The Fitness Principle with Mackie Shilstone is staffed exclusively by team members who are dedicated to promoting the highest levels of fitness, performance and health. We not only teach it, we live The Fitness Principle.

Our staff holds high levels of training and experience. They represent the very best in life and performance coaching. From fitness to nutrition to disease management and lifestyle modification, The Fitness Principle Staff will help you become the best you can be.

Lane Bates

Lane holds a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration on Fitness and Human Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Lane has had a lifelong interest in fitness and the functioning of the human body. Throughout his years in the industry, he has gained experience at multiple fitness facilities, assisted as a strength and conditioning coach for 3 5A high school football teams and has worked with numerous athletes and clients of all ages and fitness levels. Through his education and years of improving the health and fitness level of his clients, Lane has developed a sound foundation to help his clients achieve their goals.

Kat Bradley

"I had a client who needed to lose weight in order to donate a kidney to her brother. She not only lost the weight, and saved her brother's life, but recovered from the surgery in record time because she was in such good condition."

She has been a personal trainer since 1993 and is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and is also certified in CPR. She believes in keeping her clients moving, motivated, and focused on their goal. Kat loves when her clients put the puzzle pieces together of nutrition and exercise and begin to see results. She enjoys seeing the satisfaction of personal achievement they feel and sharing her love of sports and nutrition with others and promoting the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

Crystal Caraballo

Crystal received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of West Florida in 2008. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and is also certified in CPR.

Crystal enjoys working with people of all ages and physical levels; her aspiration is to promote health and self-esteem in all her clients and to help them reach their fitness goals.

Rebecca Daniel

Rebecca received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of New Orleans in 1997. She started personal training with Mackie that same year. After training and managing clubs in Dallas and Atlanta for Club Corp, she returned to New Orleans to start her family. In 2009, she returned to personal training with The Fitness Principle. She is currently working on a program for expectant mothers. Her favorite training moment is when a client finally realizes that this is a lifestyle change. "Once the light bulb goes on, it is amazing to watch the transformation," says Rebecca. Her training Philosophy is this: Work the plan, and it will work for you!

Claiborne Davis

Claiborne is a certified instructor through Wild Lotus Yoga in New Orleans. His training focused on alignment, breathing techniques, meditation and posture sequencing to help open tight areas of the body. A tennis player who was developing muscle imbalances, he went to his first class in 2003 after a friend convinced him to try it. After just one session, he says, "I was intrigued by the notion that something seemingly so passive was actually an active and precise way of tuning the body and could create an immediate, positive physical and mental shift." Claiborne's passion for the transformative powers of yoga comes through in his instruction, and he can tailor sessions to any level of fitness and flexibility.

Suzanne de Boisblanc Tyler, RD, LDN

Suzanne received her Bachelor of Science at Loyola University and Nutrition Education at Florida International University in Miami. Additionally, she interned at the Pritikin Longevity Center. She continued graduate studies on Successful Aging at Florida International University North. Her primary focus is health promotion and lifestyle nutrition management.

Suzanne is registered and licensed with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics where she participates in a specialized dietetic practice group on Nutrition Education for the Public (NEP).

Chris Depolo

"One of my clients, a Tulane Baseball pitcher, was told by doctors that he would not pitch again due to a very bad shoulder. He sought out our program and after a year of rehab and sport specific conditioning in our program, not only was he able to pitch, but became a valuable part of the Tulane baseball staff."

Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from Penn State University. He became a trainer in 1994 to work with and train athletes. He finds watching his clients succeed and reach their goals the most gratifying part of being a trainer. His training philosophy—do a little better today than yesterday.

Brandon Hebert

"My greatest success story has been a client who has lost over 50lbs in our weight loss program. It speaks volumes to Mackie's program, which is designed to address each client specifically based on their individual testing results."

"My favorite client has been a Lean and Hard participant, who gained 10lbs of muscle while shredding 6lbs of fat in only 6 weeks. Using specific heart rate zones, sprint interval training, and circuit weight training we were able to produce big results in a relatively short time."

Brandon studied Pre-Physical Therapy at LSU before attending UNO and is certified as a personal trainer by the American Council on Exercise. He is also certified in CPR by the American Heart Association. Brandon is a former Brother Martin High School assistant wrestling coach and LA state champion and still works with there on a limited basis. He draws his motivation as a trainer from wrestling.

Bradon's training philosophy is that people, who look like they exercise often, probably exercise often. By combining proven methods and an individual's testing results, success is readily available. It simply requires the motivation and accountability to go out there and get it.

Kelley Hunter Ellis, LCSW, MSW

Kelley has a Masters of Social Work from the Tulane School of Social Work. She works with individuals, groups and families in her private practice. Having worked for years with the New Orleans Center for Eating Disorders, Kelley specializes in eating issues, body image issues, depression, anxiety and trauma. She has received concentrated training in Mind-Body Medicine, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and psychoanalytic therapy.

Jodie Muhleisen, RD, CSSD

Jodie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Louisiana State University. She completed her internship at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. In addition to her love for nutrition, she also has a passion for fitness. Jodie is Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Nutrition. She is also a certified Pilates and Xtend Barre instructor. Jodie loves helping people in their journey towards living a happier, healthier life!

Axel Murillo

"I've done work with numerous world champion fighters, but Chad Dawson taking two belts from Antonio Tarver is my greatest training success story. Technique is crucial. In boxing conditioning, it gives the boxer confidence, courage, and all together, victory."

Axel has been a trainer since 1994 and is a certified U.S.A. Boxing Level II trainer. He became a trainer due to his love of boxing and enjoys seeing results in his clients' bodies and use of great technique.

Nate Singleton

Nate is a New Orleans native. After going to high school at Higgins, Nate attended Grambling State University. Nate made his professional debut in the NFL in 1993 with the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens over the course of his 5 year career as a Wide Receiver. Nate now enjoys working with high school, amateur and professional athletes on football skills, speed and agility.

David Smith

"I have a female client who came to me with a goal to surprise her husband when he got back home from military leave with a new look. Her dedication and hard work really have impressed me. We are doing great and seeing incredible results."

Fitness has always been an important aspect of my life having played college sports and being an avid triathlete and tennis player. I love having the opportunity to help people make a positive step in improving their lives. I use my knowledge and creativity to keep things interesting they way we are always improving and keeping things fun at the same time. Our bodies are meant to be physically active and it is my goal to push everyone in order to make this a reality. David has a Bachelor's of Science in Sports Performance and Wellness from Nicholls State University.

Valerie Wilmoth, CRT

Valerie is a Louisiana Licensed Respiratory Therapist with extensive experience in Pulmonary Function Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. She performs metabolic studies and athletic testing in the Human Performance Lab of the Fitness Principle. "Proper attention to diet and exercise can prevent and reverse many disease states and is one of the most important pursuits a person should undertake."

Anna Zeringue

Anna is a Pilates instructor with six years of experience, specializing in programs specifically tailored to individual needs. She draws upon her 25 years of Occupational Therapy experience and training to design programs that address the individual needs of her clients.

Anna has a passion for wellness that is particularly demonstrated in her own life, through proper exercise, nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. Teaching Pilates fulfills her desire to help individuals maximize their potential by becoming stronger and more functionally fit. She says, "I love to see my clients' progress and their positive changes in overall functionality. They gain confidence in their abilities throughout the program, and that same confidence carries over to their personal lives."