Fully certified and extensively experienced instructors.
We thoroughly test and review all MINT instructors. We hold them to the highest standards, including heavily weighing our clients’ reviews. These are not ‘gym’ instructors, these are ‘studio’ instructors.
Interested in applying for a position on our team? Contact a genre director below, and be sure to include a resume and your availability.
Meg DiRuggiero, Company Director of Programming | megdmint@gmail.com
Ori Korin, Cycle Director | Ori@mintdc.com
Braegan Padley, Intensity Director | Braegan@mintdc.com
Let us know what you thought of a recent class! Leave us Feedback!
Meet the MINT Team
Laura is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher trained in vinyasa yoga with prenatal and toddler training certificates. In addition, she studied at the Kripalu Center with Nischala Joy Devi for a Yoga of the Heart certificate to learn to adapt yoga practices to the special needs of people living with heart disease, cancer and other health challenges.
In addition, Laura is a NASM-certified personal trainer with a Corrective Exercise certificate, a black belt in tae kwon do, barre/mat and reformer training certificates, and a Center for Integrative Medicine trained reiki practitioner.
In her barre and yoga class, Laura addresses muscle imbalances so that her students can gain strength where their muscles are weak and flexibility where their muscles are tight. As an added bonus, it is Laura’s intention that her yoga students will experience the best night sleep of their life as she cultivates calm minds and hearts in her students through relaxing music, essential oils and breathing exercise.
In 2019, Meg was doing a lot of heavy lifting, high-intensity training, and spinning as well as sitting a lot for her job. This led to her struggling with lower back problems and patella femoral syndrome in her left knee. She decided to try out personal training on the reformer and it changed everything! She was encouraged to become an instructor herself and got certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels.
Her teaching style is very calm and measured. She wants to make everyone feel comfortable and not intimidated. She is particularly good at describing how the exercises flow together. Her main goal is to teach people the importance of postural support and core engagement because it is so necessary for every activity we do. She also just loves showing people how the reformer works because it’s so fun!
She likes to combine classic STOTT Pilates moves with exercises that mimic what you can find on the fitness floor. She also enjoys showing people that the reformer can be used for more than just Pilates. The reformer is not as intimidating as it looks – it is essentially a piece of equipment and once you learn how it works it gets so fun to use. Pilates can be essential to anyone – it strengthens all the muscles that will help support you throughout your entire life and is a great companion to strength training.
Meg grew up in DC and is so excited to be back! She loves to walk along the C&O canal to be around nature and explore the area’s many museums. She loves kpop and is always looking for new vegan spots to try. You can follow her on Instagram @meg.diruggiero or her kpop/Pilates youtube channel hanandonly.
Dubbed “The Queen of Cardio,” Jeannie is a master trainer for Doonya: The Bollywood Workout, which she has been teaching since 2010. As part of the Doonya team, Jeannie can be seen on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, WUSA9, The Washington Post. She also has performed at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Fiesta Asia, Arts on Foot, at the Indian Embassy as part of Passport DC. Jeannie is an AFAA-certified group exercise instructor.
Gabe has been with MINT since 2011 where he started training, and teaching Group exercise classes. He was promoted to Master Trainer and then moved in to management taking over the Group Exercise Programming. Since then Gabe has settled in as the Program/Fitness director managing all trainers and programs at MINT.Gabe has always kept training for his love of helping people with their fitness routine. His style adapts to each clients needs. He is always looking to better himself and help each of his clients reach their fitness goals.
Liz Pandya is a powerhouse cycle instructor who teaches with Coach by Color technology to increase strength and endurance. She uses a variety of drills guided by rhythm, time, and mileage ensuring no ride is ever the same. Regular attendees are sure to see results, as Liz’s rides empower clients to increase their power output each time they return to the bike. Get ready for an amazing class with this boisterous cheerleader; high ponytail and all while enjoying a medley of music including EDM, rap, and pop hits!
