Our coaches will help you FEEL Amazing

Meet the team that’s dedicated to making your goals a reality.

meet your support team

With over 10 years’ experience Ben de Zwart has been training Personal Trainers how to be their best and helped grow over 100 trainers to become successful. From starting as a brand-new trainer in the industry with zero experience, he quickly became one of the highest-level Personal Trainers in Western Canada and is an award-Winning Fitness Manager. Ben has helped every sort of client, from dramatic weight loss, pre/post injury prevention/rehabilitation, weight-gain/bodybuilding and athletic performance. Ben takes a methodical approach to building the fundamentals in the program and teaching the why behind the movement. He does this, so that the training becomes very practical and the clients can change the way they move on a day to day basis. When clients move better 24 hours a day, success comes much quicker and easier with less chance of relapse. Ben would be very excited to sit down with you to discuss the next year of success and goal setting.

CERTIFICATIONS

Fitness Manager of Excellence Award 2016
6x Winner of Goodlife Top 500 Award
Functional Movement Assessment & Gradual Exercise Methods Level 1 & 2
Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate
DTS Striking Fundamentals Part A Certificate
Can-Fit-Pro Nutrition and Weight Loss Certificate
Can-Fit-Pro Personal Training Specialist
DTS Kettle-Bell Fundamentals Certificate
Advanced Power Training Certificate
TRX R4 Trainer Certificate
TRX RIP Trainer Certificate
My Boot Camp Certification
Body-Fit Certification
DTS Level 1
DTS Intro to Olympic Weightlifting
YMCA Personal Trainer
Trigger Point Level 1 & 2 Certificate
CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
Pat Rigsby’s Online Coaching Specialist Certificate

Ren’s passion for fitness took shape right here at CrossFit Winnipeg. From weightlifting and gymnastics to kettlebells and clubs, his love of movement has propelled his journey from CFW member to personal trainer. He is dedicated to helping clients become stronger and healthier – physically, mentally and emotionally. He breaks down the mental barriers to change, and proves that with hard work and dedication you are capable of anything. He will help you take fear out of the equation, so even the most challenging goals and movements become attainable. Ren strongly believes that if you don’t move it, you’ll lose it. That movement is life, so why not make it fun? If expert coaching and support is what you’re looking for, Ren’s your man. He would love to sit down with you to discuss your fitness goals and ways to help you achieve the seemingly impossible.

CERTIFICATIONS

Gary McLeod has been in the Health and Wellness industry for 14 years as an Advanced Remedial Massage Therapist. Gary’s never-ending thirst for knowledge has expanded his expertise of the musculoskeletal system to include all the inputs and corresponding system considerations that have helped in his thousands of hours of clinical experience. Gary’s clinical Massage Therapy practice entails recommending lifestyle changes such as sleep hygiene, dietary considerations and prescribing exercises that get his clientele the best results possible.

Early in Gary’s life he watched his parents suffer from chronic lifestyle conditions, heart disease and diabetes. This is where Gary gets his passion to help others. One of Gary’s success stories, a man who weighed in at 412 lbs and lost 212 lbs following Gary’s lifestyle recommendations and exercise prescriptions, states, “Gary saved my life, I would be dead if it wasn’t for him showing me how to live.”

Gary is quoted as saying, “I’m only a facilitator of health. My clients are the ones putting in the work. My job is to find out what gets the best results and abandon practices that do not, even if it is against the grain.”

CERTIFICATIONS

2200 hour Advanced Remedial Massage Therapy Diploma, Orthopaedic Assessment course
Sports Injury Management course, Principals of Manual Medicine Study, Visceral release certificate
Functional Active Release Technique Practitioner, Myofascial Release, CrossFit Level 1, Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1, Agatsu Movement & Mobility, Agatsu Mace & Clubs, Program Design, Sleep Masterclass, Hydration Masterclass
Nutrition Masterclass, Stress Management Specialist, Motivational interviewer, Crisis intervention & Conflict Resolution Specialist, Health and Safety Rep, Regenerative Agriculture Environmentalist

Klein has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CSCS). He has a background in competitive basketball & football and has worked with athletes at all levels. A serious shoulder injury ended his sports career, but the knowledge he gained through surgery and rehab has proven invaluable. Klein specializes in shoulder rehab, prehab and athletic training and works with clients of all ages and backgrounds.

Klein believes that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Experience, creativity and empathy are just a few of the ways that he helps people overcome physical and mental barriers to reach their goals. Whether it is health, fitness or performance you’re after, Klein can help you reach your full potential one step at a time.

If you need help rebounding from injury or need that extra push to become the best version of yourself possible, Klein can help you put a plan in place to set and crush massive goals.

CERTIFICATIONS

B.Sc.
University of Manitoba Kinesiology and Recreation Management (Minor in Biological Sciences)
NCCP Coaching Fundamentals
Instructor in the Circus Arts
Respect in Sport
NCCP Weightlifting

Jared believes that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. Bullied as a young kid, Jared took up wrestling at age 10 to learn to defend himself. He branched off into Mixed Martial Arts at age 14 and has since trained with national level trainers and various MMA athletes, pushing himself to the physical and mental limit.

