Meet Our Trainers

Focus: All levels

 

I enjoy fit, motivated, active people who already have body awareness and like to be pushed hard, in a positive effective way. I also remember what it’s like to be 245 pounds and walking into the gym for the first time. Which is where I was a few years ago.  

 

Bio: As a Trainer, Jessie wants to share her enthusiasm, encourage a happier lifestyle and help you realize what your body is capable of. Along with a Business Management Degree from SAIT, she is also ALFCA certified as: Resistance Training Specialist, Spin Instructor, and Fitness Leader for Older Adults. A typical workout of hers will include a variety of equipment: the TRX, kettle bells, free weights, even body weight exercises. Cardio hits include the spin bikes, track, arc trainers and stairs.

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Cool Fact: Summer rides: In the summer months she has recently switched from road bikes to motorcycles. 

Focus: Woman, moms, injury recovery

 

Bio: Stephanie has been involved in health, fitness & nutrition all her life and is excited to share her passion with you! She teaches a variety of classes from yoga, HIIT, Power lifting and Zumba. She loves to train busy people and help them build their personal strength and fitness with her “Small Wins Daily” philosophy. Her energy is contagious and you will be pumped working with her!

 

Cool Fact: Mom of two girls who enjoys running half marathons.

Focus: The focus of the session is on supporting and assisting restoration of the health to the individual, through education and active lifestyle centred fitness.

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Bio: Passionate professional with a strong background in improving personal health and wellness in clients of all ages and backgrounds. Specializing in Personal Training, Thai Massage and currently a student of Osteopathic Manual Therapy and exploring the study of Biomechanics and their impact on Health and Fitness. Curtis loves running of all kinds, half marathons and Obstacle course racing as his primary methods of expression, but also indoor rock climbing, parkour, swimming, yoga, mixed martial art, animal flow, natural forms of movement and movement training with a focus on joint health through the Functional Range Conditioning system.

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Cool Fact: Currently studying Osteopathy and in the future will treat humans and canines!

Focus: Functional Training for Daily Living, Joint Mobility/Stability, Muscular Imbalances, Post-Rehab, Postural Assessment & Corrections, Balance and Stretching and a variety of conditions such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia and Cancer. Water or land training available.

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 Bio: Jo-Anne spent 20 years working in EMS and teaching First Aid/CPR for Red Cross, in 2013 she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  When she was finally cancer free her journey to wellness began. With the support of the Instructors here at SLS Family Sports Centre she discovered that her passion to help people could be used in the fitness industry and after completing many certifications she found her niche in Functional Training.

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Cool Fact: She loves Boxing and Kayaking.

Focus: Older Adult /55 plus

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Bio: Having spent 15 years + in the Fitness Industry, Janet brings her experience and knowledge of fitness from her past positions, from teaching groups classes such as Spin Class and Women and Weights to conducting Fitness Assessments. Janet believes that fit and active people come in all shapes and sizes and would like to help you along the way with your fitness journey.

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Cool Fact: She is the “Accidental Artist” and creates glass art.

Focus: All Levels. Whatever age you are, wherever you are in your fitness journey, my goal is to meet YOU where YOU are at. From a newbie, who’s never stepped into a gym, to that gym rat with years of experience, I believe there’s always something to be learned in the fitness industry to help you be a better version of yourself. I believe in functionality and everyday movements, in finding the pleasure in fitness and the work needed to keep us moving forward as we age.

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Bio: I’m a mum, grandma, aunt, sister...I come from a family who loves to be active. I was the kid who played everything and feel sport and fitness teaches us many life skills. I’m a Certified Life Coach  &  Personal Training Specialist. Trained in  Functioned Medicine, Active Aging and Weight Management.

  

Fun Fact: I was an Olympic Torch Bearer in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  I still have my track suit and torch!  

Focus: Athletes, youth, young adults, anyone looking to learn and grow.  

 

Bio: Moving from the States with his wife Hanna, Chris has worked as a K-12 PE, OE, as well as a health teacher, athletic coach, and mentor and coach for university students for the past six to seven years. He is passionate about teaching others how to make healthy decisions when it comes to fitness nutrition, and life in general. Chris enjoys participating in, coaching, and learning about any activities from team sports to camping and spending tome in the mountains. Whatever your goals are, Chris is passionate about striving to help you reach those goals and grow as a person while getting there. Every day, strive to get 1% better!

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Cool Fact: Loves going on week long backpacking and paddling trips in Western Canada. 

Focus: Specialist in all levels of Non-Athletic and Restorative Fitness, and combining the therapeutic benefits of Warm Water Exercise with Land Exercise.

 

Bio: AFLCA Certified since 1984, Janette has been a Group Exercise (GE) enthusiast from the word go! As an AFLCA Assistant Trainer/Educator of GE Instructors, Janette is truly passionate about training, mentoring and certifying/recertifying Fitness Leaders. While she still loves every opportunity to lead GE classes, Janette fuels her passion as a CEC Workshop and Designation course presenter. Her AFLCA designations include Older Adult, Aquatic Fitness, GE Choreography, Step, Portable Equipment and Mind/Body (with specialty areas of hip/knee joint replacement, inflammatory disorders, and Warm Water Exercise).

