Progress 2026: Helping others take their steps toward fitness

They wake up before the crack of dawn, or come in after a long day of work.
But they’re never tired or cranky, and they’re always supportive.
They are the fitness instructors of the YMCA and they’ve all been at it for a long time. Altogether, the YMCA has eight instructors who offer more than 200 years of teaching experience. They include Katie Bergstrom, who has been at it for 38 years, Julie Petit-Thomsen, a 32-year veteran, Marie Mason, who has 30 years of experience, Wendy Fleiner, who has taught in Austin for 26 years, Kathy Byram, who has taught for 23 years, Christine Sappanen, who has been on the job for 21 years, Kristi Stasi, who brings 20 years of experience, and Deb Schmitt, who has taught for 19 years.
Over time, the instructors have helped YMCA members alter their healthy journey in a positive manner, which has helped those members look at their lives with a better outlook.
Here are the stories of some of those instructors.
Debra Schmitt
Schmitt teaches Bike bootcamp, battle ropes interval class, and power yoga. She originally started as a class attendee and after being asked to teach, she gave it a whirl.
Since then, Schmitt has been inspired by all of her members, who keep her coming back to class, while also keeping her in touch with the community.
“The Y is a positive place to be. It provides a supportive culture for personal growth and provides connection to others in the community. Something is better than nothing and if anything, start small and do what works best for you,” Schmitt said. “It is so rewarding to help individuals meet their fitness goals, by encouraging them to work hard and embrace the challenge they are faced with in that workout. The workout might be tough; it might feel uncomfortable; however, we get through it, and we become stronger mentally and physically. This builds confidence and resilience.”
Schmitt has found a way to make healthy habits a regular part of her day. Since her habits are locked in, she usually doesn’t have any trouble getting going.
“It is a non-negotiable for me,” Schmitt said. “I have to make fitness a daily part of my routine, even if it is a recovery day I will do something to get my body moving. Even cleaning can be a workout and there is always something to clean.”
A phrase that gets thrown around the YMCA a lot, is “if you’re moving, you’re improving.” Schmitt said that is the key to anyone who is looking to start a new workout routine.
“I would suggest starting slow and to remember progress, not perfection. Meet yourself with grace,” Schmitt said. “Changing habits can be really challenging and when things become challenging, we have a natural tendency to fall back into old habits and patterns. In addition, I would suggest making a list of all the benefits of this health journey and figure out why this change is important to you. Reach out to others who support you in this change; maybe a workout buddy to help with your fitness journey and help to keep you accountable.”
Wendy Fleiner
Fleiner has been around fitness instructing for most of her adult life. She has 42 years of experience in various cities throughout the country and she has served as an aquatics director and fitness director at past YMCAs.
Now Fleiner teaches, step, strength training, Pilates, and interval training. She recently taught kickboxing, cycling and wave FIIT as well.
She found her calling as an instructor as a senior in high school when she happened to see a class taking place. She was instantly drawn in.
“The participants looked like they were having such a fantastic time. When they came out of the studio they were all talking about how great the class was, how much fun they were having and how they enjoyed the camaraderie,” Fleiner said. “So I joined the class and shortly after was asked to sub the class. I was hooked. The rest is pretty much history as I have been teaching ever since. Leading fitness classes has been so rewarding. It is how I have met so many friends and it is so exciting to see members progress through their fitness and health journeys and share their excitement with you. We try to keep the classes fun and fresh, yet challenging for all. Seeing the members progress in their health and fitness journeys, keeps me motivated as well to stay in top form and to continue providing an environment for them that allows them to keep moving forward with their goals.”
Fleiner finds inspiration whenever she sees a member helping out a new participant in a class, and she also has plenty of other tales of human resilience.
“I had a gal come to class with a pair of jeans she used to wear before joining the YMCA and now she can almost fit her entire body into one pant leg,” Fleiner said. “Another inspirational story is one of a member who suffered a cardiac arrest several years ago and is back at the YMCA participating in numerous classes and even back at jogging. One last story I will share is of a gentleman who suffered through more than three major health incidents and wasn’t sure he would walk again without a cane or walker. Well, he is also back participating in classes and working out regularly on the fitness floor without either the cane or the walker.”
Fleiner has stayed active throughout her entire life, and she’s found various ways to stay healthy. She’s taken on running, walking, swimming, tennis, pickleball and paddle boarding. She stresses that routine and consistency are the key to a healthy life.
“Probably, one of the most important things I would suggest is to do something you enjoy. If you enjoy what you are doing it will be easier to maintain an exercise program long term,” Fleiner said. “You are lapping everyone else still sitting on the couch in their homes. Just get up and do it! Just start! Don’t wait for tomorrow or when you might be motivated because if we waited to be motivated to do things the dishwasher would never get unloaded, the toilet would not get cleaned, and the groceries wouldn’t get purchased. Just do it because you are worth it!”
Marie Mason
Mason teaches kickboxing, TRX, cycling and cyclebox at the YMCA and she has taught boot camp, body strength/sculpt, step core, HIIT, and just about everything else, including yoga.
