Our Team

We are passionate about our Kinesiologists! Team work, education, experience and personality set our staff apart from the competition.

Nicole Yamanaka (VP)

Nicole has worked with one of BC’s leading fitness gyms as a top achiever with several awards in personal training and customer service. Her passion is to motivate, educate and expand the minds of her clients and students to achieve more than just physical fitness. Nicole draws from her background and varied experiences such as yoga, rock climbing, kickboxing and pilates, to provide fun alternatives to “traditional exercises.”

Education
2001 – B.Sc. Kinesiology SFU
2008 BCRPA Personal Trainer of the Year
2009 W Network Expert Search Semi-Finalist for Health and Fitness

Sports / Activities
Snowboarding
Climbing
Rollerblading

Other skills
Fitness Education Lecturer and Corporate Speaker
Pole Dance Instructor

Philosophy / Favourite Quote
“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Mathatma Ghandi

“I LOVE being a Kinesiologist and Personal Trainer. I am blessed to have enthusiasm for my career and passion for my clients. Health and fitness is a way of life, it’s an attitude.”

Brian Yamanaka (CFO)

Brian has been active in the fitness industry since 1997. He stays fit through a variety of sports ranging from hockey to snowboarding to golf. As a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Brian has trained a range of clients from celebrities to recreational soccer players to elite level figure skaters and hockey players. His personal and professional experience in sports enables him to connect with, and motivate his clients to push to the next level.

Education and Certifications
2000 – B.Sc. Kinesiology SFU
2002 – NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
ACE Certified Exercise Specialist
ACE Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist

Client / Specialty
Sport specific / performance based training
I love working with clients with an internally motivated drive to succeed

Philosophy / Favourite Quote
“If you want to see results, be dedicated to yourself. Have the desire and be determined to see it through. If you put everything you have into reaching your goals, you can’t be disappointed, you can never fail.”

“As technology makes our lives easier and more efficient, physical activity is even more important for the single reason that we all get more done with less effort.”

Denise MacKenzie (Kinesiologist)

Denise originally from Nova Scotia, she completed two degrees and made her way towards the West Coast. Denise knew from an early age that her interests would always involve physical fitness and extending her knowledge of the human body. It was during her first degree that her passion only grew. This passion lead her to study Athletic Therapy and work in multiple clinic settings to gain experience and understanding of injuries in relation to their effect on the human body. Denise is a true believer in the importance of proper active recovery and physical fitness. She aspires to never stop learning or trying new exercises to provide her clients with a wide variety of fitness options.

Education
2010 – BSc in Applied Health & Kinesiology with a Major in Athletic Therapy – University of Winnipeg
2007 – B. Sc in Kinesiology – St Francis Xavier University

Sports / Activities
Volleyball
Basketball
Hockey
Softball
Football
Kettlebells

Favourite Quotes
“A life lived for others is a life worth while.”

“There is no such thing as diets only lifestyle changes!”

David Hendry (Kinesiologist)

David (Administrative Director and Rehabilitation Assistant) is a graduate of Simon Fraser University. Experienced in health promotion and studying the social determinants of health, David focused his efforts to fitness and rehabilitation. Realizing the rewards that come with helping his clients reduce pain, bounce back from injury and have success in weight loss and strength gain, he is passionate about training clients that are new to exercise. Those who need the most guidance, education, encouragement and TLC to adopt fitness into their lives. A community conscious individual, David currently works on local campaigns to defend public services such as transit and health care in the Lower Mainland.

Education
M.Sc. Physical Therapy – UBC (pending 2012)
2005 – B.Sc Kinesiology from SFU

Experience
I have dealt with my own share of chronic injuries which have demonstrated to me the great importance of good health and the role in which fitness and rehabilitation can play in improving the quality of people’s lives.

Philosophy / Favourite Quote
“Human Progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the timeless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” MLK. Jr.

Jeff Hau (Kinesiologist)

Jeff has been in the fitness industry since 2007. During this period of time, he has been working at elite performance studios in Vancouver training clients of various backgrounds and athletic abilities; from rehabilitation to marathon runners and even triathletes. He was also the trainer for the SFU men’s hockey team for 2 seasons before graduating from SFU with a degree in Kinesiology. His principle is to live everyday to the fullest, life is too short and time is moving, we should be moving rather than sitting still!

Education and Certifications
2009 – B.Sc. Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
CASI (Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors) – Snowboard Instructor Examiner, Freestyle Instructor
CADS ( Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing) – Snowboard and Ski Instructor

Sports/Activities
Running
Cycling
Triathlon
Snowboarding
Yoga
Surfing

Favorite Quotes
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying” – Michael Jordan
“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope” – Oscar Wilde

Jerrad Guenther (Kinesiologist)

Jerrad originally from Winnipeg, graduated from the University of Winnipeg. Soccer has been at the forefront with 3 Provincial Championships and 3 National Championship appearances in Kelowna, Halifax and Montreal. Currently, he is playing ultimate-frisbee and is now engaged in the disc sport community, competing on two teams. In addition, he is training as a traceur in parkour. The goal in parkour is to move swiftly and efficiently through an urban environment, acquiring skills such as: jumping, running, climbing, vaulting, scaling and swinging. Understanding the benefits of exercise as a part of everyday life, Jerrad is determined to promote physical activity, create innovative exercise programs and make a difference in the lives of others. His friendly and easygoing nature makes staying active fun and enjoyable.

Education and Certifications
2011 – B.Sc. Exercise Science; University of Winnipeg
2011 – Certified Personal Trainer; Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
2011 – CPR & AED; Red Cross Health Care Provider

Sports and Activities
Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
Skiing
Parkour
Football
Hockey

Philosophy / Favourite Quote
Play to win, don’t play not to lose. – Herb Guenther

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. – Vince Lombardi

Nick Proulx (Kinesiologist)

Nic got his start in the fitness industry with a co-op position at Le Physique and will be graduating from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Kinesiology in the spring of 2012. Nic has lived in Vancouver for most of his life. It was quite apparent from the ball and baseball bat being carried around at 18 months of age, that Nic had a passion for sports and athletics. This passion for sports evolved into one for the human body and for fitness. Growing up Nic played hockey, baseball and volleyball at provincial levels. Nic loves the challenges that comes with personal training and is always looking for new and unique ways to challenge clients.

Education and Certifications
BSc Kinesiology SFU – Spring 2012

Sports and Activities
Hockey
Baseball
Volleyball
Racquetball
Badminton
Golf

Philosophy / Favourite Quote
‘’ I never thought of losing, but now that it’ s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.‘’ – Muhammad Ali

“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies… It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.” – Albert Einstein