Meet The Team

Laura McCann is our Community Coordinator and a Fitness Instructor with Bridges for Parkinson's. She came to us as a  volunteer in 2019 and now, in addition to teaching boxing classes, Laura leads Tai Chi and 'Music and Movement' classes. She is group fitness certified through ACE, is a certified Parkinson's specialist through MedFit, and holds several Tai Chi certifications. A former professional dancer, Laura has performed with numerous regional theatres. She has done three seasons with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and four years with the Broadway national tour of Chicago the Musical. In addition to devoting much of her time to Bridges for Parkinson’s, Laura teaches musical theatre master classes with the National Youth Theatre Experience. When she's not at the gym, she loves EATING, being a mommy to Hank and wifey to Morgan. 

Theresa Kuhn started her Fitness career in 2007.   In that year, she followed years of personal study and practice by becoming a Kripalu-certified Yoga Teacher.  At that same time, she found her passion and interest in supporting others through Senior age fitness. She combined her interests by completing certifications and training in the well-known Silver Sneakers organization.  Silver Sneakers Yoga, Silver Sneakers Splash, Silver Sneakers Circuit, and Silver Sneakers Optimal Aging programs are all a part of her extensive work and training.

In 2018, Theresa added to her toolbox of skills by completing her training as a Functional Aging Specialist and her Parkinson’s Disease Specialist training.

Theresa was also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), a certified Thai stretch practitioner, and an accomplished meditation professional with almost 40 care-centered certifications.  When Theresa is not at the gym putting her capabilities to work she also provides alternative therapeutic strategies for her private clients.

​

Theresa Kuhn  LMT/RYT
www.TheresaKuhn.com 

Caitlin Bender OTD, is an occupational therapist in Nashville, TN. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from East Tennessee State University, before graduating with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. As an OT student she was able to forge a connection with B4PD, and developed a passion for serving the Parkinson's Disease community. Since graduating she has gone on to be our in house OT and become certified in PWR! MOVES, an exercise program specialized for people with Parkinson's Disease to manage their symptoms and maintain their independence. She leads our PWR! MOVES class, supports fighters during our boxing classes, and works with fighters one on one. 

Caitlin also works on developing educational resources for fighters, carepartners, and others in the PD community regarding topics such as vision, speech, traveling, and more. In conjunction she has gone on to become our student coordinator, and guides upcoming OT's during their fieldwork and capstone experiences at B4PD, while expanding their understanding of how PD affects an individual, and how OT can benefit the population. 

In her free time Caitlin enjoys caring for her plants and garden, and loving on her cats and dog. 

​

Email: newdawnOT@gmail.com

Phone: 615-873-0525

Cindy Niquist is both a certified Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) coach and a Certified Athletic Trainer. Following her passion for fitness and helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle, Cindy came to RSB Music City as a volunteer.  Cindy fell in love with the fighters and the  program, and went on to become a certified member of the coaching team in August 2022. Having more than 15 years in a clinical orthopedic spine surgery practice and previously working in physical therapy, Cindy has extensive experience with patients suffering from complex spinal, general orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and neurological problems, including Parkinson’s Disease.

Outside of the gym, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, working out in her home gym, hiking at Radnor State Park, and is an avid reader.

Seb Zewdie is a former Olympic boxer and coach, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seb was a member of the 1984 Olympic Boxing team, a coach in the 2008 Olympics. and an Olympic trials coach in 2008. Seb is an AIBA and USA Boxing Certified Boxing Coach. Seb joined Rock Steady in 2019. 

​

To learn more about Seb or contact him, visit www.sebboxing.com

Michelle began working at Bridges for Parkinson’s in 2019 as an assistant coach but has since switched her focus solely to individual training for clients who aren't able to attend group classes or prefer a one-on-one setting. For clients who are rehabilitating after an injury or surgery, she works with their Physical Therapists to dovetail their care in order to achieve the most beneficial outcome. 

Michelle focuses on teaching clients good form to prevent future injury both as clients exercise and as they move through life’s daily activities. 

​

​Michelle is an ACE certified personal trainer who specializes in working with people with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Her passion is helping clients shift their perspective about wellness and exercise from a “supposed to do” task that they dread to a fun activity that improves their overall health and helps them maintain a better quality of life. Michelle also leads a monthly Bridges for Parkinson’s care partner support group and co-leads the Peterson for Parkinson’s support group for people with Parkinson’s. 

When she’s not at work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and their three teenagers. She and her family recently completed their family goal of visiting all 50 state capitals. 

Megan Kelley, DPT is a physical therapist in Franklin, TN. She received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Carson-Newman University, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She then received her Advanced Vestibular Physical Therapist Certification from the University of Pittsburgh, allowing her to treat patients experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and various balance disorders.

Megan also holds a LSVT Big Certification, which is a Parkinson’s specific treatment approach addressing balance, gait, and movement patterns. Megan specializes in the treatment of neurologic and vestibular therapy, and is passionate about educating and empowering her patients to achieve their greatest potential. Megan is the owner and founder of Movement for Life, a neurologic and vestibular therapy and wellness clinic operating at Bridges for Parkinson’s, while also treating at Performance Therapy Institute.

In her free time Megan enjoys spending time with her husband/family/friends, hiking, outdoor activities, walking her dog, and reading. 

Megan Kelley, PT, DPT

Email: megan@movementforlifept.org

Phone: 615-961-4433