Our Instructors
Raquel Conn
Studio Manager + Lead Cycle Instructor
- Sunscreen evangelist
- Ready to join a roller skating girl gang
- Believes s’mores and cheesecake are overrated but tacos and sushi are life
Roanoke native and Lead Cycle Instructor Raquel Conn has been with Hustle/Haven since before it opened its doors to the public in 2020 and has taught group fitness for most of her adult life. Her focus in class is to prove that everyone is stronger than they think they are and can rise to meet a great challenge. What you’ll get in Raquel’s classes: heavy beat drops, strong drills, empowerment, motivation and at least 4 jokes. Raquel is also a certified barre instructor and a pre/postnatal performance training specialist. Outside of the studio, you can find Raquel trying to read all of the books in her TBR pile, watching endless YouTube videos about Korean skincare routines and adventuring with her 3 favorite guys: Oliver (1), Calvin (6) and Daniel (grownup man).
Lauren Carpenter
Studio Manager + Lead Yoga Instructor
- Adventure, travel, & outdoor enthusiast
- Has lived in 4 different time zones
- Likes her margaritas spicy and her classes spicier!
Lauren believes that the most important aspect of your wellness journey is that YOU SHOULD ENJOY IT!!! Find what you love, take time to play, and make yourself a priority! What to expect in Lauren’s classes: motivating music, positive energy, creative & challenging sequences, and self-love & acceptance. Be ready to show up for yourself, feel empowered, and leave feeling sweaty & accomplished! Lauren’s yoga journey began in 2015. She earned her 200 RYT with additional certifications in Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Yin & Restorative Yoga, Hot Power Yoga, and Trauma-Informed Yoga. Lauren also became an AFAA Certified Indoor Cycling instructor in 2022 - catch her in Match! Furthermore, Lauren is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Certified TRX Suspension Trainer, Pre/Postnatal Performance Training Specialist, and a Certified Archery Instructor.
Andrea Burney
Cycle Instructor
- Can lip sync to any song
- Addicted to crocs (has about 50 pairs!)
- Moved to Roanoke to be closer to family
Andrea has been a group fitness instructor for almost 10 years! She loves to dance and you can catch her dancing in class or teaching Zumba at the local YMCAs. Watch out though - she’s competitive and runs marathons to get medals. Outside of HH, working in our community and with teens is her passion and you can find her running with her Girls on the Run group or hanging with the teens at RISE 540.
Emilie Lang
Yoga Instructor
- Has an obsession with crows
- Wants to pet EVERY dog
- Hocus Pocus is her all time favorite movie
Emilie is a 200hr RYT with a background in Baptiste and Vinyasa Flow. Over her 15 year exploration of yoga she has found that returning to the mat is her One True North. Her teaching is best described as challenging and fun with a sprinkle of self love. Emilie encourages her students to utilize their time on the mat as a method of self discovery and a reminder not take ourselves too seriously. When she is not teaching and practicing Emilie loves spending time with her daughter and husband, discovering new hikes, planting flowers and drinking coffee.
Haley Drewry
Potion Bar Manager + Yoga Instructor
- Would rather be a fish- find her where there’s water
- Eats cookies everyday
- Fav potion: iced Blue Dream with oat milk
Haley is a recent RYT 200 graduate passionate about exploring and living her life through yoga. Like a true Vata, you never know what move she’ll make next. Will it be a high energy power flow or a slow heat vibe? What you can count on is the opportunity to try new things and lots of playfulness. Off the mat, you can find Haley walking her dog-child by the river, grabbing a beer with friends at a local brewery, or working on her latte art.
Jessica Adams
Yoga Instructor
-Her favorite pet was a hedgehog named Jerome.
-Her house has over 50 house plants and counting.
-Rainbow is her favorite color.
Jessica is from Lynchburg, VA and has been teaching since 2017. She is a 200 hr OM Yoga certified teacher who also completed additional training for Yin, Restorative, and Oncology Yoga. Mental health is a primary focus of her classes and she wants everyone to leave with a sense of peace and grounding. Jessica teaches from a place of inclusivity, accessibility, and creates a safe space for everyone. She is a plant lover, live music fanatic, hiker, adventurer, lover of crystals, and a mental health clinician. You can catch her out in the wild wearing bright colors and funky patterns passing out high fives, smiles, and good vibes.
Mackenzie Cowne
Cycle Instructor
- Prefers being outdoors
- Probably drinking a Diet Coke or a Fresca
- Fries are the superior potato
Mackenzie views fitness as an excuse to escape real life, get lost in good music and sweat a little (or a lot). The goal is to NOT take yourself too seriously, but also to feel accomplished. Outside the studio, Mackenzie is an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant and spends her time in the ER caring for patients. New to fitness instructing, but not a stranger to fitness. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Mackenzie has played sports and been active all her life. In downtime, she is likely hanging with her friends, boyfriend, cat and pup!
