Our Team
Meet Our Team
Mandy Lynskey
Founder / Co-Owner
Mandy Lynskey
Mandy has twenty years’ experience in performance training and fitness industry. Her love for fitness started in high school and college where she swam competitively and was awarded honors such as the Clarion Ledger Athlete of the Year and Mississippi State University’s Athlete of the Year. Mandy started her career as a head coach for a USS swim team before turning twenty-one.
After graduating college, her accomplishments included leadership in the electrical industry and part of the national leadership team for Advocate. As a former member of the Courthouse Fitness Center, Mandy witnessed the needs of the facility for several years and hoped for the opportunity to make improvements. In 2020 that opportunity came to fruition and GRIT Training was formed. She has completed in a WBFF fitness show, is a multiple time Ironman finisher, and has qualified multiple times for USA Triathlon Nationals. Mandy continues her love for sport and competition through various hobbies. If you ever see her around the gym, be sure to say hello!
Michael Shumaker
Director of Strength and Conditioning
Michael Shumaker
Meet Michael Shumaker! Coach Shu brings a wealth of knowledge to GRIT overseeing all strength & conditioning as well as the baseball, softball, and internship programs. He is a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He specializes in preparing student athletes for college which is where his experience started. While working on his undergrad at Mississippi State University, Coach Shu was a member of the football and baseball teams. He went on to receive his master’s degree there while working as Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach. Coach Shu has served as a Strength & Conditioning Coach/Director for Radford University, Auburn University and Mississippi College, where he was the Assistant Athletics Director over Sports Performance. He also has worked as Director of Strength/Conditioning for the Chinese National Softball team where he additionally assisted with hitting and was the catchers’ coach.
He is studying for his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in Higher Education. When he is not studying or training, he is enjoying time on the softball field coaching or spending time with his family!
Delaney Taylor
Performance Director / Personal Trainer / Coach
Delany Taylor
Delaney brings a “No Shortcuts” mindset to GRIT Fitness and Training, emphasizing the importance of hard work and consistency to elevate performance. Whether you’re looking to take your fitness to the next level or achieve personal goals, Delaney is dedicated to helping you reach your fullest potential. Her commitment to this approach began in high school through her involvement in tennis and cheerleading and continued through her college years at Mississippi State. There, she focused on fitness, performance, and education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2016. Afterward, Delaney pursued a career in fitness, determined to support others in their journey toward better health and performance.
Delaney is excited to be part of the GRIT team and looks forward to working with individuals who are eager to push their limits and improve their quality of life. Outside of coaching, she practices what she teaches—never missing a workout herself. At GRIT, her primary focus is on group classes and personal training sessions, where she’s dedicated to helping members maximize their athletic ability and achieve their goals.
Renato Batista
Personal Trainer / Coach
Renato Batista
Renato Batista, one of our Strength & Conditioning coaches, comes to us from São Paulo, Brasil. He came to the states in 2014 to play soccer (futebol!) at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. There, he earned his Bachelors and his Masters degree. While studying for his Masters degree, he became a certified Personal Trainer (NASM), worked as a Graduate Assistant in the WCU weight room, and coached youth soccer – talk about busy! He worked as a trainer for 3 years, and joined the Strength and Conditioning field as a certified S&C Coach in 2023 (CSCS). Renato was an intern at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (‘22-‘23), worked as an Assistant S&C Coach at Mississippi College (‘23-‘24) while being part-time at our front desk, and now, Renato is one of our full-time strength coaches coaching at Pearl High School, when he is not at PHS you can find him coaching Youth Speed & Agility Camps and Bootcamp classes in our facility.
Cade Barrett
Personal Trainer / Front Desk Staff
Cade Barrett
Cade Barrett holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Mississippi College and a Master’s in Sports Administration from Belhaven University. Currently, Cade serves as a Personal Trainer and front desk staff at GRIT Training in Flowood, MS, while also working as a Strength & Conditioning Coach for women’s basketball and softball at Tri-County Academy. With a strong background in program design, performance optimization, and injury prevention, Cade Barrett has previously coached multiple sports teams as a Graduate Assistant at Belhaven University, including baseball, soccer, volleyball, and football. Cade also gained valuable experience as an intern at Mississippi College, where they developed training programs for volleyball and men’s soccer. A former college football player, Cade is certified in First Aid/CPR and RPR Level 1, and is currently pursuing CSCS certification.
Kathryn Knuth
Fitness Coach / Front Desk Staff
Kathryn Knuth
Kathryn “Kat” Knuth graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in Kinesiology, where she excelled as a soccer player. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in applied exercise physiology, with plans to build a career in cardiac rehabilitation after graduation. At GRIT Training Kat serves as both a fitness coach and front desk staff, bringing high energy to her Spin, Sweat, and TRX classes. She has also conducted strength and performance training for women’s volleyball and basketball teams, and is currently working towards her CSCS certification.
Unlock Your Full Potential with GRIT Training Membership
Ready to take your fitness journey to the next level? GRIT Fitness and Training offers cutting-edge programs designed to push your limits and optimize your performance. GRIT is an innovative facility with amenities that include cutting-edge technology, expert coaching, recovery equipment, and three weight rooms, providing everything you need to achieve your personal best. Whether you’re an elite athlete or just starting out, GRIT Training is here to support your goals. Don’t wait—join today and become part of a community that’s as committed to your success as you are!
