Kim Butters was a middle school teacher in Marion County for nine years. Stress contributed to her being overweight and inflexible. “I was miserable, had low self-esteem, and trouble keeping up with my husband on hikes. A neighbor convinced me to go to an aerobics class with her. I loved it and began to pursue a more enjoyable, healthy life.” She became an AFAA certified Personal Trainer and Group Instructor in 2001 and left the Marion County School system to start her own fitness business from her home.

Robie is a registered yoga teacher who received her training from Asheville Yoga Center in 2016. She has taught yoga on the Mountain for the past six years in a variety of spaces, both indoors and outside.

People comment on the inclusive and relaxed nature of Robie’s yoga classes. The gentle movement used in class encourages flexibility and strength, but more importantly, increases participants’ calmness and well-being.

Robie is a veteran educator. With a background in dance and theatre, an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Belmont College, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Sewanee School of Letters, she has worked with kindergartners through seniors in college. A few teaching highlights have been teaching children to read, guiding middle schoolers to find their confidence on stage, reading powerful personal essays from her high school creative nonfiction class, and directing University students in last spring's outdoor production of Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Robie is also a member of Shakerag Workshops Planning Committee, which brings exciting visual art and creative writing workshops for adults to the Mountain each summer.

Be it in the classroom, theatre, or studio, Robie is at home creating a warm, inclusive learning environment.

Bruce Manuel graduated from The University of the South C’1980 with a degree in English Literature. A couple of years later, he joined the United States Navy and served for twenty years, retiring in 2002.

Bruce injured his back early in his military career and suffered from chronic lower back pain for many years. It was treated with physical therapy on several occasions, but always returned. After he retired, an MRI showed that he had a bulge in the L5-S1 vertebrae, but surgery was not recommended as an option.

A nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital, where Bruce was receiving treatment, suggested that he try Pilates to help with rehabilitation. That was over seven years ago. It has helped tremendously. Bruce started teacher training about six years ago through Body Arts and Science International (BASI) and completed their comprehensive teacher-training program in 2016.

"I truly feel thankful to have found Pilates, because it has greatly improved my quality of life. I am stronger, better able to manage my bouts with LBP when they occur, less dependent on pain medication, and better able to prevent re-injury. It has been a lot of work, but worth it. I love teaching Pilates. I hope to be able to help others experience the same benefits I have gained through my Pilates practice."

Betsy moved from Gainesville, Florida to Sewanee in 2019, after retiring from a career in hospital pharmacy and healthcare management. A parent of an alumna (Kathryn C’17), her love of Sewanee developed during her daughter’s collegiate career. When Kathryn made Nashville her post-graduate home, Sewanee seemed the ideal spot for Betsy’s next adventure.

Who knew this journey would lead her to become a Group Fitness Instructor? Encouraged by Kim Butters to pursue teaching and add to the fitness offerings at Bodyworks, Betsy achieved her ACE certification in 2021. An avid hiker, kayaker, and self-professed “gym rat” her cardio/strength classes are fun and energetic. Creating a welcoming environment that offers safe, effective exercise and improved fitness is her goal for you!

When she’s not teaching, hiking, or in the gym, Betsy can be found maintaining trails with the Friends of South Cumberland State Park and volunteering with Housing Sewanee, Inc.