Meet Our Staff
Laura Acosta,
MS, RD, LD/N
Founder, CEO
A veteran to the health and fitness field, Laura has always had a passion for exercise and good nutrition.
She started at age 16 teaching group exercise classes to family and friends in the basement of her New York home. At age 18 she obtained her first professional certification with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and went on to become certified in several other specialty areas including personal fitness training (American Council on Exercise), cardio kickboxing (AFAA), and Pilates (Pilates Institute of America).
Laura studied Nutrition extensively at the University of Florida, and graduated in 2007 with a Masters degree in the field. Soon after, she became a registered and licensed dietitian, and worked at a large teaching hospital as a clinical dietitian for about a year before opening LifeStyle Wellness LLC. Laura feels so incredibly blessed to get to help people make positive lifestyle changes and become more fit and healthy every day! In her free time she enjoys music, scrapbooking, and most of all spending time with her husband.
Jessica Nagle
Zumba Instructor
A native of Puerto Rico, where dancing has a major cultural influence, Jessica first started folkloric Puerto Rican dance at the age of 6. She performed with a dance group for about 3 years, integrating a variety of dance styles. After being accepted into a prestigious Jazz dance company, she was awarded with a scholarship to their school where she continued to grow as a dancer and performer. At the age of 22, she moved to Orlando and received a bachelor's degree in psychology, while simultaneously studying and performing belly dance on another dance scholarship. From there she moved to Ohio for a year, and as she taught belly dance in various venues, she discovered a love and passion for a new dance-based fitness class called Zumba. Eager to share the unique fusion of dance and fitness with others, she soon obtained her Zumba teaching certification and began instructing Zumba classes at local fitness clubs. Now in Gainesville, she continues to utilize all of the skills she has learned from different regions and dance styles to fuse dance and fitness, and create a fun and energetic workout.
Rebekah Sarbone, BFA, NASM-CPT
Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor
Rebekah has her BFA in Dance Performance, and is a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer. Rebekah also holds a certification from YogaFit Teacher Training. She is currently attending Graduate School for Recreation Administration and Management, and is in the process of attaining her Personal Training Academy Global certification.
Rebekah enjoys all forms of physical activity and exercise. Aside from her dance background, Rebekah has also competed and placed in Xterra off-road triathlons. As she is currently training for a marathon, and her own training routine includes running, heavy weight lifting, functional weight training, and yoga. Throughout her career, she has been working with people from all walks of life, teaching and training. Rebekah works in all areas of fitness and wellness, ranging from sport and dance-specific training, to weight loss and functional movement training.
Kristenia Schneider
Zumba Instructor
Zumba InstructorKristenia was raised in the panhandle of Florida and moved to Gainesville in the 90’s. She has been employed with the Department of Veteran Affairs going on 11 years and also works part time at her husband’s family business Schneider & Associates Insurance Agencies. Kristenia has always been intrigued by music, dance, and fitness. She discovered Zumba at a local gym in 2008 and received her certification in 2010, since then she has been an active instructor in the community, she also teaches Hip Hop Cardio and finds a wonderful balance for her love of Zumba and her America style of dance. Kristenia is very excited to be a member of the Lifestyle Wellness team.
Cassandra Winterrowd, SCW
Group Fitness Instructor
Cassandra has studied Exercise and Sports Science at Santa Fe College and is currently pursuing a degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Florida. She teaches Kickboxing and Core Synergy but she is also very involved with the nutrition side of LifeStyle Wellness. She firmly believes that it is never too late to embark on a fitness journey that will lead you to a happy and healthy life. According to Cassandra, “persistence will get you anywhere that you want to be.”
Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Kickboxing, and weight lifting are all a part of Cassandra’s fitness regimen but running is her all time favorite hobby. She recently achieved her goal of running a half-marathon this past February in Gainesville’s 5 Points of Life race. Cassandra is always up for participating in a local 5k, 10k, or 15k race.
“I am completely mesmerized by the beautiful machine we call the human body. Fostering my love of nutrition and exercise in the work I do at LifeStyle Wellness is the most rewarding activity I do with my time.”
