Joan is owner (with husband Steve) and manager of Empower Fitness. Joan, with a Ph.D. in Sociology, MSW in Social Work and BS in Math, retired in 2003 after a thirty-two year career in academia and hospital administration. Soon after “retiring”, Joan explains she was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to combine her love for physical fitness with her desire to be a hands-on business owner. Believing that good health is a lifelong journey, Joan feels privileged to be involved in the lives of so many wonderful women, all working toward improving their health. Joan is both a Certified Fitness Trainer and Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, and serves as a member of the Mercer County Community College Business Advisory Commission.
JOAN MALCHOW Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Group Exercise Leader
Joan Malchow joined Empower Fitness as a new member in September 2004. She enjoyed working out with the members so much that she decided to become a fitness professional. Joan joined the Empower Fitness staff in 2006. Today, she holds certifications in three areas: group exercise leader, personal trainer and fitness specialist for older adults. "My goal," she says, "is to build exercise programs that focus on holding on to balance, coordination, flexibility, muscle and bone mass which decline sharply as we age. These programs can help us retain the ability to perform activities of daily living, prevent falls, or lessen the damage if a fall does occur." "Use it or lose it" is my motto. This is my passion and it will become a second profession as I approach retirement." Joan, aged 64, has a full-time career in consumer market research.
JOYCE SANTIAGO
Head Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer
“My motto is eat right, move it, or gain it. I believe if you do it for your health first, the bikini body will follow. I have been exercising for at least half of my life doing gymnastics, karate, biking, weight lifting, and competitive bodybuilding. For 3 years I didn’t work out and I gained 30 pounds. In January 2006, I made a commitment to my health and by December 2006 I lost all of the weight, and got my certification to be a personal trainer. I have 3 wonderful children and I commit to my health for my children.
Joyce holds a B.A. in Psychology from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City and is currently a social worker in Trenton. In addition to her personal trainer certification, Joyce has also earned specialized certifications in Functional Flexibility, Advanced Weight Training, and Group Exercise Instruction.
HEATHER WALKER
Certified Personal Coach
Certified Zumba Instructor
Heather joined the Empower Fitness staff in October, 2009 with much exercise experience, having worked for five years at Ladies Workout Express. Heather has an extensive dancing background, and has danced with the Princeton Regional Ballet, the Mercer Dance Ensemble, and the Suburban Dance Force. She has owned the Jaztabal Dance Company for 24 years, and the Bordentown Ballet Theatre for 12 years. She is a member of Dance Educators of America and International Teachers of Dance, where she is an officer. Another of Heather's talents is performing magic with her husband, Fred, as the Magicwalkers! At Empower Fitness, Heather teaches several classes.
Francine White
Exercise Coach
Francine was a gym member first at Empower Fitness, and was asked to join the staff in 2009 due to her enthusiasm for good health and diligent work habits. Francine is recently retired from a career as a certified Head Teacher in Early Childhood Education. Born and educated in Trenton, Francine attended Mercer County Community College, Rutgers, and Glassboro State College. She is the proud mother of two children and three grandchildren; and a faithful member of the Beauty Grove Primitive Baptist Church, where she serves on the Usher Board, Mass Choir, and acts as a Sunday School Teacher. At Empower Fitness, Francine continues to develop new skills and now teaches classes in dance and ab strengthening.
STACEY MIGNONE Group Fitness Instructor
“Health and fitness are my passion, though you’d never know it to look at me before the year 2000!” exclaims Mignone excitedly. “I was the anti-health, anti-exercise. I wanted no parts of it, it was too hard; but that was before I learned how to take the baby-steps necessary to make the lifestyle changes and lose 100 lbs. Would you like to see my before picture,” she asks everyone showing it freely, “I keep it in my workout bag as inspiration to other women. It can be done!” Stacey currently holds certifications as a Weight Management Consultant, Phase I Mat Pilates Instructor, Strength and Conditioning, and Personal Fitness Trainer. Stacey has lived in Lawrenceville for twenty-five (25) years and is a graduate of St. Ann’s and Notre Dame. She has had a long term career in the arts.
Note: All trainers and instructors are CPR and AED certified.