Leaders in Fitness Training (LIFT)

My name is Zabrina Barbian. I’m 16 years old and I go to Fort Myers High School. School has always been my priority as I strive for success in the IB program and do clubs like Coexist, FCA, and Spanish National Honors Society. I love to play golf, I play for my school, and in my free time I find myself reading and writing. I heard about Wellfit Girls through a friend who did it last year. She seemed so excited about it and loved every bit of it that I decided that I would like to be a part of the program. So far, I love the program. In one short month I could already see a change in myself where I was going out of my comfort zone and pushing myself just a little bit more each day to be a better version of myself. By the end of the program, I want to be a more optimistic person and be able to find joy in each situation. I’ve always been very quiet and hope to overcome that so that I can express myself without fear of judgment. I have been encountering a few challenges so far. For one, managing my time has been very difficult where I’m juggling school, assignments, workouts, and even just a moment to take a breather. My favorite workout has to be squats. They’re simple but tough after doing a few and after I feel like I have made progress. Completing this program will be a great achievement for me and change my life.

Hey! My name is Tyler St. Onge. I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Fort Myes High School. I have been a servant leader in the Youth in Government for the past 6 years. This program has taught me to be a better public speaker and the importance of taking a stand for others. I have also been dancing for the past four years in ballet, jazz, and lyrical. I absolutely love to dance and it allows me to outward expression of emotions. I spend a lot of my time watching Netflix, playing my ukulele, longboarding, and traveling. I heard about the Wellfit Girls Program through an alumni, Carly McGovern, who showed me what amazing empowerment and things that it taught her to be. I look forward to being able to learn how to better myself and others and how to better represent and serve my community. I want to show myself that just because of my mental disabilities, I am still able to do amazing things. What I love in the program is the friendship and family that the program offers. When I started I didn’t know any of the other girls and now these girls are my sisters and we have an amazing bond because of this program. The most enjoyable parts of the workouts that we do are the yoga because it allows us to be active, get fit, learn to center ourselves and find inner peace and connection with ourselves and others.

Hello my name is Sofia and I am 15 years old. I attend Fort Myers High School and am enrolled full time in the IB program. I focus strongly on academics and push myself to excel at everything that I do. I’m an active member of the Academic Team and Model UN. I also am a member of the varsity girls golf team. I heard about Wellfit Girls from friends who had taken part in the program years prior. The program allows for connections to blossom between girls who would have never gotten the chance to meet each other otherwise. Together we push each other in our workouts and provide support when needed. The biggest challenge will be having the discipline to continue to get my body in shape in order to climb Machu Pichu.

Hi, my name is Savannah. I am sixteen years old and I attend Fort Myers High School. I am very involved in my advanced classes in order to maintain a good GPA. I am also very involved in my athletics. I play volleyball as well as participate in Aerial Arts. I have a passion for uplifting other girls and helping them gain confidence, which is the reason I created my business Stella Pink at the age of eight years old. Stella Pink helps girls find a place where they feel that they belong and that they are accepted. On my off time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. I also like playing with my dog and watching Netflix. I heard about Wellfit Girls on my schools morning news and I was immediately interested. It has only been a couple months since this program began, but I already feel a positive change within myself. I can’t wait to see how much healthy growth I will develop throughout Wellfit Girls! My biggest challenge is gaining my own personal confidence, but I know that my confidence will grow as I surround myself with the other amazing girls that are in this program. My favorite workout has to be the squats because I always feel that I push myself the hardest when I do them!

Hey, I’m Reyna and I’m 16 years old and I go to PACE. I work at Moes and some of my hobbies include playing softball. I heard about Wellfit Girls from Ms. Kirschner. I love Wellfit Girls so far! I want to become a more confident young lady. My biggest challenge is becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. My favorite workout is when we do partner workouts.

Hello, my name is Lizandra and I’m eighteen years old. I attend Pace Center For Girls. I am a phenomenal student and am in the progress of graduating early. I’m Vice President of Girls Leadership Council for my school. I am soon going to Tallahassee to talk to our state legislators and senators about why they should fund and support Pace. This time around will be my second time going! I love traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading poetry and when I have the time watch Netflix. I heard about Wellfit Girls from my friend Destiny Billman. She said, “it is an amazing program and I should do it!” So far I love this program. I look forward to it every week now. I hope I gain empowerment and self love and make a strong bond with the girls, get in shape and have an amazing and life changing experience in Peru. My greatest challenge will be balancing out everything in my life like keeping up with the workouts, fundraising, maintaining good grades, my part time, giving myself grace and taking care of myself. My favorite exercises are doing cardio like running! And doing some squats.

