meet the team
Sally Spooner & Jess Thielmann are trainers and owners of Peaks Fit. Combined they have lots of experience and a serious passion for helping their clients meet their goals. Check out their interview below to learn more about them.
Vanessa is the newest addition to PeaksFit staff. She has over 4 years of experience at PeaksFit, and her contagious energy will bring out the best in you. Learn more about her below.
What are your qualifications?
J - Bachelor Degree in Event Management, AFAA certified, OrangeTheory Coach for 3 years.
S - NASM Certified Personal Trainer for 18 years, NCAA Strength and Conditioning Coach, 5 Years Head Coach OrangeTheory Fitness, Division I Women’s Basketball Coach
Where did you go to school?
J - University of Florida; BA in Sports Management
S - Drake and Stetson University; BA in Communications
V - Syracuse University; BA in Public Policy and minor in French
What do you like most about group & personal training?
J - I love being able to work with people on specific goals and celebrating their success. The community atmosphere of a small group is most rewarding.
S - I love the personal connection with members and clients. I love to educate, motivate and celebrate surpassing goals!
V - I believe group fitness motivates everyone to give 110%. Small group fitness and personal training creates good form and consistency. Motivation, good form and showing up to class consistently a great building blocks for a healthy body and mind.
Where did you grow up?
J - I grew up in the North East of England, a city called Newcastle.
S - Iowa
V - New York City
What is your specialty?
J - Personal connections; helping members and clients reach their goals, but also get to know them on a personal level and create a community within the studio. Passion; the excitement of planning and taking the workouts then celebrating the completion of a workout with the members.
S - Energy, passion, professionalism and template design. My passion is helping others surpass their fitness goals. I want members and clients to know the “why” behind what you are doing, you will be coached to know what muscles groups you are working, and you will give it more than you ever thought you were capable of.
V - I have a lot of energy and I enjoy cheering and encouraging our members to get out of their comfort zone.
What brought you to Colorado?
J - A need for a change of scenery! Sally offered me a job here after working with her in FL.
S - My love for the mountains, snowboarding and the 4 seasons.
V - NYC was too fast for me and I wanted to be in a place with more outdoor activities right outside my door.
What is your fitness background?
J - I worked for Orangetheory for 3 years, half in FL and half in CO.
S - Division I and II women’s basketball coach, Personal trainer 18 years, previous owner of Weston Sports Institute and Sun of a Beach Bootcamp, 5 years head coach at Orangetheory Fitness
V - Back in the mid 1980’s, I began coaching step classes in NYC during my summers between college. I coached an aerobics class in Boulder at the Max Studio in the early 90’s.
What do you do in your spare time?
J - Workout, snowboard, watch football and travel. I spend a lot of time watching Sally cook delicious food…and then eat it!
S - Workout, walk my dog, in the summer; hike, winter; snowboard. Anything outdoors. Anything and everything with Jess.
V - Trail running and skate skiing and I own a wholesale distribution company.
What is your favorite exercise?
J - I cant believe I am saying this….box jumps!!
S - My clients would say anything with a squat, probably true! I love to add squats and jumps to any and all exercises
V - Burpees with a pushup!
Why should someone join PeaksFit?
J - To do things they’ve never done before which helps them become in the best shape of their life and having fun while getting there. Be part of a growing community in Boulder.
S - To be challenged physically and mentally in ways they didn’t know they were cable of and to become a part of a fitness community that inspires and celebrates life!
V - The small sized-classes are perfect for anyone and you’ll never do the same workout twice. Our exercise community is amazing and our coaches are so caring.
Tell us about your family
J - All my family are still living in England. My parents are high school sweethearts. My dad is a retired fireman and now an avid golfer, my mam works in business travel and they both love ‘a good drink’! I have a sister who is 18 month older than me and an elementary school teacher. My grandma is my favorite person in the world and at 86 still continues to do the whole families ironing!
S - My mom is the most giving human I know. She is smart, hard working, and beautiful inside and out. My Dad is the biggest Iowa Hawkeye fan on the planet, sports genius, funny as hell, and super hard worker! My sister is a badass woman who has always had my back in life. She is also in the fitness industry and has 3 awesome kids!
V - My husband and I have been married for 25 years and have two lovely boys, Mateo age 23 and Miguel age 21. Mateo lives in Denver and Miguel in Hawaii. We have a 4 year old rescue dog named Johnny Cash who is my favorite child.
Your goal for 2024?
J - To make PeaksFit the most rewarding, comfortable fitness studio for people in Boulder.
S - To change every PeaksFit members’ life in a positive manner and continue to build our community.
V - To accept that I am gracefully aging and in my post menopause stage of life.