Personal Training Team Bios

Qualifications

• CSEP-CEP
• Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics
• NCCP Competition Development Level 3 Coach
• Currently in Masters of Kinesiology Program

Fitness History and Experience

Anneke prides herself on being an endurance athlete for life. While she didn’t quite make the cut on being “Young and Fast” her goal is to be “Old and Fast” when racing in endurance events such as trail/mountain running, cross country skiing, mountain biking and anything else that captures her interest. As a competitive cross-country ski coach, the motivation she gets from watching her athletes train limitless! 

Training Philosophy

“I am here to support you in your journey to achieve your goals.  My approach to training is to be client-centered and to ensure that we are working together to achieve your dreams.” - Anneke Winegarden

Trainer Fun Facts

Born and raised in Ontario, last season Anneke coached her cross-country ski team (Nakkertok Nordic) to their 9^thconsecutive National Championship win. Anneke is now focusing her efforts on completing a graduate’s degree at the University of Calgary with an interest in developing training interventions based on hormonal fluctuations specific for female endurance athletes. Her career goal is to support elite athletes to achieve international success while also supporting the development of the sport system at the community level. 

Qualifications

• ACE-PT
• Revolution Running

Fitness History and Experience

Ben is passionate about personal training because he loves helping others and loves the gym. Ben job-shadowed in 2015 with 360 Fitness in Red Deer, was hired in 2016 after receiving his ACE certification and continued into early 2017, all while maintaining a full-time engineering position. His time was spent entirely one-on-one with clients, a format that resonated with him and formed close bonds with my clients.

He finds the fitness industry so fascinating because it’s constantly evolving. This year’s trends may be different from last year, but the science continues to push forward and discover new understanding about the human body.

Training Philosophy

 “When I train my clients, I have 2 objectives: Get results and have fun doing it.

We get results by challenging the entire body in each session. This includes the core, lower and upper body; the end result is a stronger, fitter client who feels better every day. I promise to be prepared, have a smile and create a positive environment along our journey. ” –Ben Paradis

Trainer Fun Facts

Ben played, coached and managed a soccer team over the past 2 decades. He loves to hike, ski or snowboard out in the mountains. He participated in a Spartan Race and Mud Hero, which was a blast.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health Physiology
• AFLCA
• NCCP Level 1

Fitness History and Experience

Fiona received her BSc in Exercise and Health Physiology from the University of Calgary in 1999. Fiona has been working at the Repsol Sport Centre since 2003, first as a weight room attendant, then as a personal trainer. She also worked in the Lifemark Lindsay Park Physiotherapy from 2004-2005 as a kinesiologist. Fiona greatly enjoys working with people who have had injuries, hoping to improve their lifestyle with exercise while alleviating the pain of their injury.

Training Philosophy

“I believe in starting small with every client. Working on stabilization and balance and then building out from there to create a strong foundation.”–Fiona Yeoman.

Trainer Fun Facts

Fiona used to be a competitive swimmer, competing for the University of Calgary Varsity for 5 years. After retiring from swimming, Fiona tried her hand at running and triathlons. Currently she enjoys going cross country skiing, downhill skiing, water skiing and biking with her family.

Qualifications

• canfitpro PTS
• NCCP Level 1
• Revo2lution Running

Fitness History and Experience

Greg grew up spending most of his time in the mountains hiking, skiing, backpacking, etc. He also played hockey, baseball and soccer. He coached baseball and soccer in the past. His love for the outdoors led him to join the ski patrol and he was an active patroller for 15 years and first aid instructor for 12 of those. He was honored to be on the medical team in Whistler for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Training Philosophy

“My goal through continued education and growth is to help people to be better and fitter than they think they can be. To inspire the success and dreams of everyone I work with. And to make them believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it”–Greg Cooke.

Trainer Fun Facts

Greg was nominated as one of the Canadian Top Trainers for 2018. Greg is very passionate about running and is also a coach for Triathlon. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Human Kinetics
• Hollistic Nutrition Certified
• Fascial Stretch Therapy Level 1
• TRX
• canfitpro PTS

Fitness History and Experience

Kat’s background in sport and activity developed though her competitive hockey experiences and an array of sports such as basketball, soccer, badminton and snowboarding to name a few. She began her coaching career in high school, coaching girl’s hockey and continued through university. Since graduating from St. FX in 2011 with a BA in Human Kinetics Kat has gathered experience as an exercise therapist at a physiotherapy clinic and has been personal training since June 2011. Kat puts a strong emphasis on functional weight training so athletes and fitness enthusiasts can develop proper movement patterns and posture to excel their training and prevent any injuries. This past year at Repsol Sport Centre Kat has trained an abundance of clients, small groups and has coached the Aquabelles and Cascade swim groups for drylands training.

The past four years Kat has taken numerous courses to advance her knowledge for her clients. Between strength training, postural anatomy, program design, TRX R4 Team Trainer, fascial stretch therapy, and rehabilitation, Kat can use a combination of expertise to challenge and progress beginners or more advanced athletes. In her free time you can catch Kat pumping iron, long boarding, golfing, mountain biking , snowboarding, and just about anything to get active and outdoors!

