My Journey and Why I Do What I Do

Thank you for visiting my website!

When looking for a fitness instructor or fitness classes, I believe you need to know 2 things:

1. What kind of experience they have and are they qualified to teach specific classes, and
2. Why do they do what they do

My Experience

– I have over 25 years of experience in the Fitness and Wellness industry.  My journey began in Jan 1995, when I became certified as a group fitness Instructor with the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, (AFLCA).

YOGA INSTRUCTOR – In 2006, I received my first certification in Yoga. To date,  I am a 500 +hour Registered Yoga Teacher with full certifications in:

• Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Pain Care Yoga, Restorative Yoga and
• Level 1 iRest Yoga Nidra.

PERSONAL TRAINER – In 2008, I received my Personal Training Certification through CanFitPro.  This means I am qualified to:

• Evaluate my client’s needs in physical activity and
• Provide the client with a safe and effective exercise plan based on their needs, abilities, and goals.

LIFE COACH, MEDITATION & REIKI – In 2013, I received my first certification in Life Coaching, and in 2018,  I completed my Coaching Certification with the Certified Coaches Federation (CCF).  In 2015, I became a certified Meditation Coach, and in 2018, a certified Reiki practitioner.

TEACH THE TEACHERS! – Since 2005, I am also an Assistant Trainer for the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, which authorizes me teach others to teach fitness instructors.

Want to learn WHY I do what I do?  Here is my journey

Although I had played sports when I was younger, I was never a star player or athlete and clearly wasn’t all that motivated because, in my high school years, I dropped out of all sport activities and started a much more sedentary life. I came from a family that loved to eat and all of our activities and family functions centered around food. I was doomed to gain weight…and sure enough, I did.

Health issues and yo-yo dieting

It wasn’t long before I began to experience many different health issues in my body (debilitating migraine headaches, stomach problems, and a back problem that would often leave me bed-ridden for days) I joined weight watchers and a ladies gym when I was 18 years old more to help me lose weight as I felt fat, and thought that I looked terrible too. I lost some weight, began to feel better, and even though the pain and discomfort I still endured due to my many health issues were still present – it was something I could manage. After all, wasn’t that just a part of life?

Life went on, I was up and down with my weight, I would go to the gym sometimes, but not regularly. When my weight crept up, I would start eating better & go to the gym. When I felt good again and my weight was comfortable I would start eating all the food I had deprived myself of and I would eventually stop going to the gym. This was my pattern for years.

When I was 22 years old, I got married (and of course I ate well and worked out -all to fit into my wedding dress and for my wedding day) and then, true to my patterns gained weight once again, after my wedding. I always had my limits – that max weight I would allow myself to get to before once again hopping back onto the “eat well and workout” train. During all this time, my migraines persisted, my stomach issues worsened and my back was “going out” on me more often than not.

Baby weight and better habits!

Then, I got pregnant. I was determined to take care of myself and this baby. Then, I found out I was having twins! Wow! 2 of them!! I took very good care of myself and my babies while I was pregnant – I ate well, rested often, and even though I couldn’t work out very much (twins were considered a high-risk pregnancy) I did stay as active as I was allowed to. I gain a fair amount of weight with the twins, but I was healthy (and so were my girls – they weighed 5’9 & 6’1) and during my pregnancy, my back rarely went out on me and my migraines and stomach issues weren’t as bad either. Being pregnant with twins was incredibly uncomfortable (to say the least) but I took very good care of myself during that time – so my other “issues” didn’t add to this discomfort.

Motherhood and a journey into fitness

Then…I am all of a sudden a Mother of 2 babies! Life as you can imagine was crazy, beautiful, emotional, challenging, and never the same again! Life was no longer about me! This of course was a process but what I eventually realized, as I slid back into my old patterns and behaviors around eating and exercising – was that motherhood didn’t allow me to shut myself into a bedroom for 2 days when I got a migraine, my babies didn’t care that my stomach issues were flaring up again, and the help I required from so many people when my back went out on me – was not something I wanted to impose on anyone – plus, it took me away from taking care of my babies.

I had been blessed with a supportive family who helped me out and encouraged me to go to the gym a few times a week, and this “break” was just what this new young mom needed! I loved the group fitness classes – they motivated me so much and given I did not have a lot of time to spend at the gym – these classes gave me everything I needed to keep me going! I loved these classes!!! Looking back – they were my lifeline!