Maya Pope
Yoga Instructor
-I’m a lifelong vegetarian
-Loves sci-fi movies
-Roller coaster enthusiast
Maya grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia and has always loved exercise, movement, and art! During the pandemic she started practicing yoga and quickly fell in love with not only the strength she was building, but the inner peace yoga was helping her cultivate. Maya completed her 200 YTT with Yoga Renew, an online teacher training based out of Hoboken, New Jersey, in 2023 and then finished her 300 YTT in 2024. In addition to her yoga training, Maya is a professional ballet dancer! She danced as a trainee with American Repertory Ballet for two years in Princeton, New Jersey. Maya is currently dancing with Roanoke Ballet Theatre. She has taught dance for many years and loves how her dance background helps inform the way that she teaches and practices yoga!
Mikayla Thomas
Cycle Instructor
- Bonafide hippy-hipster
- Forever your cosmic gal 💫♐
- Lover of all things nature and brunch
The #1 word to describe Mikayla is determined. She's known since a young age that health & fitness are her passions, and she's worked nonstop to bring that passion forward to the world. Coming in hot for second place is her love for music- it's like half of her personality, y'all. You'll find her playlists to be eclectic, motivating, and jumping with heavy bass! She can't wait to see you on the bike and meet up for potions post-sweat. Cheers!
Neda Adl
Yoga Instructor
- Raised by a world champion
- Nature lover, traveler
- Optimism, loves beautiful minds
Born and raised in Iran/Tehran, Neda had always enjoyed drawing, painting and exercising as a child. However, she never considered a career in fitness or art during her youth. It was only until she was studying computer science and working behind a desk at an office, that she realized she was not enjoying her job. Instead, she found herself more interested in working out and helping people at the gym to reach their goals. The ability to change someone’s life became her passion. It was at this point, when she realized that she should pursue a career in fitness industry and she hasn't looked back since.
Samantha Cohen
Cycle Instructor
- New Yorker born and raised
- Veteran's advocate
- Dave Matthews Band enthusiast
Sam is a lifelong athlete and gym junkie. Her fitness experience ranges from coaching high school soccer to coaching HIIT classes. When her friends are willing, they'll indulge her in an early morning workout at her home gym. Sam has been an avid rhythm-based cycler for many years and has taken classes at HH since their inception in 2020. Sam's classes are a classic mix of power and positivity, leaving you energized and motivated to start your day. Sam's mantra: "Wherever you are on your fitness journey, show up to class, put in the work and we will get stronger together." Sam lives in Roanoke with her husband, daughter and English Bulldog.
Tuscany Amos
Yoga Instructor
- Named after her dad's cologne
- Grew up in California
- She's a mama
Tuscany is a compassionate & dedicated RYT 200HR yoga instructor. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Tuscany integrates mental health awareness fostering an environment where mindfulness & meditation are celebrated as essential components of self-care.
With a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of yoga, Tuscany endeavors to curate safe & nurturing spaces for individuals of all backgrounds to embark on their wellness journeys. Her classes are imbued with a sense of authenticity, encouraging participants to reconnect with their inner child & embrace their true selves.
Tuscany's yoga journey began over a decade ago during a period of anxiety & soul-searching. Finding solace & community within the practice, she emerged with a newfound sense of empowerment & resilience. Tuscany discovered the profound impact of human connection & strives to cultivate meaningful relationships with her students.
Carly Bogan
Yoga Instructor
-Lover of family, dogs and the Boston Celtics
-Embracing vegetarianism with my daughter
-Beach Girl at heart, Mountain girl by choice
Carly’s yoga practice has been a journey of eighteen years. Born and raised in Naples, FL she fell in love with the practice at Hot Yoga Naples. A move to GA in 2018 led her to a 200 hour RYT certification at Homegrown Yoga in Warner Robins, GA. With motivational music and succinct cues Carly will lead you through a flow that will leave you feeling powerful, refreshed and sweaty from head to toe. She loves that yoga is just as much a mental practice as a physical practice and has used yoga through personal ups and downs in life. She hopes through her teaching she leaves you feeling centered, encouraged and energized. “Be a light for someone’s darkness, be brave when facing fear and always be kind to everyone.”
Emily Hannah
Cycle instructor
- Brunch enthusiast
- Christmas Eve baby (Capricorn energy) 🎄
- Believes wine + charcuterie is a crucial food group
Emily is a Virginia Beach native who fell in love with the Roanoke Valley after graduating from Virginia Tech in 2021. After a few years in DC, she and her fiancé decided to settle down in the mountains! A cycle-class fanatic, Emily joined the HH crew to work behind the Potion Bar almost immediately. 🧪✨🪩 What you’ll get in Emily’s class: Good vibes and a good ass time. A wide range of music from heavy beat drops to eclectic hits and the occasional One Direction song (not sorry). Outside of class, you can catch Emily slinging drinks upstairs behind the Potion Bar, reading cheesy rom-com books, spending her salary on concert tickets, or thrifting things she doesn’t need at antique shops with her fiancé. 💖
Hannah Caplinger
Cycle Instructor
- Traveler
- Never says no to dessert
- Believes Friends is the ultimate comfort show
Hannah is a Roanoke native who discovered group fitness in 2011 with Les Mills classes. She has been enjoying teaching Les Mills classes since 2014. She would say her music taste is “hype music” that can include EDM, 2000’s, 90s pop, Hip Hop, Pop Punk, really anything that has a great beat drop and makes you want to dance. She loves the community of Hustle Haven and the way everyone supports one another. Her goal for class is to help people enjoy fitness and bring a smile to their faces with some great music and corny jokes. Outside of class you can find her traveling, posting way too many pictures of food, and spending time with her dog and kitten.
