A message from our founder

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Jenni started emPOWER kids in November 2020, after the COVID-19 crisis changed our lives. Like so many others, she felt the call  to give back to the community in a meaningful way.  She recognized a void in extracurricular activities for kids, programs that focus on overall wellness. While fun and fitness are most common, mental and social-emotional health programs are rare. In bringing these wellness areas together, emPOWER kids was born. The Wellness Studio opened in September 2021, with the Joyful Movement Gym shortly after in June 2022.   

Jenni brings over a decade of experience coaching recreational sports, competitive gymnastics, and Girls on the Run. She attended Marymount University and George Mason University for Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her RYT 200 yoga certification.  When not at the gym, you can find her volunteering at her kiddos' elementary school, hiking a mountain, on the ski slopes or cuddled up with a book!

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Vanessa became a gymnast at age 3. After years of competition, she transitioned into weight lifting and coaching in high school, which sparked her interest in Kinesiology. For over a decade, she's explored  the world of meditation, yoga and mind-body connection, and recently completed her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from George Mason University. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from NSCA.  When she's not coaching at the gym, you can find her personal training adults, spending as much time as possible outdoors with her pup Loki, or enjoying Mexican Food! 

Hi! My name is Ronica Crevecoeur, I’m 27 years old, and I was born and raised in Alexandria,

Virginia. I am a veteran preschool autism classroom (PAC) teacher in Fairfax County, and I

will be starting a special education doctorate program in the Fall. Inclusivity, diversity, and

PLAY are my passions. Fostering environments where our neurodiverse friends have a safe

environment to explore, be silly, and have fun is the goal!

I have a background in competitive gymnastics, cheerleading, and dancing. I represented

the College of William and Mary as a Cheerleader during my 4 years of undergraduate

studies. During this time, I had the opportunity to mentor, coach, and volunteer with multiple

populations of children and adults. It was beyond meaningful to me, so meaningful in fact, I

took up coaching cheerleading at Hayfield Secondary School. I am currently the head JV/F

coach, and look forward to having my team members join the emPOWER family of

volunteers as well.

In my free time, you can find me on a walk or hike with my dog Toby, curled up with a good

book, or trying new recipes in the kitchen. Feel free to stop me at the gym or shoot me an

email with any questions or concerns! I look forward to getting to know you!

Coach Jonathan has always been passionate about sports and personal wellness.  With over 5 years of experience coaching soccer, tennis, and multi-sport enrichment classes in the local Arlington and Alexandria community, Jonathan has proven himself as both a dedicated long-term substitute K12 PE/Health teacher, a youth tennis and soccer coach, and yoga teacher enriching the health and wellness of thousands of students. Beyond his coaching experience, Jonathan comes with more than 11 years of private academic tutoring experience in English, Mathematics, Mandarin Chinese, and test preparation for college and graduate school-bound students.  Jonathan firmly believes that health, wellness, and fitness is not only a crucially important asset, but a human right that is often neglected, underappreciated, and underdeveloped.  To remedy this, Coach Jonathan is committed to teaching more fun age-appropriate fitness and sport skills that can be accessible to children.  In addition to holding a YTT 200 yoga certification from Just Practice Yoga in St. Louis, MO (which played a pivotal role in getting him through graduate school thesis writing), Coach Jonathan is equipped with a USSF F soccer coaching license and an FA playmakers grassroots soccer coaching license. Currently pursuing his USSF D license, he eagerly anticipates sharing his enthusiasm for sports, yoga, and fitness with other children and adults. You can contact him via email for more information on private tutoring: jonathan.muehlke@gmail.com

Hey friends, my name is Coach Asia or Coach A. I am a Senior at George Mason University majoring in Kinesiology (the study of human body movement). Prior to my college career I participated in rec league, high-school, competitive cheer & gymnastics since the age of 6. My passion for cheer & gymnastics paved the way for me to now become a fun, motivated & encouraging coach at emPOWER kids ! 

Bio coming soon!