Meet our Coaches

Caitlin Borgert-Spaniol

Caitlin is a full time as a Case Manager for an eating disorder program. She got involved with the Program because she has a strong passion for educating others and providing support and guidance in making healthy lifestyle changes; this is such a phenomenal program she wanted to be a part of it! Caitlin can offer up information and education on what is needed to achieve your weight-loss goals, and also provide guidance and a supportive environment that allows sharing experiences and challenges.

She loves to do anything that involves the outdoors and being active. Traveling and visiting new places is also a huge part of her life. A fun fact about Caitlin is that she lived in the Harry Potter castle in England!

Her favorite quote is: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”.

Carmen Coyle     

YMCA Diabetes Lifestyle Coach. Carmen has had a very successful career in the business world and recently made the transition to health care. She recently completed her nursing degree and works full time in the nursing field. In her studies Carmen has seen the devastating effects of Diabetes and was drawn to the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program because she truly believes prevention is possible and wants to help others live long, healthy, fulfilling lives. Carmen indicated that she has struggled with weight her entire life and had to come to terms with making lifestyle changes including healthy eating and increased physical activity. She wants to help others avoid those complications as long as possible.

A fun fact about Carmen is that she’s been to the Taj Mahal 10 times!

Teresa DeMarais

Teresa is a registered dietician. She recently returned to working outside the home after raising six children. She has a son who was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes 10 years ago, and has learned a great deal through the ups and downs of this disease. She is excited about her role as a lifestyle coach, which allows her to empower others to take control of their health so that they can enjoy a better quality of life.

If stranded on a desert island, Teresa, would choose to enjoy the company of her husband, Mother Teresa and Gandhi because they would all get along and teach her to become a better person.

Anne DePrey

Anne is a registered dietician, with a Masters degree in Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health. She has over 9 years experience as a Nutrition Consultant, most recently employed with the Minnesota Department of Health.

As a dietitian, she has worked with a variety of clients with diabetes and their families, assisting them to balance the many challenges and avoiding complications of this challenging disease (diabetes).

Anne was drawn to the YDP Program because “it just makes good sense and is proven to work”. She wanted to be involved in something that could make a real difference in people’s lives. Prevention is where it’s at. The qualities Anne brings to her classes are Empathy, Empowerment, and Enthusiasm for a better life!

Anne is excited to take time out of her busy life (3 beautiful almost-grown kids, and a Wheaten terrier terror, and coaching the kid’s sports teams) to facilitate class in the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program.

Jodi Dupre

Jodi has degrees in nursing and community health education. She has a passion to inspire others to improve their health by making lifestyle changes they can sustain. The Y’s Program does exactly that plus helps prevent diabetes. She is very familiar with diabetes as her mom was diagnosed with diabetes over 25 years ago. Jodi offers a fun, welcoming and supportive class that helps participants discover their path to improved health.

A fun fact about Jodi is that her husband and sons all play hockey so she decided to try the sport they love. She used her son’s gear and learned to skate with hockey skates and play a little hockey. She had a great time and now understands their passion for the sport!

 Lindsay Farnsworth

In additional to being a Lifestyle Coach, Lindsay works as a research assistant at the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about health education and is excited to be an integral part of this amazing program that puts education and prevention first. Lindsay offers participants passion, optimism and excitement to learn and to teach. She loves to help people learn about themselves, change their lifestyle and improve their health.

A fun fact about Lindsay is that she is from Madison, WI. She recently moved to Minneapolis, MN and since moving here is having trouble understanding why no one knows what a “bubbler” is and why everyone keeps calling soda “pop”!

Virgene Gavic

Virgene has been a group fitness instructor with the Y for many years. She chose to become involved with the Diabetes Prevention Program because she enjoys helping individuals discover ways to become or stay healthy. She provides them a foundation of knowledge that they can build upon in the areas of fitness, nutrition, and stress reduction. If you attend her classes, Virgene will “stand by you” to help you accomplish your goals.