Hello, my name is Lila. I attend Fort Myers High School right now as a junior and I’m seventeen years old. I wouldn’t call myself a “star student” but I try and am very involved in the school. I am the sports news anchor for my schools’ morning news, the announcer for the boys varsity basketball team, and I also play for the girls varsity lacrosse team. When I’m not working or training to climb a mountain, I like to eat all sorts of food, workout, and spend time with my super awesome friends and family. I heard about Wellfit Girls through this beautiful lady named Jamie Kirschner who is also involved in the program, and so far I’ve experienced true motivation and connection with my fellow Wellfit girls. We have leadership days where we focus on self/group empowerment and fitness days that kick our butts. I enjoy the weekly challenges physically and mentally and hope for constant growth through the next few months. My favorite workout while training for Peru is anything that doesn’t involve cardio (which isn’t a whole lot). I’d say my biggest challenge at the moment is finishing out the school year without my slight senioritis getting in the way of my grades. If i had to pick ONE superpower it would be to breathe underwater or to have a photographic memory.

Hi my name is Cyania “Ceci” Telus. I go to Pace Center for Girls in Fort Myers. Some of my extracurriculars include cheering and bowling at my previous school. Some of my hobbies include singing, cooking and sleeping. I heard about Wellfit Girls from my staff members at Pace and I know girls that were apart of Wellfit Girls last year. So far the program is going great! I’m getting along well with the other Wellfit girls and the workouts kill me but it’s worth it and I really enjoy it. My goal is to be able to open up more and be less anti-social. Also I want to become a better me physically and spiritually.

I am Cassidy and I am a sophomore at Seacrest Country Day School. In school I work with the technology department by creating and editing the school year book. I am also a tennis champ. When I am older I want to work with charities and find a job working as a graphic designer. A fun fact is my real name is Mary, but I really appreciate my middle name because my little brother called me Didi.

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am a junior at Fort Myers High School. I participate in many clubs such as National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Mu Aloha Theta. My favorite class in school is visual arts. Juggling the IB program at school, working after school and spending time with friends can be a struggle – but I enjoy staying busy. My favorite activities on a day off include stand up paddle boarding, painting, and hanging out at coffee shops. I heard about Wellfit Girls at my school and instantly knew that the program was a perfect challenge for me. I am enjoying getting to know the girls so far and benefiting from the motivation of working out together. My favorite workouts are squats and pushups. I hope to gain self-confidence through the program and a ton of fun memories with the girls!

Hi my name is Abby Johnson but I like to be called AJ. I go to PACE Center for Girls. I love to spend time with friends, watch Netflix and be on my phone. I heard about this program from some girls at school and it made me want to join when I learned about. So far I love the program. I have had my ups and downs where I want to quit but I push through. What I want to get out of this program is more leadership, to trust more people and get in shape. My biggest challenge right now is running. I have always loved to run, but when I got older I stopped and now that I’m doing it again it’s hard on me.

My name is Sinclair and I am a junior at Barron Collier High School. I am an artist and a musician. In school I am involved in the art club. My favorite type of art to create is water colors and charcoal. A fun fact about me is that I play the ukulele, bass guitar, violin, guitar, and the drums.

My name is Mary and I am a junior at Estero High School. At school, I am a varsity swimmer, varsity lacrosse player, varsity girls weightlifter, National Honor Society member, and junior class representative. I am also a Gulf Coast swim team club swimmer and Lee County elected student advisory board representative. My goal is to attend and swim at Penn State University. While there, I want to study genetics and immunology. I want to become a “doctor without borders” after I graduate. An interesting fact about me is that I have a twin brother, Sam.

My name is Katie and I am a sophomore at Naples High School. I play tennis and am involved in a teaching club, teens against human trafficking club and a study abroad club. I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my future yet, but I am thinking about becoming a high school teacher. A fun fact about me is that I am a very skilled baker.

My name is Gesa and I am a sophomore at Gulf Coast High School. My favorite classes are hope, ceramics, and engineering. My dream job is one that will provide me with financial stability. A fun fact about me is that I have been skydiving and I love snakes!

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

My name is Bella. I attend Barron Collier High School and I am in the 11th grade. I am in the school band and am a member of flag line. When I am older I want to be a psychologist. A fun fact about me is that I am bilingual and fluently speak both English and Spanish.

My name is Asheley and I am junior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School. I am currently involved in the NAACP ACT-SO program, a yearlong enrichment program designed to encourage high academic and cultural achievement among underserved minority high school students. I am on the debate team and a co-founder of Nagen Vegan Bakery, which won the FGCU Business Challenge. I also won the 2019 Scholastic News Gold Key for my poetry. In the future I would like to be a Chief Executive of a biomedical engineering company.

My name is Carly, I live with my mom, dad, and our sweet dog Frankie. I attend Fort Myers High School where I am involved in multiple school clubs such as Coexist Club and Model UN. I originally heard about Wellfit Girls on my school’s news, and eventually decided that I should take a shot at applying. So, in the midst of Hurricane Irma – I sent in an application! So far, I have really enjoyed Wellfit Girls and all the new life style skills we are learning. Another big part of the program for me are the relationships we are forging through this crazy adventure. Throughout this program, I hope that we all can pick up on these skills and use them in our everyday lives now and into the future. My greatest challenge will for sure be making a conscious effort to take the lessons we learn in our meetings and apply them. I love to be outside and I also figure skate! Travel wise, I don’t think I could just pick one place – I would love to see the world!

