Learn About NIFS Personal Trainers
John O‘Dea, MS
Chad Odaffer, MS, CSCS, TPI CGFI
Kris Simpson
Emily Jackson, BS
Jaime Waymouth, B.A., ACSM HFI
John O’Dea, MS, ACSM HFI, CSCS
Muscle Activation Techniques Trainer
ACSM Certified Health/Fitness Instructor
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
In 1985, John’s career in the fitness industry began in San Francisco where he sold residential and commercial exercise equipment for seven years. Following this, he achieved a BS in adult fitness and an MS in physical education with honors from Eastern Kentucky University. In 1995, John began an internship with the National Institute for Fitness and Sport and over the years has served with distinction as a Health/Fitness Instructor and now as a Personal Trainer. He is certified by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has also completed a year-long course of study in a form of therapy called Muscle Activation Techniques. Over thousands of hours with hundreds of clients, John has assisted individuals with their fitness needs using encouragement, variety, and appropriate conditioning methods.
P.S. You provide the motivation and he’ll provide the method to progress.
Personal Training Philosophy
From these experiences, I provide clients with appropriate challenges, from small and baby-step-like to gut-busting endeavors. If you need a cautious approach, we can go slowly. If you want to be tested, the black shirt goes on and the sadistic side surfaces. Whatever is appropriate for you. I‘ll throw in a dash of creative variety; a few funky, off-the-wall training techniques; some humor; and voila!
Contact John at 317.274.3432 ext. 263 or email.
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Chad Odaffer, MS, CSCS, TPI CGFI
Golf Fitness Instructor
Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Chad graduated from the University of Louisville with a BS in Exercise Science and a MS in Exercise Physiology in 2003. With more than seven years of training experience, Chad brings a unique skill set to NIFS. Chad has annually designed, supervised and administered strength, speed, power and agility programs for hundreds of athletes. Chad has also implemented the Performance Golf Program at NIFS. The program utilizes the Titleist Performance Institute‘s screening process to design a fitness plan that corrects golf swing faults.
Since joining NIFS in 2003, Chad has had the opportunity to work with individuals and athletes ranging from 6 years old to 72 years young! During this time, he has trained an assortment of athletes and teams. Some include the WNBA Indiana Fever, college and high school football athletes, figure skaters, gymnasts, tennis players and the 14 IUPUI sport teams. Chad seeks athlete/client feedback in a joint venture that enables the athlete/client to advance at a much faster rate than is the standard. As a personal trainer, Chad‘s easygoing personality is fun to interact with.
Chad enjoys many activities outside of work, including triathlon training, basketball, tennis, golf and walking his dogs. Chad and his wife, Tina, recently welcomed their first child, Carter Allen, to their family.
Contact Chad at 317.274.3432 ext. 234 or email.
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Kris Simpson, BS, ACSM PT
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
- Coached collegiate basketball at IUPUI
- Played professional basketball in Sweden for more than four years
- Family consists of husband, Rick, and sons Ethan and Isaac
Kris has been involved in sports since childhood. She has always looked for ways to make herself a stronger, faster and better athlete. She has a degree in Nutrition from Michigan State University. While at MSU, she was an accomplished basketball player! Kris finished her college career as the school‘s all-time leader for points and rebounds. After college, she went to Sweden and played basketball professionally for more than four years.
Continuing with the sport she loved, Kris coached basketball at Michigan Tech University and IUPUI for a combined 14 years. As the needs of her family changed, she transitioned into fitness. Her passion for fitness never wavered during her coaching thus making this transition an easy one. Investigating the newest fitness trend to make you function better and look your best is a passion of hers. She is the creator and instructor of the “Core and More” class at NIFS and developed and leads the NIFS Triathlon Training Program.
Personal Training Philosophy
I look forward to assisting you reach your fitness goals. As a personal trainer, I work with and accommodate any fitness level. I believe that we are all athletes, just at different levels! It‘s never ‘hard’ just challenging. Let me challenge you to get fit!
Contact Kris at 317.274.3432 ext. 211 or email.
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Emily Jackson, BS
Emily graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2006 with a degree in Exercise Science. Emily has been involved in sports most of her life. While at Bowling Green, she was on the cross country and track teams, competing in the 3K and the 5K. She still continues to run today; she completed the Chicago Marathon, which qualified her to compete in the Boston Marathon. Emily enjoys a variety of leisure sports, but especially running and biking.
Personal Training Philosophy
I want you to feel comfortable and to help you succeed in becoming fit and healthy and toning your body. If you would like to team up with me to create your results, contact me today!
Contact Emily at 317.274.3432 ext. 212 or email. Read a testimonial.
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Jaime Waymouth, BA, ACSM HFI
ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor
Jaime graduated from the University of DePauw with a BA in Exercise Science in 2006. At DePauw Jaime played four years of football earning a Varsity letter in three. Jaime has been around sports his entire life, playing almost every sport from basketball to swimming. He enjoys making his workouts competitive and challenging. He is very passionate about functional training, and if you come into the gym, you may see some of his clients throwing the medicine ball around.
Contact Jaime at 317.274.3432 ext. 220 or email.
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Testimonials
“I started working out at NIFS in November 2006 with Emily Jackson as my fitness instructor in the Weight Loss Program. Emily has been the primary reason why I have continued attending the sessions all these months. I usually lose interest after three months or so because I get bored and tired of the commitment, as well as not being able to see any discernable results. Working with Emily, I am still enthusiastic about coming to NIFS two times a week even though I start at around 7:00 am and I am not a morning person. Emily has been very good about designing workouts that challenge me but not so hard that I get discouraged. She pushes but not in your face too much. She also is very creative in selecting exercises so I do different things and the workout does not become repetitive. Her program is creating positive results because my husband said he could tell a difference. I really have not lost that much weight but my clothes are fitting better. Emily really knows her stuff! She also has a great positive and energetic personality that makes her fun to be around, and she genuinely cares about my achieving success through the NIFS program. Emily is the real deal: educated, talented and committed to the success and good health of her clients.”
— Sondra L. Burger