Sudor Taino Group Fitness

Karla Medina, a Christian Influenced- Trainer/Coach, offers people a spiritual, mental and physical experience that brings then to their personal best-whatever that is on any particular day.  She is a passionate, Latina Fitpreneur who is highly respected for her no-nonsense innovative approach to faith, fitness, business and life.  She holds many local and national press, book publication and video production credits. Karla holds many certifications and specialized trainings in the fitness, police, and business fields. She is a Connecticut State Training Officer for the CT Police Academy and certified by the Police Officers Training Council in Physical Fitness, Copper Testing, Entry Level and Basic Training Fitness Standards along with other certifications.  She is the owner and master trainer at Sudor Taino ® Group Fitness, a studio dedicated to finding what motivates people individually, inspires them collectively and moves collectively spirit, mind and body toward a better humankind through fitness.

Karla is national presenter and is known for being a movement expert and an energetic motivational speaker for crowds as small as 5 people and as large as one-thousand. She has conducted workshops for people of all levels, ages and sizes in various setting ranging from private to corporate. 

Micala is a graduate of the Sudor Taino Instructor Training Program and has been a member since 2011. Through two pregnancies, not a day went by  that she questioned her reason or purpose for being lead to Sudor Taino. She has always had a passion for fitness and Sudor Taino was her vessel to let it shine. Becoming a certified group fitness instructor, she learned so much about her true goals and passions. All of it has came to the surface by being a part of the unique, eclectic, and magnificent Sudor Taino tribe. She attended CCSU received BA in Communications & Psychology with a career in the insurance field for 20 + years. She also owns and operates a small commercial cleaning business.  She is a firm believer in STGF's mission!   Michala is happily married with two amazing children.

Belly Dance Fusion protege with years of experience in dance!

Our Studio & Event Manager is yummy sister to founder Karla Medina. Jeannette has over 20 years experience in coordinating a variety of events,office work, billing and management. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College and a Health Club Management Certification. Her gracious organization and personality are the driving force behind keeping members happy. She currently holds a position with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters & the Foster Grandparents Program. Jeannette is the proud mother of an awesome young man.

Richie is a Recruit Prep Trainer and Certified Circuit Instructor.  He is also in charge of all facility management, overhead planning and structural changes. Richard is Karla’s husband and father of their three children. He has been the support and foundation behind the formation of Sudor Taino. Richie is a retired police Sergeant from the Hartford Police Department with a specialty in Operations Plans, police background investigations, physical agility assessments and interview & interrogation.  

Kim is an IFA Certified Group Fitness Instructor and graduate of the Sudor Taino Training Program. Her health and fitness have become an integral part of Kim’s life since her own weight-loss transformation in 2004 and she wanted something to push her past her limits. This is what led her to Sudor Taino. The positive energy and means of personal, physical, and spiritual growth led her to become an Instructor. She was born and raised in Staten Island, NYC and graduated college with a degree in Chemistry & Math and then went on to the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine to achieve her doctorate degree. She also holds a specialty degree in Prosthodontics and a Masters in Dental Science has from UConn. She is also currently an educator and is practicing dentistry in her specialty.

Kate Mitchell is an AFSA Certified Sports Nutritionist and support herself and others through the daily rigor of food choices.  Kate is a Running Coach and spear-headed, the Tribe Runner 13,1 program.  She is multi-faceted in all business relations and is the Business Advisor for Sudor Taino. Kate has been a part of Sudor Taino’s energy since its grand opening and has been the driving force behind its structure and foundation.  Kate is the owner of Simplistic Solutions, Global Healing Affiliate and a full-time Project Engineer. Kate is happily married and mother to three children.

Our front desk is covered Melissa Perez and she was selected for this position due to her organizational skills, positive attitude, contagious laugh and smile and most of all commitment to the Sudor Taino mission. Melissa lost almost 50 pounds with the support of Sudor Taino and is currently planting positive seeds so that others follow in her footsteps. She helped come up with the name the “Vibe Tribe” based on her experience at the studio. Melissa is the proud mother of a bright young man and 1st cousin to the owner.

Carli is a certified Zumba and IFA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer.  Carli is also assists with their training and development.  Carli strives to bring intensity, energy, and passion into all her classes sharing it with everyone! She believes in Sudor Taino workouts as they are designed to push each person to get through a workout, gaining confidence, strength, and determination in the process. She has trained with Karla since about 2009 and has been with Sudor Taino since the grand opening in 2012. With a love for athletics Carli spends her free time skiing, wake boarding or running.  She has completed a few half marathons, Tough Mudders and other obstacle course runs. Carli works her 9 to 5 at a prestigious mortgage company.

Sarah Mangiafico is a IFA Certified Group Fitness instructor and Personal Trainer. She started her career in education teaching in an elementary school, grades kindergarten through fourth grade and went on to specialize in literacy as a language arts consultant and currently works for CREC Aerospace in Rocky Hill. Sarah also holds an Administration Degree. She began her journey over ten years ago while taking Karla Medina’s cardio kickboxing class at a local gym. Hooked on the contagious, soul-searching vibe and hunger for authenticity, Sarah became a dedicated follower of the mission-to live a life of passion. Since the Sudor Taino's grand opening in 2012. Sarah is happily married and a mother one child.

Omayra Martinez-Baidy is a certified AFSA Group Fitness Instructor and has been hooked on the healthy benefits of fitness since 1998.  Omayra is a Police Sergeant with the Hartford Police Department which is where she first met Karla Medina. Since taking one of Karla’s kickboxing classes in 2000 she has been an true supporter of Karla’s mission to live fitness and life with passion. Omayra is an avid runner and the organizer and spearheaded the Tribe Runner 13.1 Program. She is expected to bring her graceful Latin flair to classes. Omayra is excited to contribute her unique style to a group of individuals who are known to motivate each other and others to their greatest potential. Omayra is happily married and the mother of three children who she looks to inspire everyday.