Meet the Team
Ryan Bost
Co-founder & Executive Director
Ryan is a Charlotte, NC native who has served in the fitness industry since 2015. He currently holds an Autism Exercise Specialist Certification, ACE Special population certification, is a Registered Behavioral Technician, AFAA Group Exercise Certification, is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and is current on CPR/AED certification since 2005. Ryan's passion for working with this community began as a volunteer for several other organizations back in 2019. Ryan has lead large classes for Autism After 18 and smaller classes with The Exceptional Foundation of Charlotte; as well as small group and personal training for those with special needs. He has volunteered for Camp Blue Skies GA and Camp S.O.A.R in Charlotte, NC with the Jewish Community Center, as well as other outings such as bowling, sporting events, and corn hole tournaments.
Jim Guimond
Board Chairman & Co-founder
Jim has traveled all over the country before making Charlotte his home. Originally serving in the US Navy and getting a degree as a civil engineer before becoming an entrepreneur and then becoming a fitness professional. Jim has over 10 years of experience working with special needs teens and adults in both group and private settings. He has worked with many organizations like Camp Blue Skies Foundation and NC Special Olympics at Camp Soar as a program instructor. Jim is also the Camp Director for Camp Blue Skies Foundation. Jim has his own private personal training practice working where he also specializes in working with individuals who are recovering stroke victims. On top of teaching classes and working for Camp Blue Skies, Jim is currently serving as the head chairman on our Board of Directors.
Cheryl Mimy
Instructor & Nutritionist
Cheryl is a Certified Personal Trainer, CPR certified and Nutrition Coach with NASM. She has worked as a special education teacher’s assistant with Union County Public schools for over 9 years. Prior to relocating from New Jersey she was a woman wearing many hats. She taught children with autism and transitioned to start her own daycare center, which provided service for children with special needs. Her heart for the special needs community is beyond words. As a daughter of a mother with intellectual disabilities, she grew to learn and love this population as if they were her own family members. She has a passion for coaching track and cross country as well.
Jacob Burns
Instructor & Crossfit Coach
Jacob has been working with adaptive athletes for 4 years through the YMCA as well as over 20 years in fitness training people in all aspects of life. He is also coach at Crossfit Weddington and prior to that, coached at Crossfit Charlotte for 12 years. He has a passion for making Adaptive and able bodied athletes not only thrive in specific sports but everyday life. "I love when athletes light up when they experience something new or accomplish something that they thought are unreachable. I was once asked would I rather train people or workout myself. Hands down, train people. It's a passion and a joy." Aside from training others, I enjoy playing hockey, training (probably too much), mountain biking, fishing, listening to music and, telling "off-cuff" jokes. In my "pay the bills" job, I'm a Sr. CyberSecurity engineer.
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Brandon Hank
Instructor
Originally from outside Chicago, Brandon moved to Charlotte after earning his MBA at UNC-Chapel Hill. Brandon is Adaptive Fitness certified, which helps create exercise programs that accommodate the unique needs of people with physical or cognitive disabilities. His favorite part about coaching with RyzAb0ve is seeing the energy and enthusiasm all our athletes bring to each class, rain or shine. Outside of coaching, Brandon enjoys staying active in pickleball and volleyball leagues, walking the Rail Trail, trying new bars and restaurants, and spending time with his dog, Finn.
Lenora Edge
Instructor
Lenora is from a small town here in North Carolina. She brings in over 20 years of work experience with the Special Needs population. She has worked for a number of years at a residential facility for the Special Needs, where she served in many different roles from supervising staff to writing and implementing programs to improve or enhance the independent and social skills of the residents there. Lenora a Certified Personal Trainer with ISSA and is continuing her education with different certifications to help her in her love as a fitness professional. Lenora also has a very deep love and passion for the Elderly community. She currently serves them through her in-home private care company.
Maggy Sieglein
Instructor
Maggy was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She moved to North Carolina and attended Elon University, earning her bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and Public Health Studies. Maggy has a certification in Adaptive Fitness, which focuses on creative and alternative exercise for individuals with disabilities. She is also a certified Rock Steady Boxing Coach (boxing for individuals with Parkinson’s disease). Outside of RyzAb0ve Fitness, Maggy is a personal trainer coaching a primarily geriatric population. Maggy has experience in both group fitness and 1:1 personal training. Maggy enjoys staying active in her downtime by hiking, practicing yoga, or weight training. Apart from staying active, Maggy likes to read, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.
Jessica Horan
Yoga Instructor
Jessica has been involved with RyzAbove fitness since the Spring of 2021 as a yoga instructor. Besides teaching yoga for RyzAbove her favorite events are volunteering at the inclusive obstacle challenges because of the positive energy and excitement involved from athletes and supporters. Her passion for yoga started ten years ago here in Charlotte. She has been certified as an RYT-200 since 2020 along with her ACE certification in adaptive fitness. Jessica is also a board-certified behavior analyst, BCBA, and a licensed behavior analyst, LBA in North Carolina. Since the age of 18, Jessica has been serving the neurodivergent community and is deeply grateful for every year that has passed and the years to come.
