Merrie Tankersley

I first became interested in fitness at the age of six when I started competitive gymnastics. I earned many accolades as a gymnast and transitioned to competitive swimming at the age of ten. I was a state record holder and earned a full scholarship to a Division I school for the sport of swimming. During the years of my competitive swimming, I learned a lot of valuable information about nutrition, strength training, the importance of flexibility, etc.. While swimming in high school and college, I participated in dryland exercise three times a week. Dryland training (often referred to as Strength and Conditioning) is activity done on land with the intended purpose of increasing strength, flexibility and overall physical mobility. This includes a number of different movements and exercises ranging from beginner to advanced skill level.

Upon graduation from college, I taught as a third grade teacher for eight years and spent my summers coaching swimming and leading strength and conditioning training for my swimmers.  Once I had my own children, I became a college professor and continued my journey as a fitness instructor on the weekends and summers. I workout six days a week and particularly enjoy participating in group fitness classes and strength training. For me, a healthy lifestyle is much more than just working out at the gym. It’s about finding a balance with exercise, eating healthily, and getting necessary rest and enough sleep. I incorporate many of the motivational strategies and positive, growth mindset techniques that I use in the classroom when I am teaching an exercise class. 

I have stayed at over 15 all-inclusive resorts and always participate in the fitness classes on property. I love to travel and am excited to enhance the vacation of the guests on property.