It’s a pleasure to meet you!

I started running as a small child.  As the family stories go, each evening after dinner I  would jump down out of my chair and start running laps around the house.  My running passion has continued through my adult life, regularly participating in 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon events. 

I am an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified Personal Trainer.  I have a degree in Occupational Therapy and have worked for many years in rehabilitation both in hospitals and in the private sector.  My speciality certifications include Osteofit, Mat Pilates, Weight Training, Older Adult & Aquatic Fitness.

Being a long-time lover of fitness, I made a career change from rehabilitation into the fitness world as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  After moving to the Sunshine Coast BC, my dream of starting a fitness company came true with the launch of Suncoastfit. 

Leaning on my expertise as an occupational therapist, I  love working with clients of all ages and levels of fitness,  helping them thrive in their lives.

One of my favourite forms of exercise, both as an instructor and as a participant is Mat Pilates.  The benefits of Pilates include an increase strength in the core muscles (which helps prevent injury during other activities), improved posture, and mind-body connection.  I also teach Osteofit, which is a class designed by the BC Women's Hospital Osteoporosis Program. 

My first Walker to 30 Minute Runner participant was my husband Todd. 

Todd had been active when young, playing hockey, running, and skiing. Over the years, his weight had inched up, his job was largely sedentary and requiring a lot of travel, and with a young family, finding time to stay fit was a challenge. This is a common story for many people. Injuries over the years had taken their toll, including a compound fracture to his right leg from a snowmobile accident. We  embarked on a “Walker to Runner” program in our local park, which had a trail loop of about 1.5k. I suggested we start with five-minute walk intervals and 30-second run intervals. After each outing we very gradually increased the run time and decreased the walk time. Both of us remember very clearly the first day Todd was able to complete one full loop through our favorite trails, doing 1.5 kilometres of non-stop running. It was a high-five moment.  We continued to build on this, entering 5k, 10k, and half marathon events together.