After winning an amateur MMA title belt at age 20 he shifted his focus to helping others reach their fitness goals. Fighting and training both take incredible mental strength, commitment and discipline – we are excited for Jared to bring these values to CrossFit Winnipeg.
Jared specializes in aerobic and endurance training, helping clients burn fat, gain strength and learn to throw a solid punch. If you’re looking for a fun spin on traditional strength and conditioning training, Jared will help you triangle choke your goals into submission!

Josh is a highly motivated athlete and trainer with over 8 years experience playing both hockey and football. His athletic career was cut short due to two knee injuries / surgeries (ACL and meniscus reconstruction) caused by improper athletic training. He has now shifted his focus to helping others reach their goals, teaching people to train properly and safely so preventable injuries like his don’t happen to others.

Josh has 4 years experience in strength and conditioning training, including firsthand experience with prehab and rehab for knee injuries. Josh is a strong believer that anything is achievable as long as you commit to the process. If you are ready to commit yourself to a healthier life, or if you’re looking to bulletproof your knees so you can move safely and freely, Josh is here to kickstart your fitness journey.

CERTIFICATIONS

NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
Athletic therapy schooling for 2 years
Rehab and prehab experience for knee injuries

As a Pastor for nearly 2 decades, Joel honed skills of listening, compassion, encouragement and challenge. Eventually it was time for a change and after a stint in retail sales he joins us at North Star Fitness where those skills learned over decades will help you reach your fitness goals. Joel enjoys running and since he started in High School has run track, road races and in the past 8 years almost exclusively trail races, completing distances up to 100 miles. His most notable finishes include Superior 100, Bighorn 100, Canadian Death Race (125k) and Voyageur 50. But Joel isn’t just a one-trick pony. Working out at North Star Fitness for the past year, he’s fallen in love with kettlebell, barbell and can be found “enjoying” time on the rower fairly regularly. You’ll also find him on his bike, sliding across the snow on cross-country skis in winter, or paddling a canoe in summer.In addition to getting strong, Joel believes that moving well and pain-free is important for people at all stages of life. He understands that you are the hero of your own story, and that every hero needs a guide along their journey especially when working through crisis or challenges. He would love to be that guide for you so you can reach your goals, stay active well into your older years and have fun doing so.

CERTIFICATIONS

ISSA – CPT
Agatsu Lower Body Movement and Mobility
CFA-BLS with AED

Matt has been involved in the fitness industry for over 5 years. He was introduced to the gym via off-season training for football and by the time he finished school, he realized that he enjoyed the process of training more than actually playing football. In 2017, Matt started competing in powerlifting and was instantly hooked. Within 3 years of his first competition, he went from placing second last to breaking the Manitoba squat record for men under 231 lbs.

Matt’s training philosophy is built around the quote, “weak things break”. He believes that getting stronger is universally beneficial, whether you need to pickup and carry your grandkids or get through a 300 lb lineman on the football field. Matt believes that it’s his responsibility to make strength training accessible and fun so that everyone can reap the benefits of a stronger and healthier body and mind.
When you choose Matt as your trainer, you can rest assured knowing that he will give you his full attention and ensure that you are moving safely, efficiently, and in a manner that has practical applications in your daily life.

First Aid/CPR
Canfitpro Personal Training Specialist (2016)
Fitness Kickboxing Canada Level 1 Instructor (2017)

Josée is a licensed physiotherapist providing services in French and English. She attained her Bachelor of Sciences degree from the Université de Saint-Boniface. Following graduation Josée travelled, volunteered in the Dominican Republic, and worked in the French school division in Winnipeg before continuing her studies at the University of Manitoba to complete her Masters of Physical Therapy. Josée is dedicated to lifelong learning and continues to develop her skills through post graduate coursework and mentorship. She has regularly trained at Crossfit Winnipeg/North Star Fitness since 2014, partaking in fitness, powerlifting and Olympic lifting classes. She uses a combination of manual therapy, acupuncture and exercise-based treatment techniques to help manage pain, improve function and achieve individualized patient goals.

Education/Certifications:

-MPT – Masters of Physiotherapy (UofM)
-B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science (USB)
-Certified in Acupuncture
-Sports First Responder Certification

Quentin has competed in high level sports and continues to play a wide variety of them, including volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, racquet sports and golf. This gives him great insight into how athletes move and what is required to achieve optimal performance in sports and activities. Quentin also spent four seasons as the assistant coach for the Université de Saint-Boniface men’s volleyball team and has also coached multiple basketball and badminton teams.

Quentin takes pride in his hard-working nature, and his excellent interpersonal and communication skills. He is always striving to advance his knowledge of exercises and manual therapy to offer the best care possible. He is dedicated to his patients and will provide all his efforts in helping them reach their personal goals.

Education/Certifications:

-MPT – Master of Physiotherapy (UofM)
-B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science (USB)
-Certified in Acupuncture
-Orthotics Training
-Sports First Responder Certification

Our coaches will help you FEEL Amazing

meet your support team

BEN DEZWART

CERTIFICATIONS

RÉNALD VOURIOT

CERTIFICATIONS

LOUISE TÉTRAULT ASSELIN

GARY MCLEOD

CERTIFICATIONS

KLEIN ELEGADO

CERTIFICATIONS

JARED FUNK

JOSHua HUGGAN

CERTIFICATIONS

Joel Toews

CERTIFICATIONS

ADRIAN THÉROUX

JASON PAUL

Matt Delaurier

ALEX PAUL

JOSÉE DEEZAR

QUENTIN RAVAL

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