“Bio Coming Soon!”

“Bio Coming Soon!”

“Bio Coming Soon!”

“Bio Coming Soon!”

My name is Stevie, I go to Napes High School, and I live with my aunt and my cousin Jayden. I enjoy swimming, spending time with my family and I love animals; especially dogs. What brought me to Wellfit Girls was that the overall program seemed so amazing – and it is! I love the program so far. It is so fun and everyone is so kind and fun to be around. I hope to gain leadership skills, become more fit and gain confidence. I have to challenge myself when I get tired or want to give up, but I am willing to face that! I run track, but I enjoy working out in the gym on the machines. If I could go anywhere, it would definitely have to be Italy because my family is Italian, and I think the history and culture there is beautiful.

My name is Sara and I am a freshman at Naples High School. My younger sister and I were born in Iowa and now live here in Naples. In my free time, I enjoy showing Cattle. I applied for Wellfit Girls because I wanted to find a group of girls that were willing to make new friendships. In addition, I wanted to benefit from the program by gaining confidence and becoming less shy. So far, I am feeling like we are all getting to know each other much better and we are opening up more in group discussions. I hope to gain more confidence in myself and become better at public speaking, or just speaking to new people in general. I think my greatest challenge will be getting out of my comfort zone. My favourite form of exercise is cardio – primarily running. If I could live anywhere I would live in a small rural town on a property with lots of acreage.

My name is Morgan and I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. I come from a split home, and I have an older brother and a younger sister. My friend did this program last year and she told me how amazing it was. I love how the Wellfit Girls program has made me feel. I feel more confident and empowered from before it started, and I hope to gain a better understanding of what it means to be healthy. My greatest challenge over the next five months is definitely going to be changing my diet. I need to start making time in the day to make healthy snacks and meals. My favorite form of exercise is core building. If I could live anywhere, I would live in the Grand Tetons because I love the mountains – they’re beautiful!

My name is Maria. I attend Fort Myers High School, am the youngest of three, am in IB and I like to dance and try new things. I heard about Wellfit Girls through an Alum and was really intrigued – so I looked into it further and applied. So far, I really love the program. It is so much fun and I am building friendships that I originally wouldn’t have. I am also really enjoying the support that is growing from the program. This opportunity is helping me to grow into the person I have always wanted to be, and I am having fun doing it. I see staying motivated through tough times being my greatest challenge, but I know I can overcome that. My favorite form of exercise is running, and if I could live anywhere… hmm, that’s hard. I think Spain would be cool.

My name is Madison and I am eighteen years old. I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. I moved to Fort Myers four years ago from my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and I have loved my new home since. I choose the hot summers of Florida over the freezing snows of Ohio winters any day. Despite the distance, I am still very close to my family in Ohio. My mother works for Delta Air Lines, so I am lucky enough to fly home and visit them often – especially during the holidays! For fun, I enjoy playing golf, taking weened trips to Disney, going for a run after school, and having Lord of the Rings movie marathons with my friends. I first heard about the Wellfit program when I was volunteering at the freshman orientation at the beginning of this year. A announcement was made over the intercom that described the program and invited any interested girls to attend the informational meeting they were holding. The idea of the opportunity to travel to Peru and scale mountains was so exciting that I grabbed a couple of my friends and dragged them to the meeting. The passion the coaches showed was inspiring and I knew that I had to be involved. This journey so far has opened my eyes and taught me a lot about myself. Before the program, I was never the biggest fan of running, especially after a long grueling day of school, but the program has introduced me to the accomplished feeling that comes with taking the initiative to work out and improve myself. Now, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without the support of my Wellfit family. By the end of the program I will have cultivated a close group of friends that I can rely on in the future. I also hope to improve my habits of diet and exercise so that I can live a more well-rounded and healthy life. I would like the program to teach me how to take control of my health so that I can live life on my own terms. My biggest challenge over the next five months will be fundraising money for Peru’s Challenge. I have always be very independent, and the idea of asking others for money is not the most comfortable thing for me. However, Wellfit has encouraged me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I think this experience will benefit me in the future. My favorite form of exercise has to be running. Though it is not always the easiest workout to complete, I can’t help by love seeing my progress. Pushing myself to the next level during a run allows me to approach my life with more confidence. It means so much to me to prove to myself that I am able to take the initiative and commit to being a healthier person. If I could live anywhere, I would live on the islands of Turks and Caicos. Lying on the beach has always been one of my favorite things to do because the sound of the ocean takes away all of my cares. The beautiful beaches of the islands would be the perfect place for me to tan, relax, and have fun.

My name is Lauren, I attend Gulf Coast High School, and I love my dog and experiencing life in different ways. I found Wellfit through a random happy accident, but it really stood out to me that this program was going to help me gain confidence in myself and in my body. I love this program so much. I really love how supportive everyone is. I hope to gain leadership skills and confidence throughout the duration of this program. My favourite form of exercise is doing aerial yoga, and my biggest challenge is Cardio. If I could go anywhere, it would be New York City.

