Meet the Team

Kim Beard

Kim Beard has worked in the health and fitness industry since 1991. Her work experience includes positions in personal training, group fitness instruction, fitness, wellness and health promotion. She has worked at a variety of locations, including: YMCA, USAF Health & Wellness Center, colleges, private health clubs and fitness centers, and MCCS Health Promotion. Currently, she is the Health Promotions Manager for MCCS Health Promotion, Okinawa, Japan and also has the pleasure of teaching group fitness classes here. She has a B.A. in Exercise Science, and is finishing a thesis for her M.S. in Kinesiology and starting a M.S. in Health Promotion. Her certifications include: ACSM Health Fitness Specialist; ACE Personal Trainer, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant and Clinical Exercise Specialist; AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, AHA CPR/First Aid, and numerous group fitness certifications in spin, power cycling, pilates, yoga and aqua. Kim’s goal each day is to make a difference in at least one person’s life. She feels that by reaching just one person in a positive way that each and every day is a success

Neil Roberts

Neil Roberts is the Fitness Director for MCCS Health Promotion Okinawa, Japan. He is certified in the following: ACSM Health Fitness Specialist, ACE Personal Trainer, Indoor Spin Instructor, TRX Individual and Group Instructor, and American Red Cross CPR/AED. He is in charge of running a fitness program that provides services to approximately 22,000 Marines, Sailors, DOD employees, Spouses, and Dependants. He manages six offices spread over the island on Marine Corps bases Kinser, Futenma Air Station, Foster, Courtney, Hansen, and Schwab. The fitness program is a robust program that offers a Personal Trainer Prep Course, Boot Camps, Personal Trainers, Nutritional Counseling, Tobacco Cessation, Return to Readiness BCP programs, Exercise testing, Micro Fit Assessments, and individualized exercise programs. Neil is here to assist the residents of the military community in any fitness or health goals that they have.

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Beckie Javinar

Beckie Javinar is the MCCS Health Promotion Group Fitness Director. She is an AFAA certified Group Exercise Instructor and also has certificates in Practical Yoga and Indoor Cycling. Beckie is new to our program and comes to us from Great Falls, Montana where she was a college volleyball player and earned her B.S. in Social Science and Psychology and her M.S. in Human Service Administration. She has ten years of competitive volleyball coaching experience, ranging from young children to collegiate level athletes, under her belt. She has significant experience in supervisory and leadership roles and brings a hefty dose of energy, passion and love for sports, health and fitness.

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Christina Butler

Christina Butler hails from the small town of Medfield, Massachusetts. In 2005 she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. Christina specializes in the treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletes and their sports related injuries. In addition to her ATC, she is TRX certified for personal and group training. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Nutrition and her ACE certification in personal training. Christina is currently the Fitness Coordinator at Courtney Ironworks Gym, but you may also find her at one of the SMART Clinics on Okinawa. Christina believes that the key to living a healthy life lies in listening to your body and understanding how it works. She is a strong proponent of health and fitness education and thinks that a little yoga and a good diet can go a long way!

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Takemitsu Shimoji

Takemitsu Shimoji is the Fitness Coordinator at Camp Schwab where he has been helping get Marines fit since 1994. Shimoji-san has his Fitness Training Instructor certification through The Japan Society for Physical Culture and he is an accomplished bodybuilder. His accolades include: 1st place Mr. Okinawa (1985), Best Overall at Kadena Bodybuilding Tournament (1995), and 3rd place Masters’ Division in Mr. Japan (2005). Shimoji-san enjoys his role as a Fitness Coordinator because he likes keeping people healthy.

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Lisa D Ruhe-Tschippert

Lisa D Ruhe-Tschippert is the Fitness Coordinator at Futenma Athletics. She holds a degree in Exercise Science and Physiology as well as 4 ACE certifications, including her ACE Personal Trainer. She previously taught in the Physical Education Department at Sinclair Community College, where she demonstrated her passion for educating and empowering others with the knowledge and tools to achieve a healthy lifestyle. As a firefighter, her unwavering dedication to health and wellness lead her department to excel beyond expectation through the implementation of a mission specific functional fitness program. She has dedicated the last 8 years to helping others and is excited to continue teaching and inspiring others to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

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Vivian Brown

Vivian Brown is the Fitness Coordinator at Camp Kinser Sports Complex. Vivian’s passion for physical fitness and sports started right after she took her first steps. Vivian is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and holds numerous other fitness, group fitness and nutrition certificates, all aimed at allowing her to provide the best possible service when helping people to achieve their health and fitness goals. She advocates that achieving and maintaining a healthy fitness level can only be accomplished through permanent lifestyle changes that stress moderation in the diet and consistency in the activity.

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Melissa Patterson

Melissa Patterson joins us from Houston Texas, where she worked as a personal trainer. In 2007 she graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University. She is currently pursuing a M.A. in education, as well as many certifications to further her career in fitness. Melissa comes from a family of athletes and has participated in many sports ranging from gymnastics to equestrian sports. She is committed to using her knowledge of health and fitness to enrich the lives of others. You can find her at the Hansen House of Pain, where she is the fitness coordinator. To Melissa, the best medicine is a good diet and active lifestyle, and she believes fitness never has an offseason.

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Terumi Nagai-Luebbers

Terumi is the Fitness Coordinator at Camp Foster's Gunners Fitness Center. She is a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Japan Triathlon Union Certified Coach, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, and AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. She is also a certified lifeguard. Terumi has a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education and two Master's Degrees (Geology and Business Administration). She is also a competitive athlete and has competed in many races, including the Okinawa Marathon (1st Female in Civic Division in 2005), Izena 88 Triathlon (3rd Female Finisher in 2007), and Ironman Japan (5th in her Age-Group in 2005). Her intense desire to be a better athlete led her to study fitness and training, leading her into a career as a fitness coordinator. She enthusiastically supports the local military community's endeavors to develop and improve their fitness abilities, meet their goals and live a healthier life.

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