Ferdaouis (fir-dos) is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with a special appreciation for heated and vinyasa styles. She first became dedicated to yoga as a volunteer and student with Bikram yoga studios in the Washington, DC area in 2011 – in classes that forced the mind and body to slow down, pay attention, heal, and overcome personal barriers. She has loved exploring the incredible and diverse DC yoga scene ever since, and loves the way all approaches to yoga are uniquely contributing to stronger, healthier, and more peaceful communities. She loves working on her own practice and challenges (of which she has many) with yoga, and strives to bring happy, patient, and body-positive classes to her students.
Intensity Director
Classes: Power Playground HIIT, MINTRow
Braegan’s classes are designed to make you sweat! She aims to challenge you and leave you feeling accomplished. She offers dynamic, athletic, and results-driven workouts that, with commitment, will develop a more powerful you. Her job is to help you push past your excuses, towards your results. It never gets easier; you just get stronger.
Classes: Power Playground Athlete, MINT Fuze, Personal Trainer
Myke describes himself as an athletic artist who enjoys challenging his body and mind in creative ways. He enjoys guiding his clients to their own fitness victories. As a NESTA-certified trainer and TRX-certified instructor, Myke has spent his 11+ years in fitness training using a combination of weightlifting, calisthenics, strongman and MMA to help his clients to achieve their fitness goals. Myke is a force amplifier who enjoys helping others rise above their current level of health, as simple as a 1% increase every day.
Cycle Program DirectorCycle
True story: Ori walked out of her first indoor cycling class five years ago midway through the second song. A couple years later, she gave it another shot and realized a good instructor, the right music, and a little perseverance go a long way. Her classes promise something for everyone, from the hard-core climbers to the wild speed demons, and her rides will help you leave the studio prouder and stronger than when you walked in. It’s a beautiful gift to have bodies that work…let’s celebrate them! When she’s not cycling, you can find Ori thinking big communications thoughts in the labor movement, trying to make sequins work-appropriate, and drinking obscene quantities of Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee.
Chuck has been teaching cycling since 1997, and while his teaching style has changed somewhat, his philosophy on teaching remains the same. His style encompasses real world road cycling catered to an indoor studio. It is equally as effective for those who want to train hard or those who prefer to train at a less intense pace.
His fitness philosophy combines an indoor cycling program with strength training and outdoor road cycling. “Being active in different exercises will help to avoid boredom in your fitness program and keep your fitness level higher.” His teaching style is one that challenges people, pushing them beyond their perceived abilities, helping to increase self-confidence and making them a stronger cyclist.
Those who know Chuck know that he does not just preach his philosophy, he lives it. He has spent the past 20 years racing road bikes and competing in duathlons, triathlons and adventure races, as well as being active in strength training and yoga.
Erin Reagan earned her cycling certification through the Spinning® program by Mad Dogg Athletics. As a lifelong athlete, Erin has taken her experiences from team sports and harnessed them to lead enjoyable and innovative classes. Erin’s classes are built for everyone – fun choreography, good music, heavy climbs, quick sprints, and more! When she’s not on the bike, you can find her around DC taking Barre classes, running along the National Mall, or exploring new restaurants and wine bars with friends!
Kelly Valerio is an upbeat and energetic 23-year-old who just moved to Washington D.C. from Long Island, NY. She is looking forward to continuing to teach riders and grow her skills as an instructor. She hopes her riders are eager for fast movements but also those difficult climbs guaranteed to work those quads.
Maddie’s classes are sassy, classy and a little bad-assy. She brings her incredibly high energy to every session to make working out the most enjoyable experience it can be. You will walk away with an extra boost of confidence and a smile on your face.
Her class will kick your booty in a safe way that works for your skill level and pushes you to unlock a stronger version of yourself. She believes time is our only nonrenewable resource and if you trust her with yours, she will make it worth your while.
Maddie was a competitive dancer for 15 years and was eager to find a new way to keep moving her body when she entered college. She started taking Barre and Dance fitness classes at the university sports facility which she loved. Eventually, she also found her inner power lifting heavy things in a strength-based class. She went through instructor training her sophomore fall and has been instructing ever since!
She has always considered movement to be her medicine, and fitness taught her how to express herself, grow her work ethic and build confidence. Group exercise in particular led her to both personal growth and a built-in support system. As an instructor, her goal is to create a community where participants can see their individual rewards and also have fun and make new friends.
