About Us

Grow 2B Fit is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to combat childhood obesity through nutrition and exercise education, mentor-ship and community outreach.

Grow 2B Fit was founded in 2010 and has been serving Tucson families ever since!  Our biggest projects have been the creation of the Recipe for a Healthy Family program and helping Apollo Middle School renovate their old home-ec kitchen in to the amazing teaching kitchen it is today!

  Jessica has been a general pediatrician at Children’s Medical Center of Tucson for the past 12 years. In 2010, due to growing concern about the number of overweight and obese children she was seeing in her clinic, she founded the Grow 2B Fit Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Through Grow 2B Fit, she has had the privilege of working with many families who are committed to changing the lives and health of their children, as well as many amazing volunteers who are passionate about children’s health and curbing the obesity epidemic. She lives with her husband and two dogs and loves running, yoga, meditation and swimming.     

Dr. Shook Yap is a pediatrician at Children’s Medical Center of Tucson. Before coming to Tucson, she was in a pediatric residency program in Phoenix, AZ, where she was involved in starting a childhood obesity project, ‘GET HIP’ in her last residency year. When she joined Children’s Medical Center of Tucson in 2010, her interest in childhood obesity continued to grow with Grow 2b Fit Foundation. She hopes to help this generation of young, enthusiastic children fight childhood obesity through Grow 2b Fit. She is married, with two children.  Her favorite pastimes are swimming, running, zumba and dancing. She enjoys camping, biking & hiking with her family.  

Staci leads great yoga classes for families with kids of all ages.  A Fan Favorite!

Two of her favorite quotes are:

 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world.” ~Nelson Mandela

Lincoln was once asked how long it took him to write The Gettysburg
Address. He replied: "All my life". 

Courtney is a certified trainer, but also an awesome chef with a fantastic blog, fitcakery.com, as well as a protein powder cookbook which is amazing!  Whether she is leading cooking class or getting everyone moving with Zumba, she is always energetic and  encouraging!

Not only is Marie a certified Vegan life coach, but she is also an amateur boxer!

    Did we mention she is a mother too!  Always fun, always informative, Marie is an amazing instructor for our families!

  Wayne started his culinary journey 2000 as a dishwasher at Casino of Sun. Eventually, he was promoted to overnight cook. In 2003, he started working at Loews Ventana Canyon resort. There he was an overnight cook, a buffet cook, a PM supervisor and Star Trainer. As a star trainer, he was training new employees on Loews standards and kitchen rules. Loews encouraged him to go back to school for culinary arts. 

He attended AI of Tucson for Culinary Arts & Baking/Pastry of associate degree. He was fortunate to have great mentors that helped him become a chef. He wanted make a difference with his talent so he went to work for a hospice, cooking for dying patients. While there, he went back to school at Grand Canyon University for his Special & General education Bachelors degree. He is now working at Apollo Middle School in the Sunnyside #12 School District.