Latima Good
Yoga Instructor
-Mama to two awesome little humans
-Aspiring homesteader
-Classically trained actor
Latima is passionate about alignment and movement. She loves teaching people how to move with ease and precision & help them to be more embodied. Latima’s yoga journey began in 2009 when she enrolled in her first YTT through YogaWorks in NYC. She discovered a love and passion for yoga & for teaching & promptly enrolled in the 300hr YTT. She graduated in 2010 with 500hr certification. She has an additional 300hr certification through Vira Bhava Yoga (Sri Vidya Tantric Yoga), & has studied other modalities such as yoga for children & prenatal yoga. She has taught group & private classes across the country and internationally and has also been a mentor & co-facilitator of teacher trainings. Latima is also a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor. Outside of teaching Latima enjoys hiking, camping, spending time in nature with her family & dance parties with her kids .
Mark Smith
Yoga Instructor
- Known for challenging movements and cultivating an environment of playfulness and strength in classes
- Favorite color: sunset orange
- Loves their momma
Mark Smith is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher with a deep passion for arm balances and handstands. His unique approach to Vinyasa Yoga fuses strength-building, creative movement, and playful exploration, offering students the chance to push their limits while cultivating mindfulness.
Mickel Yust
Yoga Instructor
- Aspiring Potter
- Foodie
- Nomadic Soul
Mickel' has enjoyed living in Minnesota, Hawaii, Texas, and now Virginia. She loves to travel and explore new places but the draw for a long-term community brought her, and her husband Eric, to Roanoke in 2021 with plans to "put down roots". Mickel' is passionate about promoting health within her community. She believes that yoga can be a powerful and beautiful way to challenge the body and calm the mind. She enjoys crafting interesting sequences to build strength and stability while enhancing flexibility and will keep a close eye on proper alignment! Mickel' completed her 230 hr teacher training from Yoga Center of Minneapolis (MN) in 2012 and has enjoyed growing in her personal practice, as well as in her teaching, ever since! In her free time Mickel' enjoys reading, hiking, and camping. Mickel' and her husband enjoy craft food and beverages and are always open to suggestions on where to eat and drink in the greater Roanoke area!
Molly Willis
Yoga & Cycle Instructor
- Favorite food is mashed potatoes
- Will wear anything with fringe
- Frozen margarita connoisseur
Molly is a proud Roanoke native who left home to go to college where she was a tour guide, studied Eastern Religions, and was the Music Director for the campus radio station (DJ Molldawg Millionaire!). She returned to the Star City and got married to a drummer and is now raising two lovely boys and two wild kitties. After being on the big bike for about a year, Molly completed H/H's inaugural Yoga Teacher Training 200 RYT program. Whether meeting you clipped in on the bike or barefoot on the mat, you can expect Molly to provide positive vibes, a well-curated playlist, and an overall safe space to be with and move your body.
Nicole Pardon
Cycle Instructor
-Pittsburgh born and bred
-Uses (LOTS of) running to burn off the crazy
-Former Syracuse Cheerleader
LEAVE IT ALL HERE is Nicole’s mantra. As soon as you saddle up and clip in, Nicole’s pure passion for cycling and her desire to inspire clients will bring out your inner athlete. As a lifelong cheerleader, dancer and all around fitness fanatic, she’s been leading the party on a bike as an instructor for nearly 10 years. She’s the genre variety queen mixing beats with heavy hills and quick sprints so there’s something for everyone. You can be sure you will leave it all in the studio in her class, feeling spent yet renewed and empowered to work your ride a little harder next time. Good Beats, Great Vibes and a Killer Workout.
Shannon Nichols
Cycle Instructor
- Believes in the stars ✨
- Will give you random history lessons 🗺️
- Chai tea is better than coffee ☕️
Certified book nerd 📚 A Roanoke area native, former runner, current crystal fanatic and book lover, Shannon has been teaching some form of group fitness since 2017 because being active has always been important to her and because she has a passion for teaching others whether it be on the big bike, the mat, or in the classroom teaching history to teenagers. Teaching is definitely her strength. Shannon graduated with a BA in history and political science from Bridgewater College and teaches World History at her high school Alma mater during the day. In the afternoons you can catch her hustling on the bike for Cycle Core, lifting in the gym or sometimes enjoying a chai tea with a good book. When not teaching, she spends time with her husband Drew (an ultra marathoner), chasing her son Jax and snuggling her daughter Ryan while watching the latest episodes of Bluey.