it's about the people

Y instructors and staff you should know

We believe our staff play an enormous role in your Y experience. Our Mission Valley facilities employ hundreds of people, many of them in the fitness department. These dedicated professionals make it their business to ensure your workout is great, your equipment is functioning and you get the help and support you need to reach your goals.

We'd like to introduce some standout staff we think you should meet. These people exemplify the Y's mission and bring a skill set that truly benefits our members.

See also: Instructor Profile archives

Corrie Noll

Mission Valley

Corrie Noll has been a I have been a fitness instructor at the Y for 12 years, teaching a variety of classes, including Step, Kick Boxing, Cardio Sculpt, Circuit, Quick Fit, Core and Hi/Low Impact. "I see fitness as a tool for maintaining and caring for the bodies and health we have been blessed with," she says. "I feel so fortunate to be a part of that process in so many people’s lives and I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for fitness and wellness inside and out!"

Corrie loves to be outdoors cove swimming, surfing, running, biking, camping and hiking. She participates in athletic events and enjoys helping others find their love for fitness. Her motto: "You don’t have to be an athlete to be athletic!"

Megan Denys

Toby Wells

Megan Denys recently joined the YMCA group exercise and personal training team. Megan moved to San Diego in 2006 to pursue her education. Megan has always enjoyed fitness and being active, so she enrolled at Miramar College and decided to work toward a degree in Health and Physical Education. She discovered the Fitness Specialist Program and has made it her goal to empower and inspire others to become healthy and active.

Megan strives to continually challenge herself and others around her to keep pushing it to the next level. Megan has run a marathon as well as participated in many different mud runs. Megan’s other interests include spending time with her family, yoga, cooking, cycling, her dogs and, of course, being active.

Megan is certified in ACE Personal Trainer, TRX, Fitness Specialist, as well as a Yoga Sculpt Instructor. Megan currently teaches 6am yoga sculpt at Toby Wells YMCA on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. — posted 10/15/12

Liz Barr

Downtown

Liz Barr is an indoor cycling instructor and triathlete. She has qualified to run the Boston Marathon in 2013. Liz recently returned to San Diego after living three years in Italy. Some of her favorite trips were biking adventures in Tuscany, racing in the St. Polten Austria Half Ironman and running the Rome Marathon. When Liz isn't cycling, she's chasing after her two beautiful daughters (ages 4 and 22 mos) or working as an environmental program manager.

Liz has two bachelor's degrees (Science in Biology and Environmental Science) from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins. — posted August 2012

Robin beltran

Hazard Center

Dr. Robin Beltran is a licensed clinical health psychologist who specializes in helping people make changes in their health behaviors. With over 30 years experience in the fitness industry and a Ph.D. in Health Psychology, she uses a research-based approach to health management and applies her unique understanding of the mind-body connection and passion for teaching to help others find their motivation to change. — posted June 2012

Note: Robin currently teaches Stretch, Gravity Ride & Glide, and Drum’s Alive at Hazard Center; Strength and Low Impact at Mission Valley.