Meet the Team

At Thrive Pilates & Fitness, our team is made up of passionate and highly trained instructors who believe movement can be transforming — body, mind, and spirit. Each instructor brings a unique story, specialty, and heart for people, but we’re united by one thing: helping you THRIVE.

Whether you’re brand-new to Pilates or fitness or ready to deepen your practice- our instructors meet you where you are, challenge you with care, and cheer you on with intention. We don’t just teach exercises — we guide you toward strength, confidence, and renewal so you can live well inside and outside the studio.

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a pink sleeveless top that says 'Better is Better,' standing in front of a stone wall.

    Kristen U.

    OWNER, PILATES & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Kristen has loved movement her whole life- she can remember doing Tai Bo with Billy Blanks in her bedroom as a teen!  She found pilates in 2016 and immediately fell in love with it.  She couldn't believe how kind it was on the body and yet challenged her in a way she had never experienced before!  After a serious car accident, Pilates became a crucial part of her healing journey, helping her rebuild strength safely and sustainably, day by day. That experience deepened her passion and ignited a desire for everyone to experience the same life-giving benefits of this practice. She comes with an extensive background in fitness and wellness—and a deep belief that it’s about more than just the workout. For nearly 10 years, she’s been helping people discover how to train the body, renew the mind and lift the spirit.  She holds multiple fitness certifications, as well as Pilates Reformer (through Balance Body), Bodhi Suspension System, and Restorative Care, along with additional specialty training that support her holistic approach to movement and well-being.

  • A woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and multiple earrings, including a septum piercing, smiling at the camera, wearing a black sleeveless top and jewelry including necklaces and earrings, in an art gallery with framed pictures on the wall.

    Carissa

    STUDIO MANAGER, PILATES
    & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Hi! I'm Carissa, studio manager & instructor. Pilates truly changed my life and I'm on a mission to help others experience their own transformation. My classes are all about creating a fun, dynamic experience where you can connect with yourself - mind and body. Expect good music, humor and a little tinsel in my hair (yes, I'm the unicorn in the room!) My goal is for you to always leave class feeling stronger, more centered and with a smile on your face.  

    I am Balanced Body trained and certified in Barre, all levels of Reformer, Mat & the Bodhi Suspension System. I'm working toward my National Certification by Spring 2026. 

    In addition to teaching, I love managing the studio and working with our amazing community. My clients inspire me every day with their strength and dedication, I'm so grateful to be a part of their journey.  Come find your sparkle with me! 

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    Anna

    PILATES & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Hi, I’m Anna and I’m a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher. I have years of experience and am trained in many modalities. Reformer, Tower, Chair and Mat Pilates, Barre, Strength classes and more! 

    Practicing Pilates helps me stay strong to complete so many day to day activities. Whether I’m working on my farm (www.prettywildfarmandflowers.com), keeping up with my kids, or teaching at the studio, Pilates adds energy to my day. When I teach Pilates, my classes are fun, positive and energetic. All levels are welcome and included. Pilatesmakes me feel strong, independent and empowered and I want that for you too. Hope to see you soon!

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    Lauren

    PILATES INSTRUCTOR

    Lauren Kulczycki has been studying Pilates and yoga from childhood and now into adulthood. She originally fell in love with Pilates while taking classes from Mari Windsor with her mom as a young girl. She has continued her health journey with a love for sports, inversions, yoga and Pilates.  Lauren specializes in training elite athletes who are looking for longevity and injury prevention. She enjoys helping all of her clients get to the next level in their strength, balance and flexibility.

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    Madison

    PILATES & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Hi my name is Madison!

    My journey to becoming a pilates instructor has been enriching. I began training in reformer pilates at 16, under Liz at Personal Pilates and Fitness, to address overuse injuries from competitive dance. This training allowed me to continue on for the rest of high school without significant injury! At Dean College, I took a semester of Mat Pilates, and during semester breaks, I attended reformer classes at Personal Pilates, where I met Dr. Nicole Lorenz, my physical therapist and mentor. After graduating with my Bachelor of the Arts in dance, I worked as her Administrative Assistant, and pursued my Pilates certification. In the Fall of 2024, I trained in Stott Pilates at Equilibrium Studios, passed all hourly requirements and testing, and am now a Certified Reformer Teacher! I am excited to be a member of the Thrive Pilates & Fitness team!

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a sleeveless pink, purple, and blue paisley patterned top against a plain white background.

    Lu

    FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Born and raised in the Chicago area, I’ve always lived an active lifestyle—skating, running, gymnastics, skiing, swimming, and exploring with our many family dogs. Movement has always been part of who I am.

    And along the way, I built a career in Advertising, Event Planning, and PR/Marketing, and have owned my own PR & Marketing company since 1997. In 2021, I also co-founded an all-purpose seasoning company, Celly Salt, with a fellow hockey mom—because creativity and entrepreneurship are in my DNA.

    I am certified through AFAA, Spinning, Tabata Bootcamp, Barre Above, and Gliding, and have been teaching group exercise since 2004. Over the years, I’ve led everything from Cardio Drumming and Bootcamp to HIIT, Spinning, Total Body, Strength & Stretch, and more. I love helping people discover strength, confidence, and joy through movement.

    When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me enjoying dark chocolate, caramel apples, peanut butter, sushi, or spending time with my family and friends—my favorite place to be.

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    Gillian

    PILATES INSTRUCTOR

    Gillian is a Third Generation classically certified Pilates Instructor through the original NY Studio Pilates Program.  Describing herself as a biomechanics nerd, she has also trained in the Stott Pilates Comprehensive Program; The Feldenkrais Method, and The Franklin Method.  She has knowledge and experience teaching on all the pilates apparatus both instudio and virtually. Gillian continues to take additional training sessions from Masters around the globe because she believes “one can never know everything there is to know about how the body moves”. 

