Name: Mindy Stephens

Age: 29

Occupation: Associate Director of Fitness and Marketing at Miami University’s REC Center

Party Affiliation: Independent

Choice for President: Undecided 

Every Tuesday Mindy Stephens rises early to unlock the doors of Miami University’s recreational sports center at 5:30 a.m. Once there, Stephens, associate director of fitness and marketing, instructs a Total Body Tone class, performs a variety of administrative duties and finally concludes her 15-hour workday with a 9:00 p.m. Zumba class.

While Stephens’ Tuesday schedule leaves little room for surprise, her political views provide ample shock value. Stephens, the product of a conservative household, intends to vote for either a third party or write-in candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

“Myself, I’m still thinking,” Stephens said. “I will not vote for Obama, I know that for a fact. I may vote for a third party or write in, but will I vote for Romney? No.”

Stephens’ decision to vote for neither Democratic candidate President Barack Obama nor Republican Governor Mitt Romney invites criticism.

“I just think the system is never going to change if you just keep voting for those two candidates,” Stephens said.

Stephens’ controversial decision may result from her husband, Daniel Stephens’, influence. Stephens and her husband met in high school and have been together ever since. He currently works as the Associate Pastor at Westside Church of Christ in Hamilton, Ohio.

“I value his opinion and he makes a lot of the decision in terms of our life,” Stephens said of her husband.

Daniel agreed that Stephens’ political views reflect his own.

“I’m not sure Mindy really had any political views when we met,” Stephens said. “Truthfully, she probably doesn’t spend much time thinking about the subject. I must admit that if you asked her what her view is about a particular issue or who she might vote for, it would probably be similar to mine.”

Like Stephens, Daniel Stephens intends to vote for a third-party or write-in candidate.

Daniel Stephens possesses a strong opinion about the role of government and politicians, and feels that the current two-party system does not provide a platform for the most qualified candidates.

“I have always, from a very young age, noticed inconsistencies and contradictions in the adults around me, and was told to just be quiet and do what I was told,” Daniel Stephens said. “That’s the dynamic that exists in American government now and that is why I must support candidates who, if elected, will attempt to change it.”

While Daniel Stephens’ passion for politics arguably outweighs his wife’s, Stephens’ passion manifests in fitness.

Stephens received her undergraduate and graduate degree in kinesiology from Eastern Kentucky University, and uses her education to plan fitness programming for Miami students and Oxford residents.

According to Libby Macht Stephens’ employees and fellow group fitness instructors, living in the moment and boundless energy are two of Stephens’ defining traits.

“I’ve enjoyed every second of working for Mindy,” Macht said.