FROM New York

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Jill is married to Silas Blake Axtell, she has 3 daughters, and 2 stepsons. Jill moved to Martha's Vineyard in 2009. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1986. Her YMCA career began in 1986 at the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. She continued her Y work at the YMCA of Greenwich, Greenwich CT., Wilton Family YMCA, Wilton CT., Old Town-Orono YMCA, Old Town Maine, and now the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard 2009- Present.

Why the Y?

I decided to make the YMCA a career when I was hired as a Fitness Director at the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile in 1986. I loved inspiring and encouraging others to grow, change and be better than they imagined they could be. I realized that the Y was a about both personal and community development. My favorite part about working for the Y is creating opportunities to enrich the lives of many different types of people. Every day is a new opportunity to touch the life of someone in a new way. I feel grateful to have the ability to offer people ways to be brave and courageous, to find the power within themselves and their community to have a fulfilling and healthy life.

I donate to the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard so that we can continue to offer financial assistance to those individuals and families that cannot afford the many services and facilities that are available. I often have people stop by my office to say, "I don't know what we would do here without the Y. Thank you for making it possible for me to be here." Personally, I could never give too much money to the Y. I hope someday I will have the ability to be much more generous. I have firsthand knowledge of the impact the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard has made on the island in the last 8 years.

Happy Place

The ocean beaches of Martha's Vineyard and Mexico.

Island Spot

Next to the YMCA, my favorite place is watching the full moon and stars on a clear night on South Beach.

I stay fit and healthy by...

I take group exercise classes at the Y and walk my Great Dane, Harley.

Celebrity Persona

Michael Jackson

FROM North Adams, MA

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Asil graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. He has been an elite master trainer since 2005 and with the Y since 2010. Asil married his high school sweetheart and they have two wonderful children. Asil is driven to reach the goals of his clients and help all members to achieve a lifestyle that is wellness based.

Why the Y?

Asil works at the Y because he loves the fitness culture that it has brought to Martha’s Vineyard. He sees the Y as really bringing people together and it has changed the activity level in our community.

Happy Place

On the Basketball Court.

Island Spot

Oak Bluffs Basketball Court.

Favorite Food

All soul food.

Celebrity Persona

Oscar Robinson

Hometown Martha's Vineyard

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Abby was born and raised on the Vineyard. When Abby worked at Community Services, next door, she would come to the Y every day to have breakfast and work on her daily schedule. She quickly realized she wanted to be a part of the Y Family.

What You Love About The Island

There is no place like it.

Happy Place

Outside Shower

Favorite Pastime

Walking Dogs

I Stay Fit & Healthy By

Training 3x a week

Hometown Stow, MA & MV

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Jen spent 8 years on the island teaching elementary school before combining her love of teaching with her love of fitness into a full-time career. Jen’s certifications included: YMCA Swim Instructor, USMS Swim Coach, USMS Adult Learn to Swim Instructor, USAT level 1 Triathlon Coach, USAT race director, and ACE Fitness Personal Trainer. Currently, Jen spends her days helping others achieve their swimming and fitness goals. Jen is highly a competitive age group multisport athlete in the aquabike (swim then bike) event, ranking 6th in the country in 2017. She is excited to have qualified for the Multisport World Championship again in 2018. Jen became the Aquatics Director is the summer of 2022.

Expertise

Swimming at any level from non-swimmers to highly competitive. I also have a lot of experience teaching and coaching swimmers with special needs and physical challenges. Teach Aqua HIIT.

What You Love About Living on the Island

All the beautiful places on the island.

Happy Place

When I am out on my bike or swimming in an outdoor lap pool on a sunny day.

Favorite Y Workout

Swim practices with the Masters.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Training and competing in Aquabike, swimming, cycling, and strength training.

Music I'm Loving:

“Unstoppable” - The Score

“Higher and Higher” - Jackie Wilson

“Ain’t , No Mountain High Enough” - Marvin Gaye

“Great Balls of Fire” - Jerry Lee Lewis

“River” - Bishop Briggs

FROM MV

ISLAND HOME Edgartown & Oak Bluffs

Jenn was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard. She has an extensive background in banking but left that world to pursue her childhood dream of working with horses. Recently, she became a certified Massage Therapist for Equines. The Y has given her a chance to get back into the work world away from horses and learn something new. She has been with the Y since 2016 and this place quickly became like a family to her. She continues to pursue her passion of equine massage work as well.

