Aimee Ladin
POUND Journey
Aimee first experienced POUND in 2017 with POUND Pro Bonnie, whose encouragement and belief in her became a catalyst for Aimee’s fitness journey. When the world shut down in 2020, Aimee—accustomed to gym life and struggling with at-home workouts—found herself panicking. With limited space and equipment, she realized that POUND only required Ripstix and heart. After ordering the ROCKOUT RESULTS SYSTEM, she began rocking out in her basement and found deep gratitude for the virtual classes made available by POUND HQ. Through those classes, she discovered the vast Twin Cities POUND community—a lifeline that quite literally carried her through the pandemic. As soon as in-person trainings returned, Aimee became a POUND Pro in April 2021, completing an intense masked training with ICON Kim. In 2023, she was humbled and thrilled to be welcomed into Tour Crew.
Creating Impact Through POUND
Adopted from South Korea as an infant and naturalized at age four, Aimee now leans into her POUND community more than ever. She is deeply committed to creating a safe, expressive space where people can release emotions through movement and music. Tracks like Tiny Riot, Fortunate Son, and For What It’s Worth have become deeply cathartic for her classes. While many sessions begin with tears and hugs, they always end with smiles, hope, and love. Aimee is also grateful to the Eagan Community Center for prioritizing safety, allowing participants to fully enjoy class. As a 54-year-old, plus-size fitness instructor, her mission is clear: to welcome everyBODY and help everyone feel successful.
Events & Highlights
Aimee has hosted two POUND for a Purpose events in honor of her daughter-in-law Nadia, who was diagnosed with ALS at age 32, and was overwhelmed by the love and support from POUND POSSE MN. She also planned a surprise celebration for Mike becoming ICON. This year, she looks forward to traveling to Denver for the 2nd Annual POUND Your Ass Off event benefiting the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and hopes to attend her very first Pro Jam in Dublin this summer.
Words for Fellow Pros
Teach from the heart and stay genuine. Comparison has no place here—classes and events aren’t competitions. Different doesn’t mean better; it simply means different. Minnesota’s POUND community is strong because of its support, inclusivity, and shared love for the format.
Andrea Koncak
POUND Journey
Andrea was introduced to POUND in 2015 by Minnesota’s first POUND instructor, ICON Kim, at the YMCA. Already teaching other fitness formats, Andrea was instantly hooked after attending Kim’s class. She became POUND certified in September 2016, and over the years POUND has remained a constant through marriage, building a home in Rosemount, and welcoming a child—now four years old. Along the way, Andrea has built meaningful connections that continue to enrich her life.
Creating Impact Through POUND
Andrea has proudly brought POUND to new venues across Minnesota, including community centers, parks, and school district programs, while also recruiting and supporting fellow Pros who continue teaching today. Her weekly classes serve a wide range of ages and abilities, and she emphasizes options, encouragement, and meeting people exactly where they are. By fostering open communication and welcoming feedback, Andrea creates an environment where participants feel seen, supported, and empowered—no matter what they’re carrying into class.
Events & Highlights
In January 2026, Andrea hosted a POUND Unity class, opening her regular session to all as a way to come together during a difficult time in Minnesota. The no-stress, no-pay event created space for movement, release, and connection across different community members. She also hosts outdoor POUND classes during warmer months in her backyard and local parks, with Memorial Day and Labor Day events among her favorites.
Words for Fellow Pros
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” — Jimi Hendrix
Christine Sedam
POUND Journey
Christine discovered POUND in 2019 after learning a high school classmate was teaching it. With curiosity and a simple “why not?”, she attended her first class and experienced instant love at first strike. She registered for training about a year later, but when in-person events paused, she completed one of the first virtual Pro trainings. Determined to grow, Christine Leveled Up in 2021 before moving and bringing POUND to a new area. In 2023, she became licensed in Generation POUND and joined Tour Crew, and in January 2025, became licensed in POUND Unplugged.
Creating Impact Through POUND
Christine teaches weekly in Princeton, MN, at a private gym and leads Generation POUND at summer camps and daycares. While building a Posse in a smaller community can be challenging, she celebrates her small but fierce group of regulars. Known for her themed classes and creative expression—everything from poodle skirts to full witch makeup—Christine brings joy, fun, and authenticity to every session. Her passion even earned her the POUND #rockstarchallenge win in August 2024.
