Fitness Instructors

Kevin

I spent almost 20 years doing blue collar labor but truly had a passion for health and wellness. Talking to my wife about how to transition, I mentioned possibly becoming a massage therapist. All the years of doing hard labor and many times being outside during winter, massage therapy was the only thing that ever seemed to help hold me together.  The more I researched what it was capable of the more I envisioned it would be something I could be good at.
 
I liked the idea of helping to fix or heal people. I felt I could understand what many people were feeling and how massage therapy helped me through the years. I knew massage was just a piece of it though as muscle compensations usually is what caused much of the pain. Massage would help but I wanted to understand how to reverse any compensations that could cause discomfort or lose of mobility.
 
So after talking with my wife about a plan, I decided to work full time and go to school full time to become a licensed massage therapist. After graduating and receiving my license, I continued my education with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to be a certified personal trainer and also to be certified as a corrective exercise specialist. This provided me with everything I needed to know to start helping people with everything I envisioned. I was ready to start my career in health and wellness. 

Stephanie

Stephanie Mattson (Subtly Stephanie Yoga) discovered her love of yoga in her early 20’s and realized her need for yoga in her late 30’s. Yoga has helped Stephanie realize her best self, allowing for deep healing, mindfulness, strength, and flexibility both on and off the mat. Stephanie feels Yoga is the one “thing” you can do that supports and benefits the WHOLE person, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and THAT is her motivation!

Stephanie became a registered Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT200) through the Lotus Yoga Center in 2021. She feels that learning is never ending, and is always eager to learn and grow with each workshop, training, and experience with clients. Stephanie is grateful for the knowledge and personal growth she has gained and has enthusiastically jumped in to share the gift that is Yoga.

Stephanie outside of the studio is a mom of 2 teenagers, a substitute teacher, and a wife of 23+ years. She loves hanging out with family, snuggling with her fur babies, kayaking, cooking and eating, and time spent with her friends. She teaches her classes from an authentic place and holds an all inclusive, non judgmental space for her students to grow their whole selves, mind, body, and soul. Stephanie’s classes tend to be on the gentle side, allowing for plenty of practice expanding opportunities. Come check out Stephanie’s workshops and classes offered at Simplistic Holistics. She can’t wait to meet you and have you join the Yoga Community!

AVA

Ava was a former gymnast for 10 years and has been coaching ever since. She has experience coaching in all areas of gymnastics from parent and tot classes to competitive team gymnastics along with strictly tumbling classes. She has a passion for helping young students achieve skills they did not know they could even have! She loves seeing the excitement on kids’ faces when they get a new skill. She loves to get kids moving and exercising and knows how important it is to start those habits at a young age. She currently teaches the kids tumbling/movement class at Simplistic Holistics.
Ava has her degree in Human Development and Family Science and is back in school to get her Teaching License while also coaching. She wants to inspire young students to love learning as much as she does and take the skills they learn in school into the real world. In the meantime, she is a substitute teacher and a dog mom. She loves to cook, go on long walks, and spend time with her family.

Jen

For most of the last 20 years I have worked in the real estate industry, working for Chicago Title and a few real estate attorneys.  I enjoy helping people and sharing what I have learned.

I enjoy receiving Reiki, a Japanese form of energy healing, and wanted to know how it worked.  In 2018 I decided to take a Reiki class.  After receiving my initial attunement, I wanted to know more.  The next year I received my practitioner certificate and began sharing my gifts with friends and family.  In 2021, it was time to get out and learn even more. I received my Reiki Master Practitioner certificate as well as an initiation to the Foundational Rites of the Munay-Ki, a Peruvian Shamanic practice.

While I still work remotely for a real estate attorney, continuing to help people buy and sell their properties, I want to help people on a more personal level.  Our lives are filled with so many stresses, illness, and lack of time for selfcare.  In less than an hour I can help you feel relaxed in a way you may not have experienced before.  When your body relaxes it can focus your energy on healing.

Reach out to me at Jen@RealAssistance.org or 847-521-9881 to learn more.  I am available evenings and weekends for in person or remote sessions.