About
Meet Our Staff

Sara has almost 30 years of experience as an Exercise Physiologist. Prior to SMTC, Sara worked in wellness, cardiac rehabilitation, and disease management, working with but not limited to clients with diabetes, heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression, and physical disability. Currently, Sara’s focus is on coaching endurance athletes, and she works closely with members of the NICA Mid-County Composite team, the Eureka Endurance Youth Triathlon team, The HUB Bicycle Company race team, as well as individual runners, cyclists, and triathletes. Sara holds certifications from USA Triathlon as a Level 1 coach and is an adjunct professor in the Exercise Science department at Webster University.

Mike joined us in summer 2016 as a performance training intern and proved himself to be a great asset resulting in his hiring as a team member. He has a BS in Exercise Science and a MS in Exercise Physiology from American College of Sports Medicine accredited SIU-E. Mike has experience in sports performance training, small group training, and also completed an internship with St. Louis University in the sports performance department working with elite collegiate athletes. Mike's philosophy is dynamic and functional movement based, and he believes speed, strength, and power can help athletes perform and excel at his or her sport. Mike works with both our training and Wellness @ SMTC clients.

Katy joined the team at SMTC in 2021, after her retirement from a career as a musician with the Saint Louis Symphony. As a long term client at SMTC, both as a PT patient and as a coaching client, she has a passion for helping clients develop both functional and performance strength while remaining injury free. Katy is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a Corrective Exercise Specialist, and recently became a NASM Senior Fitness Specialist.

Jennifer completed her certification in June of 2015 and is currently licensed to teach Level 1 & 2 of the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Methodology. She is licensed on the GYROTONIC® Leg Extension Unit, Archway, Jump Stretch Board, and GYROTONER®. Additionally, Jennifer is a certified Teacher Trainer and was recently selected to study GYROKINESIS® Breathing Experience with Juliu Horvath (creator of © The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®) in Germany, September of 2019. Jennifer specializes in dancer applications, as well as principles of the psoas. Jennifer is a graduate of Lindenwood University in St. Louis. She holds degrees in Dance, Mathematics and Secondary Education. Jennifer has extensive training in ballet and modern dance and is an accomplished performer, choreographer, and teacher. In 2001, she was hired by Modern American Dance Company (MADCO). She was appointed the company’s Rehearsal Director in 2004 and served as Director and dancer until Spring 2015. Jennifer joined the staff at SMTC in July 2012 is thrilled to be a part of the SMTC family and continue to share her passion for teaching and knowledge of the body to all walks of life.

GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC®, GYROTONIC® & Logo, GYROTONER® and GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® are registered trademarks of the Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used with their permission.

Paige Van Nest is a 2019 graduate from Webster University with a BFA in Dance and Certificate in Entrepreneurship. Outside of SMTC, Paige also teaches dance at M & M Dance Academy, is the Education Assistant at Dance St. Louis, and dances with Leverage Dance Theater and Modern American Dance Company (MADCO).

Robbie is the co-founder and owner of Sports Medicine & Training Center along with her husband Scott Van Nest. She is a 1979 graduate of Mehlville High School where she and Scott first met. Healthcare management is a second career for Robbie. She originally trained as a research biologist, having earned a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri, an MS in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in Developmental Biology from Washington University. She has published several articles in professional journals in the field of cell biology and developmental genetics. Robbie was employed at Washington University as a research associate until 2002 when SMTC first opened its doors, where she assumed the role of business manager. Scott and Robbie have lived in Crestwood since 1994, raising their daughters Paige and Morgan, who are proud graduates of Lindbergh High School.

Keli is originally from Dallas, Texas and graduated with distinction from the University of Oklahoma with a BFA in modern dance performance. She additionally studied journalism and was a staff member of The Oklahoma Daily. In Keli’s 12+ years at SMTC, she has worn multiple hats. Her current responsibilities include leading the billing and front desk team, assisting with marketing efforts, and coordinating the wellness program. Outside of SMTC, Keli is very active in the local dance community and recently retired as assistant director of local dance company Leverage Dance Theater. She teaches ages 7-65 at M&M Dance Academy and will join Principia College as an adjunct professor in fall 2024.

Angela graduated in 1998 with a BS in Elementary Education. Angela was a competitive gymnast in her youth and started coaching gymnastics in 1989. From 1989-2011 she coached competitive and class gymnastics as well as was a judge and wrote curriculum for preschool age gymnastics. In 2010, Angela started teaching preschool. Soon after, Angela began working at SMTC at the front desk until her family moved in 2013. Recently her family has had the opportunity to move back to STL after living in Georgia and Texas.

Juniper is from Columbia, MO. She recently moved to St. Louis to be closer to family and decide next steps after graduating from Westminster College in 2023 with Bachelors degrees in both Exercise Science and Spanish. She interned at SMTC Summer 2023 and plans to attend physical therapy school in the future. Juniper enjoys art and making new things, volleyball and basketball, and helping people in any way she can. Welcome to the team Juniper!