OUR TEAM
We are an award-winning multi-discipline team brought together to create pathways to better health for people living in bodies of all sizes, ages, abilities & identities through physical activity and strength training.
FITNESS
Ace Rodriguez CSEP-CPT
Fitness Professional
Ace (they/them) is a queer and trans CSEP Certified Personal Trainer who’s passionate about exploring the fun and silliness in movement. Their approach centres on curiosity, self-compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel good in their body and confident in how they move.
Their primary focus is working with the queer community, neurodiverse individuals, those living with chronic pain, and/or anyone who enjoys non-traditional forms of exercise.
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Ace understands that many people have had a complicated relationship with fitness. Through their own experience of transitioning and recognizing the lack of queer and trans representation in their local fitness community, they became passionate about creating a space rooted in belonging and acceptance. Ace strives to make movement feel accessible, empowering, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone — no matter your starting point. They believe that movement is a powerful tool for connection and healing, and are driven to help others (re)discover a relationship with physical activity that feels positive, supportive, and sustainable.
Alisha Thompson BA BSc
Strength Coach
Alisha (she/her) has a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a specialisation in addictions and youth counselling. She is a certified Personal Trainer and Emergency Medical Responder. Alisha received her Pro Strongwomen card in 2021 and currently ranks in the Top 10 Women in Canada in Highland Games.
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Alisha was no stranger to the gym as a powerful, explosive athlete and was never in a smaller body despite trying to fit into the size box of her peers.
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Alisha was always active in sports when she was in school, first as an avid Figure Skater turned Hockey player in High School then took up Rugby in University. She coached Pee Wee Girls hockey and joined the volunteer fire department for 2 years. Alisha also worked as a counsellor at a K-12 school where she developed and ran programming for girls who were struggling with self image. Like with team sports, this made her feel part of a community and being part of something bigger than herself.
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Originally from the East Coast (New Brunswick), Alisha relocated to Alberta about 15 years ago and started to meet like minded people. She was going to a regular gym when she came across Strongman on a whim.
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Alisha did her first competition in 2016 and was immediately hooked. She began competing with amazing women and men of all shapes and sizes and despite being an individual sport it made her part of a community again.
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“I started feeling strong and realized the merit in what my body can do rather than how it looked.”
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Her motivation and drive to be a coach comes from helping people see what their body can do for them – not just what it looks like. Capabilities are often overshadowed by our minds' ability to tell us we are not good enough but with the right guidance and confidence we can all accomplish many things we never thought possible.
Marie Young CSEP-CPT
Fitness Professional
Marie (she/her) was born and raised in the small town of Lourdes on the west coast of Newfoundland. She has called Calgary home for the past 15 years along with her teenage daughter and golden doodle.
Marie had a passion for fitness and being active in her youth but found herself living a more sedentary lifestyle until about ten years ago. Since then, she has been able to prove to herself that anything is possible and overcome many years of debilitating back and knee pain through strength training.
While she was regaining her confidence in fitness, Marie decided to go back to school and complete the 2-year Personal Fitness Training program at Mount Royal University. This is where she discovered her calling to help people feel better about themselves and live a life with less pain and more functionality through fitness.
Marie is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She recognises that there is a need to support marginalised populations and believes that every single human being has the right to access fitness and live happy, healthy and rich lives.
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Marie is an early bird with availability for private and small group training starting at 6am.
Krista ‘KJ’ Johnston ACE-CPT
Fitness Professional
KJ (she/her) started out as a client of a personal trainer for a few years and fell in love with the way they helped her achieve her goals and the way they made her feel during and after they were achieved.
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KJ wanted to do that for other people, so headed back to school and received her diploma in the Personal Fitness Training program from Elevated Learning Academy. Graduating with honours in 2018.
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“I know how hard it is to get to your goals when you feel like you're drowning just waking up in the morning.”
Since then KJ has helped many people overcome injuries, feel better in their bodies and minds and continue to see progress hitting their goals. Adding Functional Fitness Specialist and Postural Correction Coach to her resume.
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As a mama of two, it is KJs passion above all to help other moms struggling with motivation to strengthen their bodies, minds and stay active and healthy, because she was once in that position and knows how hard it is to get to your goals when you feel like you're drowning just waking up in the morning.