A fun fact about Virgene is that she has scuba dived 100 feet below the surface, swimming through caves and seeing what most people only see in photographs.

Sheryl Grover 

Sheryl oversees the Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. She has been involved in Health & Wellness for over 27 years. Sheryl has a degree in Food & Nutrition from the College of St. Catherine and a M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota. She has a passion for cooking and educating others. Sheryl is also a yoga instructor at the YMCA.

Sheryl has a strong interest in Diabetes Prevention as several members of her family have type 2 diabetes. Given her family history she was very interested in reducing her risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes, and helping others to achieve this same goal.

Sheryl enjoys sharing her knowledge of cooking with others. Her favorite quote is: I believe that every person is born with talent, by Maya Angelou.

Mary Kohanek

Mary is a Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor at the YMCA (along with several other jobs that keep her life interesting). As a fitness professional, she is committed to helping people lead healthy lives. She became interested in the YDP Program because it is an easy-to-follow, sensible way for people to make lifelong changes in their lives. In her classes Mary can offer a personal experience making healthy choices - losing weight and eating better. She knows the struggles faced by health seekers because she has been there, too.

A fun fact about Mary is that she likes to walk her neighbor’s dogs for exercise – because dogs have so much fun when they are outside!

Deb Lyness

Deb is a Personal Trainer at the Hastings YMCA. She has 3 grown sons and a boxer named Lilly. Deb got involved with the Program because she wanted to help people understand how to get healthier with both nutrition and activity and feel good!. Thirteen years ago she weighed 300 pounds and could barely walk across a parking lot, today she looks great and enjoys a very healthy active lifestyle. Her new hobby is running which she began in 2009.

Deb has a quiet coaching style, offers empathy and understanding. She also shares her knowledge of healthy lifestyle changes can be implemented at any stage of life. Her philosophy is that we are never too old to follow our dreams.

A fun fact about Deb is that she held a position in the corporate world for 31 years, then went back to school for Exercise and Sport Science at age 50 to pursue a new career. She loves experiencing new challenges because she doesn’t want to have any regrets in my life

Bridget Murphy

Bridget is a registered dietician and works full time as a Nutrition Services Specialist at Mounds View Public Schools. She got involved with the Program because she was looking for something rewarding to do that would help others. Bridget really enjoys the Program’s class style…where the participants learn from each other and have a shared purpose for attending.

Bridget has a strong personal interest in healthy living. She is also very positive, upbeat and likes to have fun. Her hobbies are cooking/baking, baseball-especially the Twins, reading, anything outside. Her favorite quote is: "When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others."

Kayla Simons

Kayla is a personal trainer at our Ridgedale YMCA. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health and a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies. She is very passionate about health and helping others achieve it. Her interest in the YDP Program stems from a family member having diabetes and seeing the complications associated with it. Kayla wants to help people learn to make healthy choices. She says “To me it’s not about restricting yourself in your choices, but making the best choices to prevent diabetes and live a long fulfilling life.” Kayla makes learning fun and full of energy which easily becomes contagious.

One of Kayla’s hobbies is meeting people so she is looking forward to a room full of new friends with each class she facilitates.

Sara Vine

Sara is a registered dietician and also works as a Lifestyle coach for Optum Health. She has seen the devastating effects of diabetes first hand with family members and clients. She became involved with the Y’s Program because she is passionate about helping others achieve health and wellness. Sara feels that working to deliver an intervention aimed at preventing the onset of disease is fantastic. Those who attend Sara’s class will find a positive and safe environment to rediscover their health. With guidance and support on proper nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification participants will learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices and achieve their health and wellness goals

When asked who she would choose to be stranded on a desert island with, she choose:

Captain Jack Sparrow – to lead adventures and find buried treasure, Will Ferrell – to provide entertainment and Julia Child – to whip up delicious meals and share her cooking secrets.