Coaches
Achieve goals you’d never imagined with our extensively experienced and personable coaches
DEREK MACDONALD
Derek MacDonald comes to us from Cape Breton with 8 years of personal training experience. His wealth of knowledge expands beyond the gym, having worked within the healthcare sector for over 10 years as a Physical Rehab Assistant. Derek’s love for fitness is more than a career, it’s a lifestyle. Having competed in 13 bodybuilding shows, Derek has placed 1st to 4th amongst the Classic and Bodybuilding divisions and has won the Middle Weight division 3 times. As his passion for bodybuilding is strong, he has years of experience working with clients with a variety of goals and needs. Whether you’re looking to build on strength and conditioning, improve your health or just learn the basics of the gym, Derek can help you to reach your full potential. He never shies away from a challenge and enjoys working with clients both young and old with varying levels of physical knowledge. Book a consult with Derek today!
Qualifications:
•Certified Personal Trainer – International Sport Science Association
•Specialist in Performance Nutrition - International Sport Science Association
•Diploma in Physical Therapy Assisting
Mackenzie VanHattem
Mackenzie Van Hattem has a 2 year diploma in personal fitness training from N.A.I.T college Alberta. She spent 6 months as a health and wellness coach with Beachbody and a few months working at 30 minute HIT. With her diploma she got an extra certification in corrective exercise to help her clients with mobility, correcting posture issues and muscle imbalances. She also works with special populations including youth, pregnant women, cancer recovery patients, individuals struggling with obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis/arthritis and much more.
Mackenzie has done resistance training since a young age of 13. She focused mainly on body image but eventually realized the amazing benefits of physical activity for mental and physical health. As a trainer Mackenzie's goal is to bring confidence and education to her clients and get the best results.
Qualifications:
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Certified Personal Trainer - Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
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Corrective Exercise Specialist - National Academy of Sports Medicine
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Personal fitness training diploma from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
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Standard First Aid, CPR, AED
KATI LATOROVSZKI
Kati has been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She’s always had a passion for being active and helping others starting at a young age. Kati started her career as a nurse first and pursued her love for fitness as a coach later.
Kati competes Nationally and Internationally as a Master Bikini competitor. Her motto is: nothing is impossible, if you have the will you have the way. Kati works with clients with injuries or clients looking to lose weight and gain muscle. Regardless of your age and gender Kati will help you to reach your goal. Trying to lose some weight, gain muscle, improve your health and the quality of your life? Want to get out of chronic pain and regain your vitality? Get started with Kati today and start a new chapter in your life!
Qualifications:
- Personal Trainer and Master Trainer with ISSA
- Corrective exercise specialist
- Precision Nutrition Coach
- Exercise therapist
- Bodybuilding specialist
- TRX Suspension Level 1 and 2
- Stott Pilates certified by Merrittew
- MELT & MELT Neuro-strength
Athletic Achievements:
2017 Grandmaster Bikini 1st place
2017 Masters Bikini 2nd place
2018 Grandmaster Bikini 2nd place
TERESA TREEN
Teresa has been involved in the world of fitness and health for over 15 years, beginning as both a competitive highland dancer and teacher, and later leaning towards a love of weightlifting. In her career as a highland dancer, Teresa was a 3-time Nova Scotia Provincial Representative; she competed and performed all across Canada, as well as in the 2018 Basel Tattoo in Switzerland. Teresa’s studies in Sports Psychology at Saint Mary’s University allows her to not only understand the physical aspect of fitness, but also the mental strength and challenges that come along with it. She believes that working out and training is not only about the end goal, but that the love for the process is just as important. She believes that there is a place in the fitness community for everyone and whether your goals are to improve strength, body composition, performance, health, or just to be the best version of yourself, Teresa is excited to help you get there!
Qualifications:
- Certified Personal Trainer (International Sports Sciences Association)
- Certified Nutritionist (International Sports Sciences Association
- CPR and AED
- Enrolled in BSc at Saint Mary’s University
ERIC TITUS
Eric has been a Personal Trainer for 7 years since completing his Bachelors Degree in kinesiology from Acadia University in 2011. Before that, he had a long amateur athletics career playing both competitive hockey and soccer. He also spent several years as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserves. Eric now enjoys pushing himself during his workouts in the gym as well as playing pickup hockey, coaching minor hockey, and being active outdoors with hiking, paddling, or golfing.
When training his clients, Eric specializes working with people of all ages and physical abilities including those who wish to build endurance, muscle and strength, lose weight, rehabilitate current or past injuries, increase their mobility or address dysfunction in movement patterns using fun, personalized exercises.
Book a consult with Eric today!