My name is Karla, I am 16 and a dancer at Fort Myers High School. I come from a small family, it’s just me and my parents, but it’s really cool because my mom is from Peru and my dad is from Turkey. They are the greatest people I know, and I love being with them. I have been a dancer for 13 years, and it is my favorite form of exercise. I am really committed to my School’s IB program and have started my own club, so my peers can mentor and tutor students at elementary schools. I fell in love with both the leadership and fitness aspect of Wellfit. I have always wanted to be someone who exercises regularly, and it is something that I hope to take with me from the program long after it is over. I also wanted to have a really strong group of friends – and I’ve found that here! It is one of the main things that brought me to Wellfit Girls. I’m also excited to go to Peru, where my mother was born. I love Wellfit Girls so far. Seeing my progress as I work out is awesome, and I love our meetings. We have created a really healthy and positive atmosphere in our meetings. We can trust one another and we all have each other’s backs. I see running being my biggest challenge. I have always had a hard time running, but it motivates me to work harder. I would love to live in California where they have so many differences in the nature of the state; the forests, the mountains, the deserts, and the cities!

My name is Jordan, I attend Fort Myers High, and I moved to Florida when I was five from Brooklyn, NY. My mom is from the Bahamas, and my dad is from Guyana. I love reading books, listening to music, and spending quality time with people. I was very interested in the Wellfit Girls program in the sense that it would give me another opportunity to challenge myself in a different way. I most definitely was drawn in by the fitness aspect of the program, and it is something I want to continue long after. As the weeks go on, I appreciate the program more and more. Whenever the girls and I open up to each other and encourage each other it makes me so appreciative to be a part of this. I also love that one person can inspire me to keep going or that I am able to inspire someone else, which creates a chain reaction of positivity. When I am done with this program, I hope to value my health a lot more and hopefully push myself harder throughout the years. I also want to maintain the relationships I form with the other girls, and serve as a role model for the younger ones! My biggest challenge throughout Wellfit Girls has been the running. It plays a huge role in the program, but I have never done it before, so when it comes to things like breath control I struggle with it. I hope to improve in the coming months for the trek! I love squats and core workouts because of the burn – and I wouldn’t mind getting abs! I would absolutely love to live in Santorini, Greece. It is my top destination EVER! If I could live in a luxurious home in those blue skies – I’d be in heaven.

My name is Jessica and I attend Naples High School. I have a huge family that is scattered around the United States, but we always manage to visit each other once in a while. I enjoy spending quality time with my parents and older sister more than anything else. I have a truly loving and extremely supportive family that I would not trade for anything in the world. I found Wellfit Girls while my friend, and Wellfit Alum, Bella was in the program. I watched her become a more confident person. She gained leadership skills and became more comfortable with public speaking. It changed her for the better, and I knew that doing the program would help me gain those skills as well. So far, the program has been challenging, yet very satisfying. I am in love with the results of every meeting whether it is self-improvement or strengthening, and the connection that I am forming with the other girls and my leaders. What I hope to get out of the program is a new sense of self-esteem within myself and long-lasting relationships with the girls and our leaders. The biggest challenge I see within the next five months is putting in the work on the workouts to being able to climb the mountain. I am driven by this extraordinary adventure and the challenge that I won’t soon forget. My favorite form of exercise is squats, simply because I feel very strong walking afterwards. If I could live anywhere in the world it would undoubtedly be Italy. To see the art within the buildings and culture would be amazing.

My name is Elena, I go to Barron Collier High School, and I am on the dance team. I have been dancing since I was four years old and I really enjoy it. My mom had heard about Wellfit Girls through another parent and it really interested me. It has been amazing so far. I enjoy the yoga classes and the group lessons we do every week. I hope to be a leader in the community and I believe that Wellfit Girls can help me with that! My greatest challenge over the next five months will be keeping up with all the workouts we do. My favourite exercise is to run short distances. If I could live or go anywhere I think I would like to go to England because it seems like a really cool place to be and it would be another country to visit.

My name is Brooke and I attend the Community School of Naples. I am the second oldest of four children. Tennis is my favorite sport and I love to volunteer with kids. I had a couple of friends who did Wellfit Girls previously and I was truly inspired by the program and the progress they made leading up to the expedition in Peru. I hope to gain more strength like they did, make friends, and learn how to properly handle my emotions. I am really enjoying the program so far. I am pushing myself and trying to get the most out of every session we have. I think my greatest challenge is going to be running and opening up to the rest of the group. I am not entirely sure where I would want to live, but probably somewhere in the South.

My name is Bianca, I’m fifteen and a sophomore at PACE Lee County. I am really goofy and I love to make people laugh. I want to get fit, and Wellfit provides a really good opportunity for me to do so, and opened the door for me to help another country in need. I love being here so far; the girls are motivating and kind and that is all I need in a program. But the exercises definitely help. I really hope to up my fitness levels and make really good connections with the other girls that will allow us to communicate in the future. My favorite form of exercises are doing squats and lunges. If I could go anywhere, I would love to visit Africa. I could help others there like how we are going to help in Peru.

