Meet Our Instructors

From left to right: Michelle Adams, Donna Fender, Heather Merritt, Jodie Barrett

Michelle Adams

Michelle was born in Florida, but then moved up and down the east coast during her childhood while her father was in the service. Her family settled in North Carolina just as she was starting high school. During college she met her husband, Mike, to whom she has been married for 16 years. They have four children: Ryan 15, Emily 12, Maggie 11, and Abigail 8.

Mike and Michelle own a landscaping business in Roanoke Rapids, NC (where they reside) and Michelle also works part-time for the Roanoke Valley - Lake Gaston Board of Realtors, where she has been the bookkeeper for almost 7 years.

Michelle's family has attended Valley Community Church for 14 years where Mike serves as a deacon. They love the Lord and want to serve Him every chance He gives. Michelle's desire is to be the best wife/mother she can and to be an encourager to all those she meets... letting the light of Jesus shine! 

Donna Fender

Donna is a full time mother/wife and a part-time physical therapist for Carolina Physical Therapy Associates, Inc. She has been married to her husband, Justin, for 14 years and they have 3 children: Cailee, Austin, and Sara. The Fender five attend Calvary Baptist Church, where Justin serves as the Minister of Youth/Children.

Donna loves to spread the JOY afforded her through the finished work on the cross through the ministry of Faithfully Fit, but also through the gift of music and laughter. She lives with the hope of Romans 8:38-39 daily: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"

Heather Merritt

Heather is the owner of The Rock, home of Myrick School of Dance and Valley Cheer in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  She enjoys working with youth in the community in hopes of leading them to Christ. Exercise has always been a passion for Heather so when given the opportunity to help teach Faithfully Fit she was thrilled. She resides in Weldon, NC with her husband,  Travis,  and two dogs. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Church and looks forward to building God's ministry in all aspects of her life. One Heart.

Jodie Barrett

Jodie is a wife, mother, homemaker, office manager, teacher and speaker with Faithfully Fit. She enjoys using the gifts that God has given her combined with the wisdom gained from the Word and life experiences to motivate and encourage women to strengthen their faith and fitness. She resides in the small town of Roanoke Rapids, NC and attends Calvary Baptist Church. Outside the ministry of Faithfully Fit she enjoys traveling with her husband of 20 years, spending time with her two teenage children and creative homemaking.


Sara Patton (not pictured)
Sara was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley. As a Freshman in high school, she met and made a commitment to her would-be husband before leaving to attend college at UNC - Chapel Hill. She returned to the area with a teaching degree, married Jesse, and taught at Clara Hearne and Belmont for a total of 14 years. In the spring of 2013, Sara stopped teaching to become the office manager for her husband’s business, Patton Mechanical Service. She has been married for 14 years and has one child, Emily. Sara is a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Darlington and desires to bring peace and comfort to all those she meets. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.27)