OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
@mrswestisinthebuilding
MARISSA | Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Marissa West is the CEO and founder of West Kept Secret (WKS), a boutique fitness studio redefining the modern workout experience. She developed WKS’s signature, trademarked, and patent-pending methodology, seamlessly blending Pilates, strength training, and cardio into one dynamic, results-driven program.
Recognized as a fitness innovator, Marissa has been featured in Men’s Health, PopSugar, and Cooking Light Magazine, and has gone live on Instagram with Shape Magazine and Hollywood Life, showcasing the WKS method alongside Sports Illustrated model Olivia Culpo.
The WKS methodology is trusted by elite performers—including the Carolina Panthers’ TopCats, Miss USA, Miss Universe, and other prominent influencers and athletes—to achieve and maintain peak performance.
As CEO, Marissa leads the company’s strategic direction, oversees operations, and guides the WKS management team in expanding its influence and impact within the fitness industry.
@ahnakollar
AHNA | Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Ahna grew up in the Poconos, Pennsylvania and started ballet at a young age. During high school, she moved to New York City to train at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy. She continued her professional career with The Richmond Ballet and Columbia Classical Ballet. After finding WKS as a client, she knew it was a place she wanted to work. Ahna has distinguished herself as a standout trainer. You can expect fire playlists, thoughtful encouragement, and a sweet, but spicy personality to get you through even the toughest workouts. Ahna quickly rose in the ranks here at WKS. In addition to her group training role, Ahna is the COO of WKS and helps with all day to day (and beyond) operations! She loves being able to ensure every single client who walks through the studio doors has the best experience possible. She works directly with our CEO and is the liaison between our entire management team. Whether you’re seeing her on the mic or sweating next to you in class, you know she’ll be bringing you the sweetest vibes and biggest smiles!
@ariellee_fit
ARIEL | Director of Training
Originally from Raleigh, Ariel made the move to Charlotte after graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She fell in love with WKS after learning the methodology as a PT Client and founding group class member and was offered her dream job as a WKS Trainer! This 5ft tall firecracker has grown with the brand over the years and now serves as our Lead Resident Personal Trainer at West Kept Secret, overseeing the entire personal training department. She is also a proud member of the Carolina Panthers TopCats squad! She is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and weight loss specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a certified running coach with the RRCA. She manages personal training programming, assists in developing group class programming, and utilizes her marketing skills to create graphics and social media content for the brand! When she's not in the pt studio or on the field, you'll probably find her training for her next distance race!
@positively.patience
PATIENCE | Lead Trainer
Patience is originally from Waynesville, NC, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and received her law degree from Campbell University. She’s a NASM certified personal trainer, AFAA certified group fitness instructor, Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist and L1 certified through Precision Nutrition. After moving to Charlotte in 2016 from Austin, TX, Patience explored the city’s fitness scene until she found her perfect fit at WKS in 2018. The workouts drew her in, but it was the community that made her stay. Using this energy and inspiration, Patience took the leap and became a WKS trainer in 2022. She has a true passion for mentoring and that shines through in her role as Lead Trainer at WKS. She believes fitness should be equal parts fun and challenge and brings that energy to her class. When she is not in the studio, you can probably find her running or training for her next endurance race!