Training Philosophy

 “I strive to educate people on functional movement patterns and help clients to apply sport to everyday life while motivating them to reach their goals faster than they could ever imagine and have fun doing so.”–Kat Fraser.

Trainer Fun Facts

Kat was nominated as one of the Top Canadian Trainers of 2018. Kat loves to travel and during her free time will head out to the mountains to hike or snowboard. 

Qualifications

• canfitpro PTS

Fitness History and Experience

Ken is a dedicated and passionate personal trainer who comes from an Olympic background.  Ken knows what it takes to be successful and his discipline and drive have helped him live his childhood dream. Ken has many years of experience in working with performance athletes and clients who suffer with back issues. He has rehabbed over 50+ backs during his training and coaching career. He intimately understands what it takes to succeed and knows how to bring his clients success no matter what their goals or present condition is.  

Training Philosophy

"Everyone is an athlete and only level varies, as people start where they start. I train everyone like an athlete, incorporating a sprint and jump mechanics movement pattern into the lifting pattern. My objective is to build a strong functional foundation of movement and strength and transferring that to sprinting, jumping, agility, as well as circuit training. The developed sprint and jump mechanics movement pattern also allows me to rehab backs, knees, shoulders, etc. This helps people get back to play or back to life faster and in a lot of cases stronger then they went in with the injury”–Kenneth Kotyk

Trainer Fun Facts

Ken is a very decorated bobsleigh Olympian who has won 3 gold, 3 silver and 5 Bronze medals in his bobsleigh career. Ken’s dedication, passion for excellence, and determination for results has allowed him to celebrate multiple successes with his clients. In his elite athletic career he has trained with some of the best coaches in the world.

Qualifications

• Bachelors of Exercise and Sport Science
• CSEP-CPT

Fitness History and Experience

Loreen earned a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences degree and has been working as a personal trainer at the Repsol Sport Centre since 2006. She takes a more holistic approach with her clients by considering their stress levels, sleep patterns, past injuries, nutrition and sources of motivation in creating a more personalized training program. With a focus on proper technique and safety, Loreen strives to make the training environment fun and comfortable, while ensuring her clients reach their goals.

Her greatest satisfaction comes when she has motivated a client to push beyond their own perceived abilities to accomplish goals they never thought were possible.

Training Philosophy

“I am committed to helping my clients become the best versions of themselves through safe, effective, and individualized programming. I enjoy the unique challenges each client presents and try to empower them with the knowledge and skills it takes to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. I approach my clients with a "Never Say Never" attitude, and that with hard work, commitment and dedication, they can achieve far more than they ever thought possible”–Loreen Mazur.

Trainer Fun Facts

As a former national rhythmic gymnastics team member, coach and provincial level judge, she has always been very active and now enjoys spending her time training and racing triathlons alongside her husband. Loreen has completed more Ironman’s than she can count in one hand. 

Trainer Qualifications

• Bachelor of Kinesiology
• canfitpro PTS
• Kickboxing Certified

Fitness History and Experience

With years of experience and education, Matteo has brought a variety of high performance athletes to their pinnacles, who are currently playing under popular leagues such as: CFL, FIFA, NFL, NCAA, CIS, NHL and the list is ongoing. Not only has he created a positive impression in the world of athletics but fitness as well. 

With respect to athletics, he has played every sport imaginable. One of his favorites is football (soccer). He has had previously played professional soccer in Italy’s second division (Series B), University-Level for the Mount Royal University Cougars (CIS), as well for the Canadian National Futsal 7 Team (IFA 7). Along with football Matteo has over a decade of Martial Arts experience more particularly in the sport of boxing.

Training Philosophy

“Lean, functional, athleticism and strength are the four foundational pillars that I focus on to help my clients reach their goals. I help my clients find happiness and satisfaction in challenging themselves, reaching their goals, and consciously making the decision to lead a healthier and happier life. Their positive thought will lead to positive actions and the outcome will be a positive result”.-Matteo Valdes

Trainer Fun Facts

Matteo speaks four languages. He comes from a very decorated elite performance background. Matteo played professional soccer in Italy and played at National level for the Canadian National Futsal Team. He is an experienced boxer who is very technically inclined, and besides working with clients as a Trainer, also runs Kickboxing classes. 

Qualifications

• American College of Sports Medicine CPT
• Functional Movement Systems - FMS
• Canadian Fitness Professionals CPT
• Master of Kickboxing - 5th degree black belt
• Tae Kwon Do - 4th degree black belt
• NGA certified master personal trainer

Specialization

MMA, Kickboxing, Strength and Conditioning, Hypertrophy, Weight Loss, and Overall Strength

Fitness History and Experience

Philip has over 26 years of fitness experience in personal training, martial arts instruction, and group conditioning programs. He has always been passionate about fitness, even building his own weight training machines and opening a gym in his native Uganda fresh out of college. He has worked in Canada for the past 20 years where he runs martial arts programs and is the creator of BodyReno Group Conditioning Program.