Why the Y?

The Y is a great place to work and the facility is beautiful. I enjoy all the relationships I have made here and I love the motivation to workout! I give to the Y because it impacts people of all ages, it has a little something for everyone. I think it's important thing for our island to offer.

What you love about living on the island

The sense of community.

Happy Place

Love Florida, Juno Beach.

I stay fit and healthy by...

I work out and enjoy running, hiking, Y Classes and riding horses.

Celebrity Persona

Larry Bird

FROM Duxbury, MA

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Haley moved to the island in 2020 upon graduating from Merrimack College with a Masters in Health & Wellness Management. She quickly fell in love with the island and developed a desire to work closely with the island community. She began her career at the MV Family Center as Program Coordinator. She found a welcoming community as a YMCA member and is now excited to grow her professional career at the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard.

Why the Y?

I have a passion for health, wellness and community and the YMCA of MV feels like home. I quickly became a member upon moving to the island and felt a part of the Y community immediately. Now in a leadership position, my commitment to the island has only continued to grow and I feel grateful to be apart of it!

Island Spot

Norton Point

Happy Place

The beach

Favorite Y Workout

Cycle Rhythm Rides & STEAM

FROM Carmel, NY

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Kelly first moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 2008 to work for The Nature Conservancy, right after graduating from The University of Vermont. It did not take long for her to absolutely fall in love with this magical island. When the Y opened in the Spring of 2010 Kelly started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor with little knowledge of what life had in store. She quickly moved into the position of Aquatics Director and never looked back. She is now our Director of Program Operations after years of holding the positions of both Aquatics Director and Summer Camp Director in her tenure here.

Why the Y?

I work at the Y because I know the work that I do truly impacts my community and neighbors. I love walking through the grocery store and seeing familiar faces and feeling like I am connected to so many people here. The Y is a place that brings people together and togetherness is what we all need. The Y has been a source of wellness for many island families and individuals; it makes me happy to be part of it.

What you love about living on the island

I feel like I am part of something special just by simply living here.

Happy Place

My screened in porch.

Favorite Pastime

Spending time with my family.

Favorite Y Workout

Yoga

FROM Canaan, VT

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Ryan attended Lyndon State College in Vermont. During his time there he met his wife and after college they moved to Martha's Vineyard, where she was born and raised. Once here Ryan began pursuing his passion of making his community a better place and began working at Martha's Vineyard Community Services in February of 2011. He worked in several different departments until deciding to make the change and move to the YMCA in March of 2017 to become the new Director of Alex's Place Teen Center. Ryan is an avid sports fan and support all things New England sport related. He enjoys spending time with his wife, son and daughter.

Why the Y

I work for the Y because I want to make my community a better place. I enjoy my role supporting and mentoring the teens that come into Alex's Place. My favorite part about working at the Y is the time I get to spend with the teens that come into the teen center and being a part of a team that provides a space that is safe and free for all island teens.

I feel that they Y programs benefit all ages on MV. We provide support and services for every age group. From the Afterschool program to the Teen Center and all the way to the elder services we provided. I feel that everyone has a space at the Y for them to come and be.

What you love about living on the island

Being surrounded by a caring and loving family and community.

Happy Place

I enjoy the forest and being in nature.

Favorite Food

Pizza

Celebrity Persona

Post Malone

FROM West Tisbury

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Dan was born and raised on the island, and moved away after college. He moved back with his wife Nancy and son Emmett to take the job as Programs and Operations Manager for the YMCA at the Arena. He grew up playing hockey at the arena when it first opened and there was no roof, much different from today’s facility. Prior to moving back to the Vineyard, Dan lived and worked in Norfolk, Virginia as the Operations Manager of a race management and timing company. He has worked with many non-profit groups helping organize and time their events, including trips to the Vineyard each Summer to help Camp Jabberwocky with their Run for Jabberwocky each August.

Why the Y

The YMCA and the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena are tremendous parts of the community. During the colder, darker months on the island the arena, much like the Y, is the heartbeat of the island. It was a place I learned so much in while growing up and look forward to continuing its tradition.

Happy Place

Quansoo and The Camp.

I stay fit and healthy by...

Playing hockey, walking, and Morning Motivation at the Y with Margarita.

