Our Amazing FITniche Crew

We are smart, friendly, and fun! And, we love sharing our knowledge with you! Did you know each of us has undergone over 80 hours of intensive training in order to be able to best serve you? And, since you’re here, we assume you’re interested in learning a little more about each of us. So, read on. We’re pleased to meet you!

LAKELAND

Wendy Miller

General Manager

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I began running about 8 years ago after having my second child, with the encouragement of my runner husband. Like most new runners I did not like it and struggled with horrible shin splints. I came to FITniche to be fitted for a correct pair of shoes, and this changed my entire running life! I was able to run pain free and this helped me to really start enjoying the miles. Since starting my running journey, I have completed many 5k’s and half marathons (my favorite distance). In 2013, I decided to train for my first full marathon. I had no intention of doing more than one but I found I enjoyed the distance training and went on to complete my 2nd full marathon (Jan 2015). I hope to continue to love running and be able to complete many more races! FITniche changed my life, and I love having the opportunity to encourage and help others!

Brooke McMichael

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When I was in high school I hated running. My coach would tell us to run two laps around the softball field and I thought I was going to die. However, in 2014, I graduated high school and my church invited me and my family to run the Shine a Light 5K. I went because it was for a good cause and it seemed fun since we were all going together. So, on October 24th, 2014, I did my first 5K and placed 3rd in my age group. I started doing more because I had such a good time and ever since then I’ve gone on to run more 5K’s, 8K’s and mud runs with my sister and my mom. In 2017 I decided to run in my first half marathon now I love running!

Sean Packard

Senior Crew

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I started running sophomore year in high school. I really didn’t love it at first, I tried to quit multiple times, my cross country coach in high school didn’t let me quit though and told me I had a future in running if I chose to put my whole heart in it. I ended up having mediocre seasons until my senior year when I finally had a personal best at 17:04. Since high school I have dabbled in every distance from a 5k to ultra distance and even a sprint triathlon. I also married my beautiful wife Lindsey and we have a wonderful daughter named Blaire. We also have our fun loving and playful beagle named Cooper.

WESLEY CHAPEL

Amanda Slattery

Crew

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I started running my sophomore year of high school to get in shape. I’ve ran 14 half marathons and 3 marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon. Currently, I am a sophomore at Florida Southern College majoring in exercise science and I run cross country and track there. I love running in all types of shoes, but my favorite has to be New Balance. I run in the Zante, 1400, and also my XC spikes are NB as well! College and running take up most of my time, but in my free time you’ll most likely find me sipping on a pumpkin spice latte while reading a good book or watching and cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays and Lightning.

BRANDON

Tracey Mularoni

Crew

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I was born in Jamaica but spent part of my childhood in Canada. I am a U.S. Army veteran and while in the Army was made to run but didn’t love it until about eight years ago. I ran my first half marathon at forty years old and my first marathon at 46. I love running with my mom’s running group and working out at Camp Gladiator!

Bill Morrison

General Manager

Bill E Morrison, 48, Aries, happily married with a dog and no children.

Adrianna Pellegrene

Crew

Finding my fit, and reclaiming my fun to me looks like working hard and helping others to work to their full potential! Leadership is very important to me by encouraging others to not only make them feel proud and motivated, but helps me to know that i have influenced them in ways that will benefit and lift up both myself, costumers, and peers. Being a competitive dancer for 13 years, and captain of a cheer team for two years in high school, helped me obtain some of these characteristics, and also now being involved in Krav Maga, as not only a fitness and self defense sport/activity form, but a way of leadership and discipline.

SUPPORT and BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Lucas Smelser

Operations Manager

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I spent much of my early childhood running for sports conditioning, but not until the end of spring semester of my freshman year in college did I begin to classify myself as a “runner”. Now 20 years later, running has become an integral part of my everyday life. I truly believe that running has transformative effects on peoples’ lives and I believe in sharing my passion for the sport with others.

At the University of Toledo, I studied Exercise Science with a concentration in Kinesiology and I am now working toward a Bachelor’s in Business at Polk State College. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to be able to compete in road, trail, and ultra distance races across the country, as well as many distance levels of triathlon. As always, train smart. The key to accomplishing your goals is to make it to the starting line! (Crossing it with a smile is a bonus!)

Rich Wills

Owner and Founder

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I’ve been a runner and triathlete almost all my life and now own several businesses related to running. Even though I don’t compete much in events anymore, I am the luckiest guy in the world to still be involved with athletes of every type, day-in and day-out, and have loved every minute of my work with FITniche over the last 10 years! Outside of work, you’ll likely find me reading poetry and business books, running, swimming or praying for guidance and thinking about how and when I can next get back to the mountains with my amazing wife, Julie, and 5 awesome kids!

Jennifer Misiewicz

Buyer

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I started running because my life had gotten pretty stagnant, and I wanted to create some new goals for myself. Running has changed my life in more ways than I could ever have imagined. I’ve been running for about three years now. In December 2016, it’ll be three years from my first marathon. I’ve enjoyed almost every race I’ve done, but if I have to pick a favorite I’ll go with the Boston Marathon. It just takes the marathon experience to a new level. My favorite shoes to train in right now are the Newton Gravity V and the Saucony Kinvara 7. I typically race in the Newton Distance. When I’m not running or working at FITniche, I’ll be honest with ya, I don’t do a whole heck of a lot. Running consumes a lot of my life. Occasionally, I’ll hit up the dog beach with my adorable three-year-old black lab, Porter. Other than that, I just enjoy hanging out with good people.

FITniche Events

Tyler Hurst

Lead Timer

I’ve been running for as long as I can remember. Growing up we always had foot races with the neighborhood kids and that developed my competitive spirit. Although I was a sprinter by nature, my Sophomore year in high school I joined the XC team to stay in shape for basketball, and my love of endurance running quickly developed. I even finished my first marathon by the end of my Senior year. While I’ve dabbled in triathlons, my true passion is the marathon distance. In 2016, I moved from Indiana to Florida to turn my hobby of running into my career and haven’t looked back since.