My name is Avery and I go to Naples High School. I live with my mom, dad, and younger brother and sister. My hobbies are playing soccer, drawing and painting. My mom told me about the program and I thought it sounded interesting. So far, I can already tell that this is going to be a good experience for me. The girls are super nice. I hope to learn leadership skills, gain confidence, and form friendships with the other girls. I want to get healthier, get in shape, and make an impact in Peru. My greatest challenge will be stepping out of my comfort zone when it comes to speaking and exercising. If I could live anywhere, I would love to live somewhere like California or New York.

My name is Andrea. I am a senior at Palmetto Ridge high school and I live with my brother, mom and dad. I enjoy being with friends. My mentor brought me to Wellfit Girls, because she thought it would be a good opportunity for me to grow and make new friends. I am really liking the Wellfit Girls program and the other girls I have meet so far. I hope to build my confidence in the program. I think my biggest challenge will be the fitness since I have had a sports injury before. I love doing leg workouts as much as they may hurt the next day I love them. If I could live anywhere I would live right outside of a big city because I would have my own space but still be close to big things and opportunities around me.

My name is AJ and I go to the Community School of Naples. I am in the eleventh grade, and I play tennis! I am the oldest of three girls and I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. I decided to apply to Wellfit Girls to gain self-confidence, learn leadership skills, meet new people, and do something new. So far, the program has been really uplifting and the group meetings have been really helpful. I really like it so far! I hope to gain confidence, friendships, and be able to stand up for myself and voice my opinion. Over the next five months, I see my biggest challenge being traveling out of the country because I have never done it before. My favorite form of exercise is playing tennis and working out at Orange Theory. If I could live anywhere it would be New York City because I love big cities.

My name is Abby, I go to the Community School of Naples, and I am on the soccer team. I have a younger sister and a younger brother. I decided to join Wellfit Girls because I wanted to meet new people and try something completely different from what I have done before. So far, I think the program is going really well and the girls are so nice. I am really happy that I joined. I hope to gain new and long-lasting friendships and more self-confidence. Over the next five months, my biggest challenge will be getting out of my comfort zone and to try new things. If I could live anywhere, I would live in either California or Italy!

Hi my name is Alize, I am sixteen years old, I have been attending PACE Lee for eight months with perfect attendance. I found out about Wellfit Girls through my school. I feel that Wellfit Girls has changed my life. It’s the best thing that’s happened to me. What I hope to get out of this program is a new outlook on life. What I see being my biggest challenge over the next five months is the cardio workouts. My favorite form of exercise is weightlifting. If I could choose a super power I would choose super strength.

I initially joined Wellfit Girls Program this year as an intern interested in volunteering my time and learning more about marketing. I am passionate about the program’s mission and have seen great results from friends who have participated in the program. I am a sophomore at FGCU studying marketing. I hope to learn more about myself and gain leadership skills that will set me a part from others my age.

I was recommended to the program by a former Wellfit Girl because I have always struggled with anxiety and self-esteem issues. My anxiety and lack of confidence has held me back from so many opportunities. By joining this program, I hope to find a boost in self-confidence. I want to believe that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I hope to come back from Peru with a new perspective on life. I want to be ready for whatever comes my way and not let anything hold me back from accomplishing what I truly want in life. In my free time I enjoy playing viola, painting and baking. I volunteer for my school’s Key Club and am part of Quest, which is a college preparation program.

I first heard about Wellfit Girls at a community yoga class. I saw a sense of community within the program and was inspired to join. I used to work out a lot, but have not lately. I am hoping the program will get me back on track with a regular workout schedule. I play Varsity Tennis and enjoy yoga in my free time. I am president of Kids Can Club and a member of Key Club. I hope the program will give me a sense of motivation that I can use throughout my life. I believe it will make me a stronger person both mentally and physically.

I joined Wellfit Girls because I want to walk away from this program with new experiences and become more self-motivated. I want to step out of my comfort zone and become more social. I have always been pessimistic and would like to change that about myself. I want to come back from Peru and say that I made a difference in the world. I like to spend my free time playing guitar and reading comic books, poetry and mythology.

I have wanted to join Wellfit Girls for a while. I almost joined the original group but did not have the time or finances at the time. I have regretted that decision ever since and am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the program as a college student. Since graduating from high school, I have felt an emptiness inside. I went to a private university away from home my freshman year, but I did not fit in and fell into a state of depression. I believe Wellfit Girls will help me get through this difficult time in my life. I hope to gain confidence, people skills and step out of my comfort zone. I am majoring in nursing at FGCU and hope to become a pediatrician.

I joined Wellfit Girls because I want to have a new outlook on life and challenge myself. I have always been self-conscious about my weight but want to prove to myself that I can make a change. My hobbies include dancing, singing, volleyball, reading and photography. I enjoy spending my free time in the outdoors and around kids and animals. I hope to be the first person in my family to attend college.

