Trainer Profiles
Current Trainers at Personal Trainers Victoria:
Kris Swanson
Education: Currently finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, CPR C
Registered: BCRPA
Insurance: Sports Canada
Training Specialties:
- Cardiovascular training,
- Sport Specific training,
- Core Stabilization.
Personal Story: For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be involved in sports. As I grew older, this interest expanded into a passion for fitness in general, which eventually led to my studies in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria. I am currently finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Co-op, and am also certified in CPR C and emergency first aid.
Not varying too far from the typical Kinesiologist stereotype, my passions are sports and outdoors. Being from the lovely and beautiful North Eastern BC town of Tumbler Ridge, I have developed a natural zeal for mountaineering. This inquisitive enthusiasm for the outdoors and for traveling has led me to many corners of the world. My personal history in fitness has seen me as a competitive baseball player, hockey player, and middle distance runner. I also have an interest in weight training and experience coaching track and field. Over the years, I have put more and more emphasis on training to become a better runner and as a result have become highly experienced and well read on the topic of running.
Personal Philosophy: Inertia Personal Training and Rehab is a place that offers an interactive opportunity for me to use my Kinesiology skills to help facilitate others in achieving their fitness goals. Whether these goals are muscular gain, cardiovascular improvement, weight loss, rehabilitation or sport specific, I am eager to progress with each client. Attaining good health can be quite complex and I believe that nutritional guidance is a vital aspect of a healthy lifestyle. I enjoy integrating this topic along with exercise to best ensure success with each participant’s goals.
As personal trainers, we surround ourselves with a lifestyle of fitness. Inertia gives us an opportunity to take the tools of our experience, education, and passion to a client’s home to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. I am thrilled to be part of a team of highly qualified and friendly trainers to assist individuals with their personal fitness goals.
Meagan Ponton
Education: Completing my degree in Recreation and Health Education at the University of Victoria, CPR C
Registered: BCRPA
Insurance: Sports Canada
Training Specialties:
- Core Strength,
- Flexibility,
- Strength Building.
Personal Story: I was raised in the Okanagan, which is the best place to be in the summer, but now that I live in Victoria I am like everyone else who lives here-- I am not leaving any time soon! There is much to do in this city and I enjoy spending my time visiting the museum, perusing local shops, traveling, going for hikes, and finding interesting books to read.
I have a broad fitness background which I draw from to uniquely suit the needs of those I am training. My experiences include rowing, rock climbing, kayaking, dance, karate, track, weight training, yoga and Pilates. Iyengar yoga has enhanced my knowledge of the many adaptations that can make training achievable and enjoyable for all. I bring a fair amount of Pilates core strength exercises to my training because of the important role our core plays in maintaining overall posture and balance.
Person Philosophy: I have been training as an Inertia personal trainer for a little over a year. Working with Inertia is a rewarding experience as physical improvements are just a portion of the overall wellness we help you obtain. Inertia’s style of training is best described as wellness training, as I have seen clients’ confidence increase, their stress levels reduced, their day-to-day functional capabilities improve, and their knowledge of health and fitness grow. I am passionate about being able to facilitate positive change in the lives of others.
I believe in what we do as trainers because we help you to increase the control you have over your health. We do this by enabling you to overcome personal barriers, whether the barriers are time, fear, lack of confidence, knowledge or capability. I also believe that successful training is exercise tailored to the individual and their goals. Through challenging ourselves we can see positive change as long as the goals we set are specific, measurable, and realistic. At Inertia, we have the background to assist you in setting smart goals.
It has been shown that physical activity will greatly increase older adults’ ability to maintain independence, improve balance, reduce the rate of bone loss, and prevent disease. However, trends show that their physical activity levels dramatically decrease with age. This is an area that I have done many of my University studies on and have numerous ideas on how to help keep you motivated, adapt training, and set up specific modes of training to focus on (i.e. balance) based on your own personal background. It is important to view training as an opportunity to socialize and have fun in addition to all the great health benefits listed above.
Lindsay Player
Education: Completing an Exercise and Wellness Diploma at Camosun College and going on to acquire Athlete & Exercise Therapy Degree. Occupational First Aid Level 3, CPR C
Registered: BCRPA
Insurance: Sports Canada
Training specialties:
- Strength building,
- In-home Functional Exercises for all ages & levels,
- Overall Body Wellness.
Personal Story: I have lived in Victoria all my life and absolutely love it here. I find this city has so much to offer for someone who enjoys being outdoors and exercising on a regular basis. I spend most of my time taking advantage of the fantastic local hiking as well as engaging in many different water sports. When I am not participating in physical activity, I am spending time with my family and friends in addition to taking different courses to further my education.
I have a strong athletic background as physical activity has always been an integral part of my daily lifestyle. I have been a part of a variety of highly competitive sports including playing on a soccer team for fifteen years, rowing for nine years, and swimming for six years. My other experience includes softball, half marathons, dragon boat racing, outrigging, dance, squash, and Pilates. This well-rounded fitness background enables me to provide each of my clients with their own exciting and dynamic exercise program.
Person Philosophy: I have been working for Inertia Personal Training and Rehab since August 2005 and I firmly believe in the philosophy of this unique fitness organization. For a wide variety of reasons, many people prefer the comfort and privacy of their own home versus training at a gym and I am happy to be able to bring fitness to them! For our clients who prefer a gym setting, we are happy to meet them there.
