Meet Your Trainers

Tara Blackshear

Training:

• Doctoral Student (Ed.D.) in Exercise and Sport Science,
  The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  Anticipated Graduation - May 2009
• Master of Education in Health and Physical Education,
  Florida A&M University
• BS in Health and Physical Education,
  Florida A&M University
• Certified Personal Trainer,
  National Exercise Trainers Association
• CPR Certified

Continuing education workshops:

Cardio Athletic Kickboxing, Poweride (Indoor Biking), Learn to Teach, Powerwave, Tripple Threat, Still Steppin', Still Kickin', Define Yourself, Step Factor, Re-defined, Upper Body Clinic, Junk in the Trunk Funk, Kickbox Bootcamp, Bountiful Balls, BOSU Black and Blue

Biography:

Tara has extensive experience and expertise in health and fitness education. She earned her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Health and Physical Education from Florida A & M University. Tara is dedicated to physical activity promotion and believes in 'physical activity for all'. She has been teaching group fitness classes and personal training for over 10 years while obtaining various fitness certifications including personal training, group fitness, kickboxing, cycling, water aerobics and numerous workshops to enhance her skills.

In addition to her private sector physical activity pursuits, Tara is a seasoned public school health and physical educator. She currently is a Physical Activity Interventionist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working to prevent type II diabetes among middle school youth. Simultaneously, Tara is pursuing her doctoral degree in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As if that's not enough to fill her time, Tara also competes in fitness, figure and bodybuilding competitions and is always trying to get people to participate in some athletic event - no matter their age.

Andre McCain

Training:

• BS in Exercise Science,
  East Carolina University
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist,
  National Strength & Conditioning Association
• Certified Personal Trainer,
  Interactive Fitness Trainers of America
• Water Safety and Lifesavings Skills,
  American Red Cross Lifegaurd Training
• CPR/ AED Certified

Biography:

Andre McCain has a broad knowledge and experience working with diverse populations. While serving first as a Wellness Instructor and now as a Wellness Coordinator over the past four years at Rex Wellness, he has worked with a wide range of clients. He implements strength and aerobics programs designed for the general population including clients with special needs. But Andre does not stop there. He is also currently working with elite athletes at NC State University. Serving as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the past two years, Andre has worked with Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Basketball, and Wrestling teams. He has even worked with Cullen Jones (member of the United States 400-meter freestyle relay team that set a world record at the Pan-Pacific Games in '06) implementing medicine ball training into his routine.

Andre is originally from Salisbury North Carolina were he played football and basketball in high school at West Rowan. As a sophomore Andre won a State title in basketball and went on to play two years of college football at Elizabeth City State University before transferring to East Carolina University to complete his degree in Exercise Sports Science. He currently resides in Raleigh with his wife and daughter where he enjoys being active with them both around the house and at the park. In his free time he loves basketball, movies, and just spending quality time with his friends and family.