Meet Our Class Instructors
DIANN T. SOLLIE
American Sports and Fitness Certified
Senior personal trainer and coordinator of group fitness classes for Meridian Fitness Depot since 2019. Long time fitness enthusiast for over 35 years who is a former competitive bodybuilder who competed and placed in many competitions (including state champion in two categories). Diann also spent many years biking and has competed in multiple races and State Games of Mississippi placing in these. Diann continues to push her personal fitness goals through weightlifting (bodybuilding) and through group fitness classes.
Diann teaches/has taught a variety of fitness classes including the following: high intensity interval training (HIIT), Tabata, Les Mills Bodypump, Metcon, Silver and Fit senior classes, bootcamp, Killer kore, FD pump, functional fitness , butts, guts and guns, step, group training, and Fd first steps. Diann’s main focus is upon bodybuilding (including competition prep) , senior fitness, reaching weight goals, and teaching weightlifting skills (beginning to advanced).
Diann holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, Master’s in Counselor Education and postgraduate doctoral work in Sociology. Diann retired as the division chair of Social sciences from Meridian Community College. Since her retirement she has pursued her passion for helping others reach their fitness goals.
CHRISTOPHER ALMANZA
National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer/Sports Nutrition Certified
A long time fitness enthusiast with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a DOD Federal Police Officer with over 23 years of service, with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Over the years, he has helped a variety of clients with their fitness journeys in various ways including group fitness, small group fitness and specialty one on one fitness. In his spare time, you can find him working out, preparing for Spartan races and spending time with his family.
JENNIFER RAWSON
American Sports and Fitness Association Certified
A teacher and coach at heart! She has been an elementary school teacher, a math coach for educators, and is currently an assistant principal in Neshoba County. Has a passion to help others improve their personal health and lifestyle. "My favorite part of group fitness is encouraging and motivating each other! We work as a team!" She enjoys working out, reading about nutrition and exercise, and relaxing with my family and friends.
SHARON HARTLEY
American Sports and Fitness Association certified
Sharon has 25 years experience teaching yoga, as well as 40 years teaching group fitness classes such as step, dance, aerobics, and Senior fit.
Sharon attributes her passion for Fitness to her mother, who at the age of three was diagnosed with polio
“My mother fought against all odds to not only survive, but to the amazement of her doctors, to live decades past her predicted life expectancy. My mothers life story told me to not take for granted debility to do even the simplest activities."
Sharon’s philosophy of life is: Aging is a gift
“You are never too old to begin your fitness journey. I am blessed every day with the wonderful gift of aging. I have learned through my many years of teaching, as well as my own fitness journey how to modify, adapt, and treat the process of fitness to work for people of any age and fitness level. Every morning I wake up, I’m ready to embrace the day, thankful for the opportunities to come my way to help and encourage others.“