The post Meet Courtney – Faces of Le Physique first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

A: Dietitian at one point – No joke! Otherwise, a writer was another option 🙂

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: The Seahorse apparently 🙂

The post Meet Helen first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Q: What do you do and how long have you been involved in the (health / fitness / sports / wellness) industry?

A: I am currently studying Kinesiology (Biomedical Sciences) at Simon Fraser University and working at Le Physique as the Client Care Manager as well as Jr. Kinesiologist.  I have been playing varieties of sports since a kid. But if you are talking about the industry, I am still a newbie.

Q: What inspired you to do what you do?

A: I guess is me being way underweight 3 years ago. This has impacted my health so much until I seek for professional. Now, I am healthy and strong!

Q: What are your favourite things about fitness / health / sports / Kinesiology?

A: Alway able to challenge myself!

Q: Outside of work, where can people most often find you?

A: Home or school or my friends house

Q: Favourite hobby?

A: Cooking or meal prep! I’m always looking forward to what I eat to fuel my body.

Q: What’s your favourite music

A: General pop

Q: What’s your favourite exercise?

A: The squat!

Q: what are 3 things people don’t know about you?

– I use every tech stuff from Apple (yes, the Apple eco system)

– I’m a super introvert

– I was born in Hong Kong 🙂

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: I want to become a police officer because they look cool

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: Dragon I guess. It’s my Chinese zodiac animal

Q: Favourite TV show?

A: Currently, it’s “Money Heist”

Q: If you could be on any reality TV show what would it be?

A: Master Chef

Q: Celebrity crush?

A: I’m going to keep it private 😉

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Gooey double chocolate cookie and brownie + vanilla ice cream

The post Meet Andrea first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Q: What’s your role at Le Physique and how long have you been working here?

A: I am a Kinesiolgist at Le Physique. I started 2 and a half years ago as a Co-Op student from UBC and made my way through the ranks, combining the theoretical knowledge gained during studying, with application in working with clients on a daily basis.

Q: What inspired you to study kinesiology?

A: Ever since high school I was interested in how the body moves and how peak performance can be achieved. I played ultimate frisbee and which sparked my interest in human kinetics and strength & conditioning. Kinesiology was a natural path to take when deciding what to study at university.

Q: What is your favourite things about working at Le Physique?

A: I enjoy seeing my clients grow with each session they attend. It is really rewarding to see clients improve their strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, prior injuries and perform tasks they never thought they could do. 

Q:  Outside of work, where can people most often find you?

A: Paddling in False Creek! Either in a dragon boat or outrigger canoe.

Q:What’s your favourite exercise?

A: Barbell clean and press

Q: What’s your favourite muscle?

A: Pectoralis Major

Q: What are 3 things people don’t know about you?

A: 1) I wear shorts year round (sunny, rain, snow = shorts)

2) I learned how to swim 5 months ago

3) I ate Mcdonalds everyday in the summer of 09 and gained 20 lbs. In the following year, I was determined to turn things around, bought a gym pass and got back into shape!

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: Male model for Calvin Klein

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: The lion. It represents courage and strength in overcoming difficulties (according to an online quiz).

Q: If you could be on any TV game show what would it be?

A:  The Bachelor

The post Meet Kevin Kwok first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

The post Meet Pichada Wangsangthong first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Introducing Shadow, our friendly neighbourhood office dog! We sat down with him for a little Q&A over some coffee and doggy treats. Here’s our interview:

Q: How old and what breed of dog are you?

A: I’m 11 years old (12 coming in April) and a West Highland White Terrier

Q: What’s your role at Le Physique?

A: Oh, my job is very important. I make sure everyone inside is safe by barking at all dogs, tall people with black hats or pushing noisy carts and especially everyone’s favourite mailman, Wayne. For some reason, the role of Care Aide falls to me, as I see my patients on the floor sweating and panting. Sometimes they even make sounds. I’m not sure why they’re doing this but clearly my people don’t care about my patients for allowing them to lay there without kisses. My people are so lazy.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about hanging out at Le Physique?

A: Mom’s there and I have lots of aunties and uncles to talk to! I really love sunbathing on the Pilates reformer, I mean, working out on the reformer.

Q: Where can people most often find you?

A: At work, on the reformer, on the couch or patrolling the grounds. At home, patrolling (I am committed to my purpose in life), watching for squirrels on the couch or hiking all over the North Shore with mom and dad on Sundays.

Q: What’s your adoption story?

A: I remember hanging out with my brothers and sister (there were 6 of us) under a playground in the shade and a couple big people picked me up. I liked their vibe so I went home with them – the rest is history! Now how I got my name…that’s a story!

Q: Favourite hobby?

A: Patrolling. I do love a good game of “ball in the hall” with mom and dad, but they’re not very good throwers in the common area hallway. I love bugging my mom with my deadly “laser eyes stare” and just bugging her in general. I also love a good spa day. Self-care, it’s all the rage this year.

Q: Favourite food?

A: Meat.

Q: Do you have a Pet Peeve? (No pun intended!)

A: When I sense mom and dad getting ready to go out, and I go to the trouble of getting ready, be on time and I’m at the door before they are, but the leave me at home anyways. So rude.

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: A wolf. Or a cat. A wolf-cat.

Q: Favourite holiday and why?

A: Christmas because everyone is happy!

Q: Who’s your celebrity crush?

A: Catherine Zeta-Bones is so classy! But Nigella Pawson’s cooking… (the way to a man’s heart!)

Q: What do you do when you’re home alone?

A: Patrol. Sleep. Bark. Repeat.

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Telling raccoons who’s boss. I’m a tough old man, you know!