My favorite instructor (mentor) approached me one day and recommended I take the course to become an instructor and if I did – she would give me a class to teach…That is all the push I needed. And this is when my fitness journey began, Jan 1995 I was enrolled in my first group fitness certification course J

Finding my niche and a healthy lifestyle

It didn’t take me long to realize, I had found my niche. I was quiet and shy my whole life, and I was mediocre in school – but get me teaching a fitness class and I was a whole new person! I loved learning about the body, I loved learning about movement, I had found something I loved doing and was passionate about for the first time in my life and I wanted to share it with the world! I wanted to help women who struggled like I did. My mentor stayed true to her promise and I was given a class to teach once a week – that one class eventually turned into 12 classes a week and 25 years later!

Eventually, my migraines and back issues were less severe, my stomach issues were improving (when I ate well – this was still a struggle) and my energy level with 2 young kids was amazing – a few years later, I had my third baby – another girl – I was back teaching 5 weeks after she was born. I had a part-time job that I loved and kept me fit & sane AND I could raise my 3 young daughters.

Up on a stage, smiling and teaching BUT… I felt like a fraud

In 2002, I was introduced to Yoga. It was a similar experience, another mentor guiding me in that direction and again, I found my niche! Another passion! These 2 passions blended well together and my children were growing up and I could start to focus some more time on these passions!

Yoga came into my life at a very stressful time in my life. Meditation followed shortly afterward and these 2 amazing practices together were very instrumental in helping me to leave a marriage that was very unhealthy for me.

I now found myself a single mother of 3 daughters and needing to go out into the workforce full-time. I did not want to give up my fitness and Yoga classes so my next step was to take my personal training certifications. My career of health and fitness was taking on a life of its own and I loved every minute of it. I was meeting and training amazing people, I was teaching large groups of fitness and yoga classes and I was raising my 3 girls. My life looked like it was pretty darn sweet on the outside. I got up on that stage to teach every day & I know so many women wished for what I appeared to have. I looked like I had it all…but I did not. I felt like a fraud.

I was struggling. Mentally and emotionally

I was drowning. Every single day I was just trying to keep my head above water. I was battling anxiety attacks every day. I kept to a regular routine to help me try to control my anxiety, as long as I didn’t venture too far off of what I knew, I could kind of control them. I had my excuses all ready as to why I couldn’t go somewhere or be at a meeting or had to leave places early. I still managed to take courses and continue with my education, but not without situating myself right beside the door and an excuse for my instructor already in place so I could escape early if I needed to. I couldn’t even enjoy a relaxing massage without an attack coming on. I was a prisoner to my anxiety, I was trapped. I felt completely lost.

I may have mastered my physical body and its ailments, but my mental and emotional states were suffering and I honestly believe if I didn’t have my classes and yoga to teach and these amazing people/clients in my life – that I would have gone insane. They kept me sane enough to know that something had to change in my life. I had a new desire now, to get my mental and emotional state as healthy as my physical body. This led me to step out of my comfort zone and enroll in some meditation classes. Best thing I ever did. This was definitely my next best step. I was beginning my mental and emotional healing.

Meditation…a new passion and a full, balanced life

Life went on, as it always does, I was continually upgrading my certifications in group fitness, yoga and personal training. Meditation had such a profound effect on my life that I then went on to get certified to teach it to others. This then led me to dive fully into Life Coaching and mindset health. I, myself am now over 50 and in the best shape of my life. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, energetically and spiritually. My life’s work and my own inner journey have come together.

No more migraines, no more weight issues, no more debilitating back issues. No more anxiety attacks or mental and emotional breakdowns. I live a life now, which I love. My life is not without challenges or obstacles but I have a balance in my life now that allows me to respond to life in a way that honors its flow. I can be happy no matter what chaos is happening around me. My inner peace is my anchor.

I love what I do and I want to share and help others

My career has been one step at a time, all in the direction of Wellness of both myself and others. There is so much about my career that I am proud of and so incredibly grateful for. My retreats and workshop on personal development have been so incredibly rewarding and life-changing for both myself and others. I am so blessed to be able to offer my passions to so many people who I see making major improvements in their lives! I am truly humbled and honored to be a part of their growth and self-improvement. I am so fortunate to be working in an environment, with so many positive and energetic people, willing to find their own inner peace, and I am very fortunate to be doing what I love to do!

Be well

Leslie

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