I was inspired to join Wellfit Girls after seeing the Warrior One Movie in 2015. I moved to Naples from a private school and have struggled making new friends. I have always been on the shy side and so I hope this program will help navigate me through that. I hope to gain confidence, make new friends, establish a regular workout schedule, travel and volunteer. I am very passionate about art. I enjoy spending my free time drawing, painting and practicing yoga. I volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and intern at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples.

I moved to the United States from Mexico when I was seven years old. The move was really hard on me, my four brothers and my parents. Since I moved here, I have dealt with a lack of confidence. My hobbies include art and animation. I hope to make new friendships, learn more about other countries, gain more confidence and make memories that will last a lifetime by being a part of Wellfit Girls. My goals for the future are to study psychology, be a strong leader, become more physically fit, feel healthier and make better life choices.

I am the captain of the St. John Neumann cheerleading team. I have been cheerleading for seven years, earning All American honors the past two years. I struggle with my confidence day in and day out. I have always been very self conscious but hope to change that through Wellfit Girls. I want to gain more confidence, become better at overcoming obstacles and meet people I would not normally meet. I hope by the end of the program I will have more self-worth and think higher of myself. My dream is to be a cheerleader for FSU and major in interior design.

I grew up dancing and I am currently a dancer at the Naples Dance Conservatory. I also enjoy photography and running. I am a member of the Pre-Med Club, Kids Can Club, Marine Science Club and Great Books Club. I joined Wellfit Girls to gain new experiences and make new friends. I would also like to learn how to set higher goals for myself. I hope to return home from Peru with a new outlook on life. I believe this program will help me grow as a person and become stronger mentally and physically.

I am the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a participant in Art Club. I enjoy painting and pottery during my free time. I have always found it difficult to open up and have a fear of rejection. I hope this program helps me open up and become a stronger leader. My dream is to become the first one in my family to graduate college.

Hello! My name is Zya and I am a junior at Gulf Coast High School. I love to travel, sing, dance, act, and play music. I aspire to be a travel journalist – taking pictures and traveling all around the world would be a dream come true. My advisor Joanna told me about the program. I thought this was a great opportunity to be healthier, meet great people, and travel. I think the program is great so far. Everyone is getting along so well and I am starting to see myself change into a better person. I hope to be more physically fit and to learn to change my lifestyle to be healthier and confident. That’s what I would like to get out of this program. My greatest challenges over the next few months are choosing healthy foods to eat and running! My favorite forms of exercise are biking, swimming, and dancing. If I was a superhero, I would be able to fly or teleport so I could travel for free!

Hi, my name is Stephanie! I live with my mom and step-dad with my two dogs. I go to Naples High School and I like to work out at the gym! My therapist told me about this program and I thought that it would be good for me. I enjoy Wellfit Girls because I’ve met new people and have built relationships as well as getting fit. I hope to get more fit and keep in touch with the people I have met. My hardest challenge will be long distance running. My favorite forms of exercise are squats and sit ups. I like to work my legs and stomach. If I were a super hero, I would like to be a mind reader!

Hi my name is Sima, I am seventeen years old, and I am a Junior at Fort Myers High School. I found out about Wellfit Girls through my English teacher, Mrs. Anderson. I feel really good about this program so far, there is a lot going on. I hope that by the end of this program I am stronger and more confident in myself. My greatest challenge over the next five months will be opening up and trusting. Going to Peru, I need to trust the sisters in this program. My favorite workout is donkey kicks. When I get done with my kicks I have that good sore feeling in the lower half of my body that lets me know that I did some really good work. If I had super powers, I would choose to be invisible. Nothing beats being invisible where no one can see you and you can just be hidden from the world.

Hi, my name is Shelly, I am confident, driven, caring, adventurous, and I enjoy socializing and taking care of my health. I heard about this adventurous and empowering program from my yoga teacher and close friends. I am very happy that I joined Wellfit Girls because I have had a lot of fun meeting new people. My greatest challenge will be fundraising, and my favorite forms of exercise are yoga and running! If I were a super hero, my super power would be the ability to breathe under water.

Hi, my name is Payton, I go to Community School of Naples, I am eighteen years old, an only child, and I used to play volleyball! My mom told me about Wellfit Girls and I thought that it would be a great program to help me become more physically fit and boost my confidence. I LOVE THIS PROGRAM! Wellfit Girls is the best thing that’s happened to me. The girls I am with put a smile on my face all the time. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. Through this program, I want to build my confidence, amazing friendships, and my happiness! I think the biggest challenges I will face over the next five months will be workouts, letting myself know that I am okay to be me and that I am good at this, and people forming cliques within the groups. My favorite form of exercise is sit ups, and if I had a super power, I would want to be able to read people’s minds.

Hi, my name is Olivia, I go to Seacrest Country Day School, and I’m in this program with my sister! I found out about Wellfit Girls through my sister, and I thought it would be a great and fun experience to do together since she is going to college next year. I enjoy playing soccer, and I’m pretty active. I love this program so far! It is so fun and I have already met some pretty great girls. I feel like it has already motivated me in some ways and it’s just all around great. I’m hoping that the program helps me build more confidence. My biggest challenge will probably be the 5K run. I’ve never really run long distance except for a mile or two here and there. My favorite form of exercise is any leg workout, and mostly soccer. If I had a super power I would want to fly because it would feel so cool to be that high up and to travel up in the air and go places fast.