Q: Where does the name “Shadow” come from?

A: That’s a long story… If you want to know, you’ll have to ask Mom!

The post Meet Shadow the Hedgehog first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Introducing James! If you’ve stopped by Le Physique in the afternoons, you were most likely greeted by this guy. Learn more about him in the Q&A below!

Q: What’s your role at Le Physique?

A: I’m the Client Care Manager and Cardio Trainer. I take care of all the admin work, greet clients and prescribe cardio programs. I am currently a Kinesiology at UBC.

Q: What inspired you study kinesiology?

A: I’ve always been interested in how the human body works. Even as a kid. I would go to the library and look up anatomy and physiology.

Q: What is your favourite thing about working at Le Physique?

A: I like the culture. It’s very client centred and everyone looks after each other and cares for each other’s well being. It’s all about seeing people’s personal growth!

Q: Favourite hobby?

A: Muay Thai & playing around with computer parts

Q: What’s your favourite music?

A: R&B

Q: What’s your favourite exercise?

A: Weighted pull ups

Q: What’s your favourite muscle?

A: Latissimus Dorsi

Q: What are 3 things people don’t know about you?

A: I’m a dog person. I have perfect pitch. I have a collection of pocket knives.

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: Growing up I wanted to be a doctor, specifically a toxicologist because I liked poison for some reason.

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: Otter

Q: Celebrity crush?

A: Chris Hemsworth is my man crush.

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Eating fried food

The post Faces of Le Physique: James Hsin first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Meet Oona, one of the kinesiologists at Le Physique! Here’s a little Q&A to get to know her better:

Q: What’s your role at Le Physique?

A: I’m a kinesiologist and studio coordinator. So I look after the clients face-to-face and behind the scenes, making sure everything is running smoothly.

Q: What inspired you study kinesiology?

A: I initially went into kinesiology because I love sports. I also have an intrigue for how the human body moves, functions and how we can train it to its optimal ability. And I don’t want to do computer science 😉

Q: What is your favourite thing about working at Le Physique?

A: Working with a variety of wonderful clients! I also really like the Le Physique community where everyone is family.

Q: Outside of work, where can people most often find you?

A: At the basketball courts!

Q: What’s your favourite music?

A: A little bit of everything except country music. I do like riding the mechanical bull though.

Q: What’s your favourite exercise?

A: Deadlifts

Q: What’s your favourite muscle?

A: Gluteus Minimus

Q: What are 3 things people don’t know about you?

A: I lived in England, Ireland, Spain and Hong Kong. I taught myself how to play guitar through YouTube. I longboard to work.

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: Jaguar

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Watching The Bachelorette and The Bachelor

The post Meet Oona Otobor first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Meet Josie, one of the kinesiologists at Le Physique!

Q: What inspired you to study kinesiology?

A: I grew up playing a lot of sports – hockey, volleyball, basketball, you name it. It was a very natural path for me to study Kinesiology in university. 

Q: What is your favourite thing about working at Le Physique?

A: The people. I really enjoy working one-on-one with clients helping them progress in their training goals or rehabbing their injury.

Q: What’s your favourite exercise?

A: Squats. There are so many variations to play around with.

Q: Outside of work, where can people most often find you?

A: Hiking and camping in the mountains with my dog.

Q: Favourite hobby?

A: Photography. Shameless promotion… check out my portfolio! 

Q: What’s your favourite music?

A: Classic rock, swing, big band music and traditional folk. Basically, the old stuff.

Q: What are 3 things people don’t know about you?

A: 1) I like manatees. 2) Cake and sushi are my favourite foods. 3) If I could go back to any era, I’d choose the 1920s for the jazz.

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: An NHL player! Or a firefighter.

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: Sloth.

Q: Favourite TV show?

A: Murdoch Mysteries!

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Sleeping in and binging reality TV shows.

Q: Celebrity crush?

A: Probably Chris Pratt.

The post Meet Josie Chow first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.

Meet Kamal, currently the only male Kinesiologist on our team’s roster. Bet you didn’t know he’s a Star Wars fan and is a pretty philosophical guy. Read his Q&A below!

Q: What’s your role at Le Physique?

A:  I help people build confidence around their body through movement and teaching. You are going to be stronger and it’s my job to set it up in a progressive, logical next step process and next thing you know you’re going to have all this knowledge, fitness and strength. My role is to empower.

Q: What inspired you to work in this field?

A: When I was young, my father died early from a heart attack. He had all the symptoms and he would tell me things like “this is tingling” or “I feel off.” When he died I took it really hard. Initially I wanted to be a doctor but the idea of helping people when they are healthy and being preventative appealed to me.

Q: What is your favourite thing about working at Le Physique?

A:  At Le Physique, I love knowing I can come to work and do what I do best, which is train my clients. I really enjoy the personal connection with people that I’m helping and working as a kinesiologist really lines up with my personal beliefs.

Q: Outside of work, where can people most often find you?

A: With my kids

Q: What’s your favourite exercise?

A: Military Press

Q: What’s your favourite muscle?

A: Adductor longus

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: An astronomer! I wanted to know everything about the universe!

Q: What’s your spirit animal?

A: Stallion

Q: Favourite TV show?

A: Star Wars: Rebels

Q: If you could be on any TV reality show what would it be?

A: I don’t want to be on a TV show! But if I had to choose, I’d say Wheel of Fortune.

Q: Celebrity crush? 

A: Kate Upton

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: Dark Chocolate 70%

Q: Pet peeve?

A:  Surprises

Q: Favourite hobby?

A: Listening to audiobooks & podcasts, and philosophizing.

The post Meet Kamal Shah first appeared on Le Physique | Vancouver Personal Training.