Celebrity Persona

Kenny Chesney

FROM Edgartown

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

FROM Florida

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Jessey was born in Florida and raised on Martha's Vineyard. She became involved with the Y 11 years ago as a summer camp counselor. After graduating from Mitchell College with a degree in Family and Children’s Studies, Jessey began working for the Y fulltime as both a Summer Camp counselor and classroom lead in the After School Program. In 2017 she became the Assistant Director for both the After School Program and summer camp. Jessey says her Y family has pushed her to grow in ways she would have never imagined and have made her a better leader, wife, mother, and human. In 2022, Jessey became the Youth Program Director at the Y. Jessey lives in West Tisbury with her husband and son.

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

What I love about the Island: I love the rich history of the Vineyard and the diverse community that makes the Island so special.

Why the Y

I don't remember the Island before the YMCA and I can't imagine it without it. Our YMCA is one of the most valuable resources on the Island, providing community-driven services to people of all ages and varying abilities. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of such an incredible organization.

Happy Place

Maine

Favorite Season

Fall

Favorite Pastime

Spending quality time with my family and friends.

I stay fit and healthy by...

Walking and taking classes at the YMCA.

FROM Savannah, GA

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Don retired in June 2016 after thirty- five years of being a high school physical education teacher and a varsity football and softball coach.

Expertise

The closest athlete.

What you love about living on the island

The beach.

Happy Place

With my family and at the gym.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Weight training.

Celebrity Persona

The Rock

MUSIC I’M LOVING

Latin

Country

Disco

Tabata

FROM Manchester England

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Sian has been teaching yoga almost 15 years and has completed 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training with Shiva Rea at Kripalu. Sian began her career by teaching yoga to kids through the YMCA After School program. During this time, she also started teaching Vinyasa, Prenatal, Core, Gentle, and her specialty, Power Yoga, at many Island locations. Sian was a runner for many years and has been into health and fitness most of her life. The yoga practice led her in a different, more spiritual path. Sian is a published writer and mother of 5, an avid kayaker, and dog walker. She has 2 dogs and 2 cats and has lived on the Island for 30 years.

Expertise

I like all bodies but my favorite are those who allow the practice of yoga to open their minds and their bodies.

What you love about living on the island

Such a creative bunch of characters

Happy Place

Costa Rica

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Practicing Yoga

Celebrity Persona

PJ Harvey

Music I’m Loving

“Fearless” - Pink Floyd

“Hallelujah” - Jeff Buckey

“Dreadlocks in Moonlight” - Lee Scratch Perry

“Rise” - Eddie Vedder

“Ramble On” - Led Zeppelin

FROM Boston, MA

ISLAND HOME Chilmark

What you love about living on the island

The sense of community.

Island Spot

The Brickyard.

Favorite Pastime

Watching Bravo. I mean reading!

Favorite Y Workout

Steam and Rhythm Rides!

Music I’m Loving

EDM remixes of pop!

FROM Cambridge, MA

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Margarita Kelly joined the fitness staff of the Martha’s Vineyard YMCA in early 2017. She works year-round as a fitness coach with individual clients and as a group instructor. Before coming to the Island, Margarita was a trainer in the Boston area, at both HealthWorks and Cambridge Athletic Club. She is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) from both the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers. Other certification and specialized training include: pre/post-natal, TRX suspension training, NASM corrective exercise and CPR/AED. Margarita’s main objective as a personal trainer is to “work together” with clients and member and to inspire and support them as they achieve their own goals. She emphasizes the joys of building strength and a “you can do it!” attitude. She has many pursuits that support her fitness: singing, dancing, birding, and exploring the walking trails on the Vineyard. Margarita earned an Associate Degree in Musical Theatre from Dean College and attended Berklee College of Music from 2008 to 2012. She was born in Paraguay, South America.

Expertise

Strength training, athletes, corrective exercise, TRX suspension training, pre/ post-natal, weight loss, agility and cardio, Core training and strengthening. Boot camp and Water Aerobics.

What you love about living on the island

Being able to be so close to nature.

Island Spot

The beach.

Happy Place

The porch of my family summer home "Easy Breezy".

Favorite Y Workout

I love body pump and performing exercises that look crazy.