David Campbell ACE-CPT
Fitness Professional
Meet Coach Campbell (he/him), your steadfast ally in the pursuit of greatness. Born and raised in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, his life’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of embracing a holistic approach to health.
With a lifelong passion for rugby, he’s experienced the trials and triumphs that come with dedication to physical fitness, mental fortitude, and spiritual well-being. Now he’s here to guide you through your own transformation.
Whether you’re a queer athlete or a cis beginner, Coach Campbell’s approach is open and passionate.
David is available for private and small group training at various times across the week.
Trey Best ACE-CPT
Fitness Professional
Transform Your Body, Elevate Your Life
Fitness has changed Trey’s life in every way, and now he’s here to help you experience the same transformation. As both a Personal Trainer and a Registered Massage Therapist, Trey (he/him) brings a unique approach to training that goes beyond just workouts—he focuses on movement, recovery, and long-term health.
Trey knows what it’s like to feel stuck in a body that doesn’t feel like home.
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His size has changed significantly over his life, and as a trans man, he’s had to push past both physical and mental barriers to build the strength and confidence he has today. That journey taught him that real change is possible for anyone, no matter where they start.
With a deep understanding of biomechanics, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, Trey creates programs that challenge your body while protecting it. Whether you’re looking to build strength, or overcome physical limitations, Trey will guide you with expert knowledge and a personalized approach that supports continual progress.
Training with Trey isn’t just about lifting weights—it’s about moving pain-free, building confidence, and unlocking your full potential. No matter where you’re starting from, he’s here to help you get stronger, feel better, and live your best life.
Mariana Iruegas ACE-CPT
Fitness Professional
From injury to inspiration, Mariana's journey shows that movement is not just physical, it is healing.
With a special interest in hypermobility, pEDS, and supporting clients with improved daily functionality, Mariana is here to help you find your strength and embrace your own journey, no matter where you are starting from.
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Mariana is available for private and semi-private training at various times across the week, including early mornings and weekends.
Geoff Starling CSCS FMS TIC
Exercise Physiologist, Founder
Geoff (he/him) began his career as a fitness professional in 2007 after recognising the need for a safe, judgment-free environment for people returning to exercise or trying it for the first time. In 2017, he founded Every Body STRONGER, a hyper-inclusive fitness community dedicated to making joyful movement accessible to people of all sizes, ages, and identities.
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Geoff’s approach to his work has also been shaped by challenges in his personal life. In his twenties, he survived major medical events that left him living without his stomach and most of his left lung. In 2014, he also battled with the loss of his younger brother to homicide. He views these experiences as trials that motivate him to not only live, but to thrive in ways that honour their legacies.
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Geoff's drive to aid those struggling to add a base level of activity to their busy lives has led him to expand his coaching to platforms like writing, public speaking and consulting in order to share his experience with a wider audience.
Book Geoff for your next conference or corporate event using the 'Book Now' button below.
BODY CARE
Christian Boivin
Physiotherapist, Conari Health
Doctor of Physiotherapy Graduate from the University of Melbourne. Strengths included musculoskeletal physiotherapy, private practice, complex pediatrics, and chronic pain.
Advocate for inclusive healthcare. Avid woodworker. Former Strength & Conditioning Coach and Martial Arts Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the sports industry, including development of new coaches.
Former high level competitor in Martial Arts, Curling, and Weightlifting.
Dr. Fran Yip
Chiropractor & Acupuncture Provider, Conari Health
Fran grew up in Toronto, Ontario where she was heavily involved in athletics growing up. Always seeing value in movement and deriving joy in sport, Fran played competitive volleyball before switching into competitive weightlifting in university. She completed her degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences with Specialized Honors while competing, volunteering, and working part time!
Driven by the passion to help others get back to what they love to do, Fran pursued a career focused in rehabilitation and injury management. She completed her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. To supplement her formal education, Fran also attended McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program, as well as various other related courses in the injury management field. Her love of sport never wavering throughout her studies, she coached club volleyball and olympic weightlifting as an NCCP weightlifting coach part time.
Fran recently moved to Calgary to be closer to nature and to try her luck at snow sports. When not working or training, you may see her walking her dog, playing sports, video games, or relaxing with a book!
