Melissa is a certified athletic therapist, strength and conditioning specialist, and nutrition coach.

Growing up as a multi sport athlete I found a passion for fitness at an early age. I first began stepping into the weight room at age 14 but as a female in a male dominated space I struggled to find my lane. On one hand, I had a desire to improve my sport performance but on the other I felt like I was supposed to shrink myself. Airbrushed magazine covers and media told me that the thinner I was, the more attractive and valuable I would be. For a long time I thought cardio and ab exercises were the way to go. When it came to strength training I didn’t have a female role model to identify with. It wasn’t until college, while pursuing my bachelors degree in athletic therapy, where I started studying exercise as a tool for both sport performance and rehabilitation where I really hit my stride. I was able to shift my focus from trying to shrink myself to gaining strength and muscle mass. This journey led me to a new found confidence and passion I feel compelled to share with the world. My mission in life is to help as many people develop a healthy and confident relationship with fitness.
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I have coached people for 8 years from all walks of life. From high level athletes, to people recovering from orthopaedic surgeries, and everyone in between. I teach people how to move efficiently to decrease pain, risk of injury, and improve their quality of life.

Hi, I'm Melissa!

Growing up as a multi sport athlete I found a passion for fitness at an early age.

I have coached people for 8 years from all walks of life. From high level athletes, to people recovering from orthopaedic surgeries, and everyone in between. I teach people how to move efficiently to decrease pain, risk of injury, and improve their quality of life.

My Training Philosophies

Love What You Do

There are many different ways I can construct a program to achieve a desired outcome. I believe in creating something that not only helps you accomplish your goals, but that makes you fall in love with the process along the way. Mental health is an important part of any physical transformation. If we are constantly fixated on the end result then we struggle to find happiness along the way. I teach all of my clients how to shift their perspective to value themselves and their training at all times throughout their journey.

Periodized Training & Progressive Overload

There is value in repetition. All of my clientele follow periodized programming to track their progress. This is the most efficient way to reach your goals. Random workouts can be fun but won’t produce nearly the same results as a structured program.

Education

I believe that fitness and education go hand in hand. You wouldn’t expect a 1st grader to enrol in high school courses without first learning the fundamentals. Similarly, you shouldn’t expect your body to perform advanced exercises without building a strong foundation. I never advance any of my clientele until they can demonstrate the basic fundamental movement patterns.

Pain Free Training

There is a difference between muscle soreness and injury. It is imperative that your workouts are helping to build you up and not break you down. If you start a program that is too advanced for your current fitness levels you are putting your body at risk for injury. I work with my clients to modify any exercises they cannot complete without pain.

My Nutrition Philosophies

I Don't Do Meal Plans

I believe in teaching a person to plant seeds rather than giving them food for the day. I focus on helping all of my clients to make informed decisions to create a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

Slow & Steady

Too many times I have had clients tell me that have tried x diet but couldn’t stick to it only to become discouraged and give up all together. I work with my clientele to slowly introduce new habits so that they’re not overwhelmed.

Everyone Is Unique

I don’t believe in a one size fits all approach when it comes to nutrition. Some clients do extremely well counting calories, macros and weighing themselves everyday while the same practices can completely destroy someone else’s mental health. I make informed decisions on a case by case basis after conducting a thorough assessment of each individual.