Rick has a degree in Exercise Physiology from University of South Florida. Rick started the Indiana State Bodybuilding Show in 1985 and it has continued at the Performing Arts Center every July! Rick owned Total Fitness Gym in Fort Wayne for 10 years .We both love motorcycles, cars, health, exercise, and helping others. We have been married for 17 years. We have a beautiful daughter named Cassandra who graduated from DePaul University with a Masters Degree in Journalism May 2011. We are so proud of her & she is helping us with FWSW through the social media area! We are so blessed with so many volunteers who make FWSW what it is today! Grateful to all our Sponsors who help make FWSW a reality!
Loving Life & all the gifts from GOD! Looking forward to a Successful Season 5!
Lutheran Weight Management wishes you weight loss success during your 15-week journey with Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner. As a benefit of being a contestant, our registered dietitians, experts in food and nutrition, are here to support you during the contest. Have a food-related question? Drop us an e-mail or call the office.
E.J. Whitney is a graduate of Ball State University with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Sports Medicine. EJ is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and brings great dynamic to The Smallest Winner Program. This will be E.J.’s fifth year involved with the Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner program. He is presently working at Turnstone as an Exercise Physiologist. EJ is very knowledgeable in training athletes as well as individuals wishing to improve over all health and wellness. For the last four years EJ has worked hard with Rick and Tina to provide The Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winners with the best strength and conditioning services in the area.
Amber Closson has been working at Spiece Fitness as a group fitness trainer for 5 ½ years, and will be starting her 4th season with the Smallest Winner program. She loves working with people of all ages, and enjoys the relationships built through the process of teaching group fitness. She is currently certified in Group Groove, Group Step, Group Kick, and Group Centergy. In her free time, you will find her at her dance company, Diva Danceworks, teaching children ages 2-18. She has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching for 12 years. She has been married for 4 1/2 years to a wonderful man named Benjamin, and LOVES to spoil her 7 year old Chihuahua, Teddy! She is truly excited to begin another season with the Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner program, and can’t wait to see the results, and build true friendships.
Christopher Wehrmeister comes to "Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner" with nearly 20 years of professional experience in the fitness industry. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from Ball State University in Exercise Physiology with a minor in sports nutrition. While attending Ball State University he became certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Specialist. His resume includes 3 years as a strength and conditioning coach for the Indiana Pacers, multiple years administering cardiac/pulmonary rehab at the Dupont Medical Center, seven years as General Manager of Gold’s Gym, and owner/operator of “Corporate Fitness Consultants". Currently, Christopher is a Personal Trainer.
Marymar Rodriguez - In 2002 got certified with MAD DOG ATHLETICS (spinning) and started teaching my first fitness classes the same year, the following year, got certified with THE PILATE'S COACH PROGRAM, for athletes and after surgery ,therapy, or injured people.. During the same course got into GRAVITY training and started teaching classes at the same time ..By 2003 ,I was working in 5 different facilities in my home town, teaching about 6 classes a day Monday - Saturday and still going to school for my proficiency course to became a 3rd, 4rd and 5th grade English teacher in my home town. I have been an employee of Spiece Fitness since 2007. I am certified in Spin, Group Step, Group Kick, & Group Centergy. I am also certified in CPR and AED certification to became a certified lifeguard. I help people in the water who suffer from multiple sclerosis & who are recovering after a stroke or highest levels of arthritis.
In 2007 I met the man that became my husband and moved with him to U.S.A. in April of 2007. I got married.. found out I was expecting the most beautiful thing .. my daughter Mareli.. She was born in February 4th of 2010.
This is my first year with FWSW and I am excited to help co-teach with Amber!
Cassandra Bowman - is a Publicist at k101 agency Chicago. Her experience includes advertising, marketing communications, social media, website and blog development, photography, and video editing. Cassandra first came to Chicago to pursue her Master’s Degree but fell in love with the city. She is an avid dog lover and Rolling Stones enthusiast. Cassandra graduated with her Master’s degree in Journalism from DePaul University after getting her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University. You can find her running with her sheltie, Mick Jagger, or album cover shopping for her collection. Cassandra also dedicates her time to the non-profit organization Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner, and organization dedicated to educating and assisting overweight people. Cassandra assists with Social media, marketing, and writing materials. She enjoys yoga and running with her sheltie Mick Jagger.
Amy Kohler has a bachelor’s of science degree in Elementary Education. I currently am employed at Crossroad Children’s Home where I am the Recreation Manager. In addition to planning physical activities for our residents, I also supervise the pool. I am certified as a water exercise instructor through Aquatic Exercise Association which I use daily in teaching water classes at Crossroad.
I look forward to begin Season 5. I have helped with Fort Wayne Smallest Winner from the beginning with Season 1 and am very excited how quickly the program has grown. Each year brings new changes and challenges and I am eager to assist in several different capacities.
Ashley Stemmler - I have been a part of Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner since 2010’s Season 3. I was a contestant who started my weight loss journey at 255lbs. The photos and videos of the journey that I myself and many others went through keeps me motivated today as I continue on my weight loss journey. I planned to be at my goal weight by the end of Season 4; however, God had different plans for me and my husband, Ben, as we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Lukas, on December 10, 2011. Now I am in full gear and working back toward my goal weight. I currently work as a Vet Assistant at New Haven Pet Hospital, but one of my biggest passions is photography and capturing the moments when a person knows that his or her life has positively changed forever. For FWSW, I will be capturing those moments in multimedia as the photographer. Even though I become close and personal, having those moments to look back at when your life changed forever is priceless.
Jo'Netta Neeley is a social service professional and educator. Most of her career has been devoted to working with, educating or mentoring children of all ages. She is currently a Rape Prevention Coordinator for Victim Assistance, FWPD, where she often advocates for the families and individuals she works with. This position consists of making a deliberate effort to eradicate sexual violence by challenging social norms that lead to sexual assault/rape. Jo’Netta’s work is driven by her commitment to empowerment, safety, justice, and healing for survivors along with accountability for offenders. Jo’Netta is a FWSW Season 1 Alumnus, but she also serves as a board member and Half Marathon planning committee member. Jo’Netta is so appreciative to the founders of this program for their faithfulness, for their unique and selfless deposit in the lives of humanity. Enjoy this Season!
Connie Billings - Since 1998 I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients and their families by creating and editing video biographies, family histories, memorials, Since 1998 I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients and their families by creating and editing video biographies, family histories, memorials, birthdays/anniversaries and other celebrations. I had the great fortune of getting involved with Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner in its second season. I have created 4 videos for the program and contestants, and loved every minute of it. In the past, Rick and I were the 2 people behind the cameras. I can’t wait for all of you to see your transformations on the big screen on July 14th!
Cicely Ware - I have been a member at Spiece for 10 years. I work in the Marketing Department at Do it Best Corp. I have been there for 15 years. I teach aerobics at Do it Best Corp which I have been doing for a couple years now. I have ran 5 mini-marathons but I know the one I run with the Smallest Winner will be my most memorable one. I am so excited to be a part of the Smallest Winner Team!
