Our Team
LIFE CHANGER & DREAM MAKER
Katie Callahan - Owner
My parents enrolled me in dance classes at the age of three, and my love for the art of dance grew as I grew. And at the age of 19 years old, I opened On Your Toes Dance Studio and for the next 25 years of my life, my heart and soul was poured into my dance students.
As an adult, following a devastating and painful ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, my body felt completely out of balance. This is when fitness classes became my go-to, as it gave me a feeling of control of this image I saw in the mirror. In addition to this, I also became diligent with learning how to properly nourish myself and I turned to Holistic nutrition. I was focused on whole foods and nutrients that would adequately benefit my physcial, mental and spritual well being.
Before I knew it, I was at a full term pregnancy with my baby boy. It was the first time that I didn’t count calories or steps or worry about my scale. I just relaxed and truly let my body do what it was meant to do. Tyler was born early and two days before our annual dance showcase (I still directed the show with him in my arms). My son has not only taught me spontaneity and resiliance, but also patience and purpose.
As a newly single mom in my 30’s, I sought to boost my income as well as my independence. I became certified in Zumba and brought it to the dance studio, which led me to become certified in various Personal and Group Fitness classes. By helping others achieve fitness and nutrition goals and sharing in their progress fueled my passion. This is when I began personal and group training out of my home garage.
In my 40s, I ventured into bodybuilding and brought home awards and trophies that I never dreamed I could achieve. Despite the many challenges of this journey each time I competed, I found it to be the most rewarding physical chapter for me yet.
As 2020 impacted us all in so many ways, we soon found that we were closing the doors to my beloved dance studio. Over these past few years, I have been blessed to continue sharing my fitness journey with so many amazing people. My passion in life is helping others feel their best by providing the tools needed to transform. Knowing that I’ve helped to add longevity to others lives, defines my life purpose. I am ready to help you reach your goals!
CHRISTINA O'CONNOR - INSTRUCTOR
I am a certified Group Fitness Instructor and Barre Above instructor at the Ice House! I started my health journey at the IH the beginning of 2021 after I had a spine injury and lost feeling on the top right side of my body. After surgery I hit a low point physically & mentally. With encouragement from Jess & the IH community I started my road to recovery becoming the strongest both physically & mentally I have been in years! Later that same year I wanted to grow my knowledge of fitness instruction so I earned my certifications in Barre Above & Group Fitness. I became a certified instructor so I can bring that same energy & encouragement to other people in our community helping them start or continue their journey to become the best version of themselves. Cheering for & encouraging people to keep going and crush goals is what I was created to do!
MICHELLE SAUNDERS - INSTRUCTOR
KYLE SAMMONS - INSTRUCTOR
LIZ GROLLER - INSTRUCTOR
I am a 5th degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate with 26 years of martial arts training. I am
also a mountain biker, runner and my favorite gym workout was always one involving HIIT. But when I began to experience constant pain from the long-term effects of playing competitive sports and high energy training, a friend suggested trying yoga. Skeptical at first, I became instantly committed to the practice of yoga after finishing my first hour of a hot power yoga class. It was hard and it was hot, but the daily pain I experienced quickly disappeared and I soon realized that yoga not only offered me a dynamic physical challenge, but also provided something I had never experienced – a healing connection between my mind, body and spirit.
I have been a yoga practitioner for 8 years and received my certification as a yoga instructor in 2020. My motivation to teach comes from what I have learned from other yoga instructors over the last 8 years and the physical, mental and spiritual transformation I have experienced from my own practice. I teach a vinyasa/power yoga class, inspired by the yoga master, Baron Baptiste – sometimes with a little heat, always with music, and always with the hope that I can bring the benefits I have experienced from yoga to others.
Outside of yoga, I have been an attorney for approximately 30 years. After 15 years in private practice as a domestic relations attorney, I served as the Deputy Secretary for the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security for 7 years. Since 2014, I am employed at Delaware Technical Community College, serving in several roles at the College, including as Senior Legal Counsel, the Director for Public Safety and, currently, as the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. I am happily married to Stephen and has two grown children, Nicholas and Maia.
Ready for Change?
If you are contemplating what your purpose is and want to be the player in your own story, contact me now and schedule a visit at The Ice House: Wellness + Community. Do not wait for life to get better: Fill the gap between what you want and discover how you can achieve it all while embracing your health!
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”~Neale Donald Walsh
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