The Team

Brianna Chesteen, M.S, Founder, Executive Director

Brianna is the Founder and Executive Director of the Health Education and Training Center of Gainesville, Inc.(H.E.A.T.). Brianna is a Health Educator from Ocala, FL who is passionate about informing and educating others about public health. Brianna holds a master’s degree in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida. Brianna enjoys learning and teaching how behavior can determine our lifestyle through H.E.A.T.’s community health and wellness courses. Brianna's goal is to educate the community on how to maintain a healthier lifestyle through overall holistic health, which focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. Brianna is currently collaborating with other non- profit wellness centers to help contribute to the overall well- being of the Gainesville community. Brianna sits on the Board of Directory for the Southern Legal Counsel (c.2021), and is an advocate for wellness for minorites. Brianna enjoys spending her time writing poetry, playing the guitar, and indulging in yoga classes! You may find her attending one of the yoga classes we offer!

Manash Ramanathan, M.S, CHES, Director of Wellness

Manash Ramanathan, born in AL and raised in FL, graduated from the University of Florida, Gainesville with a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in Health Education and Behavior. Manash is currently in her second year of medical school at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, AL and plans to graduate 2023. She is excited to spread her enthusiasm for health education in the community through the H.E.A.T. Center. Manash is a passionate Indian classical musician and dancer and her favorite sport is tennis. She enjoys spending her time traveling, hosting dinner parties for friends, and going on nature walks!

Jennifer Rocha-Donley, Director of Marketing

Jennifer Rocha- Donley has over 10 year experience in the marketing field and enjoys working within the marketing field. Jennifer has worked with other non profit organizations such as Girl Scouts of the USA. Jennifer is the driving force of the H.E.A.T. Center’s health and wellness campaigns as well as the marketing and sales component of the H.E.A.T. Center.

Dr. Pankaj “PJ”Goyal , D.D.S, Board Member

My Wellness Philosophy
People often think about wellness in terms of physical health nutrition, exercise, weight management, but it is so much more. Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Although it always includes striving for health, it’s more about living life fully. Wellness encompasses 8 mutually interdependent dimensions: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental. Attention must be given to all the dimensions, as neglect of any one over time will adversely affect the others, and ultimately one’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Well-being is a positive outcome that is meaningful for people and for many sectors of society, because it tells us that people perceive that their lives are going well. Good living conditions are fundamental to well-being. Well-being generally includes global judgments of life satisfaction and feelings ranging from depression to joy.

Megan Sherod, M.S. Board Member

My Wellness Philosophy:
Wellness is the state of one's health based on intentional actions, effort and mindset. The different dimensions of wellness are intertwined and connected on many levels. These connections have the power to define the quality of life for individuals and for populations. Far too often, there is a singular focus on physical health to define how well a person or community is. If we don't consider social, emotional, spiritual, occupational and intellectual health, we are missing a huge part of the picture. I believe that wellness requires more than knowledge, it requires ability, opportunity and community support.

H.E.A.T. Instructors

Miranda Carver-Martin, Health Instructor

Location: Gainesville, FL

Wellness Philosophy:

Miranda Carver-Martin has an educational background in anthropology and a passion for all things food. Her philosophy on wellness is that all aspects of a person—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—deserve love and nourishment. As one of the fundamental parts of human life, food touches everyone, albeit in unique and varied ways. Miranda aspires to participate in community-building around growing, making, eating, sharing, and talking about food to care for ourselves and for each other. In addition to enjoying food, Miranda loves all kinds of crafting!

Hobbies: Crafting

Mindful Eating Instructor

Deanna Rose Morgado- Spiritual Healer

Location: Suisun City, California

Wellness Philosophy:"My wellness philosophy is all about honoring ourselves. By practicing meditation holistic practices, we engage our power within the mind, body, and spirit. I strive to teach in a way that opens my students up to the deepest version of themselves, not a version they are striving to live up to. Spiritual wellness and overall well-being are not a one-size-fits-all situation. There must be balance between space to experience your true self and guidance along your spiritual path, in which I promise to bring at your teacher!

