Personal Trainers

Hello, my name is Chip Taggart and I'm a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and completed all my course work for my Masters in Exercise Physiology, both at the University of Kansas. I have three kids; Austin the oldest is 10 years old, Andrew and Nolan (the twins) are 7 years old. However, my wife Michele would tell you that I add as our "fourth boy". Sunshine, a blonde Shih-Tzu has been a part of our family for three years now. Most would say that black is not an actual color, if that's the case then black is my favorite non-color. I love the foods that most trainers would advise people to stay away from, junk food. Although lately I have tried to stay away from junk food, it hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be. When I was 19 years old, I broke my C5 vertebrae after diving into a shallow pond and hitting my head on the bottom. I love what I do and I have devoted most of my life to fitness, both for me personally and professionally helping others. I feel there is very little in a person's life that is not positively impacted by increased fitness and better health. I have helped literally hundreds of people change their lives for the better through exercise.

Hello, my name is Todd Leonard and I'm the Vice President of FitnessQuest. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in both Exercise Science and Nutrition from Kansas State University. I have four children; Tate, 9, Trey, 7, Alyssa, 5, and Alec, 3. I do not have any pets, four children is enough in a busy household like mine. My favorite color is green and my guilty pleasure in life is chocolate. In my free time I love to road bike, work out and play different sports with the kids. As far as battle wounds go, I have torn my right rotator cuff and sprained both of my ankles several times. I enjoy working on my back muscles the most and I enjoy working in the fitness industry so that I may have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Hi, my name is Shannon Brady. I've been a member of the FitnessQuest family working as both personal trainer and membership director since we opened our doors in November 2005. My background is in healthcare working as a nurse for 17 years before leaving to pursue a full time career in fitness. I am an Idaho native and graduated from the nursing program at the College of Southern Idaho and finished my education at Boise State University (Go Broncos!). While I will always be an Idaho girl, I have grown to love the midwest and the people. My husband, Michael and I have a wonderful teenager named Connor. Our house stays active with three additional family members, Tug, Bodie and Jigs (all pugs). I taught Jazzercise for 7 years and retired in 2007. I completed my first triathalon in August 2007. I run several short course races through the year as well. My favorite way to relax is to sneak off with a mindless magazine and good glass of wine. My most severe battle scar dates back to when I was 6 and I received severe burns on my tongue from a frozen pipe. I'm always available for workout, nutrition or even a little nursing advice...don't hesitate to ask!

Hello, my name is Jason Allen and I’m a certified Personal Trainer through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. I am originally from Bryan/College Station, Texas, but came to the Midwest on a wrestling scholarship to Missouri Valley College, where I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. I have one son; Jacob, 4 years old. I own a long haired terrier mix named Tatty. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, camping, canoeing, being at the lake, playing the drums and working out. I’ve been very active in sports since I was very young; playing baseball, football, track and wrestling. Since ending my college wrestling career, I’ve competed in powerlifting and strongman competitions. My favorite muscles to work would definitely be my shoulders. I enjoy working in the fitness industry to impact peoples’ lives, help them reach their goals and the satisfaction of their success.

Hello, my name is Brent Pitts and I'm a certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Science and also a Minor Degree in Business Administration both from the University of Kansas, Rock Chalk! Throughout my time at KU I was involved within the facility operations and personal training at KU's Student Recreational Center. I have been playing ice hockey pretty much my entire life and I have had the opportunity to play hockey all over the country while in high school and also at the college level. Through hockey I played for the Kansas Russell Stover Stars AAA team throughout high school, the St. Louis Lightning Junior A team for a year after high school, and for 4 years on KU's Club Ice Hockey team. Besides hockey, I also enjoyed and participated in football, wrestling and baseball throughout high school. With always being active in sports, working out has become something that I have grown a passion for, and most importantly influencing the lives of others through fitness and well-being has become a major goal of mine.

My name is Maribeth Hagen. I offer my expertise in personal training and nutrition. I recently graduated from Butler University, Indianapolis, with a B.A. in Nutrition and Exercise Science along with an extensive background in dance training and performance. Last summer, I had the opportunity to create a 90-day nutrition campaign that was distributed to over 200 businesses in the Kansas City Area. I have led several nutrition and exercise seminars and am an ACSM certified personal trainer. My passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness potential leads me to FitnessQuest with excitement and genuine interest in each one of my clients.

My name is Katie Buell and I am a certified Personal Trainer through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. I have worked in the Kansas City area as a Personal Trainer since 2000. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. I own a miniature schnauzer named Simba and in my free time I enjoy working out, house/pet sitting, journaling and reading. My favorite colors are various shades of orange/peach and I enjoy eating brownies and ice cream on occasion. While I was training for body building shows, I didn't get enough fat into my diet and my liver suffered because of it. The leg muscles (Quads, Hamstrings and Calves) are my favorite muscles to work. I enjoy personal training because I like to help people reach their goals in half the time that it took me to reach my goal.

My name is Wright Summers and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of South Tennessee and have been a licensed realtor and broker since 1972 in both Kansas and Missouri. I have two kids, Susan, 41 and Shannon, 38 and a dog named Sam. In my free time I enjoy golfing, being with friends and traveling, preferably in the outdoors. I also enjoy eating good food like Italian, not bad food like sushi or liver. My favorite color is green. When exercising, I enjoy working on my chest, arms and shoulders. I have a couple of battle wounds, including having my C5 and C6 removed from my neck and I blew out my L4 in my lower back. I enjoy working at FitnessQuest because it has a happy environment with no complaint department.