As a child and teenager, if I wasn’t on the volleyball court or soccer field, I was out for a run or practicing volleyball skills in our backyard with my twin sister. Around this age, I fell in love with all things fitness and became very competitive with myself, and still am! Unfortunately, at 16 years of age after several back-to-back volleyball practices, I jumped up to hit the ball and landed on the diagonal support of the volleyball pole. I blew out my knee  – completely tearing my ACL, tearing my MCL, and badly damaging my lateral and medial meniscus!! Despite this injury and surgery, I went on to play Varsity volleyball and played beach volleyball, my first love, throughout my 20s. I never thought I would love running if I wasn’t chasing a ball, but in my late 20s, I found a new passion, triathlon, where half ironmans and cycling are my favourite distance and discipline.

In my 40s, I continue to be very active, absolutely love strength training, a good sweat, and an intense workout, along with peaceful active moments like Tai Chi, hiking, and walking with my husband, son, and husky. My knee problems resurfaced in the last 3 years and in the summer of 2020 I had a high tibial osteotomy (HTO), medial and lateral meniscectomy, and repair of an avulsion fracture of my semimembranosus tendon. I like to tell my story of injury to those around me because if it weren’t for my high fitness level and approach to strength training and mobility, I would struggle with more pain. I’ve been told by several specialists that I recovered from the HTO better than they have ever seen. My original injury led me to pursue Exercise Sciences in school. My sporting background and injury fueled my passion to help people in pain and also really helped me identify with people with injuries.  I choose to lead an unbounded life and reach for my goals because movement heals. I do so by modifying my exercises and approach to better manage my evolving injury and prevent further injury. I use this training philosophy with my clients.

I have a passion for helping people of all shapes, sizes, fitness levels, and ages reach their health and fitness goals. I  am dedicated to promoting pain-free movement, functional fitness, and healthy aging. I firmly believe that age is just a number, that exercise is medicine and that exercise is for everyone from busy moms to 90-year-olds. It is never too late to get moving and improve your fitness and quality of life. Nothing makes me smile more than when my clients put this philosophy and mindset into action in their own fitness journey.  I approach my job with energy and enthusiasm and a love for fitness and helping others lead healthy lives.

Education/Credentials: 

• Honours B.Sc. in Kinesiology and Psychology, University of Waterloo
• M.Sc. in Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Victoria
• Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Psychology, University of Victoria
• Post-doctoral research fellowship, McGill University (mTBI/concussion research)
• Post-doctoral research fellowship, University of Calgary (mTBI/concussion research)
• CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
• Professional Kinesiologist, Alberta Kinesiology Association/Canadian Kinesiology Alliance
• Certified Functional Aging Specialist & Group Functional Aging Specialist, the Functional Aging Institute
• PR-TOA Certified, Progressive Resistance Training the Older Adult, Be Stronger Fitness
• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
• Strong Nation (Formerly Strong by Zumba) Instructor, Strong Nation
• Certified Online Trainer, Online Trainer Academy
• CSEP High-Performance Specialist, Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
• Older Adult & Group Exercise Specialty Leader, with Portable Equipment Designation, AFLCA
• TRX Suspension Training, Qualified Instructor, TRX
• Trained Community Coach, Triathlon, National Coaching Certification Program
• Level 1 Nutrition Coach (PN1), Precision Nutrition
• DotFIT Certified Practitioner, DotFIT
• Certified Tai Chi Instructor, Open the Door to Tai Chi
• Penalty Box Instructor, Penalty Box
• Certified Pre and Postnatal Coach, Coaching & Training Women Academy/Girls Gone Strong
• Level 1, Women’s Coaching Specialist, Coaching & Training Women Academy/Girls Gone Strong
• Training Older Adults with Joint Replacements, Certified, FAI