Certifications: Certified Reiki Healer, Spiritual Healer , Tarot Reader

Healing classes: Serenity Sundays, Kids Crafting

Lisa Fein - Yoga Instructor

Location: Stamford, CT

Wellness Philosophy:

I am a private yoga instructor in Stamford, CT. I have been teaching yoga for about four years.Prior to finding my path as a yoga instructor, I spent 29 years as a Certified Public Accountant! Although the work was challenging, and the schedule was great while I raised my two children, it really did not feel like me. In 2015, I ended my career as a C.P.A., and embarked on my yoga journey. It was during my training that I found my niche. There are a lot of people like me practicing yoga for a path to greater wellness, without the handstands! Through Gentle Hatha and Restorative Yoga, together my students and I learn just how truly transformative yoga can be. I look forward to sharing this ancient practice of breath, movement, and mindfulness with you as we practice together!

Certifications: RYT 200

Yoga classes: Vinyasa, Hatha, and Restorative

Julvannie Peralta- Yoga Instructor

Yoga encourages connection with everything and everyone around us. It also has the power to provide a sense of inclusion to the community which is essential today. I am excited to use my talent and share the benefits of yoga to both children and adu…

Location: Collegeville, PA

Wellness Philosophy: Yoga encourages connection with everything and everyone around us. It also has the power to provide a sense of inclusion to the community which is essential today. I am excited to use my talent and share the benefits of yoga to both children and adults. My hope is to create a positive and safe environment for all to grow and thrive, as well as reach the utmost potential in order to enjoy life to the fullest. We only have one! Namaste Julvannie!

Certifications: RYT 200

Yoga classes: Vinyasa, Restorative

Sandra Kimbourough- Yoga Instructor

Location: Gainesville, FL

Wellness Philosophy: Learning to love yourself and thereby love on yourself is my key to wellness. I use yoga, meditation practiced with faith-based intentions to help learn to love myself through the love of God. I just try to stay connected to my source with is God through the Christian faith to keep me grounded and mindful of those areas in life I do not have complete control. My practice is an area where I can bring my issues to God through movement, to release things I am trying to control knowing that being in His presence that mercy will be freely given.

Yoga classes: Christian Yoga

Hanne Larsen, Yoga & Meditation Instructor

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Wellness Philosophy:

Yoga has the capability to ground us, de-condition our minds, and bring us closer to ourselves. When I teach, I strive to create a safe and inclusive space in which anyone can access this valuable practice from wherever they are physically and emotionally. I offer ample modifications and tools that students can take with them off the mat after class.

Certifications: 200-hour RYT Vinyasa training with JP Centre Yoga. Mentorship program under Alana Brennan.

Yoga Classes: Vinyasa, Restorative, Private Sessions, Mindful Meditation - Intermidiate

Katie Garrett, Meditation Instructor

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Wellness Philosophy:

My goal with teaching mindfulness meditation is to make the practice accessible, simple, and sustainable in everyday life. Throughout my 10+ years of practicing mindfulness meditation, I’ve found a daily practice to be the easiest yet most profound life changing experience. After graduating from college, I started experiencing panic attacks and was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Mindfulness meditation and MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) were introduced as coping methods. I credit a mindful life for helping me through everyday stress, job losses, and even cancer. My life motto follows a Zen proverb, "you can't stop the waves from coming, but you can learn to surf".

Classes: Mindful Meditation - Beginners

Jyan, Meditation Instructor

Location: Laplace, Louisiana

Wellness Philosophy:

Meditation is observing the mind without judgement , sitting with one's self in silence or soothing sounds to achieve a calm & relaxing conscious state mentally & spiritually. Letting go of what no longer serves you. When people think of wellness they immediately focus on nutrition, but I always say:"Clean out the mind, then you can clean out the body & spirit" I call it: Whole~Body Wellness! If you are new to meditation, learning various ways to meditate & breathing even if it's for 5 minutes a day can relax the heart, mind, body & soul. Once you find the method you like, you will look forward to a daily meditation practice!
Peace♡Love ☆Namasté◇Asé

Classes: Beginners Meditation

Certifications: RYT 500, Meditation Practitioner/Teacher, Sound Healing Therapy Practitioner

H.E.A.T. Interns

Nisha Patel

School: University of Florida

Major: Psychology & Sociology

Wellness philosophy:

The overarching meaning of Wellness is to integrate different methods in one’s daily life in order to have a balanced physical and mental health. However, it is important to acknowledge both, meaning that to attain better mental or physical health, we should work on both aspects. For some, doing exercise or yoga helps them achieve a better physical state as well as mental state. For others, working on their mental health through relaxing activities or counseling motivates them to keep going. Personally, I think wellness means working on both, so that I can reach my full potential and so that I can encourage those around me. As an advocate for Wellness, we should encourage those around us so that they can also thrive in their own lives and further encourage others. Through this method, we can spread this message and achieve our larger goal of improving the health of the community while also educating people in a positive and supportive manner.