Celebrity persona

Wonder Woman

FROM NJ & NYC

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Judy was a dancer in NYC and a summer geek on Martha’s Vineyard. She found the Pilates Method when searching for answers to injuries. She became a Certified Teacher in 2004 and a Teacher Trainer in 2009. When she left NYC to move to the Island, she was thrilled to be able to share the benefits of the Pilates Method with people here at the Y.

Expertise

I teach Pilates mat at the Y and teach everybody from 6-106. I feel especially well trained in dealing with people with lower back pain.

What you love about living on the island

My favorite thing is beach access all year long.

Happy Place

Any Vineyard beach.

Favorite Y Workout

Pilates and strength training.

Celebrity persona

Janis Joplin

Hometown New Jersey

Halley has over 25 years of experience in wellness and body conditioning. Whether it’s a spin class, a yoga class, a reiki session, or working with the weights. Having a clean consistent diet rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and nutritional foods is key. Each one of these modalities and living a healthy lifestyle is an integral part of my life. I’ve always been amazed at the human body’s immense power to function, heal, and thrive. I live what I teach and believe in what I do.

Expertise

Whether training (NASM CPT, CES certified; C.H.E.K Holistic Lifestyle Coach), teaching meditation, spinning (Mad Dogg certified), yoga (E-RYT 500, Yin Yoga, Yoga for Breast Cancer), I am devoted to the path of healing, harmony, and vitality. Knowing that what I do might actually enable someone to live a longer and healthier life is an honor.

What You Love About Living on the Island

Beauty is everywhere.

Island Spot

Anywhere on my bike.

Favorite Pastime

Learning and making jewelry that move people.

Celebrity Persona

The one behind the scenes.

Music I'm Loving

Depends on the moment, too many to choose.

FROM Savannah, GA

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Don retired in June 2016 after thirty- five years of being a high school physical education teacher and a varsity football and softball coach.

Expertise

The closest athlete

Island Spot

The beach

Happy Place

With my family and at the gym.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Weight training

Celebrity Persona

The Rock

Music I’m Loving

Latin

Country

Disco

Tabata

FROM Brazil, Minas Gerais

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

What you love about living on the island

It is a really hard place to live but when you look around to nature you forget about everything including the problems around you.

Favorite Workout

Barbell shrugs with a lot of weight

Favorite Food

Chicken Quesadilla

FROM Martha's Vineyard

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Happy Place

The gym

Favorite Exercise

Incline smith machine bench

FROM Born in Boston but has lived on MV his whole life

ISLAND HOME Edgartown

Favorite Food

Steak (well done)

Favorite Workout

The next one!

Music I'm Loving...

Old School R&B

FROM Martha's Vineyard, born and raised.

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Expertise

I specialize in functional strength training and mobility, especially for people looking to improve their quality of life and health outside the gym. I also work closely with many runners, golfers and tennis players who want to maximize their performance.

I Stay Healthy & Fit by...

Making my workouts fun and enjoyable while still pushing myself.

Favorite Food

Friend Chicken Sandwich

Why the Y?

The Y has been a staple part of my life and childhood. I started coming to the Y at 10 while enrolled in the summer camp and basketball camp. Once I was too old for the camp I started to work on the wellness floor where I fell in love with fitness. I eventually got my certification and decided to dedicate my career to help as many people as I can become the most healthy and fit they can be!

FROM Boston

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Favorite Food

Beef Patties

Favorite Workout

Barbell back squats

I Stay Healthy & Fit by...

Pushing myself to stay consistent and always trying to set new goals.

FROM Martha's Vineyard, born and raised.

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

Happy Place

My happy place, other than the gym, is being out in nature. Whether it’s fishing, sailing, skiing, hiking, or just relaxing at the beach, I am happiest when I’m outside.

I Stay Healthy & Fit by...

Staying consistent in the gym and prioritizing a healthy, balanced diet.

Favorite Food

Tacos

What You Love About Living on the Island

I love the strong sense of community and the incredible experiences it has to offer. Growing up here, I participated in various sports like basketball, lacrosse, sailing, and figure skating, which gave me many unforgettable memories and experiences. The island's natural beauty and close-knit community make it a place I’ll always cherish.

Favorite Workout

It’s hard to pick just one because I love anything that challenges me and pushes me to my limits. Whether it’s crushing a heavy lifting session, tackling a high-intensity circuit, or even testing my endurance on a long run, I’m all in for anything that makes me sweat and leaves me feeling stronger than yesterday.