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    Betsy

    PILATES INSTRUCTOR

    Hi, I’m Betsy. I came to Pilates late in life. I found Liz and Personal Pilates and Fitness after my first hip replacement. I wanted to strengthen my core because I had significant back pain that the hip replacement didn’t address. At the time I was teaching full-time at Eastern Michigan University. After I retired, I was encouraged to get some training so that I could help out in the Studio. I’ve been taking Pilates classes for about 9 years now, teaching for about 3 years, and have received training in Reformer, Tower, and Chair. In May, I’ll complete my Reformer training.   

    Because of my many injuries and joint replacements (the other hip and a knee!) as well as other surgeries, I find I’m able to understand what clients’ bodies need in order to recover from overused, arthritic, or replaced joints or other weaknesses due to impactful surgeries. I truly enjoy helping people recover movement and become stronger in body and mind.  

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    Zehra

    PILATES & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Hi, my name is Zehra and I have been teaching at the studio since 2025. Fitness has always been an integral part of my life. I’m passionate about helping others reach their health goals. I have been practicing Pilates for 20+ years and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at Thrive. My training is through Balance Body.

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    Lynn

    PILATES & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    I fell in love with Pilates while training for a marathon as a way to prevent injuries, and it immediately reminded me of my background in dance. That experience sparked a deep belief in the Pilates method and its ability to support strong, resilient, and well-balanced bodies.

    I received my Pilates training through Balanced Body and hold multiple certifications across a wide range of movement modalities, including Reformer, Chair, Mat, Springboard, Cadillac, TRX, Barre, and more. Prior to teaching Pilates, I worked as a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) for 11 years, with full certification in all modalities, and I am also PTAA certified.

    My goal is not only to teach movement, but to help you understand and believe in the method—so you can move with confidence, prevent injury, and feel strong in your body for years to come.

  • Woman doing Pilates on a reformer machine in a home gym, smiling, with workout equipment in the background.

    Sarah

    PILATES INSTRUCTOR

    Sarah is a certified Pilates and Barre instructor with over eight years of teaching experience. Her journey began as a dedicated student of both disciplines, where she experienced powerful, life-altering physical benefits that inspired her to pursue certification and share those results with others.

    Sarah is certified through Balanced Body (Pilates) and Barre Intensity (Barre) and founded her own LLC in 2017. Since then, she has been helping clients build strength, mind-body connection, and sustainable movement practices.

    Her teaching practice is guided by two personal philosophies: lead a life that makes you proud and create impact that outlives you. Sarah brings these values into every class, striving to inspire students to carry them beyond the studio into their everyday lives.

    Expect classes that are expert-led, high-energy, and thoughtfully challenging, designed to support growth while honoring where you are in your fitness journey

  • A woman with long dark hair and a white top practicing Pilates on a reformer machine in a well-lit living room. There is a large window with blinds, a yellow armchair, a modern painting of a face, and a tall floor lamp in the background.

    Neely

    PILATES INSTRUCTOR

    Hi, I’m Janeel—most people call me “Neely.” After graduating from Ferris State University, I spent 10 years in health care as a radiographer and CT technician. During that time, I fell in love with Pilates Reformer for its ability to build strength, focus, balance, and confidence. That passion led me to become a Pilates instructor.

    In my classes, I aim to create a supportive, fun environment where all levels feel welcome. I want you to feel challenged, proud of what you accomplish, and leave class energized, confident, and smiling.

  • A woman with long, dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a beige t-shirt and black pants, against a white background.

    Kristen K

    FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

    Kristen graduated from CMU with a degree in exercise science. She then started working in Cardiac Rehab as a clinical exercise physiologist. After a 16 year career in Cardiac Rehab, she felt a calling to focus her time and energy around her passion for fitness and started working as a group fitness trainer. Kristen loves to challenge students in her strength classes, perfect their form, while making it fun and enjoyable all at the same time!

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling at the camera in a modern, colorful restaurant with checkered black-and-white and brown marble flooring, velvet seating, large windows, and pink neon lighting. Other patrons are visible sitting at tables in the background.

    Brenda

    YOGA & MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR

    I’ve been a yoga teacher for 10 years. I teach Vinyasa and Yin, and for the past five years I’ve had the joy of guiding the Yin class here at the studio. Yin is a slow, meditative practice that targets the body’s connective tissues through longer-held poses. It’s a style that’s especially meaningful to me, as it has supported my own healing journey from childhood trauma. 

    I believe we carry our experiences in our bodies, from the outer layers of the skin to the cellular level—and when we create space to connect mind, body, and spirit, true emotional processing and healing can begin. 

    By day, I’m an art teacher for kindergarten through eighth grade. I’m happily married to my husband, Matt, and we love traveling with our two Yorkie fur babies. 

  • A woman with gray, curly hair and glasses smiling, standing in front of a wooden wall.

    Karen

    YOGA INSTRUCTOR

    I like to bring a joyful, playful approach to yoga, encouraging students to explore, try new things, and enjoy the space they create on their mat. With an active background in sports and movement, I discovered yoga’s deeper challenge and connection to breath, focus, and inner balance—an experience that quickly turned into a passion. 

    Since completing my YTT in 2015, I’ve taught Ashtanga, restorative yin, and hot vinyasa in studio settings, non-traditional studio settings as well as corporate yoga, both in person and virtual classes.  I like to help colleagues use yoga tools off the mat to manage stress and stay grounded. I aim to create a welcoming, safe, and uplifting environment where students can move, breathe, and grow together.