Chelsey Lambert
Registered Massage Therapist, Lymphatic Specialist
Chelsey is a BC-trained Registered Massage Therapist with over 13 years of experience and more than 3,000 hours of clinical training.
Although she works with all humans, she has a keen interest in oncology massage, pre-and post-surgical recovery (including plastic, and orthopedic procedures), athletic rehabilitation, and the treatment of lymphedema and lipedema.
As a Vodder-trained Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) with over 7 years of experience in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Chelsey combines evidence-informed techniques with compassionate, patient-centered care. She tailors treatments to meet each patient’s unique needs and goals.
Chelsey has had the privilege of working across multiple provinces in Canada, gaining a broad perspective on diverse patient populations and healthcare systems. This experience has enhanced her adaptability and empathy, helping her meet patients where they are.
Chelsey values the importance of collaborative care. She willingly communicates with other healthcare professionals—including physiotherapists, oncologists, surgeons, naturopathic Doctors and primary care providers—to ensure patients receive comprehensive, coordinated support. She believes that this teamwork optimizes
outcomes and delivers the best possible care.
Dedicated to inclusivity, Chelsey creates a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment for all patients, including those facing complex health challenges.
Outside the clinic, Chelsey enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, moving her body, and chasing her kids around the next playground. Chelsey looks forward to welcoming you to her treatment room.
Krista ‘KJ’ Johnston ACE-CPT, FST
Fascial Stretch Therapist
As a Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) practitioner, KJ (she/her) helps clients find relief from stiffness, pain, and limited movement through gentle, guided stretching that targets the fascia — the connective tissue surrounding muscles and joints.
KJs calm and supportive approach helps clients feel relaxed while improving flexibility, posture, and overall function.
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With a background in personal training, she understands how important mobility is for both performance and everyday comfort, and she tailors each session to meet the unique needs of every body she works with.
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KJ is available for FST and personal training at various times across the week.
SUPPORT
Lindsay Austin
Registered Yoga Teacher
Lindsay (she/her) is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Executive Coach and Mum of 2 who is passionate about illuminating your power on the mat and in life. Her unique gift: She has a way of seeing your brilliance and holding space for you to connect with yourself.
Lindsay has been teaching the South Asian practice of Yoga for 6 years and believes that honouring the roots of the Yoga practice and the culture it came from is vital to spreading the joy of Yoga. She focuses on more than just the asana (poses/posture), she encourages self connection, breath, peace and wellbeing of the soul through her teaching style.
Lindsay focuses her teaching on being accessible, connected and barrier free. She teaches with the utmost compassion and enthusiastic personal support, regardless of age, ability, gender identity/expression, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation or body size. You are welcome and held with Lindsay.​
Dawn Ross C‑IAYT RYT 500 PCES
Yoga Therapist
Dawn blends yoga therapy and gait/running mechanics to help you regulate, ground, rebuild trust in your body, and reclaim capacity, bit by bit. Dawn loves working with people who have put their flexibility and running or hiking dreams on hold, but their heart desires to get back at it.
Chains, dowels, driftwood, bricks—yep! Dawn uses unconventional props to spark fresh dialogue between your brain and body. These tactile tools help you feel new possibilities in the moment, rather than pushing through or hoping that someday your rep count or sun salutations will improve things.
As a partner of Every Body STRONGER, Dawn helps create inclusive pathways to joyful movement for people of all sizes, ages, abilities, and identities—because yoga, hiking and movement should feel good today, not “someday.”​
Adania Reyes
Guided Meditation Teacher
Inspired by their journey with bipolar disorder, depression, and thoughts of su1c!d3, Adania offers a safe, supportive space for healing, self-discovery, and connection.
Whether you're new to meditation or deepening your practice, their sessions invite you to explore mindfulness for growth and well-being.
FUR FRIENDS
Bubba Doo
Goodest Boy
Bubba brings warmth, joy, and cuddles into every workout. Plus the occasional shoe theft! He joins our Founder most weekdays from 8-4 and is also available 'by request' : )
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*Allergy notice: Please let us know if you have allergies triggered by dogs and Bubba will be left at home for the day.