Amy Catledge
Piloxing Instructor
Amy, a Gainesville native, is a certified Piloxing Instructor. She is also AFAA certified for Group Fitness Instruction. She has been involved in fitness and group exercise for over 20 years and is now proud to be the first Piloxing Instructor in the Gainesville area. As a mother of two she is very passionate about helping mothers reach their fitness goals through fun and energetic workouts!
Maggie Freytes
Zumba Instructor
Magaly Freytes (Maggie) was born and raised in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. She came to Gainesville, FL to attend the University of Florida and is currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Like many others, Maggie struggled to keep a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Every new year she found herself making the habitual New Year’s resolution-- to improve her quality of life by adopting and maintaining a workout program. In 2009 she discovered ZUMBA and loved it so much that a year later she became a certified ZUMBA instructor. Maggie credits Zumba with transforming her life from the inside out by helping her lose weight, relieve stress, have fun, stay motivated, and maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Join Maggie for an exhilarating ZUMBA experience!
Cara Edwards
Yoga Instructor
Cara has grown up in Gainesville and began her Yoga practice in her teenage years. Searching for something “more” in life was the intention that has lead her to get her Yoga Teacher Certification in the summer of 2010. Cara finds that the greatest gift in her career as a Yoga Teacher is, “Practicing and giving what I love to others, in return I get to live as a life-long student within this ancient practice of Yoga.” Cara’s classes range from beginner to intermediate with the thought in mind that there is a type of yoga for every-BODY! Her classes integrate Yoga posture (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation to help harmonize the body, mind, and spirit connection. Art, gardening, music, dance and surfing are among a few of her favorite activities outside of her Yoga practice and she enjoys the challenge of integrating Yoga into all aspects of her life. “As I’ve learned, the roles between student and teacher are constantly interchangeable creating an exciting never-ending journey through life that we are all on together!” ~NAMASTE~lifestyle.
Karlo Martin
Cycling Instructor
Having grown up in Kesytone Heights, Florida, just minutes outside of Gainesville, Karlo has always enjoyed the jewels of the outdoors. He can’t remember a weekend he wouldn’t go biking on a trail or taking refuge in one of the national parks. After High School he ventured over to good ole’ Florida State University to get his Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and further studies in Molecular Biophysics. During his studies he managed to land a position in Art of the Catwalk teaching cardio classes: ranging from 80’s cardio, Punk Etiquette, Hip-Hop, and Ladies’ Fitness Pole Aerobics.
As exciting as that was he ventured into the world of Spinning and has never looked back. After getting his certification from Mad Dogg Athletics he has taught at The Florida State University, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University, private facilities, and developed a conditioning program leading towards a 2.5 hour Spinning event (recently known as the Gainesville Himalayas)! Spinning holds a special place in his heart and he yearns to share his experiences with it by forcing others to listen to him rant during his iconic classes. Having been with Gainesville Lifestyle and Wellness since Fall of 2010 he has shadowed and substituted for many of instructors and looks forward to broadening his horizons whilst ever tongue-in-cheek. Just recently he was certified by Aerobics And Fitness Association of America as a Personal Trainer, and for fun tends to compete in events like the Warrior Dash (see picture). He knows life is too short to go through it without a smile.
Tiffany Tisdale
Administrative Assistant
Tiffany grew up in Sarasota, Florida and attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando for her college education. She holds a B.S. degree in Public Administration with a minor in Nonprofit Management and is currently working on getting her M.S. in Health Services Administration. She recently moved to the Gainesville area from Orlando in 2010 with her husband who works for Shands Healthcare. She loves the character of the city and enjoys exploring all the nature trails with her husband and two dogs!
Tiffany began working for LifeStyle Wellness as an administrative intern in the fall of 2011 and is excited to officially be part of the staff! She is also working towards getting her 200 RYT certification through Yogafit and hopes to complete her training by the end of this year. She believes that regular exercise and good nutrition are key to having a fulfilling and balanced life!
Donna Davis
Group Fitness Instructor
Donna Davis teaches Pilates, Chair Pilates and other Core Classes at LifeStyle Wellness. She graduated from the University of Miami with her Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting. She loves playing tennis, running and horseback riding.
