Why did you choose canfitpro?
I chose canfitpro because I like the way course information is delivered and I knew a number of folks in the industry whom I trust who had taken their certification through canfitpro.
What is your “why”. Why have you chosen this profession?
My ‘WHY’ is to increase LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit +) Fitness Accessibility.
As a non-binary queer person, I have struggled to connect and have a positive relationship with my body for many years. Fitness literally saved my life in helping to form a healthy, safe connection with my body that was free from gender, and focused on what my body could DO.
Unfortunately, I experienced much homo and transphobia on this journey to reconnect, so I figured it was time to fulfill my life-long (albeit secret) desire of becoming a personal trainer and open a gym where all queer, trans and non-binary people could safely and comfortably take care of their health and wellness needs.
I have now done just that! I am fulfilling my WHY every day!
What gets you excited to go to work each day?
Knowing that I am giving someone from my community an opportunity to experience their body in a safe way – clients have told me I am helping them heal from trauma and feel like they matter in the world. Like they deserve to be here. Knowing I have the ability to impact someone on such a life-changing and life-changing scale makes me humbled, honoured and so lit up.
I’m not going to ‘work’ – I’m showing up for my community.
What do you enjoy the most about what you do?
The people who give me the honour of walking a path to wellness with them.
I would say my ‘clients’, but they are more than just ‘clients’ – they are dear friends, chosen family and people who collectively work together so all LGBTQIA2S+ people our community can not only survive, but thrive.
Is there another part of your story that you would like to share?
Though I have only been in business a little over a year, I have already received a Human Rights Award for the work I am doing with my gym, which is the 1st of it’s kind in Canada, as well as a number of other community awards. 2017 has been a good year for QUEERFLEX!
