Meet The Team
Barbara Kelly, PT, GCS - Owner and Head Coach
Coach Barb has been a Physical Therapist for over 40 years, and has always had a passion for helping others. One day, she caught Leslie Stahl’s 60 Minutes segment about her husband fighting back against Parkinson’s with a program called Rock Steady Boxing. She was so moved by it, that it became her mission to bring RSB to the Central Jersey area.
She earned a certification as a Rock Steady Boxing Head Coach at the RSB Headquarters in Indianapolis, as well as certifications as an LSVT BIG Therapist, LSVT BIG for Life Therapist, and PWR! Moves Therapist, all specific to the therapeutic treatment of Parkinson’s. She is also a Geriatric Certified Specialist with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
She is grateful daily for the opportunity to work with such inspiring people, both her fighters and all the people who support them (volunteers and care partners). In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, traveling with her husband Sam, and spending time with her family and friends.
Denise Cheskis, PT - Assistant RSB Head Coach, Certified Fall Prevention Specialist
Denise figured out what her life-long career was going to be as an 11th grader, over 35 years ago. To be an effective physical therapist, she knew she would use some of her favorite subjects (anatomy, psychology, physiology and neurology) as well as some of her personality traits (compassionate, encouraging, resourceful, entertaining – to name just a few) to be the best therapist she could.
After finding her niche in geriatric rehabilitation and progressive neurological disorders she then discovered specialized certifications for treating people with Parkinson’s Disease; Denise became a PWR! Moves Therapist, a Rock Steady Boxing Coach and an LSVT BIG Therapist.
Anjali Puri - Certified RSB Coach
Anjali discovered RSB in 2021 when Coach Barb presented the program to the Parkinson's support group she attended after a family member was diagnosed. For the first time she felt hopeful. After a visit to observe the class, her family member signed up and Anjali soon became a volunteer. Joining the RSB family quickly proved to not only benefit her family, but changed her life as well.
Inspired by the determination, kindness and dedication of the boxers, their families, the coaches, and fellow volunteers, she immersed herself in the program with a desire to help support, encourage and fight alongside these amazing people.
With a background in kickboxing, martial arts, strength training and yoga, Coach Barb soon invited her to become a coach. She became a certified RSB coach in 2022 and feels privileged every day to participate in the magic of RSB, to watch it change people's lives, and to see them thrive.
When she isn't volunteering, coaching, or care partnering, Anjali, with her husband Brian, live out the reality show "This Old House". They have discussions about how they became outnumbered by the furry beasts they live with (2 dogs and 4 cats) and conclude it is Anjali's fault (leave it to a vegan). She loves gardens, hiking, snowboarding, motorcycles, and dreams of one day having a rescue farm.
Mike Lynch - Certified RSB Assistant Coach
After retiring from 40+ years in retail management, Mike was looking for a way to give back to the community and saw a posting on Facebook for Rock Steady Boxing. He was intrigued since he had been involved in sports for most of his life, from high school track to running in multiple races as an adult, and martial arts now for several years.
He became involved in Taekwondo after enrolling his son in a program and realizing he shouldn’t have all the fun. He became a certified instructor and competed in tournaments, winning three state championships in sparring and earning a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and Krav Maga.
Mike has been married for 41 years and has four children and one grandchild. His wife and sons have also earned Taekwondo black belts. In addition to coaching Taekwondo, Mike has coached several of his children’s sports teams.
He enjoys working with the RSB coaches, volunteers, and boxers. He hopes he has given them as much as they have given him.
Annmarie Dankers - Certified RSB Assistant Coach
Annmarie started with RSB in the summer of 2022 as her son was preparing to leave for college, leaving her and her husband of almost 40 years empty nesters. She was looking for an opportunity to volunteer in her community, when she came across a Facebook post from RSB urgently needing volunteers. Annmarie was hopeful that it would be a good fit because although she did not have experience with Parkinson’s Disease, she has been involved in personal fitness her whole life, and was supportive in her mom’s therapies after she suffered a stroke.
Annmarie spent 20+ years in accounting including supporting her husband run a small business. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking and biking, traveling with her husband, son, and friends, visiting National Parks and baseball stadiums. Included in her family are two cats and a very hairy dog!
She is very thankful to have become certified as an assistant coach at RSB and truly looks forward to volunteering each day. She thoroughly enjoys working with the coaches and boxers who she feels have become like a second family to her.
Kelsey Hyde, DPT, - Certified RSB Coach
Kelsey has been with the Rock Steady Boxing program for over 5 years. Beginning as a volunteer in 2019, she quickly fell in love with the program and became a coach.
Kelsey graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelors in Kinesiology and then received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University. She decided to pursue a different career path in Pharmacology Research and Development but continues to coach our Night Shift classes on Wednesday nights.
She lives in PA currently with her husband, and dog, Maverick, but likes to help out from time to time— primarily through our Zoom classes. You can usually find her dancing during class to keep the energy high. She loves learning more about our boxers and finding ways to help them achieve their goals while also cultivating a positive and welcoming environment for exercise.
Andrew (Andy) Johnson - Certified Personal Trainer, Certified RSB Coach
Andy became a Certified Personal Trainer upon retiring after 40 years in the environmental consulting business. He followed that by becoming a Certified Rock Steady Boxing Coach. Andy’s interest in Rock Steady Boxing is a result of his father having Parkinson’s for 25 years.
“There is nothing more rewarding than hearing from our boxers that their family, friends, and neurologists are telling them how well they are doing fighting back against Parkinson’s.” As RSB coaches, that is why we do what we do.
In addition to continuing to consult part-time, Andy enjoys exercising, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
Kathryn A Schwartz- BS/Sports Medicine M.Ed./Exercise Physiology
Kathryn is an Exercise Specialist, Multisport Coach, and Age Group Endurance Athlete. She has completed several Ironman races, half marathons, time trials, double centuries, open water swims...etc. Everything Swim, Bike, Run!
She has worked with cardiac patients, pregnant women, and group fitness enthusiasts, creating and implementing cardiovascular training programs.
Her career focus was “Philanthropy through Fitness”. Kathryn coached individuals and captained a large team to raise money for different charities including: MS City to Shore Ride, Livestrong, and a few local food banks. She was also the head coach for the Special Olympics NJ Indoor Triathlon.
Her philosophy: Laughter and movement is the best medicine for a happy and productive life.
Kathryn became an RSB volunteer in September 2022. After her first class, she was hooked! She was inspired by the fighters’ drive to consistently work hard to improve their quality of life while maintaining an amazing sense of humor. She officially joined the All About Balance Staff as a Certified RSB coach in August 2023.
When Kathryn is not coaching, she enjoys cycling, bootcamp, backgammon, watching reality TV, and spending time with her family, and her grandson Calvin.