GirlfriendsInTraining.com

Train for fun, strengthen friendships for life

Our Staff

Dixie Douville, RN ,BSN
Founder and Head Coach

Dixie has been a registered nurse for 23 years specializing in cardiovascular medicine.  She is the Owner of Pursuit of Wellness, LLC a health and wellness consulting company and the Founder of Girlfriends in Training.  She was a member of the Spinning Master Instructor Team for 11 years as well as a Spin Pilates Master Instructor. As a certified fitness professional for more than two decades Dixie has been recognized for her knowledge in the areas of heart rate training, female athletics, running, cycling and special populations.  She has extensive experience focusing on the practical application of sport-specific cardiovascular training as well as health promotion, cardiac rehabilitation, fitness programming  and lifestyle management.  She has been recognized by the American Council on Exercise and the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America as a continuing education specialist, serves on the Editorial Board for the Canadian Personal Trainers Network and is a USA Track and Field certified coach.  Her current medical practice includes caring for athletes and developing programs for a Sports Medicine and Sports Performance program in NJ.

 

As a consultant Dixie has published numerous articles, authored training manuals and consults for major corporations including the Atlantic Health System, General Chemical, GlaxoSmithKline and The Annika Foundation.  Dixie is an international conference speaker in the areas of wellness, health and fitness. She coaches adult multisport athletes and runners, as well as the Cross Country and Track and Field teams at the middle school level. She has completed 20 marathons including Boston, Chicago and New York as well as numerous other road races and multisport events.  Dixie is the mother of three and has a very patient husband.

 

 

A well known fitness industry pro, Mary Cerria has continued to support the GiT team with her training support and knowledge.  She is a  Master Pilates instructor, certified Yoga instructor, personal trainer, US Track and field certified coach and has earned numerous group exercise certifications.  Mary is a multiple marathon finisher and Boston qualifier. 

 

Cheryl Bock is one of the area’s most popular Spin instructors and the owner of Amici Hair Salon. But the most important message that she has as a coach for GiT is to remain healthy, you have to move! Cheryl inspires all of us as a breast cancer survivor who found exercise during her treatment helped her to recover both physically and mentally. You will find her leading walking and walk/run groups for GiT. 

 

Sharon Piotrowski is an ACE personal trainer, and local group exercise instructor.  She is a certified Spinning instructor.  She has participated in two team ITCA “Tri It” Triathlons, the 2009 MORE ½ Marathon,  the 2009  Long Branch ½ Marathon, and recently ran the White Rock Run Relay in Dallas, Tx.  Sharon is also an avid road cyclist.  You will see Sharon coaching our run/walks in the Flanders and Chester area this season.

 

Sheila PraSisto has been an integral part of the GiT team since 2006.  She is a certified health coach. Spinning instructor and a long time distance walking enthusiast.  She has participated in the MORE ½ Marathon several times and is best known for her encouraging style and determination to get the very last member of the GiT team across the finish line.  Sheila coordinates our walking groups in the Mount Olive area. 

 

Pink is new to the GiT staff this year.  After dabbling in the body building industry as an NPC figure competitor, Pink realized true fitness and beauty needs to come from the inside, “without self-love we are just a shell”.  Her philosophy: Exercising from the inside-out- tends to take people by surprise, however she maintains that once you allow yourself to let go and accept it, true fulfillment in mind, body and spirit can be yours. Pink has been motivating and inspiring clients since 1981.  She is certified by AFAA, Mad Dog Spinning, YogaFit, Zumba and Body Training Systems.  Drawing upon her extensive exercise knowledge and never without her heart on her sleeve her workouts are fun and filled with true love for her participants.

 

Cheryl Kennedy

Long Valley area coordinator

Cheryl lives in Long Valley with her husband, two sons and one dog (great running partner!). Cheryl has lived in several states around the USA, as well as in The Netherlands and Brazil. She loves to travel, and enjoys the outdoors. Cheryl works as a free-lance floral designer and finds most of her inspiration while on her runs and walks outside with Mother Nature.
Cheryl’s running philosophy:
I have run on and off throughout my life. Sometimes more off than on, but I always seem to come back to running. I have learned through each mile that it is an exercise for the mind and soul as it is much for the body. 

Cheryl has participate in multiple races including the 2008 MORE Marathon. GiT is thrilled to have Cheryl joining our team this year.