Courtney Campbell 
Group Fitness Instructor
Wake up pain free, have more energy after work, Look better in the mirror, Play more with your children, beat your buddies in a round of golf, train for the season. His goals are your goals. He believes that with effort you a can accomplish anything. Courtney was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, making his way to the Gainesville, Florida for his undergraduate studies. After graduating with a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology, Courtney pursed his master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (study of human movement). At the completion of his Masters degree he became Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach with the University of Florida working with Golf, Tennis & Basketball learning the the value of team. After leaving the University of Florida, Courtney became the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the boys Gainesville High School Basketball team encouraging and developing young minds and bodies.
In 2011, Courtney joined the Lifestyle Wellness team. His desire is to maximize your goals through sound exercise training. He currently personal trains, and teaches many of Lifestyle Wellness’ classes. He is also TPI certified (Titleist Performance institute) as a golf fitness expert and works to improve your golf fitness so you can play pain free or beat your buddies. Courtney is excited to improve your life. So, Contact Us to get Started.
Tammy Rich 
Group Fitness Instructor
After becoming frustrated and saddened by her 300 pound body, Tammy began working toward altering her body and lifestyle. The process led to a personal training degree, and becoming an AFAA certified group fitness instructor. She currently teaches Kick N Core at the studio, Core Synergy, and Body Fusion and Kickboxing at various offsite partnership locations. Tammy is currently pursuing a degree in Health Fitness Science with focuses in Biomechanics, Child Fitness, Advanced Youth Fitness Development, and Online Coaching and Personal Training.
Tammy loves working with the clientele, staff, and owners of LifeStyle Wellness. She feels blessed to be given a chance to pursue her dream of helping others attain fitness through her association with LifeStyle Wellness and Laura Acosta, her fitness mentor.
Jackie Tseng 
Graphic Design Intern
Jackie grew up in Miami and moved to Gainesville to earn a B.A. in Linguistics at the University of Florida. After graduating, Jackie decided to pursue a career in Graphic Design and is currently learning about print and web design. She enjoys reading, art and small, furry animals on the internet.
Leila Dylla
Yoga Instructor
The practice of Yoga has awakened my soul to the limitless possibilities of life. I am currently studying to complete my bachelors degree in applied physiology and kinesiology with a focus in fitness and wellness, from the University of Florida. This will be a great foundation for me, as I hope to receive my masters degree in Yoga Therapy in the near future. I have attended many yoga retreats, psychology of the chakra system workshops, and have completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training program. I am so grateful to have the chance to share my personal experiences and knowledge with all that are wanting to learn. By learning to open our minds to the beauty of nature we can embrace each moment with presence and an open heart. I look forward to sharing, connecting and growing with you all. So much love, Namaste
Zumba Instructor
Born in Raleigh, NC and raised in Pensacola, FL, Justin moved to Gainesville in 1999 to pursue his college education. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Florida and holds a B.A. in Geography. After a nine-year career in the information technology industry, he recently decided to explore other avenues.
Two years ago, Justin was introduced to ZUMBA® Fitness classes through a close friend, and suddenly a new world opened up to him. Fitness became an enjoyable part of his lifestyle and was no longer considered a ‘chore’ just to maintain his health. He began networking with other instructors and attending classes all over town (sometimes up to three classes in a single day!) During this time, he also discovered yoga through a great teacher and became a devout student and quick learner. He learned the importance of proper techniques in breathing, stretching, and holding poses in yoga, which he practices privately and incorporates some elements into his ZUMBA® classes.
With a lot of experience as a participant, Justin decided to obtain a license to teach ZUMBA® Fitness classes, with hopes to inspire others the way he was inspired two years ago. He recently decided to make his hobby into a new career in the fitness industry with LifeStyle Wellness. Discovering ZUMBA® Fitness has changed his outlook on life in general, has made him a more empowered and positive person, and has transformed his body into great shape. Justin invites you to join a class to see for yourself what a great fitness class experience he can offer. His music is exhilarating and you will naturally feel more confident in dancing the easy-to-follow rhythms.
Aside from fitness, Justin also enjoys cooking and eating ethnic cuisine, traveling the world, exploring the natural beauty of the Gainesville area, and spending quality time with his family.
Nicole specializes in weight loss, diabetes management, hypertension, pediatrics and sports nutrition. She has done various nutrition education presentations throughout the community and is excited to help the business grow in the years to come! In her spare time she works out at Crossfit Gainesville, and is involved with various networking groups throughout the community. She loves being active and anything outside by the water.