Qualifications:
• BSC kinesiology – Acadia University 2011
• Can Fit Pro certified
• Certified Personal Trainer -CPTN
• Functional Anatomy Specialist level 1- Zona Fitness
• Neurotyping level 1 - Thibarmy
• Kinesio Taping- Zona Fitness
• Fascial mobility therapy (FMT)
• CPR/ AED
JOSH BARKHOUSE
Josh has been born into the world of fitness, being involved in a variety of sports growing up including Track & Field, Soccer, and Basketball. He is currently involved in the world of calisthenics, as well as MMA (Muay Thai, Jujitsu, and Boxing) learning as well as teaching how to move and control our bodies with ease. Starting independently for 2 years, he has inspired many others to develop and maintain healthy and active lifestyles using different methods based on the individual. He uses a unique style of mobility, strength, and mindfulness to help people achieve their goals and to move their bodies in ways never before possible! Josh also offers mobility and HIIT classes designed to be inclusive for all levels of fitness in a fun and exciting environment!
Working with Josh will have you feeling brand new, with a positive mindset both inside and outside of the gym, a feeling of fulfillment and a new found excitement for life!
Qualifications:
•Personal Trainer Certified by CanFit Pro
•Precision Nutrition Certified
OLIVIA MURPHY
Olivia was involved in sports growing up and had a gym membership as soon as she met the minimum age requirement. She grew up playing soccer, doing competitive dance, and figure skating but always struggled with weight and body image from a young age. After she was halfway through her first year of university she was inspired to change her degree to a bachelor of science in applied human nutrition, hoping to gain more knowledge on how to properly lose weight and keep it off. Olivia started her own fitness journey the same time as she started her nutrition degree and managed to lose 70 lbs on her own before deciding to take her personal training requirements and help others accomplish their weight loss goals as well! Olivia believes mindset is a huge part of the journey and is passionate about helping clients make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Qualifications:
•Bsc Applied Human Nutrition
•Resistance training certified by NSFA
•Group exercise certified through NSFA
•Barre instructor certified through NSFA
•Standard first aid and CPR, mental health first aid.
BARDIA HABIBIAN
Bardia has been in the gym since the early age of 15 and fell in love from day 1. After playing soccer and rugby, he realized where his true passion lies, and consequently, hasn’t looked back ever since. By being passionately involved in the fitness industry through following the evidence-based fitness community and doing personal research, Bardia has obtained the requisite requirements and knowledge to help individuals reach their physique goals, lose fat, improve overall health, or reach other fitness goals.
Bardia is currently studying Kinesiology at Dalhousie University to further expand his knowledge surrounding exercise and nutrition science. His main intentions are to continue expanding his knowledge and helping individuals reach their fitness goals by providing the highest quality coaching and most value possible through an individualized and evidence based approach.
Qualifications:
- Certified Personal Trainer (Canfit)
- CPR “A” & AED
- Enrolled in Dalhousie University’s Kinesiology program
CHRISTIE ANDERSON
Christie comes to us from Antigonish with 9 years personal training experience. Christie started her career as a Teacher and went on to pursue her love for fitness after. Christie was active all of her life and was a member of the Scotian Highland Dance Troupe. Christie went on to compete in the bikini category in Bodybuilding in which she won overall. Christie works with clients of all ages and levels. Her motto is train smarter not harder. Contact Christie today to get started on your health and fitness goals!
Qualifications:
•Personal Trainer Certified by CanFit Pro
•CPR and First Aid Training
•STFX and UOA graduate
Athletic Achievements:
•2015 Spartan Race Elite top 10 female
•2014 CPU Raw Powerlifter NSPL Provincials: 2nd place
•2013 1st Place and Overall Bikini Champion at the NSABBA Bodybuilding show
•2012 ABBA Bodybuilding Bikini Show 4th place
•2012 NSABBA Bodybuilding Bikini Show 6th place
Christie comes to us from Antigonish with 9 years personal training experience. Christie started her career as a Teacher and went on to pursue her love for fitness after. Christie was active all of her life and was a member of the Scotian Highland Dance Troupe. Christie went on to compete in the bikini category in Bodybuilding in which she won overall. Christie works with clients of all ages and levels. Her motto is train smarter not harder. Contact Christie today to get started on your health and fitness goals!
Qualifications:
•Personal Trainer Certified by CanFit Pro
•CPR and First Aid Training
•STFX and UOA graduate
Athletic Achievements:
•2015 Spartan Race Elite top 10 female
•2014 CPU Raw Powerlifter NSPL Provincials: 2nd place
•2013 1st Place and Overall Bikini Champion at the NSABBA Bodybuilding show
•2012 ABBA Bodybuilding Bikini Show 4th place
•2012 NSABBA Bodybuilding Bikini Show 6th place