Sara Pizzarello
Instructor
Sara is originally from Boston and has been in North Carolina since 2019. One of Sara’s biggest motivations in fitness is the chance to celebrate what her participants/clients are physically and mentally able to achieve. After being temporarily handicapped via a severe leg injury in 2022, Sara realized her passion for helping individuals in need of corrective and adaptive exercises.
She holds her CPT along with sub certifications including: corrective exercises, strength & conditioning, and nutritionist. When she is not coaching at RyzAbove, Sara works full time as a personal trainer. She primarily works with women to help them feel more confident both in the weight room, and in their own skin. In a world full of exclusion, she aims to make fitness a little more inclusive for all.
Laura Littlejohn
Administrative Assistant & Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Board of Directors
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Ashley Anderson - Secretary
Ashley Anderson is a special education teacher and a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has an M.Ed. in Special Education from UNC Charlotte and a Bachelor’s in Special Education from Western Carolina University. She has 12 years of experience in the classroom serving students with extensive support needs, as well as her National Board Certification for students with extensive support needs. In her spare time she serves as the local coordinator for Special Olympics Gaston County and participates in several professional organizations. She enjoys spending time with my family and friends, participating in sports and outdoor activities, baking, and crafting. Ashley has been a member of the board for RyzAb0ve Fitness since 2021, serving as the secretary.
Amanda Little - Treasurer
Amanda is the Director of Learning & Development at a Charlotte-based property and real estate organization where she uses systems thinking, empathy, compassion, and leadership methodologies to educate and grow team members. Prior to venturing into the corporate sector, Amanda served at the YMCA for over twelve years, developing lasting relationships with community leaders, local non-profits, and organizations that serve the community's deepest needs. This values-based work is where she fell in love with community building, sparking an impact, serving, and educating others! Over a decade later, Amanda is still serving the community through programs and outreach opportunities in our non-profit network. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, listening, coaching, and encouraging others to reach their full potential by building connections and living a congruent life! She aspires to bring her enthusiasm, passion, and affinity to connect others to the RyzAb0ve Fitness organization.
Rachel LoCurto
Rachel has over 20 years of experience working with people with intellectual disabilities in various roles and is currently working as a development professional for Special Olympics New Jersey. Previously, she worked as an intelligence analyst for the federal government at the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She holds a Bachelor's degree from New York University, a Master's degree from The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, and a certificate in Fundraising from New York University. Rachel is a 200-hr registered yoga teacher and is certified in accessible yoga and chair yoga. She lives with her husband and six rescue dogs in California, New Jersey.
Lauren Troche
Lauren’s journey as a board member with RyzAb0ve Fitness began in 2021. During her tenure, she has been fortunate to help strengthen our mission by helping further develop community outreach and program enrichment. Lauren is a passionate leader and advocate who believes that serving as a board member affords her the opportunity to impact our target demographic expand our reach with local partnerships all in support of our wonderfully diverse community. A mom of four, including a child with iDD, Lauren is no stranger to the special needs community; she also has an older sibling, Russell, who is autistic. Russell is responsible for enriching her life, and shaping her personal perspective of our amazing community. Transplants from New Jersey, Lauren and her husband, Mike reside in Waxhaw.
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Margeret Gaffney
Margaret is the Transition Coordinator at A Special Needs Plan, a national firm based in Charlotte. ASNP serves families with special needs that struggle with the worry that comes from needing a plan for the future care and financial well-being of their loved ones Margaret is passionate about helping families get government benefits and connecting them to resources in the community. She is married to David, and has two children in their 20's.
Lee Lehman
Lee has had a varied professional career beginning in the United States Air Force 19th tactical fighter squadron followed by an extensive career in Leather Research & Development and Chemical Technical Sales. Throughout his career, he has volunteered for multiple organizations including many fundraising opportunities, and has volunteered as Convention Chairman for the American Leather Chemists Association for nearly the last 20 years! Lee has also been involved in mentoring inner city students to learn life and job readiness and strategic planning skills needed for after high school. Lee has a unique skill set for fundraising and sales and after attending a few RyzAb0ve events, he joined the RyzAb0ve Board of Directors to help achieve fundraising goals and support this community. In his spare time, he volunteers with his church and other local organizations, and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, gardening, and golfing.
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Rob Ruhe
Rob is a sales professional and leader with more than 20 years of experience in theconsumer packaged goods industry, working for a globally recognized company. Anactive supporter since 2024, he served on the inaugural Night to Ryz gala committeeand is a regular participant in monthly social gatherings. Rob joined the Board ofDirectors to help strategically grow RyzAb0ve as the organization seeks to expandfitness and social opportunities to more locations and more athletes. Outside of workand service, he enjoys mountain biking and hiking/backpacking with his daughters in theNorth Carolina mountains. Rob lives in Waxhaw with his wife, Michelle.