Fitness has always been a key focus for Philip, he is a former top-level athlete and was on both the Ugandan National Kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do teams, competing in many international events. 

Trainer Philosophy

"I am very fortunate to be doing what am doing, helping people realize their potential and bring their greatness through fitness.  If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you"-Philip Ndugga

Something Interesting About Yourself

Philip spends his summers improving educational opportunities for young children and their families in Uganda and East Africa through The Ssubi Foundation.

Please note: Philip Ndugga is not accepting clients at this time

Qualifications:

• canfitpro PTS
• CSEP-CPT
• Mount Royal Personal Fitness Training Diploma

Fitness History and Experience:

Priti began her education in 2015 with canfitpro PTS and continued on to Mount Royal University. She completed her diploma in Personal Fitness Training by June of 2018. She has worked with many athletes and high school groups focusing on performance testing such as VO2max, submaximal VO2, critical power, flexibility tests, muscular strength tests, muscular endurance tests, body composition and much more.

Priti enjoys working with clients who are new to the gym and want to gain experience in weightlifting. I am particularly interested in working with clients to help unleash the confidence and strength that they have

Training Philosophy

“My primary goal is to be an educator to my client. I provide challenging, safe and effective programming supported by my background in exercise physiology. I help my clients surpass their goals and increase their strength and confidence.”–Priti Sharma

Trainer Fun Facts

Not only is Priti an exceptional Trainer, she is also very talented artist and photographer.  Her love of fitness and health has driven her to pursue her Strength and Conditioning certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Physiotherapy
• Master Human Movement Sciences
• Master Sport & Exercise Psychology

Fitness History and Experience

Since 2010 Rafael has worked with athletes, coaches, and teams improving athletic performance for different sports and ages. With his degrees in physiotherapy and sport sciences Rafael has gained experience in the performance and rehabilitation realm. Due to his love for field hockey he got certified by the Dutch Royal Field Hockey Association as a field hockey coach and has been active as a field hockey coach until the end of 2017. 

Rafael is always driven to learn more about human movement and human performance in order to provide the best possible programs for athletes or any individual that has a desire to improve performance or lifestyle.

Training Philosophy

“I believe in keeping things simple. Treat your body as a whole, and don’t separate parts from it”–Rafael Gonzalez

Trainer Fun Facts

Rafael has a Spanish nationality but was born and raised in the Netherlands. From an early age Rafael has participated in a variety of sports, ranging from tennis, soccer and basketball, eventually leading to play field hockey in his adolescent years. In the summer of 2013, together with his girlfriend they cycled from Amsterdam to the north of Spain, completing a trip of 2000km. 

Qualifications

• Currently in Bachelor of Health and Physical Education
• Canfitpro PTS

Fitness History and Experience

Fitness and performance has always been a big part of Richards’s life. Since 2014 he has been extensively involved with creating strength and conditioning programming for the Calgary Saints Rugby Club. Being a player himself, he prides himself in staying fit and healthy in such a competitive contact sport. 

Richard has always had a passion to work with athletes and individuals looking to improve their fitness and reach a higher competitive level. 

Training Philosophy

“Always train with a purpose. What you put into to training is what you will get out and by regularly changing things up you will adapt the way you want to”- Richard Migneault.

Trainer Fun Facts

Richard is a team captain for the Calgary Saints Rugby Team. Richard is currently completing his Bachelors of Health and Physical Education. 

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Qualifications

• Master of Science in Sports Science/Kinesiology
• Bachelor of Arts in Sports Science/Kinesiology
• Certified Basketball Coach
• Completed Strongfirst Kettlebell Course
• Completed Strongfirst Barbell Course

Fitness History and Experience

Helping individuals achieve their goals has always been a passion for him. Since Roman was 16, he’s been educating others about how to improve their physical performance, health, and body composition, while relying on the most current scientific research.

His coaching career began in his teens when he was hired to train a youth team in basketball for a sports club. He knew he’d found his passion for coaching immediately. For years he played semi-professional basketball in Germany which helped him understand that besides his technical skill, physical skill is key for top performance. This motivated him to get an education that helped him understand this relationship and how to improve it.

Since he was fortunate enough to study at one of the elite universities in Germany, he enjoyed receiving a top education and also conducted a lot of research. While attending school, his university hired him as a fitness trainer and later as the Head of the Strength and Conditioning Department. Through those positions he learned how to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds including professional athletes. Through various internships he gathered a lot of knowledge regarding injury rehabilitation as well as wellness for elderly people. These experiences match his qualifications and help him to be an advocate and mentor for health and fitness. 

Since moving to Canada Roman has worked as a Personal Trainer in Red Deer. He won the Employee of the Year Award and was voted Personal Trainer of the Year 2017, voted by the Red Deer Express newspaper

Training Philosophy

“My true nature is to help others. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, there is always a way things can be done better and you can improve. I will meet you wherever you are and I will help you to get where you deserve to be. ”–Roman Thauern

Trainer Fun Facts

Roman absolutely loves art and besides coaching, music and painting is a favorite past-time of his.