Editor’s note: This is part of a weekly series spotlighting various professionals in our community, highlighting the impact of their work. Have an idea for the series? Email sjordan@timesrepublican.com.

Sweat glistens on Angie Paxson’s forehead as she leads the Tuesday morning Strength Train Together class, a high-rep weight training workout choreographed to dance tunes. Hand weights are raised high. Then participants drop to the floor for pushups, followed by grabing barbells, laying back on mats.

“To the chest. Then up high. To the forehead. Back up.”

Now, we’re back on our feet, this time, raising the barbells to the ceiling. Muscles burn and twitch. I glance at the clock. Only 9:30 a.m. Still a half hour to go. A few minutes before the hour-long class concludes, Paxson dashes from the room and heads next door to teach her next class, while the participants, wiping sweat off their bodies using towels draped around necks, finish doing the cool-down routine. Contents of water bottles are quickly depleted.

As the health and wellness director at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA, 108 Washington St., Paxson teaches classes, manages and orders equipment, and oversees a staff of 30.

A self-described people person, Paxson is in her element in the class setting — joking with participants, offering words of encouragement and extending warmth and kindness, especially to newbies.

A native of Marshalltown, she and her husband Al and their two kids, Alex and Kenna, live in Conrad. Sports and fitness have always been a big component of her life.

She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1996, going on to earn an associate’s degree from MCC. She transferred to the University of Northern Iowa for early childhood education, with teaching school on her mind.

“After a semester, I knew it wasn’t for me,” Paxson said. “I got my bachelor’s in health promotion and women’s health because I’ve always been into athletics.”

She has worked as the Y’s health and wellness director since 2003.

“(The field) is constantly changing and evolving. Right now I’m learning how to powerlift. We’ve also started to delve into medically-based programming, including diabetes prevention,” Paxson said.

In addition to Strength Train Together, she also instructs a Rollga class, which, using a foam roller, participants massage areas of the body for pain relief, stabilization and increased range of motion. The Aqua Body Strong class is taught in the pool. She also serves as a substitute teacher when staff are not able to teach a class.

“Teaching classes is really part time for me. What I mainly do are reports and administrative things,” she said.

The two full-time employees who work under her supervision are Keisha Lockhart and Curt Shaver, while the rest are part-time.

“Angie loves to joke around and have fun — and she is tons of fun to be around,” Lockhart said. “With that being said, she also has a truly caring heart. She is genuinely invested in those around her, both members and staff. She doesn’t hesitate to celebrate others’ accomplishments and give some words of encouragement, or offer a hug of sympathy and understanding.”

Curt Shaver said Paxson is a leader and example to others.

“She always lets you know what’s going on and keeps you up to date with what might happen next and then asks for our input and thoughts on it. She tells you what is expected of you and then lets you get there your way,” he said. “She is always there when you have questions or problems that you might need help with. She’s helped us become a USPA (United States Powerlifting Association) Training Center. She is also setting the example for others by learning powerlifting as she gets ready to start competing in it herself.”

Paxson said she knows some people are phobic about exercising in a public setting.

“It can be scary coming in the door. If you or someone you know wants to work out at the Y, let me know,” she said. “I’ll come to the front entrance and walk up (to the fitness) rooms with them. We encourage our staff to do that as well to alleviate the stigma of coming in.”

She said working with the public comes with the responsibility of offering quality programs and equipment. Her goal is to make sure a high percentage of Y attendees are satisfied with the services.

In getting to know the people who spend time at the Y, Paxson has developed an appreciation for everyone’s personal story.

In her free time, she enjoys attending the sporting events of her children. She and her husband like to play volleyball and go for walks. She also appreciates time alone reading.

“What’s rewarding is working with people and helping them — seeing them reach goals and get through the struggle and make friends and connections. They become part of our family at the Y,” she said.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com