My style of coaching is best for anyone interested in making consistent progress towards lifelong health, strength, cardio, and mobility. If you are ready to put yourself first for once, you are in the right place. I am not a bodybuilding or physique trainer as I prioritize enjoyment, safety, and athletic performance far above aesthetics. With that said, the visual results you see in the mirror will be a nice side-effect of a good preventative health-care regimen.
I coach the following fitness modalities: dynamic motor control and stability, kettlebell strength, mobility exercises (gentle and intense varieties), bodyweight strength (core, push-ups, squats, yoga poses, pull-ups, animal movements, etc.), dumbbell and barbell strength, nutrition for weight loss and longevity, stress reduction strategies, and cardiovascular conditioning (all 5 zones covered).
My primary goal is to empower my clients to be able to take the reins of their health via fitness. I encourage my clients to care for their whole-selves by adopting the regular practice of proven exercises, skills and habits that yield huge results.
The decision to work with me will simplify your health and fitness choices. I will ensure that you do not waste your valuable time or become injured with poor form or exercise selection. I am highly valued by my clients for my capacity to adapt each session to their unique needs. It is my job to ensure that you show-up for yourself and practice each movement safely and effectively… because you deserve this attention to detail!
Education:
CSEP Certified Personal Trainer®, The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) (11 years)
Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion, Algonquin College
Sport’s Performance Institute Master’s Certificate in Personal Training
Experience:
11+ years’ training hundreds of unique clients, both in person and online. Strong experience with adults, seniors, and children, as well as the following groups:
Obese and overweight individuals, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, heart disease, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
Endurance athletes - requiring strength and mobility
Pregnant women
23+ years’ consistency with my fitness. Always learning helpful information from other fitness and health experts to share with my clients
Why I love my job
I love seeing people realize that exercise is not always a chore. After a good warmup, anything is possible! A great mood post-exercise is your body’s message that you did something smart.
I see the spark of hope when people begin to trust their bodies’ resilience and capacity to heal and grow stronger. Aging and chronic disease can always be combatted with the power of consistently healthy habits.
I smile when I see clients’ relief when they understand that fitness is so much more than weight loss or becoming absurdly muscular. They can now see themselves sticking with it!
I thrive off long-term, professional relationships that involve movement and wellness. As people gain confidence and reduce their anxieties about injury, etc., they begin to trust the process and become invested in the journey towards life-long fitness.
… Helping others is fulfilling and I’m always happy when I see clients’ success!
A bit more about me…
My fitness journey
As a teenager, my love for fitness grew when a teacher introduced me to lifting weights in the gym. I was immediately hooked as pushing myself physically greatly improved my mental health as well. Deciding to purse fitness and health and a career in personal training was a no brainer.
It’s important to note that, like everyone, I have my weaknesses! I would love to be able to run more as I believe it is an important movement pattern for human fitness. Sadly, due to genetics (and a plantar fibroma) my foot and ankle health limits my ability to run or jump very much. I also suffered a back injury as a teenager that has been very difficult for my fitness journey at certain times. Despite these struggles, maintaining my fitness has still allowed me to enjoy life; for example, I was able to enjoy various multi-day treks during my travels in South America, and made memories to last a lifetime. Luckily, my knowledge of how the body works has allowed me to work around my limitations and develop my strength, cardio, and mobility… and more importantly, to continue enjoying the process. I’m always excited to inspire my clients to realize they can also improve their fitness, regardless of their health status, to live a healthy lifestyle.
Meditation and Relaxation
I first started meditating when I was a teenager looking for methods to improve my mental state. I had powerful experiences during meditation which convinced me that it was definitely worth investing serious effort into the project of inner development. I have benefited a great deal from meditation and breath-work exercises that have been proven by science and by countless practitioners over the centuries. Of course, just like with fitness, it takes discipline to stay consistent with meditation every day. I always find that when I am most consistent with my practice, I am much happier and more peaceful. I believe that the average Westerner would benefit from the personality traits that meditation practice develops: mindful attention, compassion, tranquility, patience, discipline, and an appreciation for the inner experience.
Nutrition
I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that valued healthy, unprocessed food. I learned to enjoy cooking at a young age, so it was natural for me to turn to nutrition to help with my fitness fascination which started in my teens. So while I am not a nutritionist, I studied nutrition at Algonquin College, and as a CSEP-CPT Certified Personal Trainer, I am allowed to give nutrition guidance for optimal fitness results. Nutrition is always a difficult topic, especially for those with eating disorders or who have struggled with weight loss for years. I believe strongly that there is always hope for improvement in this regard, as sometimes just a small change to our daily eating habits can have a large impact on our health. We are all different, there is no one perfect diet, and no macro-nutrient is bad in general; which is why nuance and personalization is always important. Finding ways to increase consumption of whole foods, and decrease the consumption of hyper-palatable processed non-foods is always a key to long-term energy balance and micronutrient intake. I am ready to listen and patiently assist with your nutrition if you are willing to make a change.
What do I do for fun/entertainment:
Playing with my dog, Koby
Getting outside: I love canoe camping, hiking, and leisurely bike rides - I am always excited to explore the Ottawa area on my gravel bike
Watching documentaries, reality competitions (my latest obsession is Alone), and dramas
Reading and listening to podcasts about: history, fitness, health science, philosophy, and meditation
Food! I love cooking and trying new restaurants in the Ottawa area
