Ring In The New - Fitness Incentive

Meet the New Staff!

Ring In The New!

At both Fitness Incentive and Incentives Organic Spa & Salon, we are constantly on the lookout for talented, dedicated professionals to augment our already outstanding team of instructors and estheticians. We are very excited to have recently welcomed several new Yoga and Pilates instructors to F.I. and new Massage Therapists to Incentives. We asked them to introduce themselves to you and offer a little insight into what motivates them to strive for excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor.

Shannon Hantzidiamantis

“I grew up in a family where sports and athleticism were really highlighted,” says Shannon. “While still quite young, I realized that team sports were not for me. It took a while, but by my teenage years, I found that there were other ways I could move and be physical and that there were alternatives to playing team sports. That is when I found yoga.

I immediately loved yoga because, in addition to making me feel great physically, I also noticed improvements in my mental wellness. Soon I began exploring other modalities, including Pilates and weight training, and found many things that produced the results I wanted and made me feel great at the same time. I am grateful to be in the fitness industry and to have the opportunity to connect with others trying to better themselves and improve their overall health.”

Jennifer Aguilera

“Before becoming a fitness instructor, I was a competitive gymnast and college cheerleader at St. John’s University,” says Jennifer. “Being an athlete my whole life, it was a natural fit to broaden my interests into coaching, initially focusing on both disciplines. As I got older, I became interested in coaching new populations and applying new skill sets. I received my full Mat Pilates certification (with the classical Power Pilates program) in New York City in 2017. I expanded my repertoire by completing my 200-hour yoga, Kids yoga, Prenatal yoga, and stand-up paddleboard certifications over time. I completed the 600-Hour Yoga Comprehensives in December 2023. How motivated was I? I was 8 months pregnant with my third baby!

Fitness has always anchored me through all of life’s ups, downs, and challenges, helping me get all my stresses out one push-up at a time. I love coaching others (other moms in particular) and helping them become their best selves.

Jennifer LaLima

“I’ve devoted my life to whole-self health & wellness for over 20 years now,” says Jennifer, “through pregnancies and childbirth, career, motherhood…all of life’s changes. And then there were some health issues (including scoliosis, long-term post-concussion syndrome, and a serious heart issue) that slowed me down. But, because I’d been building the resiliency of body, mind, and spirit for years, I had deep self-trust. My practices have proved again and again that keeping body, mind, and spirit integrated, strong, and, most of all, resilient is undoubtedly what’s gotten me through these challenges (as my doctors have all attested).

I feel better in my early 40s than I did in my teens and 20s! The practices integrate and build upon themselves over the years, leading to compassionate care for the whole self, which brings peace into all we do. Personal development with the support of a trained and trustworthy guide has been one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever encountered in life. I feel blessed to be that safe support system for others every day.”

Kelsey Palomino

“Fitness has been a central part of my life since my days as a student-athlete, from middle school through college,” says Kelsey. “My journey with yoga began with learning the poses, but it soon evolved as I discovered the deeper meaning of living a yogic lifestyle. Practicing mindfulness and setting daily intentions became transformative, helping lift me out of a mental struggle I had been in for years.

The rewards of exercise have highlighted a truth often overlooked: many of us (including those in the fitness community) grapple with motivation, contentment, relationships, and self-esteem issues. Yoga has given me a new perspective, demonstrating that it’s as much a mental practice as physical. Sadly, too many people remain unaware of its profound mental benefits. I’m passionate about sharing the full potential of yoga, and how life-changing it can be when we focus on the present moment, keep a high vibration, and exchange positive energy. I often tell people, “You’re in your head 24/7; it’s essential to love yourself before investing love and focusing elsewhere.” Yoga has helped me get there, and I’m excited to help others do the same.”

Amanda Kehoe

“I grew up with an active lifestyle, being outdoors and playing sports,” says Amanda. “In college, I attended different group fitness classes and started strength training. The act of prioritizing myself while at the same time building relationships with other members — not to mention the immediate endorphin kick one experiences after working out — has had a powerful attraction for me and drawn me to the fitness industry. As a full-time teacher, I always put the needs of my students in front of my own, and teaching Zumba became an outlet for me that allowed me to extend that beyond the classroom. As a Zumba instructor for 13 years, I absolutely love teaching! It allows me to combine my love of music and dancing with a desire to create a supportive environment where all different people with different backgrounds have fun and dance together. I have never walked out of a Zumba class and thought, I regret that workout! And my guess is that few others ever have either! I’m grateful that Zumba is accessible to everyone, and I feel privileged to be a part of their experiences having fun with movement.

Leanna Davis

Leanna is a dedicated and passionate certified 500-hour RYT yoga instructor and certified Inferno Hot Pilates instructor with a diverse training background in styles such as Vinyasa, Hot, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, and Yoga Nidra. “My yoga journey began over 15 years ago,” she says, “inspired by my active lifestyle and experience as a Division I collegiate basketball player. This foundation in movement and discipline naturally evolved into a deep passion for yoga and Pilates, both of which combine strength, precision, and mindfulness with alignment and healing.”

Drawing from her extensive training and personal experience, Leanna shares these practices to help others heal, grow, and connect—not just physically but holistically. “My goal is to empower others to discover their strength, resilience, healing, and peace, creating a lasting impact both on and off the mat.”

Ann Ahmed

“What brought me to the health and wellness community is the joy I experience connecting with others,” says Ann. “There’s nothing more satisfying than helping relieve people’s stress, and as a mother of three, I know a thing or two about how stress can manifest in our bodies. I love adding music while giving a massage, as it helps me align with my clients. Just as musicians can fine-tune an instrument, my hands help to fine-tune my clients, enabling them to experience their greatest and most aligned selves.”

Kaitlyn McGuire

“It’s funny; this is a question I’ve been receiving a lot recently,” says Kaitlyn. “Even as a child, my family knew I would end up somewhere that required me to be caring and nurturing to others. I take a lot of pride in my health and wellness, so being able to help others start or continue their own health and wellness journeys is fulfilling in itself. It has taken me a while to figure out my self-care routine, and being able to guide others in determining their own is something that makes my job deeply satisfying. Being able to help others relieve stress, whether mental, muscular, or both, and whether it’s from daily life or a pre-existing condition, is why I got into the health and wellness industry. I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Tanya McPherson

I’m a National and New York State Board Licensed and Certified Massage Therapist specializing in injury and pain management. She attended and graduated from the New York College Of Health Professions in the spring of 2020. I employ a mixed modality approach that tailors treatments to the specific needs of each client. I’m very excited to be joining the staff at Incentives Organic Spa & Salon.