Mason started to take an interest in being an instructor when her jazzercise instructor quit years ago, she was asked to teach by her fellow students and she hasn’t looked back.
“I love teaching, connecting with members, making new fitness friends, and encouraging others to move their bodies in a healthy way. It’s my passion and a part of who I am. The Y is my second home,” Mason said.
Mason is inspired by the members of the YMCA and how they’ve turned their lives in a positive direction. The story of brothers Jed Dudycha and Jeremy Dudycha getting in shape together so Jed could give Jeremy his kidney was an especially heartwarming one that Mason recalls.
Mason said that taking the first step in any workout routine is the hardest part, and she’s come to embrace an active lifestyle.
“It’s part of my daily routine and schedule. It’s not optional,” Mason said. “I love it, so that helps but it’s non negotiable for me. I encourage others to move in some fashion everyday, even just a walk or stretch. Something is always better than nothing.”
Kathy Byram
Byram has taught at the Y for 24 years, including TRX, boot camp and strengthening.
Since she works as an occupational therapist, it was natural for Byram to make the shift from class attendee to class instructor in her 5 a.m. class. The early time slot was perfect for Byram when the kids were young, so she could go in before they woke up, and it has stuck ever since.
“I’m a morning person and placing my priorities there help me stay accountable,” Byram said. “I firmly believe fitness is a life long journey that should compliment and add to the other aspects of your life. A steady nutritious diet, exercise and weight lifting should be the norm and the occasional times of no exercise and indulgent food can be balanced out.”
Byram stays inspired by seeing the small wins in fitness. Watching a member hold a 10-minute plank for the first time always brings a smile to her face.
Byram points to an open minded approach as being the best way to make progress when starting a fitness routine.
“Remember that your fitness is a journey and you want to keep striving to take small steps forward,” she said. “I tell my classes that they should try to challenge themselves each class to do something a little better, a little longer or a little heavier than last time. Finding someone to help you be accountable to build those habits whether they join you at the gym or not is very helpful. Explore different workouts until you find something that works for you and your schedule. If you are not talking with a friend while working out, then find motivating music, or listen to an audiobook or podcast so you start to look forward to your time exercising.”
Julie Petit-Thomsen
Petit-Thomsen was early morning regular at the Y taking step classes and swimming laps when the fitness director approached her about teaching 36 years ago. She began teaching step class, but has moved on to body toning and indoor cycling.
“I had no thoughts of teaching until someone asked. It was scary to think about at first but the Y Fitness director was very encouraging and supportive,” Petit-Thomsen said. “They sent me to group fitness training to become certified through the ongoing Y instructors seminars and sent us to continuing education programs. Once I was certified I was mentored by another instructor and shadowed her until I was confident and she was confident in ability to take on my own class.”
A lot of Petit-Thomsen’s students have become her life long friends as she’s participated in a book club, and outdoor rides with many of the members.
“We are building a community of like-minded people. It is rewarding to see people’s self confidence build,” Petit-Thomsen said. “We all learn about ourselves and our capabilities. We get real time feedback from the members so we are in touch with the people’s needs or goals for themselves. Fitness is a lifelong journey; it does not have a finish line.”
Petit-Thomsen said 5 a.m. is a great workout time because most people don’t have any other commitments that early in the day. It also forces you to get up, get moving and get the hard part of the day out of the way.
Petit-Thomsen said the biggest thing to get you started is to throw yourself into a workout routine and give it your best.
“I say just start moving! Try a variety of things,” she said. “Don’t just do one thing over and over as you will become bored and then quit. Don’t just do all cardio or just weight training. Do something that challenges you. Find a routine where you can adjust as you become stronger. Invest in yourself by making it a priority, you will reap the rewards.”
Katie Bergstrom
Bergstrom has been an instructor for 38 years in Austin and she currently leads the body sculpt and active abs classes.
Bergstrom grew up around sports and physical fitness, so becoming an instructor was a natural fit.
“My goal has always been to inspire, motivate and encourage others to embrace a healthy lifestyle, thus allowing one and all to enjoy the many benefits physical activity can provide,” Bergstrom said. “They help with physical well-being, mental well-being, social interaction and connection.”
Bergstrom said the biggest reward is seeing improvement in class participants, especially when things get more difficult.
“I want to help them set goals and achieve those goals,” she said. “The key is to keep raising the bar and challenge them to desire and achieve new and higher goals.”
Bergstrom said that patience is vital for anyone looking to get started on a health routine.
“As with everything else in life, the changes you wish to see will take time and consistency,” Bergstrom said. “It took time to get to your present condition; it will take time to make the changes and achieve the fitness goals that you desire. Don’t give up! Start with small goals and slowly increase. Over time, you will slowly begin to reap the benefits.”
Bergstrom added that the Y is the best place to find motivation as the staff is always willing to help out.
“I have seen many changes with the Y since I started teaching here in 1987,” she said. “The one thing that remains constant is the desire and commitment of our fitness staff to provide members with the best workout experience possible.”