Caroline’s classes are the whole package – a workout, some fun, and moving meditation. Her teaching style is inviting and approachable. “Leave intimidation and snobbery for the make-believe land of Gossip Girl, (or better yet, Dallas). It has zero place in my classes,” she says. Her goal is to help you find your own specific and most effective workout, not anyone else’s. She also plays a lot of Tina Turner in her classes.
Ally Perleoni is a certified RYT-200 Power Yoga instructor, having completed an intensive 200-hour teacher training program with Mimi Rieger. Ally is primarily a power flow vinyasa teacher. Her teaching style is fluid and thoughtful. She likes to provide her students strong flows focused on alignment and transitions between the shapes. She wants to ensure that her students feel connected to their bodies and that they can reach the “moving meditation” part of yoga. She loves the feeling of building up to a strong sequence by introducing new shapes into a series of postures and watching students explore their edge through new transitions.
For Emma, cycling is not just a workout; it’s a form of kinetic meditation that allows her to find clarity amidst the daily hustle. Her teaching style is centered around rhythm, incorporating jumps, intervals, and captivating choreography. And with carefully curated remixes of familiar songs, you’ll be singing along as you pedal to the beat. Emma’s classes are the ultimate dance party on a bike!
One of the most remarkable aspects of Emma’s classes is the sense of inclusivity and empowerment she fosters. As a collective, riders move to the music, allowing each individual to make the ride their own. Don’t like a particular move? No problem – skip it and keep going. Emma believes in the power of modifications and encourages riders to listen to their bodies and minds. Every class is a judgment-free zone where all fitness levels are welcome.
Nicole. believes that fitness should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their athletic background or fitness level. Her classes are designed to challenge participants while allowing them to create their own fitness adventures. She offers options for those who want an extra challenge or need to take a breather, ensuring everyone can tailor the workout to their needs and goals.
To make each class memorable, Nicole likes to incorporate unique themes that bring an extra element of enjoyment. From energetic music playlists to fun workout routines, Nicole’s classes are an experience that will leave you returning for more.
When you attend one of Bridget’s classes, you can expect a teaching style that is all about the fun factor. She brings the energy of a dance party to the cycling studio, incorporating elements like dancing, singing, and even imagining yourself in a music video or at a concert. Her carefully curated playlists feature dance EDM and pop tracks with upbeat choruses that keep you engaged and motivated throughout the ride. You won’t just be spinning; you’ll be experiencing a full-on adrenaline-fueled adventure.
While Bridget’s specialty lies in indoor cycling, she has also taught a mixed martial arts and kickboxing class, showcasing her versatility as an instructor. Whether you’re looking for a heart-pumping cycling workout or a high-intensity martial arts session, Bridget has the expertise to guide you toward your fitness goals.
Seara was first introduced to yoga in high school through the 26×2 sequence (formerly known as Bikram) to counterbalance the trauma her body was experiencing in competitive sports. Although she noticed the physical benefits of asana quickly, what kept Seara engaged was the immediate sense of peace, connection, and self-compassion she felt during those moments of intense focus. As a result of this transformative experience, she committed herself to practicing and sharing this moving meditation in an effort to be of service to herself and to others.
A self-proclaimed “lifetime learner,” Seara is committed to helping students learn more about themselves on and beyond the mat. She encourages students to listen to their bodies and express themselves to their fullest. In doing so, she cultivates an environment of compassion and kindness in which her students feel safe, welcomed, and embodied throughout her class. Seara’s strong athletic background and daily Mysore practice offer a unique lens into her sequences, tailoring well to strong Power and Vinyasa flows. However, she also enjoys designing classes that incorporate the needs of her students through a more gentle and mindful approach.
After graduating college, Seara moved to Washington, D.C., in September of 2021 and received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Flow Yoga Center (led by Debra Perlson-Mishalove and Marie Belle Riviera Perez) in April of 2023. She has a Master of Public Policy Degree and two Bachelor’s degrees (Biology and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Philosophy) from the University of Virginia (UVA) and is a decorated athlete in both soccer and field hockey. When Seara isn’t teaching yoga (or working her regular 9 – 5), she is most likely spending time outdoors, playing soccer, running, reading, or painting with friends and family!