 

Fun Fact: She got a new “lease on life” by having to have bilateral hip replacements in the fall of 2012 (and only missed 6 months of GE instructing in the process). Teaching: Piloga and Noodle-itis

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Focus: Youth to adults looking to improve fitness, health and strength; anyone interest in boxing basics.

 

Bio: With experience in amateur boxing and strength training, Brandon brings a variety of skills to the table. As an ACE certified personal trainer, with a history as an EMT, Brandon’s focus is on teaching proper technique to avoid injury and to improve overall health and fitness. Brandon believes that a healthy body will lead to a healthy mind and can help to improve everyone’s daily life.

 

Fun Fact: Loves animals and currently has two cats and two dogs. Classes: Box Fit, Youth Kickboxing as well as one of our amazing personal trainers.

 

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Focus: Women of all ages and stages.

 

Bio: Jen is all about functional training. Using your time together to train for the things you love to do; mountain biking, rock climbing, playing soccer with your kids, hiking. She wants to help you participate in those activities more efficiently and minimize your chances of injury, because who’s got time for that?! Just want to be fit for everyday life. Yes! She will create fun, functional, body-positive workout sessions that are completely tailored to your requirements and lifestyle. In addition to one-on-one sessions, you can join Jen in the pool for Aquafit and in the studio for Bootcamps and various Yoga classes.

 

Cool Fact: Jen has supported over a dozen birthing women in her role as a birth doula and can’t get enough of that magic! Teaches: Aqua Fit, Bootcamps, Yoga as a well as does Personal Training.

 

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FOCUS: All levels.

 

BIO: Hazel has over 20 years’ experience as a Physical Therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has also been in the fitness industry since 2002. Though she enjoys working with all individuals, she is particularly passionate about working with those who have muscle imbalances (weakness/tightness), joint challenges, issues with balance and those who desire to improve their overall health. Hazel’s famous words are: “JUST SHOW UP”. If you make the effort to be here. I will work WITH you to improve and maintain your health.

 

Cool Fact: She loves being creative in the kitchen Teaches Barre, Active Forever as well as does Personal Training

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FOCUS: All levels.

 

Focus: People who are busy and ‘doing it all’, but also want to stay active and maintain healthy activity levels.

 

Bio: I’m from Australia but have lived in Canada for 15 years. We lived in Nunavut from 2007-2020 and moved to Cochrane during the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic! I was a Phys Ed. Teacher for over 10 years and am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with SLSFSC members.

 

Cool/Fun Fact: In 2009 I cycled 8654km solo from St. John’s, NL to Tofino BC; the Atlantic to the Pacific!

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FOCUS: All levels.

 

Focus: Physical and mental wellbeing for all.

 

Bio: Manjula has been teaching yoga for over twenty years. Before that she was an elementary school teacher with the Calgary Board of Education. Her style of teaching uses breath connected movements and poses to access a state of deep inner awareness and relaxation as preparation for meditative practices. In her classes, she encourages students to connect with stillness and silence, find balance between comfort and effort, and develop fluidity and ease of movement. She teaches her classes with empathetic compassion for each student’s individual needs and physical condition. She uses alignment cues, offers adjustments, and cannot resist a teachable moment. She has been working with people of all ages, abilities, health challenges and levels. Her public teaching background has blessed her with an ability to break down poses and deliver clear instructions that are easy to follow.

 

Cool Fact: Manjula was the one who started yoga classes here at SLS Family Sport Centre! For that we are extremely grateful to her! Teaches Yoga

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FOCUS: All levels.

 

Focus: Rahmi welcomes all levels. She enjoys working with anyone who is interested in Fitness. During a typical week, she works with older adults, athletes, kids, people in recovery, new moms and much more. Rahmi often says: come as you are and let's workout together...live in the moment.

 

Bio: Rahmi is a group fitness instructor who is certified to teach a variety of programs like Spin, Zumba, Yoga, TRX, Strength, Barre, Aqua Fitness, and a lot more. Rahmi is a certified Yoga and meditation Teacher Trainer. She is certified in Wellness and Nutrition. She enjoys working with older adults and decided to get certified to teach older adults as well. Rahmi teaches prenatal and postnatal programs on a weekly basis: She teaches Prenatal Deep Water, Mom and Stroller, Prenatal and Postnatal yoga and Mom and Baby fit. In 2018 Rahmi decided to start teaching/leading walking classes. She got certified in Nordic Pole Walking and now leads Nordic Pole classes.

 

Cool fact: Rahmi's initial education is in Logistic and Operation Management where she has a Master’s Degree. Fitness was a passion that she decided to follow full time Classes: Aqua Fit, Zumba, Yoga, Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga as well as Personal Training.

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FOCUS: All levels.

 

Focus: I love connecting with any human who is interested or intrigued in taping into the inner work. Yoga is more than asana!