Bio Coming soon!

Hi my name is Mara, I go to Island Coast High School, and I love to draw and write. I moved to Florida about two years ago from Kentucky and just moved again this past December. I love animals and music. I’ve wanted to be healthier and take care of myself better for a while now. When I heard about Wellfit Girls, it sounded like the perfect motivation to work out and change myself. So far, Wellfit Girls had definitely been a challenge. But, as I’ve been working harder and changing my unhealthy habits, workouts have been getting easier to do and I’ve been more and more motivated. I hope to gain a respect for myself and my body as well as motivation to keep myself healthy long after the program is over. The biggest challenge I see for myself in the next five months is staying motivated and changing my habits to be healthier. My favorite form of exercise is yoga. If I could have any super power I would want to be able to read minds because I want to know what people really think about things.

Hi, my name is Lilly. I am sixteen years old, I go to Barron Collier High School, and I am a Top Gun Allstars cheerleader. I heard about Wellfit Girls through Rachel Waltzer and my mother. I am really enjoying the program. I have gotten really close with the girls already and can’t wait to make more memories! By the end of the program, I want to have more confidence and be able to open up a little more. My greatest challenge will be keeping up with what I eat! I want to maintain a healthy diet. My favorite forms of exercise are yoga and abs/stomach exercises. If I had a super power, I would want to be able to read people’s minds.

Hi my name is Lily and I am a seventeen year old Senior at Fort Myers High School. Some of my hobbies include dancing, reading, and volunteering. I am a part of the Fort Myers High School Dance Team. I found out about Wellfit Girls from the school news. The idea of getting fit really motivated me to join, but so did the end trip to Peru! So far I really enjoy Wellfit Girls. I love working out with a group of girls and motivating each other to go further and keep pushing on. I hope to become physically stronger and be able to overcome obstacles in my life that might come up in the future. I think my greatest challenge will be getting physically ready for Peru. I am willing and ready to work for it, but it will be tough. My favorite form of exercise is probably jogging. Even though it is the hardest for me, I feel so accomplished the further I go without stopping. If I were a super hero, my super power would be to fly so that way I would be able to get places faster.

Hi my name is Brittney, I’m sixteen years old, and I attend Fort Myers High School. I LOVE theatre – I am a thespian, and I’m in IB. I heard about the program through my school. I really enjoy this program. I’m learning a lot about myself and fitness. I would like to carry this experience and lifestyle with me throughout the rest of my life! My hardest challenge over the next five months will be eating right. My favorite form of exercise is running and if I had a super power I would have combined abilities of the goddesses Aphrodite and Athena. I would be able to charm speak and have unbound intelligence.

Hi my name is Lena, I am seventeen years old and I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. A teacher recommended me, and I fell in love with the idea of this program. I also wanted to get fit as part of my new year’s resolution. I feel great that I am fortunate enough to be a part of this phenomenal group that really cares about the wellness of us girls and truly wants to see us grow to be happy and healthy. I’m hoping to learn a lot in this program. I want to become healthier and fit. Not just for now, but for life! My hardest challenges will be eating right and exercising regularly. My favorite forms of exercise are swimming and zumba. If I had a super power, I would want to be invisible so that no one will notice me and I can travel the world for free.

Hi my name is Kit and I am sixteen years old. I go to Fort Myers High School and I enjoy reading and writing. I am always listening to music. My assistant principal, Mrs. Kirschner told me about Wellfit Girls. I had also heard about it around my school and it sounded like a great program. I enjoy Wellfit Girls! It has so far taught me tolerance and leadership. I see myself growing already. I hope to grow and gain more strength through this program. I hope that Wellfit Girls gives me a chance to build more confidence. I think that my biggest challenge will be not getting discouraged in hard situations. My favorite forms of exercise are doing yoga and squats. If I could have any super power I would want to be able to read minds or fly.

Hi my name is Jerrica and I am seventeen years old. When I heard about Wellfit Girls I thought that it would be a really cool program to gain empowerment, strength, and confidence. I feel really motivated so far. There’s a lot of power in this program. I hope that through the course of this program that I start to really believe in myself. My hardest challenge over the next five months will be cleaning up my diet. My favorite form of exercise is running. It’s the hardest for me and that’s why I like it. Looking back at how much I’ve run is so soothing and awesome to see. If I were a super hero, I would want the ability to give every girl power and confidence because we all need that.