Events & Highlights
While she hasn’t hosted her own events yet, Christine has supported fellow Minnesota Pros and Tour Crew members and continues working toward hosting an event in her area that aligns with a meaningful cause.
Words for Fellow Pros
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Leah Sweet
POUND Journey
Leah discovered POUND on Valentine’s Day 2017 at a YMCA demo she attended for the promised treats. While she barely remembers the other formats, she remembers everything about POUND. In 2018, she met ICON Mike, whose warmth and humor made workouts unforgettable. During lockdown in 2020, Mike’s virtual classes became essential for Leah’s mental and physical health, connecting her with Pros worldwide. With encouragement, she began meeting Minnesota Pros outdoors in creative spaces to make noise safely. She became licensed in 2021, later Leveled Up, completed Unplugged, and in 2025 earned the Generation POUND license—proudly holding the POUND trifecta.
Creating Impact Through POUND
Leah is deeply committed to creating safe, authentic spaces where people feel supported and seen. She teaches POUND and Unplugged at the Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis and at a local Elks Lodge. Leading with vulnerability, playfulness, and honesty, she uses POUND as both a personal wellness practice and a tool to help others navigate grief, loss, and healing through connection and movement.
Events & Highlights
Leah has co-planned and taught numerous events, including the inaugural Kayla’s Hope fundraiser for suicide prevention, returning again this year. On February 8, she will co-host Stomp Out Hate, a fundraiser for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and she will once again travel to Colorado this March to support colorectal cancer fundraising efforts.
Words for Fellow Pros
Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress, joy, or your journey.
“People will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Nichole Price
POUND Journey
Nichole’s POUND journey began at a local YMCA with a class taught by ICON Mike. Invited by a friend, she wasn’t sure what to expect and initially felt uncoordinated—but the music, energy, and joy kept her coming back. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion for a workout that didn’t feel like a workout at all.
Creating Impact Through POUND
In 2021, during a classic Minnesota snowstorm, Nichole trained to become a POUND Pro—an accomplishment she holds with pride. Since then, she has built strong community connections through park classes, community education programs, and partnerships with local school districts. Her Posse—lovingly called her “POUND groupies”—has become a source of support, release, and resilience, especially during challenging times across the state.
Words for Fellow Pros
Hold onto the support of this brand, the Pros, Tour Crew, and ICONs is unmatched—and Minnesota continues to be one of the most vibrant, connected POUND communities out there.
Rachel Bertram
POUND Journey
Rachel attended her first POUND class on a whim in 2018 and instantly knew it was something special. Having recently moved away from the metro area, she noticed POUND was missing in her small town—and decided to change that. After earning her license in POUND Rockout Workout, she began teaching locally and has since built lasting friendships and partnerships across Minnesota and into Wisconsin. For Rachel, POUND has been just as transformative personally as it has been for her students, creating a sense of home, purpose, and belonging.
Creating Impact Through POUND
Rachel focuses on making every class a judgment-free, welcoming space where participants can show up exactly as they are. She leads with authenticity, demonstrating that POUND truly is for everyBODY—even teaching through challenges to prove just how adaptable and inclusive the format can be.
Events & Highlights
In October 2025, Rachel co-hosted her third POUND for Pink, raising $5,798 for Susan G. Komen. This summer, she also helped bring POUND to life in a parade spanning two states—an unforgettable moment filled with sweat, laughter, music, and community.
Words for Fellow Pros
Love your body for where it is today—not where it was, and not where you want it to be. Today is what we’re given.
To our Minneapolis Tour Crew—and to every Pro, ICON, Tour Crew and Rockstar who continues to show up with courage, compassion, and heart—thank you. Thank you for choosing connection over comparison, expression over perfection, and community over comfort. In moments of heaviness and heartbreak, you remind us that movement is more than fitness—it’s release, resilience, and love in action. Your voices matter. Your presence matters. And the spaces you create through POUND continue to change lives, one strike at a time.