Abigail Smith

School: University of Florida

Major: Psychology & Sociology

Wellness philosophy:

What wellness means to me is maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual peace. Our busy day to day lives can promote unwanted stress, which calls for finding balance through practices like yoga, meditation, and healthy eating habits. Wellness should be prioritized no matter what phase of life you are in, as it promotes a more optimistic and prosperous lifestyle.

Maya Abdel Rhim

School: University of Florida

Major: Nursing

Wellness is the desire to attain a healthy life and being dedicated to making the choices and actions required to become healthy. Striving towards wellness takes dedication and a positive mindset, which needs to occur on a daily basis. Believing that you want a change in your life and coming up with the proper plan to be successful in this plan is what I believe wellness is about.

Sai Rishita Chowdary Malakapalli

School: University of Florida

Degree: Psychology- Behavioral Analysis

Wellness Philosophy:

Wellness is defined as the state of being in good health but what exactly does that encompass? For me, wellness has multiple dimensions that each contribute to our quality of life. For example, physical wellness is important for maintaining a healthy body while emotional wellness is important for sustaining a healthy state of mind. Ignoring one aspect of wellness for the other can be detrimental to one’s health, so my wellness philosophy is to lead a balanced life. Learning when the right time to work hard, to find a respite, or to indulge yourself can be difficult but taking it one step at a time is also a part of wellness.

Adrian Santana

University of Florida

Major: Nursing

Wellness philosophy:

Wellness is a term used to describe the status of an individual or patient. It includes aspects of mental, environmental, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Wellness, in simple terms, is a word someone should be proud of. Instead of being absent of illness, you are thriving to achieve growth and health through engagement, opportunity, and wisdom. With that said, wellness should not be associated only with a handful of people but instead with everyone. As seekers and advocates of health and well-being, it is essential to emphasize the need for universal equality and equity in wellness. When we address wellness in a broad spectrum, we can see the lasting outcomes of our efforts. Self-love, self-value, and self-awareness is a contagious and beautiful characteristic.

Natasha Han

University of Central Florida

Sophomore

Wellness Philosophy:

Coming from a Korean-American family, it has always been important for me to understand my culture and history, and I do this by eating and cooking. In my family, we value food extremely since it is what brings us all together each night as we share a homecooked meal. My wellness philosophy is to nourish my body with foods that are not only healthy for me but delicious as well.

Niah Barton

Senior

Florida State University

Major: Marketing

Wellness Philosophy:

Wellness is a combination of different aspects of one's life and social environment. I think that wellness is self-empowerment and consists of pursuing one’s passions. Total wellness influences how well you work, friendships, social life, and self-worth. A healthy lifestyle of wellness creates a positive attitude toward yourself, others, and society in general. To me, wellness is about training the mind to acknowledge positive attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts, while trying to revise and reframe negative or self-destructive ones.

Gemma Shoupp

University of Florida

Major: Telecommunications BA, Masters in Science Management

Wellness Philosophy: Wellness is a state of mind, and something one has to actively work toward. Wellness does not come within a minute, hour, or day, but rather comes gradually before making itself permanent. Working toward wellness is a rewarding practice that grants one peace of mind and a whole-body health. And the practices for wellness are not the same for everyone. Practicing wellness comes in finding those little bits of peace in your routine – whether that be skincare, yoga, meditation, running, or various other outlets. We should seek out those moments of respite for our soul where we are focusing on something that is entirely our own, and that is when we find wellness. Finding wellness is an intentional practice that helps to keep ourselves steady and focused in our otherwise busy and hectic lives.

Jenny Le

Senior

Florida State University

Major: Family and Child Sciences with a minor in Business

Wellness Philosophy:

I believe that health care should not just be a diagnosis and treatment via prescribed drugs. When we consider things holistically, we are able to see what is unbalanced and give back a stronger footing and awareness in life. Instead of just temporarily alleviating pain, treating the cause of a problem would likely have better long-term effects without destroying your body with drugs! Yoga and meditation are a great way to gain more insight on yourself and your surroundings and there are many other forms of alternative care whether it be acupuncture care or having a passionate hobby! Elevating every aspect of yourself spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically is the first step in my book of self-care.