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Expert coaching team at TFW East Metro in Cottage Grove MN ready to guide your fitness journey

MEET THE EXPERT TEAM WHO CHAMPION YOUR PROGRESS

At TFW East Metro, our certified coaches bring decades of experience, expertise, and heart to help you succeed. We invite you to explore their bios, get to know their backgrounds, and see why they’re passionate about helping people like you reach their goals

Christie Calin, certified coach with nearly 40 years of experience, providing personalized training at TFW East Metro

Christie Calin

Coach

With nearly four decades of experience since 1985, Christie brings extensive knowledge and dedication to the fitness industry. Her coaching philosophy centers on individualized attention, recognizing that each person comes with unique desires and needs. Christie excels at active listening and collaborating with clients to create personalized roadmaps toward their fitness goals.

Areas of Expertise

  • Personalized Fitness Programming

  • Individual Goal Assessment

  • Custom Training Plans

  • Long-term Fitness Development

  • Client-Focused Coaching

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Professional Credentials

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Behavioral Change Specialist (BCS) Certification

Brian Waldo, owner and head coach of TFW East Metro, specializing in strength, conditioning, and corrective exercise

Brian Waldo

Owner of  TFW & Optimal Health & Performance, LLC

With over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, Brian has made it his life's mission to help clients achieve their fitness goals. As the owner of TFW & Optimal Health & Performance, LLC, he delivers superior service, education, and customized programming. Brian specializes in creating tailored programs that meet each client's specific needs, partnering with them throughout their fitness journey.

Areas of Expertise

  • Customized Fitness Programming

  • Strength and Conditioning

  • Corrective Exercise

  • Movement Assessment and Training

  • Athletic Performance Enhancement​

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Professional Credentials

  • Master of Science (MS)

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)

  • Muscle Activation Techniques Jumpstart Certified (MAT-Jumpstart)

Corinna Mickus, coach focused on injury rehabilitation, mobility, and personalized nutrition at TFW East Metro

Corinna Mickus

Coach

Corinna specializes in working with individuals recovering from injuries and those seeking to improve their mobility and overall health. Her approach focuses on steady, sustainable progress, helping clients work toward their goals one day at a time.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation

  • Mobility Enhancement

  • Nutritional Coaching

  • Progressive Fitness Development

  • Adaptive Training Programs
     

Professional Credentials

  • Bachelor of Science (BS)

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Precision Nutrition Coach Certification

Melissa Donndelinger, expert coach in technique and form, motivating progress and community at TFW East Metro

Melissa (Ding) Donndelinger

Coach

A dedicated member of the TFW East Metro community since 2016, Melissa transformed her passion for fitness into a coaching career. She emphasizes proper form and technique while motivating students to achieve their personal fitness goals.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Form and Technique Optimization

  • Motivational Coaching

  • Personal Goal Achievement

  • Fitness Community Building

  • Strength and Conditioning Training

  • Client-Focused Training

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Professional Credentials

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

Kevin Tamte, personal trainer at TFW East Metro specializing in weight loss, body transformation, and sustainable habits

Kevin Tamte
Coach

Kevin began his transformative weight loss journey in 2016, which ignited a passion for weightlifting and a drive to help others achieve their fitness goals. Now a dedicated coach, Kevin empowers students to make sustainable lifestyle changes, guiding them toward long-term success and greater confidence in their health and fitness journeys.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Weight Loss and Body Transformation

  • Strength Training and Weightlifting

  • Nutrition Coaching and Meal Planning

  • Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

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Professional Credentials

  • TFW (Training For Warriors) Certification

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Precision Nutrition Coach Certification

Katie Plunkett, dedicated coach helping clients set goals, create personalized plans, and build long-term strength at TFW East Metro

Katie Plunkett

Coach

Katie combines her love for goal setting and self-improvement with a mission to empower others. She collaborates with students to develop personalized plans that promote healthier, stronger, and sustainable lifestyles.

Areas of Expertise

  • Goal Setting and Achievement

  • Personalized Fitness Planning

  • Nutrition Coaching

  • Sustainable Lifestyle Development

  • Strength Training
     

Professional Credentials

  • Bachelor of Science (BS)

  • Master of Arts (MA)

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Precision Nutrition Coach Certification

Dan Zirbes, veteran and triathlete, coaching athletic performance, endurance, and military-style fitness at TFW East Metro

Dan Zirbes
Coach

A veteran and triathlete, Dan has been with TFW East Metro since 2015. He draws from his military background and athletic experience to motivate students in achieving their peak performance and wellness goals.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Athletic Performance

  • Endurance Training

  • Motivational Coaching

  • Military-Style Fitness

  • Triathlon Training
     

Professional Credentials

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Military Veteran

  • Experienced Triathlete

Jen Tamte (Coach JT), coach at TFW East Metro specializing in goal setting, personalized fitness plans, nutrition coaching, and sustainable strength

Jen Tamte  ("Coach JT") 

Coach

Katie combines her love for goal setting and self-improvement with a mission to empower others. She collaborates with students to develop personalized plans that promote healthier, stronger, and sustainable lifestyles.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Goal Setting and Achievement

  • Personalized Fitness Planning

  • Nutrition Coaching

  • Sustainable Lifestyle Development

  • Strength Training
     

Professional Credentials

  • Bachelor of Science (BS)

  • Master of Arts (MA)

  • Training For Warriors (TFW) Certification

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  • Precision Nutrition Coach Certification

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MEET THEM IN PERSON.

START YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY WITH THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT YOU DESERVE.

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