Working with my Inertia clients is a rewarding and life altering experience. We become an integral support network which makes a positive difference in our clients’ as well our lives. As a result of our program, our clients gain increased mobility, flexibility, muscle strength, improved self-esteem and the confidence to deal with the challenges of life.
My goal as a trainer is to create a fun, safe and well-designed program that looks specifically at the needs of the individual. I am dedicated to motivate and challenge my clients to enable them to reach their goals while at the same time enjoying the journey.
From my experience, I have learned that it is never too late to start an exercise program and see the health benefits. I strongly believe that by engaging in exercise program, you will live a longer, independent, and healthy lifestyle.
Jared Sato
Education: Personal Fitness Trainer Extension Certificate (Mount Royal College, Calgary AB), National Strength & Conditioning Association - Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), Levels 1 & 2 of the 3M National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP 2), Standard First Aid/CPR Level C, and Ongoing Pursuit of Additional Certifications in Health, Fitness, and Nutrition
Registered: NSCA
Insurance: Sports Canada
Training Specialties:
- Functional Strength & Conditioning
- Integrated Core/Balance/Postural Training
- Sport Specific Training
Personal Story: Forever a fitness aficionado, I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where my long-standing passion for exercise evolved from simply being a form of recreation to a career in which I am fortunate to be able to share my knowledge and enthusiasm. More than just a job for me, I enjoy every aspect of being a Personal Trainer - from the training itself to the ongoing interactions, and especially the ability to make a positive impact on the health, fitness, and overall wellness of others.
After spending 3 years as a Personal Trainer in Calgary, I am thrilled to now live in the active and health-conscience community of Victoria to continue my career in a setting that offers the lifestyle and surroundings that I love. I train in the martial arts, enjoy weight training, biking, all things outdoors, and many other activities. I continue to explore new avenues of fitness, and enjoy the endless ways one can keep active – it is never too late to try something new, and there is something out there for everyone!
Personal Philosophy: I am a strong believer in the ‘personal’ aspect of personal training and recognize that each person is unique with individual preferences, limitations and abilities. My mission is to be a guide for my clients; leading them to fitness and providing motivation, I create personalized workouts that continuously evolve and grow according to their specific interests and progress. My goal is to make each session as enjoyable, safe, and efficient as possible, utilizing proper technique and innovative exercise. I enjoy the challenges each client brings, and I strive to help each person reach their full potential.
My approach is founded on functional training: training the body as it is used to perform activities in daily life, specific to each individual, whether you are a 9 to 5’er or an elite athlete. Furthermore, I believe in training the body from the ‘inside-out’ with a strong foundation in core, balance, and postural techniques. Focusing where human movement originates and transfers, I combine science/research-based techniques with unique exercises to produce optimal results. I also believe in the importance of educating my clients in fitness and nutrition, teaching basic and essential skills so they will have the tools for continued and independent success.
I enjoy training anyone and everyone, and have experience with youth, older adults, pre/post natal, post rehab, those with illnesses, athletes, and the general population with a variety of health and fitness goals. Whatever a person’s fitness aim may be, their goals become my goals and I am equally enthused and dedicated to reach them. The benefits of regular exercise and proper nutrition are many and maintaining one’s health and fitness shouldn’t be a chore. Instead, it should be an integrated and enjoyable aspect of one’s lifestyle that everyone has the power to realize and achieve!
Petra MacDougall
Owner/Administrator
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Service Administration, CPR C
Registration: Canadian Fitness Professionals
Insurance: Sports Canada
Personal Story: I have always lived an active life -- growing up in Burns Lake, BC this was a given. We (my sisters and I) walked everywhere, played all the time, and worked daily in our family bakery. When I think about the rewards I have had because my family supported and encouraged my active lifestyle, I think of early morning figure skating practices, varsity basketball, beach volleyball, cave guiding, spinning and boxercise classes, performing trapeze & dance shows, triathlons, half marathons, and yoga. Now a new mom, my definition of being fit has been redefined but is still as exciting as ever.
Personal Philosophy: Fitness and lifestyle are in a constant ebb and flow. Life is not static and therefore neither is our approach to fitness. We travel, we get injured, we have babies, we change careers, we learn a new sport and stop playing others. No matter what is happening in my life however, I know that keeping fit and maintaining a balanced lifestyle are the tools I need in order to stay physically strong, mentally well, and socially integrated. Exercise practiced safely and knowledgeably is truly a medicine for our body – it is a specific practice which allows self-awareness and self-preservation. My ten years of experience in the field have taught me not only the wonderful science of our bodies – our biomechanics – but have also shown me the ways that exercise allows the body to release emotions that otherwise lead to pain and disease in the body.
My past has absolutely shaped my present and I am so grateful for where I am today. I grew up in a Swiss-Canadian family which enabled me to learn two other languages and taken me traveling to places all over the world. My family’s active lifestyle marks the beginning of who I have become; it was what created my shell – this body – that I have learned to treat with compassion, respect, and playfulness.
I can probably sum up my personal philosophy this way: That we all have a right to the healthiest, happiest life possible so that we can live with integrity and purpose. I am honoured to get to live out this philosophy every day through my work with Inertia. I see people light up when they reach a personal goal; I see their confidence rise as they complete that last set; I get to be creative with clients and trainers and meet so many amazing people. I believe that when listened to, our bodies are excellent guides, and I welcome the opportunity to introduce you to the Inertia way of listening.