 

Bio: My yoga practice began in 2005 and continues to grow into a beautiful way of life in the present. What seemed like another fun way to get 'a workout' transformed into a healing, relaxing and grounding spiritual discipline. My hard core fitness journey and career in the fitness industry also began that same year. I had always felt the need to push my body to the limits with body building, triathlons, marathons, etc. Although I learned a lot about my physical body, yoga helped me learn and grow further and deeper into the emotional body. Yoga also helped me relax, rejuvenate, breath deeper and turn inward considering I was often sore and tired with all the strenuous activities I put myself through. I’ve studied 500 hours in Yoga Teacher Trainings, 50 hours in Tibetan Bon Buddhism Meditation and 50 hours in Kids Yoga. I am a passionate yoga teacher with a deep purpose to help create a strong community of emotional, physical, spiritual and soulful connection within and with others. My extensive background in health & wellness and energy to learn and grow has flourished into a love for teaching invigorating Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Yin , Meditation and Kids Yoga.

 

Cool/Fun Fact: The coolest thing I’ve ever done is become a mom! It’s changed my life is so many ways and allowed me to get to know myself on a deeper level. Declan is my biggest teacher! Teaches Yoga and Meditation.

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Focus: My focus is to make every class do-able for everyone.

 

Bio: Jill is a certified Fitness Instructor Specialist and uses her expertise to guide participants safely through many different types of movement. Her energy and passion for moving together as one will get you pushing to your limit, whether it’s to conquer one more Clean & Press or bringing ‘the heatʼ to drop the squat or plie a little lower.

 

Cool/Fun Fact: Jill had three kids within 21 months due to having twins on her second pregnancy. Teaches Spin.

Focus: My focus is to make every class do-able for everyone.

 

Focus: I would like to see everyone realize the benefits of aquatic exercise for health and fitness. Aquafit really is for everyone!

 

Bio: I have always been interested Health care! Before staying home to raise my son I worked as a Respiratory Therapist for several years. I taught CPR classes from my home for about 7 years and volunteered as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Like many of us I gained a lot of weight in my middle years, and I began to feel the negative health consequences with time. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis which got me back in the water and focused on my health, nutrition, habits, and healing. I lost 80 lbs and I am now an older adult group fitness leader, aquatic exercise fitness leader and a certified Health Coach! I truly believe in moving with purpose, good nutrition, and a positive mindset for overall health and well being! I can’t shout it out loud enough!

 

Cool/Fun Fact: I love mindfulness meditations and use my lane swim time to practice. Teaches Aqua Fit.

Focus: All Levels, Moms, women, recovery from injury, small groups.

 

Bio: Sarah is a graduate from Elevated Learning Academy where she received her ACE Personal Trainer Certificate. Sarah loves helping people reach their goals no matter how big or small they are. She made the decision to switch career to become a personal trainer because of a knee injury. She has vast understanding in the frustrations of injuries and not being able to do what she loves.

 

Cool/Fun Fact: Sarah has 4 kids and spend lots of time with her family camping, dirt biking and finding new adventures. Sarah is also currently working on her nutrition course. 

Focus: Person that loves to dance and wants a fun workout! No experience needed to dance and no need to be shy!

 

Bio: Zumba instructor for 10 years in Houston, Texas. Moved to the Calgary area for my husband’s work, taught one class and was about to teach a second one when Covid hit! So, I am excited to teach again!

 

Cool/ Fun facts: Have a degree in International Studies/Political Science and have worked in Peru (where I am originally from), Cameroon, Africa and Houston, TX. Zumba was always my favourite “other” job that I did even when pregnant with my kids. Teaches Zumba.

Focus: Students who think they aren’t flexible enough to do yoga! Beginners and experienced yogis looking for ways to adapt the practice for their own body.

 

Bio: I have lived in Cochrane since 1989 and began practicing yoga in 2007. I always felt that many classes did not offer variations to postures so I began developing them myself. A job change 6 years ago prompted me to take a teacher training so I can share my passion of bringing yoga to those who feel like they don’t fit in to the practice due to injury, shape or age.

 

Cool/Fun Fact: I have been volunteering in the community as a Cochrane Activette for 10 years. Teaches Yoga.

Focus: I teach yoga for everybody. My classes are not about what anyone looks like in a pose, I focus on how you feel in a pose. I also have yoga training courses that allows me to teach from a trauma informed lens as well as Yoga Thrive, a researched-based course specific for people who have or had cancer. I have taught yoga to a variety of people, including sports teams and first responders.

 

Bio: Corinne has been active all her life, and discovered yoga when her karate sensei suggested yoga to help with balance and flexibility. Over the years, Corinne has tried various styles of yoga including Hot 26 (Bikram), Iyengar yoga, Hot Flow, Baron Baptiste yoga, Yin Yoga and Restorative. After a few years of practicing yoga, specifically the Hot 26, Corinne decided she wanted to teach and share her passion of yoga with others. In 2015, she completed her 200 hr Teacher Training Certificate and has since taken yoga teacher training courses in Yin Yoga, Dragon Dance, Trauma Consciousness Yoga, Yoga Thrive and sequences courses. Corinne is also a Reiki Master and has recently received training in Thai Yoga Massage. Corinne also loves making malas and teaching people how to make them. Teaches Yoga.