Our Instructors
Darby BrenderDarby's passion for fitness started at a very young age as a dancer and competitive gymnast. When Darby finished competitive gymnastics she instructed dance and gymnastics for many years. Darby earned her degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and later received her ACE (American Council on Exercise) certification in group fitness. Darby believes that your time is valuable, she strives to make the most out of the time you spend at Fusion. Darby's life motto, "go big or go home" is the back bone of her classes. She is constantly developing new moves, routines, and techniques to ensure that her method stays fresh.
Personal Training Upon request
Brooke DegnanBrooke was a student at the Kansas City Ballet and The Pacific Northwest Ballet for 15 years. As a young dancer, Brooke studied Pilates under many of the founders of the discipline. After graduating with a B.S. from the University of Kansas, Brooke became a certified personal trainer and STOTT Pilates instructor. After devoting many years to personal training, Brooke heard about FUSION Fitness and decided to try it out. “Fusion was the most challenging class I have ever taken. I truly believe this concept is the ultimate recipe for fitness success -- a solid emphasis on forming lean muscle, pure devotion to creating a strong core, and an upbeat, fast paced class to maintain an elevated heart rate.” Equipped with a deep understanding of the body and a strong desire to transform it, Brooke is committed to helping you attain your fitness goals.
Personal Training Upon request
Amy HodesGroup fitness has always been a big part of Amy’s life. Dancing, gymnastics, and cheer leading when she was younger paved the way for an enthusiasm and love for exercise and fitness as an adult. Amy graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S and taught high school English. She later became a certified Spin instructor through Mad Dogg Athletics. After years of only taking high intensity cardio classes, she started adding pilates and yoga in an attempt to gain more strength and flexibility. She says, “I loved the lean results I got from combing cardio classes with pilates, yoga, and strength training- but I had to run all over town to different places and attend multiple classes a day in order to do it. Fusion combines the BEST of every aspect of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, sculpting lean muscle, building core strength, and lengthening the body through guided stretching. You get it all in one class, at one place.” Amy offers her years of experience in a wide variety of fitness classes, dedication to reading and researching to keep up on current fitness trends, and an energetic enthusiasm for teaching.
Sadie DurbinSadie has always had a genuine passion for living a healthy, active lifestyle and helping others do the same. She gets personal satisfaction from motivating people to challenge themselves to get stronger and to enjoy working out - Fusion Fitness provides this experience! At a young age, Sadie became interested in fitness and health through her love of ballet. As a student at the Kansas City Ballet academy, she learned the value of the commitment and discipline required to stay healthy and fit . She demonstrated this commitment by commuting an hour and a half each way from a small town in Kansas, three to four times a week, to attend classes in Kansas City. After ballet, Sadie became a long-time runner but was missing the focus on core strength and overall muscle tone from ballet and Pilates. “Working out at Fusion changed my body more than any other workout. The classes are constantly changing and are a great mix of cardio, strengthening and stretching – the workout is addicting! Not only is the workout great, but I love the atmosphere at the studio. It is relaxed, but motivating, I look forward to every class!” Sadie Graduated from University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism and currently works full-time at a marketing research company, but loves nothing more that her time spent at Fusion Fitness... her "happy place!" Sadie is an ACE certified personal trainer.
Personal Training Upon request
Becca Parisi
A physically fit and active lifestyle has always been Becca’s lifestyle. Competitive dancing, cheer leading, gymnastics and swimming kept Becca's body in tip top shape throughout her childhood years. Becca earned her degree in Management Information Systems from Kansas State University and later received her ACE (American Council on Exercise) certification in group fitness. As a fitness junky, Becca has always loved group fitness but was often frustrated when a class was not challenging enough, usually she had to follow up a class with another workout on her own. Becca was on the search for a workout that accomplished an intense total body workout in just one hour, that is what she found when she came to Fusion Fitness. Becca loves how the Fusion workouts challenge or “shock” her entire body and result in forming strong, lean muscles, in a fun, different, fast paced class. “It is so fun and so challenging! My muscles reach complete fatigue at Fusion, yet I always leave in a fabulous mood and feeling great about my time there!” She has seen major improvement in her endurance and her strength in her running, Fusion classes, and other sports and exercises due to the techniques used at Fusion. Becca has a very deliberate method of teaching fitness, your whole body is guaranteed to feel and see the effects of her classes. As a mother of three young kids, she understands the importance of time management, she loves to make your workout at Fusion challenging to your entire body and a good use of your time.
Jaci Hakes Don't be fooled by Jaci's sweet smile, this girl has moves that will make your backside sore for days! Jaci brings a very creative element to her classes. She is continually coming up with creative workouts that will "shock" your body into phenomenal shape. Jaci's feet never stop moving! This mom of three kids( and one on the way), recently won 2nd place in a local triathlon and 1st place in a local 5k. Her passion for variety and fun in life show through in her classes. When not teaching at Fusion, Jaci is beating the streets on a long run, stretching her body & soul at yoga, or making a splash with a furious fast paced swim. Her athletic background include swimming and cheer leading. A true adventurer at heart, Jaci is always striving for a new physical challenge.
Shannon ConnellShannon is certified in Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga and has a strong background in the art and science of yoga, from asana and alignment to western anatomy. Over the past 12 years, she has studied and practiced HATHA, BIKRAM, ASHTANGA and VINYASA yoga. She found that the open, vigorous flow of Vinyasa Yoga was where her heart and creative energy thrived. It is her intention to share this loving energetic movement with as many people as she can. Shannon recently moved back to Kansas City after living in New York City for the past 8 years.Her music rocks and her creatively flowing classes ask you to tap into your inner child to play, expand and enjoy while giving you a challenging workout. Her honesty and zest for life are something that she hopes to pass along through her teaching. Shannon lives what she teaches: to be in the world AND of it, in a never-ending dance of intensity, integrity...and fierce fun.
