and a "work-in" where the effort you put forward on the mat transforms both body and mind. Jill incorporates breath, alignment, and mental focus and tailors her classes for all levels.
Jill Crystal - Instructor
Emily Michalsky, Physical Therapist, DPT, & Certified Pilates Instructor Emily is a graduate of Oklahoma State University & holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UT Southwestern. She is certified by Polestar Pilates, the rehabilitation-based Pilates program. Over the past 5 years, she has worked with neurologic, orthopedic, and home health clients. Emily is passionate about helping people live their best lives & reach their individual goals for their health & well-being. Her favorite part about working in health & wellness is connecting and building individual relationships with each client & being a part of their journey to success. In her down time, she is spending time with her husband and three young children outdoors as much as possible.
Emily Michalsky - Instructor
Christina has been teaching Group Fitness classes since 2014 at various large gyms and studios in North Texas. She quickly fell in love with Pilates and Barre formats after earning certifications in PiYo, Piloxing Barre, POP Pilates, Bootybarre, and bbarreless. Christina has a passion for creating workouts that are fun, effective, challenging, yet accessible for all fitness levels. Additionally, she has a love for building community where positivity, body confidence, and uplifting others are always at the forefront.
Christina holds an ACE Group Fitness Certification, Functional Training Specialist Certification, and is currently enrolled in Pre/Postnatal Instructor Education. She resides in Prosper, Texas with her husband, two children, and two fur babies.
CHRISTINA WOODLEY - Instructor
Lighthearted, fun, and fearless— get ready to explore uncharted territory and discover what’s possible on your mat. Casey Merkling, (E-RYT 200, YACEP) comes to us with 10 years of teaching experience in a variety of yoga styles, including Vinyasa Flow and Yin. Her classes will take you through dance-like yoga flows that will keep your body moving and your muscles guessing while strengthening your mind and filling your cup! With options to meet and challenge any experience level, you’ll leave feeling confident, strong, fearless, and balanced— and who doesn’t need more of that?
CASEY MERKLING - Instructor
Quinn is truly a hot yoga devotee! After struggling with her weight for 30+ years and having tried every type of exercise program and diet under the sun, she finally found what worked for her body with hot yoga in 2019. She fell in love and began practicing 5-6 days per week. She found that it not only helped her with weight loss, but began to ease depression and anxiety, helped her gain self-confidence, and introduced her to a community of people that have become her best friends. After 3 years of consistent practice and having lost 85 pounds, she decided it was time to get her teaching certification and share her love for hot yoga professionally. She earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification in February 2022 and teaches Vinyasa, power, and slow flow formats.
Originally from Indianapolis, Quinn grew up in Chicago, and spent 7 years living in Aspen, Colorado. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2007 with a degree in Political Science. Quinn moved to Texas with her husband, David, in 2008 and has lived in Celina for 5 years. She has 2 sons, Rylan and Jacob, and is a full-time real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty.
Quinn is passionate about the benefits of hot yoga and looks forward to sharing that passion with the Re:Gen community. She can’t wait to see you in class!
Quinn - Instructor
"Yolanda was born and raised in Juárez, Mexico. Moved to the United States as a teenager. She is married with 3 children and has a lovely golden doodle named Farah. In 2016 she moved to Prosper, and became a member at Re:Gen in 2018 after dealing with anxiety for some time. Through Pilates she found a way of connecting with her mind and body which helped her find a healthier lifestyle. This is the reason why she decided to become a fully certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor. Pilates is a very important part of her life. It brings balance, purpose and helps her become stronger mentally and physically. She is excited to keep learning through helping others feel good inside and out."
Yolie- Instructor/substitute
Dr. Janine Kreft has had many passions around creativity & wellness. She spent 17 years of her childhood & young adult life training in ballet & performing professionally. During these years, she was introduced to Pilates & Hot Yoga as ways to cross train & build strength for dance. After experiencing a life-threatening medical issue in her early 20’s & thereby quitting ballet, she began working with a therapist to recover from depression, panic attacks, & disordered eating. She found so much benefit & love for psychology in her healing process, that she decided to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. In 2015, she graduated & worked for several years at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wyoming. Although she loved facilitating Veterans’ recovery from trauma, she yearned for the freedom & self-development of entrepreneurship. She established her company, Kreft’s Couch in early 2021 & now offers Mental Wellness Coaching to clients around the world. Janine is passionate about holistic healing, energetics & spirituality. Most days you can find Janine at ReGen taking class, filming Tiktoks & facilitating clients in her online space. She is thrilled to be part of the ReGen team & has found an abundance of healing & community in her process of becoming a yoga instructor there. You can find Janine @kreftscouch on IG, Tiktok & YouTube!