Hi, my name is Helena, I’m fifteen years old and I attend Barron Collier High School. I’m a pretty good student; I take advanced courses and have a good GPA. I’m a cheerleader at school, and I also started my own club called Girl Up. Girl Up is a club that brings girls together and is all about the empowerment of women. I love to travel, spending time with my friends, playing the guitar, and watching Netflix in my free time. I heard about Wellfit Girls through my friend Emma Bryant who is a senior at Barron and a Wellfit alumni, and my science teacher whose daughter is also a Wellfit alumni. I love this program so far. I look forward to it every week, and I like how Tuesdays are relaxing days and Thursdays we work out hard. I hope to empower myself, find myself, make long life friends with these girls, get in shape, and have an amazing experience in Peru. My greatest challenge will be finishing sophomore year and getting in shape for Peru. My favorite form of exercise is cardio. I love to run. I also like squats. If I were a super hero, I would want to be a shape shifter and turn into any animal I want.

Hi, my name is Destiny, I am fifteen years old, and I go to PACE Lee. I love music, playing guitar, poetry, and drawing. PACE mentioned Wellfit Girls to me, and when I heard about it, I decided to apply and take the opportunity. I think that it will be a self experience that will change how I view the world. I want to become a better person and interpret things better. My greatest challenges over the next five months will be working out constantly, working on mental challenges, getting to know people, and climbing the mountain. My favorite form of exercise is running. If I were a super hero, I would have the ability to manipulate any element – I would be an Elemental.

Hi my name is Destiny, I am sixteen years old and I go to PACE Lee. My friend told me about the program, so I asked a teacher to tell me more about it. I like Wellfit Girls so far. I am really beginning to change my lifestyle and eat healthier. I want to get stronger and be able to be overall healthier. This program could change my life and my view on things! My greatest challenge over the next five months will be eating healthier. I am addicted to eating junk food, so it’s hard to throw out. But I have been trying to eat healthier. I like to run and do yoga – those are my favorites! If I had any super power, I would want to be able to have people do anything I want them to do.

Hi my name is Charisma, I am a sixteen year old student at PACE Lee, and I enjoy cheering. My school told me about the Wellfit Girls Program and convinced me that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m very excited for this experience; it is going to be a great adventure. I hope to gain strength and learn healthier habits through the duration of this program. My greatest challenge over the next five months is going to be eating healthy and changing my diet. My favorite forms of exercise are speed walking and mountain climbers. If I had a super power, I would want to be able to speak all languages.

Hi, my name is Bella, I go to Naples High, and I like to fish. Amy Voelkl originally told me about the program, and I thought that it would be a great way to meet new people. I really like the Wellfit program and I feel very comfortable with everyone here. It’s very empowering and I feel good after having our meetings. I hope that after this program I will be more outgoing and find out more about myself. I want to boost my confidence. My greatest challenge during the next five months will be working out, but I like doing squats. Squats are my favorite form of exercise. If I were a super hero, my super power would have to be flight.

Hi, my name is Avorie! I live with my dad, I work at Big Cypress Animal Clinic, and I am a student at Lely high School. I am a competitive ballroom dancer and a pilot. I’m sixteen years old, but my friends say I could pass as a mom hahaha. I was brought to Wellfit Girls when a dear friend mentioned the opportunity to me. Having a group to workout and travel with was really appealing to me. I absolutely adore the program so far. I hope I find a peaceful mindset, as well as becoming more physically fit. I think the biggest challenge over the next five months will be keeping a group of girls happy and friendly without any drama. My favorite form of exercise is dancing. If I were a super hero, my super power would be flight.

Hi, my name is Alexis, I am a sixteen-year-old junior at Palmetto High School, and I am in 4H (agriculture) and I show animals! I found out about this program on Facebook, and I love it so far! I hope to be a stronger and happier person at the end of this. My greatest challenge will be pushing myself through when things get tough. My favorite form of exercise is dance. If I were a super hero, I would want to be able to fly!

Hi my name is Amber and I am a Senior at Fort Myers High School. I am seventeen years old and I like to bowl and hang out with my friends and family. My English teacher read an email from the vice principal out loud to us about the opportunity to apply for Wellfit Girls and what it was about. I was interested, so I went to the vice principal’s office to check it out further. So far, I am really enjoying the program. I am constantly learning. I hope to have a change in my lifestyle with my diet choices and how active I am. I am really lazy and I want to change that, but I think it will be hard. I like to dance or be active in a way like aerobics where I am constantly moving and it’s usually to music. If I were a super hero, I would want the super power of controlling all the elements – water, fire, air, earth – like the avatar!

Hi, my name is Alex, I am nineteen years old, and I enjoy making music and art! I have two younger brothers and three younger step siblings, and we all like to create together and camp. I found out about Wellfit Girls through my mother, and soon met with Colby. I was hooked on the idea of this program and what I could possibly bring to it as well as learn. I really love this program. I have met some pretty amazing girls, and I am learning a lot about myself too. I look forward to our meetings and workouts every week. It keeps me motivated during the week. I’m really hoping to boost my confidence and make some friends through this program. My biggest challenge the next five months will definitely be running. If it’s one thing I don’t like to do is run, but it’s going to push me to something better. My favorite forms of exercise are playing tennis, and doing circuits. If I were a super hero, I would want the ability to pull anything I want straight out of the thin air. It would be super cool to have anything I could imagine right at my fingertips.